Titas sat quietly, trapped inside his moody world, eyes heavy with feelings he could not explain. The bad emotions from earlier still lingered in his small body, making him distant and withdrawn. He didn’t cry loudly this time. Instead, he shut down, staring at nothing, shoulders tense, heart tired.
Linda noticed immediately.
She didn’t rush. She understood this kind of mood—the kind that needs strength, not softness alone. With calm confidence, she walked over and sat beside him, her presence firm and grounding. She didn’t ask questions or demand eye contact. She simply opened her arms.
Titas hesitated.
Linda leaned in and wrapped him in a strong, steady hug, the kind that feels safe, the kind that says, I’ve got you. Her arms were firm, protective, just like a real dad’s embrace. Titas stiffened at first, unsure, but Linda didn’t loosen her hold. She gently rocked him, breathing slowly so he could feel the rhythm.
Something inside Titas shifted.
His tight fists relaxed. His shoulders dropped. The wall he had built began to crumble. He pressed his face into Linda’s chest, hiding, finally allowing himself to feel small and protected. A soft sob escaped him, then another. Linda held him closer, one hand supporting his back, the other resting on his head, steady and reassuring.
She whispered nothing unnecessary. Her hug did all the talking.
Titas cried quietly, releasing everything he had been holding in—confusion, frustration, loneliness. Linda stayed solid, unmoving, letting him lean on her strength. She didn’t judge his mood. She didn’t rush his healing. She simply stayed.
After a while, the crying faded. Titas remained in her arms, breathing evenly now, eyes half-closed. He felt safe again. Grounded. Seen.
Linda slowly loosened her hold but kept one arm around him, making sure he didn’t feel abandoned the moment the storm passed. Titas looked up at her, eyes still wet, but calmer. He didn’t say thank you—but he didn’t need to.
That hug had spoken louder than words.
In that moment, Linda wasn’t just comforting him. She was teaching him something powerful—that even in the worst moods, there is always someone strong enough to hold you together.
