The air felt heavy that afternoon, as if even the trees sensed something was wrong. Little Selana sat on the ground, her tiny body trembling, tears streaming down her soft cheeks. Her cries were loud, desperate, and filled with confusion.
Just moments before, everything had been normal.
But then her mom turned away.
Selana didn’t understand why. She only knew that the warmth she depended on was suddenly gone. She reached out with her small hands, calling through her sobs, “Mama… Mama…”
But her mom kept walking.
Each step felt louder than Selana’s cries. The distance between them grew, and with it, Selana’s panic. Her little chest heaved as she cried harder, her voice breaking with every call.
She tried to stand, her tiny legs shaky beneath her. For a moment, she managed a step—but then stumbled, falling back onto the ground. Still, she didn’t stop crying.
The world suddenly felt too big.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Selana curled slightly, hugging herself as if trying to replace the comfort she had lost. Her cries softened into painful whimpers, but the tears didn’t stop. She kept looking in the direction her mom had gone, hoping—waiting—for her to come back.
Seconds stretched into what felt like forever.
Then… a sound.
Footsteps.
Selana lifted her head weakly, her tear-filled eyes searching. And there—her mom was returning, her face filled with concern.
“Selana…” she called softly.
In an instant, Selana’s cries burst out again, louder than before, as if releasing everything she had held inside. She reached forward, her whole body leaning toward her mom.
This time, her mom didn’t walk away.
She rushed in, scooping Selana into her arms, holding her tightly. “I’m here… I’m here,” she whispered, rocking her gently.
Selana clung to her, still crying, but now safe again.
Because for a little heart, even a moment apart can feel like forever.
