Laddu crossed his arms dramatically.
"I declare a hunger strike," he announced. ✊
Mochi looked at him, calm as ever.
"You already asked for food."
"That was before rejection," Laddu replied solemnly. 😤
Mother didn't even look up from the stove.
"There is food on the stove." 🍳
Maya burst out laughing.
"Hunger strike with breakfast ready?" 🤣
The cousin shook his head slowly.
"Very serious protest." 🧘♂️
Mochi spoke evenly, like a judge delivering facts.
"You can eat or not eat. That's your choice."
Laddu waited.
No reaction.
No panic.
No crowd.
After a few seconds, he uncrossed his arms.
"…Can I eat?" 🥺
"Yes," Mochi said.
Laddu nodded immediately.
"Hunger strike cancelled." 🏳️
Mother placed a plate on the table. 🍛
The baby slept. 😴
Normal life resumed.
The plate sat there.
Laddu did not touch it.
"I'm not eating," he said firmly.
Mochi glanced at him.
"You said hunger strike cancelled."
"I changed my mind," Laddu replied.
"My other friend has a pass. I want one also." 🎟️
Maya turned around.
"Which friend?" 🤨
Laddu waved vaguely.
"Friend."
The cousin frowned.
"Imaginary friend?" 👻
Mother spoke without drama.
"Different people, different rules."
Laddu looked straight at Mochi.
"But why no pass for me?"
Mochi answered slowly. Clearly.
"Because I don't want one."
"That's it?" Laddu asked.
"That's enough," Mochi replied. ✔️
Laddu stayed quiet.
Then pushed the plate slightly away.
"Still not eating."
Mochi didn't raise her voice.
"You don't eat, you'll be hungry."
"Yes," Laddu said bravely.
"That's part of the protest." ✊🍽️
Mother nodded once.
"Then be hungry."
Maya laughed softly.
"This family negotiates with food." 😂
The baby slept.
Laddu stared at the plate again.
Still didn't eat.
Laddu picked up his phone. 📱
"I'll call my office friend," he said.
"Speaker."
He dialed.
"Do you need permission to hug your girlfriend?" Laddu asked.
From the phone:
"Of course not."
Click.
Laddu looked at Mochi.
She said nothing.
He dialed again. 📞
Same question.
Same answer.
Again.
Again.
Again.
By the fifth call, Maya leaned on the counter.
"This is becoming a survey." 📊
Sixth call.
"Of course not."
Seventh.
Same answer.
Eighth.
Same answer.
Laddu placed the phone down, satisfied.
"Eight people," he declared proudly.
"No permission."
Mochi finally looked at him.
"Call eight more," she said calmly.
"My answer will still be the same."
Laddu frowned.
"But everyone says no permission."
Mochi replied evenly,
"Then hug them."
Silence. 🧊
Mother nodded once.
"That's correct."
Maya smiled.
"She solved it."
The cousin added,
"Different girlfriend. Different rules."
Laddu stared at Mochi for a moment.
"…So still no pass?"
"No pass," Mochi said.
Laddu sighed, picked up the plate, and started eating. 🍽️
Then Laddu looked up.
"My ex allowed me," he said casually.
The kitchen went quiet. 😶
Maya turned slowly.
"Oh no."
The cousin raised his head.
"You really said that."
Mother stopped what she was doing.
Mochi didn't react immediately.
"That was your ex," she said calmly.
"Yes," Laddu replied.
"She didn't need permission."
Mochi nodded once.
"Then stay with your ex."
💥
Laddu blinked.
"That's not what I meant."
Mochi spoke clearly.
"What your ex allowed is not my rule."
Maya added,
"Wrong comparison."
The cousin agreed.
"Very wrong."
Mother's voice was soft but firm.
"Past relationships do not decide present boundaries."
Laddu looked down.
"…Okay."
Laddu glanced up again.
"You changed so much," he said.
"You used to be like my maid. Now I am your maid."
The room froze. ❄️
Maya snapped.
"Hey."
The cousin frowned.
"Careful."
Mother looked directly at Laddu.
Mochi didn't raise her voice.
"Who changed you?" Laddu asked.
Mochi met his eyes.
"You did."
"…Me?"
"Yes," she said.
"You taught me to speak. To say no. To not stay quiet."
Silence. 🕯️
"You don't like it," Mochi continued,
"because now I don't disappear."
Maya nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
Mother added gently,
"Growth always looks strange to people used to comfort."
Laddu stared at his plate.
"…Okay."
He took a bite. 🍚
"But I am your boyfriend," Laddu said.
"I have the right. That's not fair."
Maya reacted instantly.
"Wrong sentence." 🚫
The cousin nodded.
"Very wrong."
Mother stayed quiet.
Mochi looked straight at Laddu.
"You don't have rights over me," she said calmly.
"You have permission when I give it."
"But we are together," Laddu argued.
"Yes," Mochi said.
"And being together doesn't remove asking."
Laddu frowned.
"Then what do I get as a boyfriend?"
Mochi answered without hesitation.
"Trust. Care. Time. Honesty."
"No automatic access," she added.
Laddu was quiet.
Mother finally spoke.
"Love is not ownership."
Maya crossed her arms.
"If anything, boyfriend means more responsibility, not more rights."
The cousin nodded.
"Exactly."
Laddu looked at Mochi again.
"So if I want to hug—"
"You ask," Mochi said.
"And if you say no?"
"Then you stop."
Laddu exhaled slowly.
"…Okay."
He nodded once.
"I understand."
Mochi watched him, then said,
"You can hug me now."
Laddu blinked.
"Really?" 😳
"Yes," she said.
He hugged her briefly 🤍
Gentle.
Then stepped back on his own.
"Still no pass," Mochi added.
Laddu sighed.
"Still learning." 📚
He leaned forward again, hopeful.
"How about a deal?"
"Five hugs per day. No permission." ✋✋✋✋✋
Maya shook her head immediately.
"Nope."
The cousin smiled.
"Negotiation mode activated."
Mother waited.
Mochi thought for a second.
Then said,
"No."
"That was fast," Laddu said.
"I thought," Mochi replied.
"And the answer is no."
"Why?" Laddu asked.
"Because I don't want hugs to become automatic," she said.
"And I don't want you to stop asking."
Maya smiled.
"Reasonable."
The cousin nodded.
"Deal rejected."
Laddu sighed dramatically.
"So cruel."
Mochi looked at him.
"You can ask right now."
Laddu paused.
"…Can I hug you?"
"Yes," Mochi said.
One hug. 🤍
Counted. ✔️