Lala sat quietly in her little corner, her soft fur slightly dusty from the morning’s wanderings. Her big round eyes, normally full of mischief and curiosity, were red and watery. She clutched her favorite stuffed bunny—a gift from Kien—close to her chest and let out a soft whimper. It had been two days since Kien left, and Lala couldn’t understand why her best friend hadn’t come back yet.
Every morning before this, Lala would wake up to Kien’s warm voice calling her name, the sound of his footsteps running across the floor, and the jingle of the food bowl being filled. Kien would always greet her with a hug, scratch behind her ears, and whisper, “Good morning, silly monkey!” But now, the house felt different. Too quiet. Too empty.
Lala missed everything about him. The way he carried her on his shoulder when they went for walks. The way he laughed when she playfully tugged on his shirt. Even the way he scolded her gently when she tried to steal cookies from the kitchen counter.
Mom noticed it right away. “Lala, come eat breakfast,” she said softly, placing a small bowl of warm porridge and fruit slices on the floor. But Lala didn’t move. She just sat there, eyes fixed on the front door, waiting… hoping.
“Lala, sweetie, please eat something,” Mom pleaded again, crouching beside her. But Lala turned her head away. Her stomach growled, but her heart ached more. The food didn’t matter. Nothing mattered if Kien wasn’t here.
Mom sighed. She gently picked up the bowl and set it on the table. “I know you miss him,” she whispered. “But he’ll come back soon. He just went to visit his grandparents.”
But Lala didn’t understand words like vacation or weekend trip. All she knew was that Kien was gone. And she didn’t know when—or if—he’d return.
By afternoon, Lala had retreated under the table, lying with her face buried in her arms. She didn’t want to play with her toys, or climb on the shelves, or even peek at the ducks outside—her usual afternoon fun. She just lay there, still and quiet.
Mom tried everything. She brought Lala a fresh banana smoothie—her favorite. No response. She played Kien’s voice recording from her phone. Lala looked up, ears perked, but when she realized he wasn’t actually there, she curled back into a ball and cried.
That night, Mom called Kien on video. “Say hi to Lala,” she said, turning the screen toward her.
“Lala! I miss you, little one!” Kien beamed through the phone. “I’ll be home soon, okay?”
Lala looked at the screen for a moment. Her lip quivered, and she gave a soft cry. Then she reached out with one hand, trying to touch Kien’s face through the screen. But of course, it didn’t work. She lowered her arm and looked away, more heartbroken than before.
Kien’s smile faded. “She’s really upset, huh?” he asked Mom.
“She hasn’t eaten since you left,” Mom said, stroking Lala’s back. “She’s been crying a lot and hiding.”
Kien looked worried. “Tell her I love her. Tell her I’ll be home in just two more sleeps.”
Mom relayed the message, but Lala didn’t move. Kien’s voice on the screen wasn’t the same as his arms hugging her or his kisses on her cheek. She needed him here.
The next day, Lala was even more withdrawn. She refused water, refused food, and wouldn’t come out of her blanket fort. Mom brought in a small speaker and played Kien’s favorite guitar tune. She hoped the sound would cheer Lala up. Lala lifted her head slightly when she heard it… and then slowly came out from under the table.
She sat near the speaker, quietly listening. Her tail curled around her feet as she looked at the toy box where Kien had last played with her. Slowly, she walked over, pulled out the red bouncy ball, and sat with it in her lap. It smelled like him.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Later that evening, Mom had an idea. She printed out some photos of Kien and taped them around Lala’s bed. “Look, honey,” she said. “Kien loves you so much. He’s just away for a few days.”
Lala crawled into the bed, gazing at the pictures. One showed Kien lifting her in the air, both of them smiling with pure joy. Another showed her curled up in his lap, fast asleep. She reached out and touched one gently, then closed her eyes and lay down.
That night, she didn’t cry as much. She clutched the stuffed bunny and drifted into a restless sleep.
Finally, the next morning, something was different. Lala heard the sound of a suitcase rolling. She perked up. Then came a voice—his voice—laughing outside.
“LALA!!! I’M HOME!!!”
She jumped up, heart pounding, eyes wide with disbelief. The door flew open and there he was—Kien, standing in the doorway with his arms wide open.
“Come here, monkey!”
Lala let out a joyful squeal and leapt into his arms. She clung to him tightly, wrapping her arms and legs around his neck. She cried—but this time with happiness. She pressed her face into his shoulder, not wanting to let go.
“I missed you too,” Kien whispered, tears in his own eyes. “So much.”
Mom stood nearby, watching the reunion with a gentle smile. “I guess someone’s ready to eat now?”
Lala looked up at Kien, then nodded slowly. Her appetite had returned. But more than that, her heart felt whole again.
That afternoon, they sat together at the table. Kien shared slices of mango and banana with Lala, who eagerly ate every bite. She chattered and squeaked, telling him—in her own monkey way—everything that had happened while he was away.
Kien listened, nodding, laughing, and wiping her tears when they returned.
Later, they played their favorite games, cuddled on the couch, and even napped together in a warm pile of blankets.
Lala knew now that sometimes people have to go away… but that doesn’t mean they stop loving you. Kien had come back. He always would.
And with that, Lala’s world was bright again. Her sadness had passed, and in its place was joy, comfort, and the warmth of knowing that love never truly leaves.
