Candy had already left for school, skipping out the door with her tiny backpack bouncing like it was trying to escape gravity 🎒✨The house slipped into its usual mid-morning rhythm.
On the sofa—Laddu slept like a hibernating bear 🐻One arm over his face.One leg hanging off the edge.Absolutely unbothered by the universe.
At the sink, Mochi washed dishes quietly.Warm water.Soap bubbles floating up and popping softly.Her thoughts drifting… again… to Laddu's shy smile from last night.
Behind her, in the living room—
Mother, Maya, and Cousin sat cross-legged on the carpet, playing LUDO like their pride depended on it 🎲🔥
Maya:"I WILL WIN TODAY!"
Cousin:"No, destiny belongs to me!"
Mother rolled her eyes, moving a piece.
Mother:"Both of you talk too much. Play."
Peaceful.Calm.Normal.
Until—
A hoarse voice croaked from the sofa.
"Who am I…?"
Laddu shot upright, hair wild like he'd just fought ten pillows and lost.
He looked around with wide, confused eyes.
Laddu (dramatically):"Wh… who am I…?"
Everyone froze.
Mochi nearly dropped a plate 🍽️Cousin screamed.Maya gasped.Mother looked up slowly.
Then—
Before anyone could react—
Laddu flopped backward again, one arm stretched over his forehead like a tragic hero.
Laddu:"I forgot… everything…"
And instantly fell asleep again.
Silence.
Then—
Maya:"WHAT KIND OF MEMORY LOSS IS THIS?!"
Cousin:"It lasted TWO seconds!!"
Mother shook her head calmly.
Mother:"He just woke up too fast. His brain rebooted."
Mochi pressed a hand to her chest, exhaling.
Mochi:"He scared me…"
Her cheeks were pink anyway 🌸
🌷 Mother Notices
Mother placed her LUDO piece down and looked at Mochi knowingly.
Mother:"Mochi… come here for a moment."
Mochi dried her hands and stepped closer.
Mochi:"Yes, Maa?"
Mother held her hand gently.
Mother:"I understand your feelings."
Mochi's eyes widened.
Mochi:"F-Feelings?"
Mother glanced at Laddu, sleeping like a happy burrito on the sofa 🌯
Mother (soft, wise smile):"Yes. That boy confuses hearts.He melts you.Then scares you.Then melts you again."
Mochi's ears warmed.
Mochi:"Maa…"
Mother leaned closer, voice dropping conspiratorially.
Mother:"And except baby and kiss… you can do anything."
Mochi DROPPED the towel.
Mochi:"MOOOM!! 😳"
Mother continued calmly, unfazed.
Mother:"Hug him. Hold his hand. Feed him food. Sit close.Do anything that helps you understand each other."
Mochi turned red from head to toe 🔥
Maya fell sideways laughing.Cousin choked on air.
From the sofa—
Laddu peeked one eye open, having heard everything.
He whispered to himself, blushing hard, smiling like an idiot.
Laddu (very quiet):"…Anything… except baby and kiss…?I'm… happy."
He buried his face in the cushion to hide the smile stretching across his cheek 😌
🚪 Alone at Last
Mother tied her dupatta.Maya grabbed her purse.Cousin slipped on her shoes.
Mother:"Mochi, we're going shopping. Take care of the house."
Maya (winking):"And take care of someone else too."
Cousin (loud whisper):"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
Mochi:"I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING!!"
Laughter echoed as the door closed.
Silence returned.
Mochi let out a long breath.
She turned toward the sofa—
Laddu was still curled up like a lazy cat 🐈
Until—
His eyes fluttered open.
He blinked, saw Mochi…
And a sleepy, warm smile spread across his face.
Laddu (soft):"My tall flower… come here."
Mochi's heart exploded 💥💗
She walked over shyly and sat beside him.
He reached out instinctively, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Mochi, flustered but gentle, gathered him into her arms like something precious.
His head fit perfectly on her shoulder.
Like it always belonged there.
💬 Compliments Return… Stronger
Laddu sighed contently.
Laddu:"Mochi…"
Mochi:"Hm…?"
Laddu:"You're cute."
Her cheeks warmed.
Laddu:"You're hot."
Her heartbeat jumped.
Laddu:"You're tall."
Mochi:"That's not—"
Laddu:"And that height makes you the hottest."
Mochi buried her face in his hair.
Mochi:"Stop saying it like that…"
But he kept going.
Laddu:"Your hands feel like cotton."
He held her fingers gently.
Laddu:"And your hair… still my rainbow."
Her arms tightened around him without thinking.
Then—
His voice dropped, sincere and soft.
Laddu:"Mochi… when you hold me like this…I feel safe."
She froze… then rested her cheek on his head.
Laddu:"And… I feel loved."
Her answer came in the way she held him closer.
Laddu (tiny laugh):"My tall flower… don't run from me again."
Mochi:"I won't."
💖 The Confession
After a while, she gathered courage.
Mochi:"Laddu… can I tell you something?"
Laddu:"Hm?"
She looked away, voice trembling.
Mochi:"After our date…I started liking you."
Laddu froze.
Then—
He became ridiculously happy.
Laddu:"M-Thank you?! 😄"
Mochi:"I liked the way you talked.The way you smiled.The way you helped everyone.I fell for you that day."
He collapsed against her shoulder from emotional overload.
Laddu:"Mochi… why would you say something so heart-attack-y…"
She laughed softly.
Mochi:"Because it's true."
He lifted his face, eyes glowing.
Laddu:"You're the hottest girl in my universe."
Then, softer—
Laddu:"But love… love is not words for me.It's this.Being here.Feeling safe."
Mochi swallowed.
Then said quietly—
Mochi:"…I don't love you."
Silence.
Laddu's soul left his body 🚪👻
Laddu:"…Eh?"
One second.
Two.
Then—
He laughed.
Big, warm, fearless laughter.
Laddu:"Ohhh. Okay."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:"You're… not upset?"
Laddu smiled and pulled her closer.
Laddu:"Nope. Don't worry."
He tapped her forehead lightly.
Laddu:"That's my job."
She stared.
Laddu:"To make you fall for me."
Mochi melted completely 💞
They stayed like that—close, warm, hearts tangled—longer than either planned.