The morning sun peeked through the curtains of CEO Kien’s home, bathing the room in a warm, golden light. It was a peaceful day, but there was a sense of heaviness in the air. Monkey Lala, the mischievous yet loving little companion of CEO Kien, seemed unusually quiet. Normally, Lala would be swinging around the living room, playing with colorful ribbons, or sitting by the window watching birds. But today, she sat still on the couch, her big, round eyes filled with sadness. She knew something was different—CEO Kien was leaving for a business trip.
For the past few days, Lala had noticed the signs. She saw Kien packing his suitcases, carefully folding his shirts and placing his documents into a sleek black briefcase. She even saw him double-checking his passport and tickets. Lala was no ordinary monkey; she was incredibly observant and could feel the emotions of those around her. Although Kien had explained, “Lala, I’ll be gone for just a few days, okay? I have to attend some meetings, but I’ll be back before you know it,” the little monkey’s heart still felt heavy.
This morning, the final preparations were underway. The sound of zippers closing echoed in the house as Kien placed the last few items into his suitcase. Lala, holding her favorite piece of blue cloth, walked over to him and tugged at his pant leg. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and sadness. “Oh, Lala,” Kien said softly, crouching down to pat her head. “I’ll miss you too. But you have to be a good girl while I’m away. Thuy will take care of you.”
Thuy, Kien’s assistant, smiled warmly at the monkey. “Don’t worry, Lala. We’ll have fun together. I’ll even give you extra bananas and yogurt.” But Lala didn’t seem interested. Her eyes followed Kien as he zipped up his suitcase and prepared to leave. She let out a soft whimper, her tail wrapping around her little body like a comfort blanket.
Kien knew how much Lala meant to him. She wasn’t just a pet; she was family. Over the years, Lala had been by his side through thick and thin. Whether it was cheering him up after a long day at work or simply sitting with him during late-night brainstorming sessions, Lala’s presence had always brought warmth and joy to his life. Leaving her behind, even for a few days, tugged at his heart.
As the clock struck 9 a.m., the driver arrived to take Kien to the airport. The sound of the car horn made Lala jump slightly. She clung to Kien’s arm as if trying to say, “Don’t go!” Her tiny hands held on tightly, and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. Kien chuckled softly but felt a lump in his throat. “Lala, I promise I’ll be back before you know it. Be strong, okay?”
Kien bent down and hugged the little monkey. Lala buried her face in his neck, her soft fur tickling his skin. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Thuy watched the scene, feeling touched by their bond. “Lala,” Thuy said gently, “let’s wave goodbye to Kien.” But Lala didn’t want to let go.
Finally, Kien gently placed Lala in Thuy’s arms. “Take good care of her,” he said. “She gets lonely if no one plays with her.” Thuy nodded. “Don’t worry, Kien. We’ll have fun. I’ll even take her to the park.” Kien smiled, but as he turned to leave, he could feel Lala’s gaze on him. She let out a soft cry—half a whimper, half a protest. It was as if she was saying, “Come back soon.”
At the doorway, Kien looked back one last time. Lala was standing there with Thuy, holding onto the edge of the doorframe. Her big eyes were filled with sadness, and her little body looked smaller than usual. “I’ll call every day, Lala,” Kien said with a reassuring tone. “You be good, okay?” Lala tilted her head, as if trying to understand, and then gave a tiny nod. It melted Kien’s heart.
As Kien’s car drove away, Lala stayed by the window, watching until it disappeared from sight. She pressed her tiny hands against the glass, her reflection staring back at her. The house felt unusually quiet without Kien’s presence. Lala sat by the window for a long time, almost as if waiting for him to return.
Thuy, noticing her sadness, decided to cheer her up. “Lala, how about some fruit yogurt? You love that, don’t you?” At the mention of yogurt, Lala’s ears perked up slightly. Thuy went to the kitchen and brought a small bowl of fresh fruit and creamy yogurt. Lala ate slowly, still glancing at the window between bites. Even her favorite snack couldn’t completely lift her spirits.
Later in the afternoon, Thuy took Lala to the garden. The bright flowers and buzzing bees usually excited Lala, but today, she seemed quieter. She climbed a tree and sat on a branch, staring at the horizon. Thuy could tell that she missed Kien deeply. “Don’t worry, Lala,” Thuy said softly. “He’ll be back soon. And when he does, he’ll have lots of stories to tell you.”
As the day turned to evening, Lala cuddled with her blue cloth on the couch. The house still felt empty without Kien’s laughter and voice. But deep down, Lala knew that Kien cared for her just as much as she cared for him. She recalled the many times he had carried her on his shoulders, played with her, and shared his meals. That bond gave her comfort.
Before bedtime, Thuy showed Lala a video call from Kien. “Lala! Look, it’s me!” Kien said from the screen. Lala’s eyes lit up instantly. She reached out to the screen as if trying to touch him. Seeing Kien’s face made her heart swell with joy. “I miss you, Lala,” Kien said. “I’ll be home in just three days. Be good for Thuy, okay?” Lala chirped happily, her earlier sadness melting away for a moment.
As the call ended, Lala settled down to sleep. She held her blue cloth close, dreaming of the day Kien would return. Though she missed him dearly, she knew that their bond was strong and unbreakable. Every goodbye only made their reunions sweeter.
