It may seem unconventional, but while I don’t see myself as a cat, I often wonder—if I were granted nine lives like theirs, how would I weave the story of each one? I don’t think that for three I would play, for three I would stray, and for the last three, I would stay. Instead, I would live through all nine in a different way. If I got to live nine times, I would love to remember; I would want to remember so that I don’t do the same thing over and over again.
In my first life, I would want to run away at a very young age from the place I was born and find a way to end up in New York. I would want to thrive in an overpriced small apartment in Manhattan and write to survive. I would want to have no savings but a great collection of whiskey and no one to share it with. In my first life, I wish to taste loneliness, homesickness, and freedom in my dream city, just so I can stay home in my next life.
In my second life, I would want to play throughout my childhood with my sister and our friends on our home’s balcony. I would want to run wild on the roads of my city and grow up to be anything but closer to my people and my home. I would want to be a happy child.
In my third life, I would want to come back as my mother’s mother and love my daughter immensely. I would want to live till 90 so that my daughter always has someone to turn to.
In my fourth life, I would want to be born in the hills, where it is always cold, with endless bonfires, and where we would drink brandy with dinner. In that life, I would want to learn how to play guitar and sing, and there, I would want to meet you for the first time—just to let you go this time.
In my fifth life, I would love to come back as my father’s childhood friend. Since he had a beautiful childhood, I wish to be a part of it. I wish to stay his friend through the journey toward the ugly end. I would want to grow up with him and try to be the metaphoric roof that he lost when he lost his father so young.
In my sixth life, I would want to come back as a boy and live a life where I can be anyone and go anywhere without thinking twice. I would want to be a Romeo in my school and a player in my college, and then find the love of my life, settle down, and have two beautiful daughters. I would want to live a life I worked for and, for once, be on the other end of love, to see a woman’s love firsthand.
Since seven is my lucky number, I would want to create something so big that people remember my name even when I’m long gone. Then, in my eighth, I would love to sleep—sleep through the years and wear off the tiredness of all my lives, to heal and grow, to finally find you in my ninth life.
My last life, and whatever will be left next, I would dedicate to you. Since you waited so long, I will be forever by your side. I will love you and write poetry about your eyes. In my last life, I would want to die peacefully, knowing that you will be there in all of my next nine lives.
