Evening fell heavy.
The sun was gone 🌇
Lights were on 💡
No one was hungry 🍽️❌
Mochi sat on the edge of the sofa, elbows on knees, face buried in her hands.
She started crying.
Quiet first.
Then shaking.
Then breaking. 💧💧
Mother moved to her instantly, hand on her back.
"It's okay," she whispered 🤍
"He will come."
Maya stood near the window, arms crossed, jaw tight.
"It's been too long…"
The cousin checked his phone again 📱❌
Nothing.
Candy hugged her knees on the floor.
"I don't like today…" 😞
🔔 Doorbell.
Everyone froze.
Father moved first.
"I'll get it."
He opened the door.
Bob stood there.
Laddu was on his back.
Unconscious.
Heavy.
Too still.
Blood had dried near Laddu's hairline 🩸
Mother gasped.
"Oh God…"
Mochi jumped up so fast the chair fell over.
"What happened?!" 😨
Bob stepped inside carefully.
"He's alive," he said quickly.
"Just… out."
Father helped lower Laddu onto the sofa.
Mother touched Laddu's cheek, trembling.
"Laddu… Laddu…" 🤍
No response.
Mochi's voice shook.
"Why is he bleeding?"
Bob wiped his forehead.
"We were walking," he said.
"He didn't want to talk. Just walk."
The cousin asked,
"His head?"
Bob nodded.
"An old woman was walking. A flower pot slipped from a balcony."
Candy covered her mouth.
"He saved her?" 😱
"Yes," Bob said.
"He pushed her away. Pot hit the ground. She was thanking him…"
Bob swallowed.
"…then another pot fell."
Silence.
"…It hit Laddu."
Maya exhaled sharply.
"Idiot." 😡
Mother pressed a cloth to Laddu's head.
"He didn't even think."
Bob continued softly.
"He laughed first. Then sat down. Then slept."
Father checked Laddu's pulse.
"He needs a doctor."
Bob nodded.
"Already called. On the way."
Mochi knelt beside Laddu.
She took his hand.
Her tears fell freely now.
"Why do you always do this…?" 💔
Laddu mumbled in his sleep,
"…flower was aggressive…"
Maya let out a broken laugh.
"He's unbelievable." 😭😂
Mother wiped her eyes.
"We were dying here…"
Bob looked at Mochi.
"He kept saying your name," he said quietly.
"Said he didn't deserve calm."
That broke her.
Mochi bent forward, resting her forehead against Laddu's arm.
"You don't have to earn coming home…" she whispered 🤍
🚑 Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.
Father stood.
"Okay. Everyone breathe. He's here."
Candy smiled through tears.
"He came back…" 🥹
Ben barked once 🐶 and jumped onto the sofa, curling near Laddu.
The house filled with sound again.
Fear loosened its grip.
Not because everything was fixed.
But because Laddu was home.
Later — Doctor's Visit 🩺
The doctor finished checking Laddu's head.
"Small cut," he said.
"No concussion. No stitches."
Mother leaned forward.
"He'll be okay?"
"Yes," the doctor replied.
"Let him rest."
Father nodded.
"Thank you."
The door closed 🚪
Only then did Mother turn to Bob.
"Where were you all night?" she asked.
Calm. Tight.
Bob scratched his neck.
"I put him in my car. Then went to call a doctor."
Maya frowned.
"Then why didn't you bring him here?"
Bob hesitated.
"When I came back… my car was gone."
"…Gone?" the cousin asked.
Bob nodded.
"Towed. Wrong parking."
Mother closed her eyes.
"Oh God…" 😩
"I searched," Bob continued.
"Parks. Streets. Bus stops."
Mochi looked up sharply.
"He walked alone? Injured?"
Bob nodded.
"I found him sleeping on a bench."
Mother pressed her lips together.
"You should have called us."
Bob looked down.
"He told me not to."
Maya snapped,
"And you listened?!"
"He was stubborn," Bob said.
"Even half-conscious."
Father sighed.
"That sounds like him."
Candy looked at Laddu.
"He scared us…" 😢
Bob nodded.
"He scared me too."
Mother sat heavily.
"We thought he disappeared."
Mochi said softly,
"He did. Just not far."
Bob nodded.
"He didn't want to come back angry."
Silence.
Mother spoke firmly.
"Next time, you call us."
"Yes," Bob said immediately.
Mochi stayed beside Laddu.
Holding his hand.
Relief… finally.
Then…
Laddu's eyes fluttered open.
Once.
Twice.
He shifted, sat up slowly, crossing his legs.
Maya frowned.
"…Why is he moving like that?"
Mother leaned in.
"Laddu?"
Laddu looked around.
Alert.
Confused.
Wrong.
Bob stepped forward instinctively and grabbed Laddu's wrist.
"Easy. You're okay."
💥 SMACK
Laddu slapped Bob's hand away.
"How DARE you touch a boy?!" he shouted 😡
"You pervy old man!"
The room exploded.
Maya screamed.
"WHAT?!"
Candy gasped.
"He hit Bob!" 😨
Bob jumped back, hands raised.
"I was helping!"
Mother rushed forward.
"Laddu! What are you saying?!"
Laddu pointed at Bob, furious.
"Touching boys without permission? Disgusting!"
The cousin whispered urgently.
"He's not joking…"
Father rubbed his forehead.
"Head injury…" 😓
Bob looked genuinely hurt.
"I just checked his pulse!"
Laddu crossed his arms tightly.
"That's worse!"
Candy hid behind Mother.
"Why is Laddu angry…?" 😢
Mother spoke gently.
"Laddu, look at us. Do you know where you are?"
Laddu scanned the room.
"…Why are you all staring at me?"
Maya exhaled.
"Because you just assaulted Bob."
Laddu blinked.
"Oh."
He looked away.
"…Still rude."
Silence.
Maya whispered,
"Okay. Nobody touch him."
Father nodded.
"Yes. No touching."
Bob sighed.
"I'm never helping anyone again."
Laddu sat down, still defensive.
"People should keep their hands to themselves."
Mother and Father exchanged a look.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
And everyone in the room felt it—
at the same time. 🕯️💔