The sun had barely started rising when little Cubis the monkey woke up with a restless flutter in his chest. For days he had been missing his best friend, Luk, who had been away for treatment after catching a mild illness. Cubis didn’t fully understand why Luk had to leave—he only knew the house felt too quiet, too empty, without his playful companion. Every morning, he would sit by the front gate, waiting, hoping, listening for familiar footsteps.
On this particular morning, something felt different. Cubis perked up, ears twitching, tail swishing excitedly. The soft rumble of a motorbike approached the driveway. Cubis jumped to his feet. Could it be? He scrambled to the top of the gate, peeking eagerly down the road.
When the bike finally stopped—and Luk hopped off—Cubis froze for half a second, then exploded with joy.
“Luk!!!” his tiny chirps seemed to scream.
He launched himself straight from the gate and into Luk’s waiting arms. Luk laughed and hugged Cubis tightly, his voice warm and gentle. “I’m home, Cubis! I missed you so much!”
Cubis wrapped his little arms around Luk’s neck, rubbing his cheek against Luk’s face, squeaking nonstop as if trying to tell every story from the days they had been apart. His tail curled around Luk’s arm, refusing to let go, afraid it might all be a dream.
Inside the house, Cubis followed Luk everywhere—clinging to his shirt, sitting on his shoulder, poking his pockets, sniffing his hair to make sure it was really him. Luk’s mom placed a small bowl of fruit on the table, but Cubis ignored it completely. Luk was far more important.
When Luk finally sat down to rest, Cubis curled up on his lap, placing both hands gently on Luk’s chest as if checking, once again, that his friend was safe. Luk stroked Cubis’s head, whispering, “I’m not leaving again, buddy. Not for a long time.”
Cubis sighed happily, his eyes drooping, overwhelmed with relief and love.
After days of waiting, the home felt bright again—because Luk was back, and Cubis’s little heart was whole once more.
