Laddu stood near the door, jacket half-zipped, hair still damp from a rushed shower.Mother was in the kitchen, lining up vegetables like soldiers.
Laddu cleared his throat.
Laddu:"Mother… do you need anything? I'm going out."
Mother looked up, puzzled.
Mother:"Out? Now?"
Laddu nodded once.
Laddu:"Yes. I just… need to go."
From behind the sofa, Mochi peeked like a raccoon spying on human civilization 🦝The second Laddu's eyes drifted her way, she jolted and looked away.
Laddu exhaled softly.
Mother noticed everything.
Mother:"Get some yogurt, son."
Laddu nodded and left.He didn't look at Mochi.Not even once.
Mochi's stomach twisted.
🍽️ Evening — The Ice Cream Incident
Dinner buzzed with familiar chaos.
Father argued with the TV 📺Candy built a fort using chapati 🫓Mother scolded everyone for not eating properly
Then Laddu returned and placed a bag on the table.
Ice creams 🍨Everyone gasped.
Candy cheered.Maya clapped.Cousin celebrated like it was a festival.
Everyone got one.Each flavor chosen perfectly.
Except Mochi.
Her ice cream was placed on the opposite side of the table.Out of reach.Like forbidden treasure.
Then Laddu sat down.
Far away.Not beside her.Not even diagonally.
He sat like social distancing became a lifestyle.
Mochi whispered desperately:
Mochi:"W-Where's mine?"
Laddu didn't look up.
Laddu:"You didn't want me close.So I'm giving you… distance."
💥
Candy's spoon dropped dramatically.Mother bit her lip to stop laughing.
Mochi (sad):"I didn't say I don't want ice cream…"
Laddu turned on the TV.
Candy immediately joined him on the sofa.They laughed at a cartoon where a cat chased a refrigerator 🐱🧊
Mochi watched.
He was laughing.Happy.Normal.
Just… not with her.
Something tight curled in her chest.
🌅 Next Morning — Operation Ignorance Continues
Mochi walked in, hair messy, still half asleep.
Laddu was in the kitchen helping Mother cook.
He didn't turn.Didn't say good morning.Didn't even acknowledge her shadow.
Plates were served.
Everyone got one.
Mochi's plate sat on the counter.Far away.A lonely island 🏝️
Father:"Mochi, kiddo, eat."
Mochi:"…Yes."
Her voice cracked.
Mother noticed.
☕ Evening — Café Escape
Mochi fled to the café, hoping work would distract her.
It didn't.
Why wasn't he teasing her?Why wasn't he close?Why wasn't he offering ice cream like the chaotic prince of lactose he was? 🍦👑
When she came home, Laddu was on the floor with Candy, building a tower of spoons.
He didn't look up.
Again.
Candy:"Laddu! Mochi is home!"
Laddu:"Mmm."
That's it.
Mochi felt her heart drop straight to the basement.
🤍 Mochi Goes to Mother
She tugged her mother's sleeve gently.
Mother saw it all.The trembling lip.The watery eyes.The hurt little-girl expression.
Mother:"Mochi? What happened, kiddo?"
Mochi whispered, breaking:
Mochi:"Maa… why is Laddu ignoring me?"
Mother cupped her face gently.
Mother (soft):"Little little sugar ball… this is what happens when someone who loves you gets hurt."
Mochi froze.
Mother:"He listened to you.He gave you distance.But his heart is waiting for you to pull him back."
Mochi swallowed.
A decision formed.
Mochi:"Maa… what should I do?"
Mother smiled knowingly.
Mother:"Go talk to him.Or tomorrow he might start ignoring your shadow too."
From the living room:
Candy:"THE SPOON TOWER COLLAPSED!!"
Laddu:"Candy, we rebuild! We do not give up!"
Mochi watched him.
And this time…
She stepped forward. 💗