Mochi had been gently pulled off Laddu and settled back onto the sofa 🛋️Still clinging to his sleeve like a sleepy octopus 🐙Her fingers refused to let go.
Her eyes were heavy 😴Her lashes fluttered.Her voice came out soft… shaky… emotional 💭💗
She tilted her head up toward him.
Mochi:"Why… my name…?" 🌸
Laddu blinked.
Laddu:"What?"
She scooted closer, inch by inch 🐾Her nose nearly brushed his shoulder.
Mochi:"Why… my name… is Tall Flower?" 🌼
Laddu let out a quiet sigh of relief 😮💨At least this wasn't another husband situation.
He gently brushed her messy hair back, careful and slow ✋💫
Laddu:"Because you're hot."
Mochi stared at him like her brain paused ⏸️
Mochi:"Say again."
Laddu:"You're hot." 🔥
Mochi:"Again."
Laddu:"You're cute." 🐱
Mochi nodded dreamily 😌
Mochi:"Again."
Laddu:"You're beautiful." ✨
Her grip tightened on his sleeve.
Mochi:"Again."
Laddu:"You're tall." 🦒
Mochi:"Again."
Laddu:"You're strong." 💪
She smiled softly, eyes shining.
Mochi:"Again."
Laddu exhaled dramatically, surrendering 😩
Laddu:"You're my tall flower." 🌸
Mochi melted instantly 🧈Like warm butter under sunlight.
Her shoulders relaxed.Her head leaned toward him.
Mochi:"Again…""…again…""…again…" 💤
Two Hours Later ⏳
The house had gone quiet.
The family had given up and retreated to their rooms 🚪All except Mother, who watched quietly from the hallway 👩🦳🌙
For two entire hours…
Mochi kept asking, in the same soft, looping voice:
Mochi:"Why my name?"
And Laddu kept answering.
Patiently.Softly.Without complaint.
Laddu:"You're cute.""You're hot.""You're beautiful.""You're tall.""You're a flower.""You're my tall flower.""You're my problem." 😐"You're my headache." 🤕"You're my peace." 🤍"You're… you."
Every answer earned a small smile 😊A quiet sigh 😌And then the question again.
Until finally…
Her head slowly dropped onto his thigh 🛌Her fingers loosened around his sleeve.Her breathing softened 🌬️
Mochi fell asleep right there,resting peacefully on Laddu's lap 😴💗
Laddu looked down at her, heart strangely calm.He brushed her hair gently, fingertips careful.
Laddu (quiet):"You're trouble…""…but cute trouble." 🐼
Mother stepped forward silently, holding a blanket 🧣She draped it over Mochi's shoulders with a knowing smile.
Mother:"She only sleeps like this with people she trusts."
Laddu swallowed, his face warming 😳
Laddu (soft):"I know."
Mother rested a hand on his shoulder.
Mother:"Stay with her until she's fully asleep."
Laddu nodded.
Laddu (whisper):"I'm not going anywhere."
Mochi mumbled in her sleep:
Mochi:"…Tall flower… baby…" 🌸🍼
Laddu nearly died again 💀Quietly.
The Quiet Talk 🌙🍵
The living room settled into silence.
Mochi slept peacefully on Laddu's lap,the blanket rising and falling with her breathing 🤍
Laddu sat perfectly still, afraid to move even a finger 🧍♂️Her head was heavy… but he didn't mind.
Mother returned with a cup of warm tea ☕She sat beside him on the carpet.
For a while, she said nothing.Just watched.
Then softly—
Mother:"Thank you for being patient with her."
Laddu shook his head.
Laddu:"No, Mother… I wasn't patient.""I panicked.""I got scared.""I didn't understand what was happening to her."
Mother smiled gently.
Mother:"That's normal.""Even we needed years to understand."
Laddu looked down at Mochi.
Laddu (soft):"She cried… then laughed… then got angry…""Then she called me 'baby.'""And for one moment…""…she looked like I broke her heart." 💔
Mother nodded slowly.
Mother:"She feels everything very deeply during this time.""Her emotions become louder… heavier.""Sometimes confusing even to herself."
Laddu's expression softened.
Laddu:"So… she wasn't angry at me?"
Mother:"No."
She continued calmly.
Mother:"Her body is preparing for her period.""Hormones shift.""Moods swing like storms inside her chest." 🌧️"Sometimes she cries without knowing why.""Sometimes she clings because she needs comfort."
Laddu's chest tightened.
Laddu (soft):"She must be hurting a lot…"
Mother:"Yes.""Physically and emotionally."
Laddu looked at Mochi differently now.Not just strong.Not just scary.
Human.
Laddu:"How do I help her?"
Mother smiled.She had been waiting for that.
Mother:"Be gentle.""Listen.""Remind her she's loved.""Comfort her.""And don't run."
Laddu nodded slowly.
Laddu (honest):"I want to take care of her properly."
Mother placed her hand on his shoulder.
Mother:"You already are."
Mochi shifted slightly, tightening her grip.
Mochi (sleepy):"…baby… don't go…" 💤
Laddu melted into the sofa.
Laddu (tiny whisper):"…okay."
Mother laughed quietly.
Mother:"She means you."
Laddu blushed.
Laddu:"I know."
The room glowed warm 🌙Mochi slept.Laddu stayed.
And for the first time,the storm inside her felt understood. 🌸