KRINGGG... KRINGGG...
The sound of a phone ringing echoed.
"Hello..."
"Dad, I'm worried about you being alone over there. It's better if you move to a nursing home, okay? There you'll have friends, and someone to take care of you."
"I'm comfortable here..."
"Dad, listen to me. You have to move. I'll come pick you up the day after tomorrow."
Tut… tut… tut…
The line went dead — ending a short conversation between a son and his father.
Chio was a Samoyed dog who had always loyally accompanied his master, Mr. Surya, and his wife. For years, Chio lived happily with them — playing in the spacious yard and resting on the front porch. But ever since Mr. Surya's wife passed away, he had spent more time sitting silently on his old wooden chair. His gaze became empty, and his body grew weaker. Chio could sense the sorrow Mr. Surya was carrying, so he tried to stay cheerful to bring his master's spirit back. Mr. Surya still often took walks with Chio, talked to him, and hugged him during the nights when he woke up from sleep.
Then one day, his son Rendra broke the news of a difficult decision. Rendra had decided, with a heavy heart, to take Mr. Surya to a nursing home — hoping it would ease his worry about leaving his father alone in the house.
The day of Mr. Surya's departure arrived. He sat in silence, then looked down at Chio who was sitting by his feet. His old hand gently stroked Chio's head. Sensing something, Chio nuzzled his head against Mr. Surya's leg, as if begging not to be left behind.
Rendra's car arrived to pick up Mr. Surya. With great reluctance, Mr. Surya stepped into the vehicle. Realizing his master was leaving, Chio immediately chased after the moving car.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Chio ran with all his might, trying to catch up to the car that was taking his beloved master away. His claws scraped the asphalt, his breathing turned ragged, but the car sped farther and farther away — until finally, Chio stopped in the middle of the road, exhausted and confused.
Days passed. Chio kept searching for Mr. Surya, becoming a stray dog. He had to survive on his own. Food became hard to find, and no one around seemed to care. Loneliness began to eat away at Chio.
Azazel, witnessing Chio's loyalty, began to act. He wanted to destroy the last bit of hope left in the dog's heart. Azazel didn't appear directly, but instead whispered wicked thoughts into the minds of the people around Chio — making them see him as a threat.
One day, a young man with a sneer on his face kicked Chio as he scavenged through a trash bin.
"Get outta here! Stupid stray!" the man shouted while throwing a rock at Chio.
A large stone hit Chio's body, making him howl in pain.
The next day, a street vendor splashed him with dirty water when Chio approached his food stall. And the days that followed were no different — once, a group of kids even tied noisy cans to his tail, scaring him into running aimlessly.
Chio, once friendly to everyone, began to change. Now, he feared all humans. He started lashing out at anyone who came near. The love in his eyes was replaced with fear and rage.
In his simple mind, Chio began to think:
Humans are cruel... No one cares about me...
From afar, Azazel smiled, watching Chio's transformation.
"Good... Keep hating them..."
In the midst of his suffering, Azazel whispered into Chio's heart:
You were abandoned... You'll never find your master again... No one loves you...
His heart felt more hollow than ever. But those whispers didn't break his spirit. On a dark night, with an empty stomach, Chio kept walking — still searching for his master.
Weeks passed. One day, Serafim saw Chio wandering in a narrow alley — his body thin and full of wounds. His eyes were sharp, full of wariness. When their eyes met, Chio stiffened, ready to attack. But Serafim remained calm.
"You should know I'm not like the ones who hurt you... I'm here to help you," said Serafim softly.
Chio remained on guard, but his eyes began to soften. As if he could sense that Serafim was no ordinary human. Chio didn't bark or attack.
Serafim slowly approached, crouched down, and gently placed his hand on Chio's head. In that moment, Serafim could see all of Chio's memories.
—
Memories of Mr. Surya lovingly petting him and feeding him by hand like a son. Of Mr. Surya speaking to him every night like a best friend. Of Mr. Surya crying after his wife passed, and Chio simply sitting beside him, watching silently. Of how Chio tried to cheer him up with playful antics. And of the farewell — how Chio ran with all his might, chasing Mr. Surya's car. Serafim also saw the beatings, the stones, the neglect Chio had endured ever since.
