Living Room — Too Many Truths
Laddu continued, voice steady.
"There are thousands of temples," he said.
"Each one with a different story." 🛕✨
Candy listened closely.
Eyes fixed.
No jokes this time. 👀
"Different gods," Laddu went on,
"different legends,"
"different ways to pray." 🙏
He smiled slightly.
Not proud.
Just certain. 🙂
"And the faith," Laddu added,
"feels completely different everywhere." 🌈
Candy frowned a little.
"…Different how?"
Genuine curiosity. 🤔
"You get confused," Laddu said honestly.
"One priest says one thing."
He gestured to one side. 👋
"And another priest says something else."
He shrugged.
"Both believe they are right." 🤷
Mother nodded slowly.
"That's India."
No explanation needed. 🇮🇳
Father added quietly,
"Questions are allowed there."
Encouraged, even. 📚
Laddu looked at Candy.
"No single rule," he said.
"No single voice." 🔊
"Only paths."
Many of them.
Crossing everywhere. 🛤️
Candy smiled slowly.
"So you choose what feels right?"
Relief in her voice. 😊
Laddu nodded.
"Yes."
No hesitation. ✔️
"And that," he said,
"is the hardest and most beautiful part." 🌸
Candy looked at Laddu again.
Curiosity refueled.
"So… which state are you from?" 🗺️
Laddu smiled.
Not loud.
Quietly proud. 😌
"I'm from Haryana," he said.
"A state of fields." 🌾
He leaned back.
Words slow.
Sure of themselves. ⏳
"Wrestlers," he continued.
"Strong men."
"Hard work." 💪
Father nodded knowingly.
That explained a lot.
Strength with silence. 👴
"In Haryana," Laddu said,
"you respect elders."
"Most houses are run by them." 🧓
Mother smiled faintly.
Recognition in her eyes.
Tradition spoken softly. 🌼
"Our cows are like mothers," Laddu added.
"They're not animals."
"They're family." 🐄❤️
Candy's eyes softened.
That landed deep.
No sarcasm. 🫶
"And curd," Laddu smiled,
"is our coffee." 🥛☕
Candy laughed.
"That sounds healthy."
Almost too pure. 😄
"It is," Laddu said.
"And simple."
No decorations needed. 🌱
He paused.
Letting memory settle.
Then finished. 🕊️
"It's beautiful," he said.
"Not flashy."
"Just real." 🤍
Candy nodded slowly.
"I want to see that place."
Decision forming. ✨
Laddu smiled again.
"One day," he said.
"You'll understand it with your feet on the soil." 👣
Candy asked softly,
"So… what is the national language?"
Simple question. 🗣️
Laddu shook his head.
"There is no national language." 🚫
Candy blinked.
"…No language?"
Brain rebooting. 😳
"Yes," Laddu nodded.
"No national language."
"No national game."
"No national religion." 🌍
The room stayed quiet.
Not confused.
Respectful. 🤫
"Because of diversity," Laddu continued.
"Too many languages."
"Too many cultures."
"Too many ways of living." 🎨
Father added calmly,
"One choice would erase others."
Truth stated cleanly. ⚖️
Mother nodded.
"India survives by allowing difference." 🌿
Candy smiled slowly.
"So India doesn't force one thing."
Amazed. 😮
Laddu nodded.
"That's the idea."
"Unity without sameness." 🤝
Candy leaned back.
"That's… rare."
Almost unbelievable. 💭
Laddu smiled.
"That's India." 🇮🇳
Living Room — Laughing Truth 😂
Laddu laughed softly, shaking his head.
"You can't compare India's diversity to any country." 🌏
He smiled wider.
"Even most Indians don't know sixty percent of it." 😅
Candy blinked.
"…Really?"
Mind blown again. 🤯
"Yes," Laddu nodded.
"One lifetime is not enough." ⏳
Maya laughed.
"So you're tourists in your own country." 😆
Father smiled.
"That's accurate." ✔️
Mother added quietly,
"India keeps secrets from its own people." 🕵️♀️
Laddu leaned back.
"That's why," he said,
"you don't finish understanding India." ♾️
"You just keep meeting it."
Again.
And again. 🌊
The room stayed warm.
Truth said with laughter.
Comfortable and real. 🛋️
Candy asked softly,
"What about marriage?"
Careful curiosity. 💍
Laddu smiled.
"In India," he said,
"marriage is no less than a festival." 🎉
Candy's eyes widened.
"A festival?"
Alarmed already. 😳
"Yes," Laddu nodded.
"Music."
"Food."
"Crowd."
"Noise." 🥁🍛
Maya laughed.
"That checks out." ✔️
"And if you're from a village," Laddu added,
"then marriage is the festival." 🏡
Father smiled knowingly.
