Abandoned and shaken, tiny mother Sarika sat alone under a patch of dim shade, her small arms wrapped tightly around her newborn as if the world were trying to take him away. Her body trembled with exhaustion, but her grip on her baby never loosened for even a moment. It was clear that fear, worry, and confusion were heavy on her heart. Sarika had always been a gentle, low-ranking mother, and now—left outside the troop’s protection—she felt more vulnerable than ever before.
Her newborn, fragile and barely a day old, pressed against her chest, letting out soft whimpers. Each tiny cry made Sarika’s heart jump. She lowered her head, licking his face gently, hoping to calm him, hoping he could feel her love even while the world around them seemed unsafe. The worry in her eyes revealed how deeply she feared losing him. Without a troop to help her, without older mothers guiding her, she carried the full weight of protecting him alone.
Every sound made her flinch. The rustling leaves, a distant monkey’s call, or the snap of a twig all felt like threats. She hugged her baby tighter, her arms forming a protective circle around his tiny body. The baby tried to nuzzle for milk, and although Sarika was clearly exhausted and inexperienced, she adjusted herself carefully, doing everything she could to make sure he could feed. Her trembling hands showed how anxious she still was, but her determination never faded.
Sometimes she looked toward the direction where the troop had disappeared, as if hoping someone might come back for her, or at least acknowledge her struggle. But there was only silence. Still, she did not give up. She shifted her newborn closer, whispering soft, maternal grunts as if promising him she would never let go, no matter how difficult things became.
Her small body curled protectively around him, forming a warm shield against the uncertain world. The newborn’s tiny fingers clung to her fur, trusting her completely despite the hardship surrounding them. Sarika’s expression—half fear, half fierce love—showed a mother’s pure instinct fighting against despair.
In her eyes, the whole world now existed in the form of her baby. No troop, no protection, no status—only the fragile life she held close to her heart. Even abandoned, Sarika’s love made her strong. Her tight embrace was not only fear—it was hope, a promise that she would protect her newborn with everything she had.
