The house was unusually quiet.
Mochi had gone to her room to rest after the emotional chaos of the day 😔.Her mother sat alone on the sofa, staring at the door again and again.
She wasn't worried about the relatives.Not about society.Not even about the baby.
She was worried about her husband.
He had never walked out so silently before.
🍿 THE SECRET AUDIENCE
What she didn't know…
…was that Laddu was sitting behind the half-open kitchen door.
Perfectly hidden.Absolutely still.A giant bowl of popcorn balanced on his lap 🍿🍿🍿.
Crunch.Pause.Crunch.
Eyes wide like he was watching the season finale of a drama series.
He whispered to himself:
Laddu (murmuring):"This episode is getting intense… hope there's a happy ending."
Another handful of popcorn vanished into his mouth.
🚪 THE FATHER RETURNS
Hours later, the door finally opened.
Mochi's father stepped inside, smelling of alcohol and regret.His eyes were red—not with anger, but with guilt.
Mother stood up immediately.
Mother:"Where did you go?"
He removed his jacket slowly, voice low.
Father:"I… needed to think."
She crossed her arms, hurt but trying to stay calm.
Mother:"Think about what?About the relatives?About the baby?About me?"
He sat down heavily, head hanging.
Father:"I'm scared."
She froze.
His voice cracked.
Father:"I'm scared something will happen to you.I'm scared I'll lose you.I didn't know how to say it…so I shouted instead."
Her eyes softened instantly 💔➡️💗.
She sat beside him.
Mother:"Then tell me with love… not fear."
He looked at her—really looked.
Father:"I'm sorry.For shouting.For the relatives.For drinking.For everything."
A tear slid down her cheek.
Mother:"I just wanted support… not pressure."
He nodded slowly, painfully.
Then he pulled her into a gentle hug 🤍.
Father:"I'm here.I'll support you.Let's do this together… like we always have."
They held each other.
Cheeks touching.Hands intertwined.
And then—
They kissed.Soft. Slow.The kind of kiss only people who survived storms together share 💋.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
🍿 CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
The romance shattered instantly.
Both parents froze.
Slowly…Very slowly…
They turned their heads.
And there—
Next to the fridge.Half hidden.Eyes glowing like a raccoon caught stealing food 🦝—
LADDU.
Holding a giant bowl of popcorn.Watching them like it was the climax of a blockbuster movie.
Mother gasped.Father jumped like a teenager caught sneaking out.
Father:"L-Laddu… how long were you there?!"
Laddu shrugged casually.
Laddu:"Since the trailer."
Mother:"TRAILER?!"
Laddu:"Yes, aunty.The emotional dialogues…the hug…the reconciliation…Very good acting. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
Both parents instantly became shy like newlyweds 🙈.
🎶 THE MOST UNNECESSARY LOVE SONG
Laddu stood up dramatically and cleared his throat.
Laddu:"To celebrate your reunion, I will now sing a romantic song."
Both parents panicked.
Father:"No—Laddu—!"
Too late.
🎶 Laddu (off-key, full confidence):"You are eighteen but I am twenty, so what!Love doesn't count numbers, not even a lot!If age is a ladder, we climb it hot!You are eighteen but I am twenty, so WHAAAT!" 🎶
Mother covered her face 😭.Father hid behind a cushion.
Laddu danced around them like a wedding aunty.
Laddu:"Love is love!Age is maths!Who cares about maths?!"
Despite themselves, the parents laughed 😂.Their hearts lighter than they'd been all day.
🥒 THE SALTY CUCUMBER INCIDENT
After the song, everyone finally calmed down.
Father cleared his throat.
Father:"Laddu… why are you even here?Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
Laddu puffed his chest proudly.
He sat between them, instantly transforming into a fifty-year-old gossip aunty.
Laddu (auntie tone):"Aunty, Uncle… today something UNBELIEVABLE happened at work."
They leaned in.
Mother:"What happened?"
Laddu waved his hands dramatically.
Laddu:"Chairman's wife came to the office.And she was eating SALTY CUCUMBER… nonstop."
Mother frowned thoughtfully.
Mother:"Salty cravings… sometimes pregnancy…"
Laddu pointed at her like she cracked a mystery.
Laddu:"EXACTLY, aunty!"
Then he whispered:
Laddu:"And she also had a big smooch mark on her cheek… very loving."
Father blinked.
Father:"…Okay. But how did that get you leave?"
Laddu leaned closer.
💥 THE QUESTION THAT DESTROYED MANAGEMENT
Laddu:"I got worried… so I asked the chairman privately…"
He paused.
Laddu (innocently):"'Sir… your wife is eating salty cucumber…and she has a smooch mark…so I want to ask…are YOU pregnant from your stomach?'"
Mother slapped her forehead 🤦♀️.Father's jaw hit the floor.
Mother:"YOU WHAT?!"
Father:"WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT?!"
Laddu defended himself proudly.
Laddu:"Aunty… his stomach shape is SAME as yours right now.Round. Proud. Slightly forward."
Mother laughed so hard she cried 😂.Father couldn't breathe.
Laddu:"Chairman stared at me…choked on his spit…and FAINTED."
Father:"He FAINTED?!"
Laddu:"Yes! HR panicked.They said: 'Everyone take two weeks off!'So… here I am."
He opened his hands like he solved world hunger.
❤️ PEACE RESTORED
Mother wiped her tears.
Mother:"Laddu… you are going to destroy that office."
Laddu:"Aunty, is it my fault people have pregnancy-shaped stomachs?"
The parents burst into laughter again 😂😂😂.
And for the first time that day—
The house felt warm.Safe.Alive.
🍿 End of Episode.