The café buzzed softly with afternoon customers.Cups clinked. Coffee machines hummed.Mochi wiped the counter with calm, robotic precision—the kind that comes from trying not to think.
Behind her, the manager paced like a strict general inspecting soldiers 🪖.
Everything was peaceful.
Until—
🔔 DING!
The bell over the door rang.
And Laddu walked in.
With a beautiful girl beside him.
Long hair swaying ✨Bright smile 🌸Confidence dripping like expensive perfume
And her hand?
Casually looped around Laddu's arm.
Like she owned the world.Like Laddu belonged in it.
Mochi froze mid-step.
Her heart fell straight into the ice machine 🧊💥.
Mochi (thinking):…Who is she?
🎩 LADDU TURNS INTO A FULL GENTLEMAN
Laddu pulled out a chair for the girl.
Not just pulled it.
PULLED. IT. OUT.
Like some British royal butler from a drama series.
Laddu (soft, dramatic):"Please, madam. Your seat."
The girl giggled 🤭.
Girl:"You're too much."
Laddu:"It's called elegance."
Mochi nearly dropped a cup ☕😨.
He had never talked like that.Not to her.Not to anyone.
🚨 MANAGER LOCKS IN
The manager spotted them and stiffened instantly.
Manager:"Mochi! Table three. Move."
Mochi swallowed her panic and walked toward them.
Laddu's eyes lit up when he saw her.
Not in a normal way.
More like:hehe she's watching me suffer on purpose 😈
Laddu:"Oh hello, tall employee!Your café is very dangerous today."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:"…Dangerous?"
Laddu:"Yes.Your tall employee"—points at her—"is threatening me."
The manager's head snapped toward Mochi ⚡.
Manager:"Mochi. No threatening customers."
Mochi almost died on the spot 💀.
Mochi:"I—I didn't—!"
The girl laughed softly.
Girl:"He's joking. He likes teasing people."
Mochi forced a tight smile 😬, took their order, and avoided Laddu's eyes.
He, meanwhile, stared at her with the smile of a man who knew he was causing emotional damage.
She hurried away.
🕵️♀️ MAYA SLIDES IN
Back at the counter, Mochi's face was hot and confused.
Maya appeared instantly, like drama summoned her.
Maya:"Mochi.Explain.Why is Laddu acting like a Victorian husband?"
Mochi whispered furiously:
Mochi:"I don't know! He pulled her chair…and bowed…and opened her bottle…"
Maya gasped like she saw a ghost 👻.
Maya:"He NEVER opens bottles.He once made me open a juice packet because he was 'emotionally tired.'"
Mochi glanced back at the table.
The girl leaned in close, talking softly to Laddu.
Her stomach twisted 💔.
Mochi:"She's… pretty."
Maya:"Pretty?She looks like she was carved by angels during overtime."
Mochi's heart squeezed harder.
Maya studied Mochi's face… then smirked 😏.
Maya:"You're jealous."
Mochi turned red instantly 🍅.
Mochi:"N-no— I just— it looks— suspicious—"
Maya:"He keeps looking at you."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:"H-He is not—"
Maya:"He is.Every five seconds.He's doing it on purpose."
Mochi peeked again.
Laddu was indeed glancing her way…smiling every time she looked back 😌.
Her heart thumped harder 💓.
🎭 THE HIDDEN TRUTH
Back at the table, the girl whispered:
Girl:"She still hasn't recognized me, right?"
Laddu grinned.
Laddu:"Not even close."
Because the girl wasn't a stranger.
She was Mochi's cousin sister, visiting town.
And Laddu had picked her up for one reason only.
Laddu:"I want to see Mochi's reaction."
The cousin grinned wickedly 😈.
Cousin:"You like her so much it's adorable."
Then added proudly:
"Runs in our family."
☕ MOCHI RETURNS — AND DIES INSIDE AGAIN
Carrying their drinks, Mochi approached the table.
Trying to look normal.
Failing badly.
Her hands trembled slightly as she placed the glasses down.
The girl smiled warmly at her.
Girl:"You're Mochi, right?Laddu told me so much about you."
Mochi froze 🧊.
Laddu choked violently.
Laddu:"She means—I talked about the menu!Mochi drink! Yes! Very tasty!"
From the counter—
Maya SNORTED loudly.
Mochi fled the table, face burning 🔥.
And behind her—
Laddu smiled.
Because teasing Mochi was fun…
…but watching her care?
That was everything 💖.