The group entered the clothing shop, bells chiming overhead 🔔.
Bright lights.Fresh perfume.Mannequins that looked more confident than most humans.
As soon as they stepped inside, the store manager, a stylish woman with sharp eyes, spotted Laddu.
Her face lit up like festival lamps 🎇.
Manager:"LADDU! Long time no see!"
The cousin blinked.
Cousin:"Long time?How do you two know each other?"
Laddu casually adjusted his collar.
Laddu:"Oh… I worked here for three weeks."
Mochi's eyes widened.
Mochi:"You worked here?!"
Laddu:"Yes.Me and my team were designing a shopping game.Needed real-life experience."
The cousin burst out laughing.
Cousin:"You worked in a ladies' clothing store for game experience?!"
Maya added smugly:
Maya:"That explains why he knows every discount better than Google."
The manager laughed and stepped closer.
Manager:"So… the tall one is your girlfriend?"
💥 CRITICAL HIT 💥
Mochi choked on her own breath.
Mochi (instantly red):"N-No!We're not— I mean— he's just— we're— NO!"
Laddu smiled softly, eyes glimmering.
Laddu:"She's right.She is… Mochi."
Mochi ran away faster than someone being chased by debt 💸💨Straight to the men's section.
The cousin cackled.
Cousin:"She ran like her secrets were being leaked."
Maya wiped her eyes.
Maya:"I've never seen her escape that fast!"
🕵️ Manager Smells Romance
The manager leaned toward Maya and the cousin.
Manager:"Let me guess…She likes him?"
Maya whispered loudly.
Maya:"LIKE?She almost broke a cup today because a girl touched his hair."
The cousin added proudly:
Cousin:"She did break it.With her bare hand."
The manager stared.
Manager:"…Oh.She's REALLY into him."
The cousin nodded.
Cousin:"And Laddu is doing everything possible to tease her."
Maya grinned.
Maya:"It's love, but in the stupidest form."
The manager smirked like she'd just unlocked a boss fight 🎮.
Manager:"Wanna make a bet?"
Maya leaned forward.
Maya:"What kind of bet?"
Manager:"In five minutes…Laddu will do something BIG."
The cousin gasped.
Cousin:"BIG how?Embarrassing?Romantic?Illegal?"
The manager shrugged.
Manager:"Knowing Laddu?All three."
Maya clapped.
Maya:"I'm in.What's the bet?"
The manager pointed at Mochi, pretending to be extremely interested in socks 🧦.
Manager:"That girl will scream, blush, or faint."
Cousin:"I bet she screams."
Maya:"I bet she blushes."
Manager:"And I bet she faints."
They shook hands 🤝.
The bet was official.
Then they looked at Laddu…
Walking toward Mochi with the most chaotic smile imaginable.
Maya:"Oh no."
Cousin:"Oh yes."
Manager:"It begins."
🐔 The Couple Challenge Begins
Laddu clapped loudly.
Laddu:"ATTENTION EVERYONE!COUPLE CHALLENGE TIME!"
The entire store cheered 🎉Including Maya and Mochi's cousin.
Laddu:"The winning couple gets their clothes PAID BY ME!"
Mochi did NOT cheer.
Then Laddu turned to her and held out a bright yellow chicken hat 🐔.
Laddu:"Mochi, be my partner."
Mochi froze.
Mochi:"W-why me…?"
Laddu smiled gently.
Laddu:"Because you're Mochi."
Her cheeks warmed instantly.
The cousin shoved her forward.
Cousin:"Go!Be his cute disaster partner!"
Mochi reluctantly took the hat.
💞 Mochi Actually Joins
Laddu dragged her to the couples' section.
Whispers followed them:
"Look, they're cute!""That tall girl is shy but adorable!""They're definitely winning!"
Mochi grabbed a hoodie.Laddu grabbed the same one.
Their fingers touched ✨
Both froze.
From across the store, Maya screamed:
Maya:"YOU TWO ARE SO AWKWARD I CAN SMELL THE ROMANCE!"
Mochi turned red 🍅.
They settled on matching outfits:soft grey hoodies with tiny embroidered stars ⭐⭐.
Mochi smiled shyly.
Mochi:"We… look nice."
Laddu softened.
Laddu:"You look perfect."
Her heart almost exploded 💓.
For the first time that day…
She felt like maybe…just maybe…they were a real couple.
🏆 Judging Time
Laddu climbed onto a platform.
Judge.Host.Referee.Chaos generator.
Laddu:"THE WINNER gets EVERYTHING PAID BY ME!"
The store gasped.
Maya:"LADDU IS RICH?!"
Cousin:"No.He just has terrible budgeting skills."
Mochi whispered nervously:
Mochi:"Laddu… that's expensive…"
He winked.
Laddu:"I don't mind spending.Especially if you win."
Her heart jumped again.
📊 Scoring
Couple 1:"Stylish. Coordinated. 8/10."
Couple 2:"Romantic but basic. 6/10."
Couple 3:"Hilarious outfits. 9/10 for comedy."
Then…
Mochi and Laddu stepped forward.
The store went quiet.
Shy Mochi.Proud Laddu.Matching stars ⭐.
The manager whispered:
Manager:"They're the cutest pair."
Cousin:"If they don't win, it's rigged."
Mochi smiled softly.
Then Laddu spoke.
Laddu:"Score…7 out of 10."
💥 TOTAL CHAOS 💥
Everyone:"WHAT?!"
Mochi:"Seven?! Why?!"
Laddu:"You looked away when you smiled.Points deducted."
Mochi nearly fainted 😵💫.
🏃 Final Disaster
Laddu:"And the winners are…COUPLE NUMBER THREE!"
The goofy couple cheered.
Mochi stared at Laddu, devastated.
Mochi:"Y-you chose them… over us?"
Laddu:"Yes.Their energy was unmatched."
Mochi stepped closer, shaking.
Mochi:"But…I wanted to win with you…"
Cousin (whispering):"Oh she's REALLY into him."
Maya (yelling):"RUN, LADDU. NOW."
Laddu bowed politely.
Laddu:"I must go pay the winners."
Then—
He ran 🏃♂️💨.
Mochi threw the chicken hat and chased him.
Mochi:"LADDU COME BACK—WE WERE SUPPOSED TO WIN TOGETHER!!"
Laddu (running):"THEY MATCHED BETTER—!!"
Mochi:"STOP DEDUCTING POINTS FOR EMOTIONAL REASONS!!"
The cousin laughed.
Cousin:"Best shopping trip ever."
Maya raised her hands.
Maya:"BET WON!I SAID SHE'D SCREAM!"