The next morning, the house turned into a parade of noise and chaos.
Mother had a doctor's appointment 🩺Father had errands 📄Candy had school 🎒Cousin and Maya dragged Big Brother to the market "for family bonding" 🛒(Big Brother did not consent.)
Within ten minutes—
The house was empty.
Except for one girl.
Mochi.
She stayed behind, quietly folding blankets, checking if Laddu had left any food wrappers on the sofa like usual.
He was still asleep.
Half-buried under the blanket Candy had thrown on him the night before.Hair messy.Breathing slow.Peaceful.
Mochi watched him.
Just for a second.
Okay… two seconds.
Then she turned away.
💤 Laddu Wakes Up
A low groan.
A shift.
Mochi turned back.
Laddu sat up slowly, blinking like a confused panda who had forgotten which universe he lived in 🐼His hair looked like it had fought a small storm and lost.
Laddu (sleepy):"…Where is everyone?"
Mochi clasped her hands nervously.
Mochi:"They… went out.Doctor visit, school, market… everyone left."
Laddu blinked.
Once.Twice.
He looked at the empty house.
Then back at Mochi.
Something softened in his eyes.
Before she could step away—
He reached out, gently grabbed both of her hands…
And pulled her closer.
Mochi:"L-Laddu?!"
She stumbled.
Lost balance.
And fell straight into his arms.
His arms wrapped around her automatically.Warm.Heavy with sleep.
Her heart jumped into her throat 💓
His heartbeat pressed against her ear.
His voice was low, rough, still wrapped in sleep.
Laddu:"Good."
Mochi froze.
Mochi:"G-Good… what…?"
He rested his chin lightly on her shoulder, eyes half-closed.
Laddu:"Good that you stayed."
Her breath caught.
Her face burned hot enough to cook breakfast 🍳🔥
Mochi:"I… I was just cleaning—"
Laddu:"No.You stayed."
Not teasing.Not joking.
Just truth.
His fingers tightened slightly around her hands, like he didn't want to let go.
She swallowed.
Mochi:"…You scared me.No calls for two weeks."
He sighed softly, forehead resting against her shoulder now.
Laddu:"I missed home."
Home.
Not sofa.Not house.
Home.
Her chest squeezed.
Without thinking, she whispered:
Mochi:"…Then rest more."
He nodded faintly.
Laddu:"Only if you stay here."
Her knees nearly gave up.
She stayed.
Wrapped in his arms.
In the quiet morning.
No teasing.No panic.
Just warmth.
Just right.
🤍 Lap Pillow Incident
After a while, Laddu loosened his grip.
His eyes were still heavy.
Laddu (tired):"I want to sleep."
Mochi nodded quickly.
Mochi:"O-Okay… go back to the sofa—"
He shook his head.
Slow.Sleepy.Stubborn.
Laddu:"No.Here."
He tapped her thigh.
SYSTEM ERROR.
Mochi blinked so hard her soul rebooted.
Mochi:"W-What do you mean here—?!"
Too late.
Laddu gently lowered himself…
And rested his head on her lap.
Like it was the most natural pillow in existence.
Mochi's brain left the building 🚪💨
Her heart climbed into her throat.
Mochi (tiny):"L-Laddu…?"
Already half asleep.
He took her hand with both of his.
Held it to his chest.
Warm.Trusting.Safe.
Laddu (murmuring):"Don't move…Feels nice…"
Mochi nearly ascended to another dimension.
She sat frozen.
Hands trembling.
Looking down at the boy sleeping peacefully on her lap like a harmless disaster.
His hair brushed her stomach.His breath warmed her skin.His fingers intertwined with hers.
Too close.Too intimate.Too perfect.
Her free hand moved slowly… carefully…
She brushed his hair back.
He smiled softly in his sleep.
And Mochi's heart melted completely 🫠💗
🚪 The Worst Possible Timing
Click.
Mochi froze.
Laddu didn't.
He stayed asleep, hugging her hand tighter.
From the hallway—
Mother:"I forgot my wallet!"
Candy:"I forgot my lunch!!"
Cousin:"I forgot my LIFE—!!"
Maya:"I forgot to take a selfie!"
Father:"I forgot why I came."
They stepped into the living room…
And froze.
Dead silence.
Because right there—
Laddu was asleep on Mochi's lap, holding her hand, like a full romantic drama poster 🎬
Mochi almost screamed.
Mochi:"DON'T SAY ANYTHING—!!"
Candy's jaw hit the floor.
Candy:"OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD—"
Cousin silently pulled out her phone.
Maya grabbed her wrist.
Maya:"TAKE. THE. PHOTO."
Mother covered her mouth, eyes shining.
Mother (soft):"He looks… so happy."
Father nodded emotionally.
Big Brother stared like his soul was being challenged.
Big Brother:"…Why is his head on her lap?!"
Cousin (whisper):"Because they're in love."
Big Brother:"OVER. MY. DEAD. BODY."
Candy whispered dramatically:
Candy:"He's holding her hand…They're basically married."
Mochi was dying.
Mochi:"S-SHUT UP ALL OF YOU!!"
Her voice made Laddu stir.
He tightened his grip…
And nuzzled closer.
Laddu (sleep-talking):"Mochi…don't go…"
The family emotionally collapsed 💥
Mother nearly fainted from happiness.Big Brother coughed aggressively.Candy ascended spiritually.
Mochi turned so red she might glow in the dark.
But she didn't move.
Not his head.Not her hand.
She stayed still.
Holding him.
Just a little tighter. 🤍