Chamroeun had been playing quietly in the corner when he noticed something unusual — Mom and Dad were getting ready to leave. He watched them gather their bags and head toward the door, his little heart already beating faster. The moment he realized they were going to the market without him, a wave of panic hit.
As the door closed, Chamroeun rushed over and pressed his tiny hands against it, letting out a loud, high-pitched scream that echoed through the room. His eyes darted around, looking for any sign that they might come back. The house felt suddenly too quiet, too empty.
He paced back and forth, calling out for them in his own monkey way, his voice full of desperation. Every creak and sound from outside made him perk up, only to be disappointed when it wasn’t them. He jumped onto a low table, then back down again, unable to settle his restless energy.
After a while, he sat on the floor, still whimpering, hugging his own tail for comfort. He didn’t understand why they had to go without him. In his little mind, being left alone felt like the whole world had turned cold.
But just as his cries began to fade into tired sniffles, a familiar sound reached his ears — the soft footsteps and voices of Mom and Dad returning. His head shot up, and in a flash, he ran to greet them, tears still clinging to his fur.
They scooped him up, showering him with gentle pats and soothing words. Chamroeun clung tightly, as if promising himself he’d never let them go again. For him, the short trip had felt like forever, but now, in their arms, the world felt warm and safe once more.