"The whole village attends." 👥
Mother said quietly,
"No invitation needed." 📨❌
"Three days minimum," Laddu continued.
"Sometimes a week."
"Everyone eats."
"Everyone dances."
"Everyone gives advice." 💃
Candy laughed.
"So it's not private." 🙈
Laddu shook his head.
"Nothing is private." 🚪
"It's not just two people marrying," he said.
"It's families."
"Neighbors."
"Ancestors." 🧬
Candy smiled, imagining it.
"That sounds exhausting." 😮💨
Laddu grinned.
"It is."
Then softer,
"But unforgettable." 💫
Candy asked shyly,
"Why don't you marry an Indian woman?" 🤨
Laddu smiled.
Not defensive.
Just honest. 😌
"I'm attracted to girls with epicanthic folds," he said.
"That's just… my taste." 👁️
Candy blinked.
"…But in India?" 🇮🇳
Laddu nodded.
"In the northeast," he said,
"the Seven Sister states." 🗺️
"You find people with epicanthic folds there," he continued.
"Different faces."
"Different cultures."
"Still Indian." 🌈
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"So India covers everything." 😏
Father nodded.
"Diversity, as usual." ✔️
Mother added calmly,
"Attraction is personal."
"Respect is required." 🤍
Laddu finished quietly.
"It's not about country."
"It's about connection." 🔗
Candy smiled.
"That makes sense." 😊
Mochi had been standing near the doorway.
Listening.
Not interrupting. 🚪
Candy noticed first.
Eyes lighting up.
"…That's why you like Mochi." 💡
The room went still.
Air paused.
Everyone watched. 😶
Laddu didn't panic.
Didn't joke.
He answered plainly. ✔️
"Yes," he said.
Mochi froze.
Heartbeat visible.
Face warm. 🔥
"She has the height of my great-grandmother," Laddu continued,
voice steady,
respectful. 📏
"And epicanthic folds," he added.
"Just… perfect." ✨
Mochi's ears turned red instantly.
Maya gasped.
"BRO SAID IT OUT LOUD." 😱
Father coughed.
Mother raised an eyebrow.
But didn't interrupt. 🤨
Mochi looked down.
"…You didn't need to say it like that." 🙈
Laddu shrugged lightly.
"I'm not comparing," he said.
"I'm recognizing." 🔍
Mother nodded once.
"That matters." ✔️
Candy smiled wide.
"So it's destiny." ✨
Laddu smiled back.
"No."
Then looked at Mochi.
"It's choice." 🧭
Mochi didn't reply.
But she didn't walk away.
That was enough. 🤍
Candy tilted her head again.
"Why do you like epicanthic eyes?" 👀
Laddu smiled.
Distant.
Gentle. 🌸
"My primary school teacher," he said.
"She was from the northeast." 🏫
The room softened instantly.
Something pure surfaced.
No teasing. 🫶
"She was kind," Laddu continued.
"Calm voice."
"Smelled like chalk and books." 📖
Maya whispered,
"Oh this is getting serious." 😶
"She was my first crush," Laddu said.
"From childhood." 🧒
Candy's eyes widened.
"…You confessed?" 😳
Laddu nodded.
"I did." ✔️
Everyone leaned in.
"What happened?"
Suspense real. 🎭
"She smiled," Laddu said,
"and said, 'Sorry… I am married.'" 💍
Silence.
Father nodded slowly.
"Clean ending." 🧹
Mother said gently,
"That's how it should be." 🌿
Mochi watched Laddu.
No jealousy.
Just understanding. 🤍
Candy smiled.
"That's sweet." 😊
Laddu shrugged.
"Some crushes," he said,
"aren't meant to be kept." 🍃
"They're meant to shape you." ✨
Candy asked softly,
"If you hadn't met Mochi… then what?" ❓
Laddu looked away briefly.
Then answered.
Honest. 🌄
"I planned to go to the Himalayas," he said.
"Not for drama."
"Just silence." 🏔️
The room went quiet.
Father nodded.
"Mountains listen." 🌬️
"Then I'd travel north," Laddu continued.
"Work."
"Disappear a little." 🚶
Maya frowned.
"So no marriage plan?" 💭
Laddu shook his head.
"No plan at all." 🚫
Mother said quietly,
"That path changes people." 🌊
Laddu smiled faintly.
"Yes."
"That was the idea." 🌫️
Candy looked at Mochi.
Then back at Laddu.
"But you didn't go." 👀
Laddu glanced at Mochi.
"No," he said.
"I met her." ❤️
Mochi's hands tightened around her cup.
Just a little.
No words needed. ☕
Candy smiled.
"So the Himalayas lost." 😄
Laddu shook his head gently.
"No."
"They're still there." 🏔️
He looked at Mochi again.
"I just found a reason to stay
before I left." 🌙