The room was quiet.
Not peaceful quiet.
Not sleepy quiet.
The kind of quiet that presses against your ears and makes your chest feel tight. 😶🌫️
Jewelry lay scattered across the table like evidence after a raid.
Gold chains glinting under the light ✨
Silver earrings rolling slightly with every breath taken in the room
Bracelets, rings, anklets — all shining like they were silently accusing someone 💍
And in the middle of this chaos…
Mochi sat perfectly still on the sofa.
No shouting.
No trembling.
No dramatic rage.
Just stillness.
Laddu slept in her arms, curled against her like a shameless golden retriever 🐶💤
One arm wrapped around her waist.
His face pressed lightly into her chest.
Breathing slow.
Safe.
Unaware that his entire life was currently under investigation.
Mochi's fingers moved slowly through his hair.
Not aggressively.
Not lovingly either.
Measured.
Controlled.
Dangerous. 😐
Maya leaned toward Cousin, voice barely a whisper.
Maya (whispering):
"…This is worse than shouting." 😬
Cousin swallowed.
Cousin:
"Yeah. Angry Mochi screams.
Silent Mochi… ends lives." ☠️
Mother folded her hands together, watching Mochi carefully.
Mother:
"She hasn't moved for five minutes."
Father nodded gravely.
Father:
"When women go quiet like this…
Men should start apologizing to their ancestors." 🧎♂️
Candy, completely unaware of danger, picked up a gold necklace.
Candy:
"Mochi Didi… this is very shiny." ✨
Mochi didn't look at Candy.
Didn't look at anyone.
Her eyes stayed on Laddu's sleeping face.
Her voice came out calm.
Too calm.
Mochi:
"…He kept all of this."
No one replied.
Mochi:
"…Under the washing machine."
Still nothing.
Her fingers paused in his hair.
Mochi:
"He hides letters under my bed.
Jewelry under the floor.
Toys in the store room.
Perfume in the bathroom.
Teddy bears behind the fridge." 🧸
"Clothes on the roof."
She finally lifted her eyes and looked at the whole family.
Mochi:
"This man is playing treasure hunt alone." 🗺️
Father straightened and saluted her.
Father:
"You have my full permission to beat him." 🫡
Mother nodded seriously.
Mother:
"Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually."
Cousin leaned toward Maya.
Cousin (whisper):
"She's still stroking his hair."
Maya nodded.
Maya:
"That's the scariest part." 😰
Candy held up an anklet.
Candy:
"Mochi Didi… do you want this?"
Mochi didn't respond.
Her eyes drifted back to Laddu.
Her voice dropped into a whisper.
Mochi:
"…When he wakes up…"
"…he will explain."
The room froze.
Even the jewelry felt nervous. 💎😨
Then—
🔔 DING DONG
The doorbell rang.
Everyone jumped.
Father:
"Who is it NOW?" 😵
He stood up carefully and walked to the door like he was entering enemy territory.
When he opened it—
A courier stood there holding a large, elegant black box.
Courier:
"Delivery for Mr. Laddu."
Father blinked slowly.
Father:
"…Of course." 😐
He took the box inside and placed it on the coffee table.
The box sat there.
Silent.
Threatening.
Cousin squinted.
Cousin:
"This better not be more jewelry."
Maya crossed her arms.
Maya:
"If it's another secret, I'll scream."
Candy didn't wait.
She ran forward.
Mochi:
"Candy— don't—"
Too late.
Candy opened the box.
And the entire room inhaled sharply.
Inside was a stunning black dress. 👗✨
Elegant.
Modern.
Perfectly stitched.
The kind of dress that makes people turn around twice in a mall.
Candy lifted it up.
Candy:
"Mochi boss!!
This is your size!" 😍
Maya slapped her forehead.
Maya:
"I REMEMBER THIS."
She pointed at Mochi.
Maya:
"We were staring at this dress in the mall."
Cousin nodded.
Cousin:
"You literally said, 'If I had this, I'd look deadly.'"
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:
"…We did."
Maya pointed again.
Maya:
"And Laddu was right there.
Pretending to look at shoes." 👟
Candy reached back into the box.
Out came:
• Matching black heels 👠
• A silver necklace ✨
• Matching earrings 💎
• A purse 👜
• A hair accessory
• And a small card
Candy read the card softly.
Candy:
"'For my Tall Flower.'" 🌸
The room went completely silent.
Mochi's breath caught.
Her chest tightened.
Maya whispered gently.
Maya:
"He bought it that same day."
Cousin nodded.
Cousin:
"He remembered."
Mother smiled softly.
Mother:
"He always listens to you."
Father sighed deeply.
Father:
"Damn fool…" 😔❤️
Mochi stared at the dress.
Her anger didn't vanish.
But it cracked.
Confusion seeped in.
Warmth followed.
Annoyance mixed with guilt.
Love tangled with frustration. 💔❤️
She whispered:
Mochi:
"…He bought all this… just because I liked it?"
Mother nodded.
Mother:
"Yes."
Mochi looked down.
Laddu slept peacefully, hugging her like she was his entire world.
She brushed his hair back gently.
Mochi (soft):
"…Idiot."
Cousin grinned.
Cousin:
"She's melting."
Mochi (snapping):
"I am NOT melting." 😤
"I'm deciding punishment."
Her cheeks were pink.
Very pink.
Candy placed the dress carefully beside Laddu on Mochi's lap.
Candy:
"He wanted to surprise you."
Mochi stared at the card again.
For my Tall Flower.
Her fingers curled slightly.
Mochi:
"…When he wakes up…"
"…we are talking."
Mother smiled.
Mother:
"With love."
Father nodded.
Father:
"With discipline."
Maya grinned.
Maya:
"With blushing."
Candy clapped.
Candy:
"With hugging!" 🤗
Mochi didn't answer.
She just held the sleeping idiot a little closer.
Anger still there.
Storm still forming.
But warmth blooming quietly beneath it.
The calm before the next disaster.
🌩️🌸