The afternoon was calm and ordinary, the kind of day where nothing unexpected seemed likely to happen. Lala sat on the front steps beside Siba, gently brushing Siba’s fur while talking about little things. Bong had been gone for a long time, and although they didn’t say it out loud, both of them missed him deeply. The house felt quieter without his familiar footsteps and cheerful presence.
As the sun dipped lower, Lala suddenly heard a sound at the gate. It was soft but unmistakable. She paused, her heart skipping for just a second. Siba lifted his head too, ears perked, tail slowly beginning to wag. Another sound followed—a laugh they both knew by heart.
Before Lala could even stand up, the gate opened. Bong stepped inside, travel bag slung over his shoulder, smiling widely. For a brief moment, time seemed to stop. Lala blinked, unsure if what she was seeing was real. Then Siba burst forward, barking happily, circling Bong’s legs in pure excitement.
“Bong!” Lala cried, jumping to her feet. She ran toward him without hesitation, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Bong laughed and hugged her back, the kind of laugh filled with relief and warmth. Siba squeezed in between them, tail wagging so fast it looked like it might fly off.
Everyone talked at once. Lala asked a hundred questions, Siba barked as if telling his own story, and Bong simply smiled, looking around as if he was seeing everything for the first time again. He knelt down to hug Siba properly, scratching behind his ears, whispering how much he had been missed.
Inside the house, the mood completely changed. The quiet corners filled with laughter and movement. Even the air felt warmer. Lala watched Bong unpack, noticing how comfortable it felt to have him back where he belonged.
That evening, they sat together sharing stories, smiles, and simple moments. Bong’s return wasn’t just a surprise—it was a reminder of how special reunions can be. In that lovely moment, Lala and Siba realized that home feels complete again when the ones you love finally return.
