Baby A Tong climbed onto the small table with shaky little legs, his tiny fingers gripping the edge as he pulled himself up. His eyes scanned the room wildly, searching every corner as if his whole world depended on what he found. But the room was quiet — too quiet — and the one voice he wanted most wasn’t there.
Then it happened.
A Tong’s chest tightened, his lips quivered, and he let out a sharp, emotional scream that cut through the entire house. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t mischief. It was pure panic — the heartbreaking cry of a baby who suddenly felt completely alone.
He screamed again, louder this time, his voice cracking with fear. His small body trembled on the table, but he didn’t climb down. He didn’t move at all. He stayed there, frozen, eyes glued to the doorway where he hoped Mom would appear.
His screams were desperate.
High-pitched.
Filled with the raw emotion of a tiny monkey who thought he’d been left behind.
When no one came right away, A Tong’s cries turned into soft, broken wails. He pressed his palms flat against the table, his shoulders shaking as his breath hitched again and again. His little tail curled tightly around itself, a clear sign he was overwhelmed.
Finally, footsteps approached.
The moment A Tong heard them, he gasped, lifting his head sharply. His eyes widened with hope. When Mom stepped into the room, everything inside him exploded at once — relief, love, fear, longing. He reached out both arms, screaming again but this time with joy.
Mom rushed to him, scooping him into her arms.
A Tong collapsed against her chest, wrapping his tiny arms around her neck, still sobbing softly, but now safe. His heartbeat slowed as he pressed into her warmth, clinging as if he’d never let go again.
He wasn’t being naughty.
He just missed his mom…
more than his little heart could handle.
