It was early morning, and the house was still quiet except for the soft hum of the ceiling fan. Monkey Cubis lay fast asleep in Aunt’s arms, his tiny fingers loosely curled around the edge of her shirt. His breathing was steady, his face relaxed, and every so often, he made a little sigh — the kind only a deeply content sleeper makes.
Aunt had been staying for a few days, filling the home with laughter, treats, and endless playtime. From chasing Cubis around the yard to feeding him his favorite fruit snacks, the two had quickly become inseparable. But today, Aunt had to leave. Her bags were already packed by the door, and the taxi was waiting outside.
She looked down at Cubis, still fast asleep against her. Part of her wanted to wake him, to see his bright eyes and hear his happy squeal one last time before she left. But she knew how tired he was from the fun-filled days they had shared. Waking him just to say goodbye felt too cruel.
Carefully, Aunt adjusted her arms, slowly easing Cubis onto his soft blanket. She tucked him in gently, brushing a stray bit of fur from his forehead. For a moment, she lingered, memorizing his peaceful little face. Her eyes glistened, knowing that when he woke up, he might look around and wonder where she had gone.
Leaning down, she gave him the faintest kiss on the top of his head — a kiss light enough not to stir him. Whispering softly, she said, “I’ll see you again soon, my little Cubis.” Then, with one last look, she turned and walked toward the door, closing it quietly behind her.
When Cubis finally awoke, Aunt was gone, but her warmth still lingered in the blanket wrapped around him. He sat up, blinking sleepily, perhaps sensing that someone special had just been there. And somewhere, on her journey home, Aunt was smiling through her tears, already missing him.
