Anne Boonchuy never thought she was gonna lose one of her loved ones during these years.
She thought leaving the land of frogs permanently was already a good enough life lesson to teach her an etched message of friendships can still be long-lasting even when miles apart.
She thought as long as she got to stay in touch with Marcy and Sasha with the advancing video chat apps, she wouldn't have to mind being alone sometimes because she knows they're still there for her. Marcy does occasionally visit after all.
She thought as long as her mom and dad are healthy and kicking, and still manage to make a good living out of their Thai Go restaurant business, then she'll be happy and fine.
Except…she forgot, out of blissful ignorance, that Domino was never born to be an immortal.
"Maybe I shouldn't have imagined the Deity of the Multiverse to be Domino", she told herself as she glanced in emotional pain at Domino's now lifeless body that was ready to be cremated. At least her parents wouldn't need to know the context of what this multiverse deity is.
But concurrently she wished she didn't forget that cats aren't deities and they don't last forever.
Should've known that Domino got old and then sick when she got caught up with her newfound herpetologist dream and college studying.
Shouldn't have used Domino as a substitute to ease her lingering feelings of missing the
Plantars [who would never see her again], missing Marcy [who had obviously moved away] and missing Sasha [who had found some new friends even though they are still close].
But simultaneously, she didn't want to forget the happiness which Domino did give her, while also knowing that change is the hardest thing to ingest.
She remembered how she led Domino home with a toy mouse [that she later tossed away for Domino 2 the killa-moth] from the streets as a naive child. Not that she was the most equipped and prepared to raise a kitten, and both her parents, mainly her mom, weren't too pleased about that. But who could resist this adorable black and white kitten, who would become an additional member to the Boonchuys?
If she remembered correctly, Marcy and Sasha loved smol Domino to bits with awe when they saw Domino. Heck, little Sasha couldn't even keep her tough girl act together when faced with Domino's brimming cute eyes.
She remembered how she told the Plantars about missing Domino not long after arriving at Wartwood in Amphibia, and was sorrowful when Domino 2 nearly killed them. Because she saw Domino in the cat-like moth's appearance after all.
She remembered how Domino brushed against her leg affectionately to welcome her back home when she was accompanied by the Plantars to Earth. It was much needed temporary therapy right after witnessing Marcy getting backstabbed, literally by a lightsaber.
She remembered how Domino was dressed up as Santa Claus during Christmas with the Plantars. How adorable.
And most importantly…how she saw the deity of the multiverse as Domino. Domino was really the alpha and the omega…
Except…normal cats never have nine lives.
And when time was creeping away while she buried herself with worrying about her college, wondering how Marcy and Sasha were doing, and missing the Plantars, she forgot the closest pet -no, pet was an understatement, it should be "fur family member" instead- would be so vulnerable to get struck by an illness of old age or whatsoever. Who would've known that cats aged at acceleration faster than humans?
Yet after departing from her found frog family and letting Sasha and Marcy pursue their own lives, she wasn't even ready to let Domino go. And she never knew she would have a continuously sinking heart each time she and her parents took Domino to the vet to anticipate a slim chance of having good news.
Ultimately, there was no other path for her to escape from the cemented announcement from the vet that "your cat has to be put to sleep".
Marcy and Sasha's respective consolation texts of "sorry for what happened" on their texting apps were of course kind, but there was nothing they could do from afar.
And for so long, her parents emanated a strong sense of helplessness when she fell to her knees about the verdict of letting Domino go to sleep forever. She was well aware that they were holding back their tears to at least hope that she would feel less painful and cushion the hit for her. Not sure if it was sadder for them to anxiously wait for her after disappearing for months back then, but…maybe it was even more painful for them to know Domino would never come back when the verdict would soon come.
But then…why would she let Domino slumber for eternity?
Maybe it's because she has learned that change is always needed even if it is obvious that it is the hardest thing.
Sure, she could totally reject the option. But…would this change Domino's suffering? Would it be the best decision for her beloved cat?
Maybe not.
It was like…was it the best decision to leave Sprig behind, but…about a matter of life and death?
Sometimes, change is hard. Sometimes, people will question why you choose to embrace change when already knowing that it would possibly stab you at all angles. Sometimes, you would hope that change would at least give you a few other options that could lead to happy endings rather than waving emotional goodbyes.
However, sometimes, as Anne knew, it was necessary even if there was only one option left. Because there was already no guarantee, and more crucially…
It was probably for the best. Especially if it meant…hoping that the Plantars would be living well even without her, and cherishing her family and friends even more. And…to end Domino's suffering once and for all.
Maybe one day, her parents and friends [both new and old] would ask her why she chose to do so. Maybe one day she would suddenly remember Domino in a speck of her mind and break down crying without realizing she would be in public.
But for now, maybe it was the right thing to accept such a change.
For now she looked at Domino's motionless but peaceful body that was ready to be cremated. Even though her vision was getting blurred by emerging tears that she didn't bother to retaliate against. Maybe at that moment, this decision was right. Even though the possibilities of second thoughts would not be eliminated after all.
"Anne…dear. You ready for this…?" Her dad asked.
She nodded.
Maybe one day, of all the things she has let go, her loved ones, including Domino, would make their ways back to each other.
But for now…
Goodbye, Domino.