—
"Chio, you just want to find your master again, don't you?"
Chio lowered his head, his tail faintly wagging.
"Come on. Let's find him together."
Chio looked at Serafim for a moment. Then, with weary steps, he began to follow him. Serafim brought him to his shelter — gave him a bath, food, water, and a warm blanket.
"Tomorrow, I'll start helping you find your master," Serafim said.
Chio, hearing that, felt safe. For the first time in a long while, he fell into a deep sleep, free of fear.
The next morning, Serafim kept his promise. After Chio finished his breakfast, they went off in search of Mr. Surya. Yes — Serafim already knew where he was.
After a long journey, they arrived at the nursing home. Outside, a man stood with a familiar suitcase in hand.
Chio recognized it. That was Mr. Surya's suitcase — and that man was Rendra!
Chio ran toward him, not to greet him, but out of anger. He growled and barked loudly.
You took my master away! You left me all alone!
Rendra flinched, eyes wide. He recognized the dog.
"Chio...??"
Serafim stepped forward in front of Chio, calmly looked at Rendra, and asked gently:
"Do you know this dog?"
Rendra nodded.
"This is my father's dog... His name is Chio. He must've been looking for my dad... But..."
"Where is Mr. Surya?" Serafim asked.
Rendra looked down and let out a long sigh.
"My father passed away... two days ago," he said softly.
Serafim fell silent and looked at Chio. The dog stood frozen, his body weak. He had come all this way, hoping to see his master one last time — but it was too late.
Rendra knelt in front of Chio, gently stroked his head.
"I'm sorry... I can't take you back to my home because I live abroad... I didn't even get to be with him in his final moments..."
Chio looked at him with teary eyes. He lowered his head. No growling. No sharp stare. Just overwhelming sorrow. He didn't understand all the words — but his heart could feel Rendra's sadness.
Without a sound, Chio ran away. As fast as he could — with no direction, no goal. Until he turned into a narrow alley, and in panic, he bit a young man passing by — Dimas.
"AARGH!" Dimas fell to the ground.
Hearing his scream, nearby residents rushed over and saw Dimas's bleeding arm.
"That dog's gone mad! Hit it!"
They raised wooden sticks, ready to strike Chio.
But Dimas, still in pain, reached out and tried to shield him.
"Don't hit him! He's just scared!"
Serafim appeared, stopping the chaos. Once things calmed down, Dimas was taken to the hospital for treatment. There, Serafim apologized and told Dimas about Chio — how he had been abandoned, abused, and lost everything.
Holding his bandaged arm, Dimas said, "If he's willing, I want to take care of him."
Serafim looked at Chio. "Did you hear that? Someone wants to give you a new home."
Chio looked at Dimas. But he still felt afraid.
The first days living together weren't easy. Chio still didn't trust him — growling whenever Dimas came near. He didn't want to be touched. But Dimas didn't get angry. He kept trying, sitting near Chio and speaking softly.
"I won't hurt you. I just want to be your friend."
Certain of his decision, Dimas bought him good food, let Chio sleep on a warm couch, and spoke kindly to him every day.
Then one day, while walking Chio around the neighborhood, a group of young men approached Dimas, mocking him.
"Hey, crybaby! Still keeping that stray mutt?"
They began shoving Dimas. But before they could go any further, Chio, who had been beside Dimas, suddenly stepped in front of him and growled fiercely.
The young men panicked and scattered in fear.
Dimas was stunned by Chio's action and looked into his eyes.
"Does this mean you accept me?" Dimas asked with a smile.
That day was the day Chio accepted Dimas' presence.
—
Chio never forgot Mr. Surya. He simply learned to accept that the world would keep turning. Now he had Dimas—someone who was willing to care for him and accept him.
From afar, Serafim smiled, watching Chio's loyalty finally find a new home.
—
***