Laddu walked out of the room.
Not rushed.
Not confused.
Graceful.
He smiled softly 😊, adjusted his shirt, and spoke in a lighter tone.
"Good afternoon."
The way he stood.
The way he tilted his head.
The softness in his eyes.
Everything was… different.
Maya whispered, barely breathing,
"…This is not acting."
Candy stared openly 👀
"He's talking like a girl…"
Mother kept her voice calm, but her fingers tightened on her shirt.
"Laddu," she asked gently, "how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Laddu replied politely 🌸
"Why is everyone so tense?"
Father exchanged a long look with the cousin.
"He's consistent," Father murmured.
Bob shifted his weight.
"He hasn't snapped again…"
🔔 Doorbell.
The doctor walked in.
He didn't rush.
Didn't interrupt.
He watched Laddu quietly for a full minute.
"Hello," the doctor said.
"Hello," Laddu replied warmly, smiling 😊
The doctor nodded once and turned to Bob.
"What was he doing before the accident?"
Bob answered carefully.
"We were walking. He had headphones on."
"Music?" the doctor asked.
"No," Bob said.
"A podcast."
"What kind?"
Bob hesitated.
"…Girl psychology."
Maya's eyes widened 😳
"…Of course."
Bob added,
"The headphones were still on when I found him later."
The doctor nodded slowly, pieces clicking into place 🧩
He turned to the family.
"I'll keep this simple," he said calmly.
Everyone leaned in.
"With minor head injuries," the doctor continued,
"the brain can latch onto the last strong idea and he have the sound many hours."
Mother swallowed.
"So…?"
"In short," the doctor said,
"right now… the idea of Girl psychology and now he believes he is a girl."
Silence dropped hard ❄️
Candy blinked.
"…He thinks?"
"Yes," the doctor replied.
"Not pretending. Not joking."
Maya whispered,
"How long?"
"Temporary," the doctor said.
"Hours. Maybe a day."
Father asked,
"What do we do?"
"Do not argue," the doctor said firmly.
"Do not correct."
Mother nodded immediately.
"We treat him normally."
"Yes," the doctor agreed.
"Calm. Familiar people. Safety."
Laddu looked around, mildly puzzled.
"Why are you all whispering?"
Maya forced a smile 🙂
"Nothing."
The doctor packed his bag.
At the door, he paused.
"This will pass."
🚪 The door closed.
The family stood there.
Watching Laddu hum softly 🎶, sit neatly, hands folded.
The cousin exhaled.
"…This house never has normal problems."
Mother replied quietly,
"But we handle them."
Laddu looked up.
"Is tea ready?"
Maya nodded.
"Yes."
And just like that,
they stepped into a day they never expected
but refused to face without care 🤍
Candy noticed first.
"He went to his room," she whispered.
"He never sleeps there."
Mother followed her gaze.
"Yes… that's true."
No one commented.
The house stayed quiet 🕯️
Morning ☀️
Laddu's room door opened.
He stepped out.
Same gentle posture.
Careful movements.
Calm expression.
He stretched lightly and said,
"I'm getting ready. I'm going out."
Everyone froze.
Mochi stood up immediately.
"I'll come too."
Laddu turned toward her, surprised but polite.
"Privacy, please."
The word landed strangely.
Maya blinked.
"…He asked for privacy."
The cousin muttered,
"He never does that."
Mother recovered first.
"Okay," she said gently.
"We'll wait."
Mochi hesitated, then nodded.
"Okay."
🚪 The door closed.
Candy leaned toward Mother.
"He's very… serious."
Mother nodded.
"Yes."
Late Morning ⏳
The house felt restless.
📱 Maya's phone rang.
"Yes, Maa?"
Her face changed.
"…What?"
"…Are you serious?"
"…No, it's fine."
She ended the call and turned slowly.
Laddu wasn't home.
"Okay," Maya said.
"Don't panic."
Mother frowned.
"Where is he?"
Maya swallowed.
"At my mother's salon."
Silence.
"Doing what?" Father asked.
Maya sighed deeply.
"Facial. Head massage. Pedicure."
Candy's eyes widened 😲
"Feet too?"
"Yes," Maya said.
"All of it."
The cousin rubbed his temples.
"He doesn't even cut his hair on time…"
Mother sat down slowly.
"He's never done this."
Maya added,
"He asked what women usually get… and booked everything."
Candy smiled nervously.
"Is he… happy?"
Maya nodded.
"She said he's very polite. Thanking everyone."
Mother closed her eyes for a second.
"At least he's safe."
Father nodded.
"Yes. That's what matters."
The house grew quiet again.
Somewhere across the city,
Laddu sat under warm lights ✨, feet soaking 🦶💧, calm and unaware.
And the family waited.
Not judging.
Not laughing.
Just learning how to stay steady
while someone they loved
walked through something unfamiliar 🤍