Everyone was clearing the table when Laddu stretched his arms and smiled like someone who had just remembered a birthday 🎂.
Laddu:"From tomorrow… my happy week starts."
The cousin raised an eyebrow 🤨.
Cousin:"What week?"
Candy hopped excitedly in place ✨.
Candy:"Oh! Sister doesn't know!Big Brother has something called WORK MODE."
Maya stiffened instantly 😨.
Maya:"Oh no… she's talking about that week."
Candy continued dramatically, hands slicing the air.
Candy:"It's when Big Brother sleeps in office 🏢NO talking ❌NO laughing ❌NO distractions ❌ONLY work.Only. Work.Only. Work."
The cousin shivered.
Cousin:"That sounds like a horror movie."
Laddu leaned back, hands behind his head, proud 😌.
Laddu:"Exactly.That's why it's my happy week.She won't bother me."
Mochi smacked his arm lightly 👊.
Mochi:"Laddu! Don't talk like that!"
He winked 😏.
Laddu:"I'm just staying alive."
📞 After Dinner — The Nokia Moment
Everyone stood up to wash their hands.
Laddu walked to Mochi's mother and pulled outthe oldest, strongest, most indestructible object known to mankind:
📱 A NOKIA PHONE.
Laddu:"Aunty, here.My number.Call if you need anything.Night, day, morning… anytime."
Mother took it with both hands and smiled warmly 😊.
Mother:"You're very thoughtful, Laddu."
The cousin's jaw dropped.
Cousin:"He uses a Nokia in the smartphone era?!"
Candy crossed her arms proudly 😤.
Candy:"It's not just any phone.Only special people have this number.Not even Mochi has it."
Mochi froze.
Mochi:"…I don't?"
Laddu looked away, suddenly shy.
Laddu:"It's… a security number.For emergencies only.You're not an emergency."
He paused.
Laddu:"You're… something else."
🔥 CRITICAL BLUSH DAMAGE 🔥
Mochi turned red instantly 🍅.
Maya screamed silently into a napkin 😱.
The cousin grabbed Mochi's arm.
Cousin:"He basically said you're ABOVE emergency level."
Laddu grabbed his jacket 🧥.
Laddu:"Okay, I'll go to office.Tomorrow is the start of my peaceful week."
He waved and left.
Mochi watched him go, heart beating like distant drums 💓.
💗 Girl Talk With Mom
Later, Mochi helped her mother wash dishes.
Mother glanced sideways with a knowing smirk 😏.
Mother:"So…you carried him today?"
Mochi nearly dropped a plate 🍽️.
Mochi:"M-Mom!That was— he was— he tricked me!"
Mother laughed softly.
Mother:"He looked happy."
Mochi blushed deeper.
They sat on the sofa together.
Mother patted the cushion beside her.
Mother:"Tell me everything."
Mochi told her everything.The couple challenge.The leaf-kiss 🍃.The accidental confession.The fifteen ex-girlfriends.
Mother listened calmly, nodding like this was normal information.
Mother:"Hmm.Fifteen isn't bad.Shows experience."
Mochi:"MOM?!"
Mother chuckled.
Mother:"You know…you two dated only one month,but he already feels like family."
She counted on her fingers ☝️:
"Candy says he eats without asking like he owns the house."
"Maya hesitates to open the fridge, but he never does."
"Your cousin is new, but he talks to her like old family."
"We gave him a guest room, but he sleeps on the sofa."
"Two days ago we went shopping, and when someone asked, he said—'She is my mother.'"
Mochi's throat tightened.
Mother (soft):"And he still chose to stay near you."
Mochi hid her face in her hands 🫣.
🚪 Big Brother Returns Early
Suddenly—
🔑 Click.
The front door unlocked.
Heavy footsteps.Slow.Army-level serious.
Candy gasped 😱.
Candy:"He's back!"
Maya froze.
Maya:"Already?!He wasn't supposed to return for five days!"
The cousin shook.
Cousin:"Protect me."
A tall, broad-shouldered figure walked in.
Big Brother.
Expression: 😐Aura: ☠️☠️☠️
He dropped his military duffel bag.
Looked around.
Big Brother:"Where is he."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:"Who…?"
His eyes narrowed.
Big Brother:"The boy.Laddu."
The room went silent.
Mother stepped forward calmly.
Mother:"He already went to office."
Big Brother nodded once.
Big Brother:"…Good."
He walked into his room.
🚪 BOOM.
Maya finally exhaled.
Maya:"Wow.Laddu survived today by pure luck."
The cousin nodded seriously.
Cousin:"He has seven days to live."
Candy added cheerfully 😄.
Candy:"He'll die on day eight."
Mochi covered her face again.
Mochi:"Please don't say that…"
Somewhere far away…
Laddu sneezed. 🤧