In the Tales from Agrabah version Abu is owned by a rich lady that pampers him allot but he is forces to perform his tricks for her friends. She seems him as her property and not a living being let alone a friend. When Abu runs away he encounters a young Aladdin at the marketplace where they fight over some food.
After some adventures Aladdin returns Abu but the monkey decides he wants to be free and from then own the two become friends.