Two hours later…
Laddu finally opened his eyes.
Slowly.
Sleepily. 😴
Like a man waking up with no idea he had just survived a life sentence.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
And then he saw her.
Mochi.
Still holding him.
Still sitting exactly the same way.
But her face—
Cold.
Sharp.
Still.
The kind of still that doesn't scream.
The kind that decides. 🧊
Laddu felt it instantly.
That pressure in the air.
That quiet heaviness.
That "one wrong word and you're done" atmosphere.
His smile faded just a little.
He yawned softly anyway, stretching his arms like an idiot who hadn't read the room. 🥱
Then he looked up at her face again.
And smiled.
Laddu (soft, sleepy):
"Mochi…
we need to talk."
Mochi leaned forward immediately.
Fast.
Sharp.
Mochi:
"Yes. We DO—"
Before she could finish—
💥 CANDY ATTACKED THE SCENE 💥
Candy jumped right between them like a live news reporter on breaking chaos.
Candy (panicked, loud):
"BROTHER!!
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?!
MOCHI DIDI FOUND EVERYTHING!!
LETTERS!
JEWELRY!
TOYS!
WE FLUSH LETTERS!
WE OPEN TREASURE!
SHE GOT VERY ANGRY!!" 😱💨
The entire room froze.
Mochi grabbed Candy's shoulder hard.
Mochi:
"STOP TALKING—"
But Laddu wasn't looking at Mochi.
He was looking at Candy.
At her wide eyes.
At her shaking hands.
At the way she was talking too fast.
And something… clicked.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
Laddu smiled.
Not nervous.
Not scared.
A knowing smile.
Then—
He laughed.
Not small.
Not awkward.
He burst out laughing. 😂😂😂
Laddu:
"PFFFF—HAHAHAHAHAHA—"
Candy instantly joined in.
Candy:
"HHAHAHAHAHAHA— WE DID IT—!!"
The room exploded with confusion.
Maya shot up.
Maya:
"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!"
Cousin:
"WHY ARE THEY LAUGHING?!"
Father:
"This is not the laugh of an innocent man."
Mother's face changed.
Not laughing.
Not smiling.
⚠️ Alert ⚠️
She stepped forward immediately.
Mother (sharp):
"Candy.
Enough."
Candy froze mid-laugh.
Laddu was still laughing, wiping a tear from his eye.
Laddu:
"Mochi…
my Tall Flower…"
"Do you really think I am stupid enough
to hide LOVE LETTERS
under my GIRLFRIEND'S BED?" 😏
The room went dead silent.
Mochi stared at him.
Not confused.
Not shocked.
Just… watching.
Laddu continued, voice casual.
Laddu:
"Candy wrote those letters."
Candy lifted her hand weakly.
Candy (small voice):
"…I wrote." 🙋♀️
Everyone screamed.
Maya:
"YOU WROTE THE CAT PREGNANT LETTER?!"
Candy nodded fast.
Candy:
"Yes! With left hand!
More stupid effect!"
Cousin collapsed laughing.
But Mochi didn't laugh.
She didn't shout.
She didn't move.
She just looked at Laddu.
Long.
Slow.
Dangerous.
Mochi (low, controlled):
"You…
played with me?"
Laddu stood up casually, cracking his neck like this was a normal morning. 😌
Laddu:
"Yes."
One step toward her.
Laddu:
"Me and Candy."
He flicked her forehead lightly.
Tap.
Laddu:
"Dumb Tall Flower."
💀
💀
💀
The house stopped breathing.
Father:
"HE FLICKED HER—"
Maya:
"HE CALLED HER DUMB—"
Cousin:
"THIS MAN WANTS TO DIE—"
Mochi's face did not change.
Not red.
Not angry.
Blank.
Then Laddu added—too casually:
Laddu:
"The jewelry?
Not from exes."
"I bought them. I like pretty things. I wanted you to have them."
The house ERUPTED.
Mother stepped in instantly.
Mother (loud, firm):
"ENOUGH."
Everyone froze.
She turned to Mochi.
Mother (gentle but urgent):
"Mochi…
it was a prank."
Mochi's eyes flicked to her mother.
Mother continued quickly.
Mother:
"The letters were fake.
Candy helped.
The jewelry isn't emotional baggage."
"He didn't betray you."
Candy nodded fast.
Candy:
"Yes! I helped!
I saved brother!" 🛡️
Laddu looked between them.
Something… shifted.
He understood.
This wasn't a prank cover.
This was damage control.
Mochi stayed silent.
Too silent.
Laddu suddenly felt it.
That cold again.
He turned toward Candy, forcing lightness.
Laddu:
"Candy. Ice cream?"
Candy clapped like a soldier receiving orders.
Candy:
"YES!"
He grabbed his jacket.
Before leaving, he looked back at Mochi.
Smirked.
Laddu:
"Tall Flower…
next time control your anger."
"You get tricked too easily."
He waved.
Laddu:
"Bye everyone!"
And left with Candy and Mother.
🚪 Door closed.
INSIDE THE HOUSE
Silence.
Not laughter.
Not chaos.
Just… silence.
Mochi sat there.
Still.
Her forehead still faintly aching from the flick.
Her heart heavy.
Maya broke first.
Maya (laughing):
"Not just tricked…
you got OUTPLAYED."
Cousin wiped tears.
Cousin:
"You interrogated ghosts."
Father sighed.
Father:
"You lost to a sleeping man."
Mochi covered her face.
Mochi:
"…I feel stupid."
But her voice cracked.
OUTSIDE — THE TRUTH
At the restaurant…
Candy was still bouncing.
Candy:
"Brother we did it!!"
Mother grabbed Laddu's arm.
Mother (low, serious):
"That was NOT a prank."
Laddu stopped smiling.
Mother:
"I lied to protect you."
Candy nodded.
Candy:
"I helped.
Mochi Didi would've killed you."
Laddu exhaled.
Slow.
Deep.
Laddu (quiet):
"…Everything was real."
Mother nodded.
Mother:
"Yes."
Candy hugged him.
Candy:
"But now you alive!"
Laddu leaned back.
Eyes closed.
Laddu:
"…She will know someday."
Mother sipped her water.
Mother:
"She already knows."
Laddu smiled sadly.
Laddu:
"Then I'm already dead."
🍃
🍃
🍃