Two hours after the birth…
The rain finally softened.
Not stopped.
Just slowed—like the world itself was catching its breath after holding it too long. 🌦️
The railway station reopened.
Trains screeched back to life.
And the family ran.
THE FAMILY ARRIVES — SOAKED, SHAKING, RELIEVED 🏃♀️🏥
Father, Grandma, Grandpa, Maya, Cousin, and Candy burst into the hospital lobby.
Wet clothes.
Hair plastered to faces.
Breathless.
Candy slipped on the floor.
Twice.
Candy:
"AH—WAIT—WHY FLOOR SLIPPY—"
Grandma didn't stop moving.
Grandma (panicked):
"Where is my daughter?!
WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!"
Father grabbed the nearest nurse with both hands, voice cracking.
Father:
"My wife! She was brought here—where is she?!"
The nurse gently steadied him.
Nurse:
"Sir, please breathe.
Come with me."
They were guided quickly toward the maternity ward.
Every step felt like a year.
MOCHI HEARS THE NEWS 📱💥
At a café across town…
Mochi's phone vibrated on the table.
One message.
From Maya.
"MAMA GAVE BIRTH!!!
BABY BOY!!!
We're going to the hospital now!!!"
Mochi froze.
Her spoon slipped from her fingers.
Her heart skipped—hard. 💔➡️❤️
Mochi (whisper):
"…Mama… had the baby…"
She stood up so suddenly the chair scraped loudly.
Lie looked up, startled.
Lie:
"Mochi? Where are you—?"
Mochi was already grabbing her jacket.
Mochi:
"The baby is born.
I have to go."
She didn't call a car.
Didn't wait for rain to stop.
She ran.
Through wet streets.
Through traffic.
Past strangers staring in confusion.
Rain soaked her hair.
Her breath burned.
But her mind had only three things:
Mama.
The baby.
Family. 💭
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL — LADDU STEPS AWAY 🚶♂️🖤
Inside the maternity room…
Mama lay weak but awake, smiling softly.
The newborn baby boy rested against her chest, tiny and warm. 👶🤍
Laddu stood beside the bed.
Quiet. Still.
He leaned down and kissed Mama's forehead.
Laddu:
"Rest, Mama.
You did well."
Mama smiled faintly.
Mama:
"Thank you… son."
Bob stood near the door, watching the hallway.
Bob:
"We should go.
Family will arrive any minute."
Laddu hesitated.
Just for a moment.
A dangerous moment.
He imagined Mochi entering.
Seeing the baby together.
Standing there as a family.
Then—
He looked at his hands.
Hands that returned rings.
Hands that caused pain without meaning to.
He lowered his eyes.
Laddu:
"You're right."
Bob:
"You sure?"
Laddu nodded slowly.
Laddu:
"They should have this moment.
Without me standing in the middle."
Bob placed a hand on his shoulder.
Bob:
"You've changed."
Laddu didn't reply.
He simply walked away.
Down the hallway.
Out of sight.
Minutes before the family arrived.
THE FAMILY RAPTURE — PURE EMOTION 😭❤️
The door burst open.
Candy:
"MAMAAAAA!! BABYYYY!!"
She cried instantly.
Maya nearly screamed.
Maya:
"A BOY?! HE'S SO SMALL—"
Cousin covered her mouth, eyes shining.
Cousin:
"Oh my god… he's perfect…"
Father rushed to Mama's side, voice shaking.
Father:
"You scared me…
But you did it… you both did it…"
Grandma cried the loudest, holding Mama's face.
Grandma:
"My daughter… my child… you're safe…"
Grandpa wiped his eyes silently, standing behind them.
The baby yawned. 😴
The room melted.
Candy tried to climb onto the bed.
Candy:
"LET ME SEE!! LET ME SEE!!"
Maya:
"TORNADO—YOU'LL DROP HIM—"
Laughter. Tears. Relief.
Mama looked around slowly.
Mama:
"…Where is Laddu?"
Cousin answered softly.
Cousin:
"He was here earlier.
Bob said they stepped out."
Mama's eyes softened.
Mama:
"That boy…
He saved me."
MOCHI ARRIVES — BREATHLESS 🏃♀️💔
Mochi reached the maternity room door.
She stopped.
Breathing hard.
Hands trembling.
Then she stepped inside.
Everyone turned.
Maya (smiling):
"Mochi! Come see him!"
Mama gently lifted the baby toward her.
Mama:
"Come… meet your new little brother."
Mochi stepped closer.
Her eyes filled instantly.
Not with pain.
Not with heartbreak.
But warmth. 🌸
Mochi (soft):
"He's… beautiful…"
She touched his tiny hand.
It curled around her finger.
Her voice shook.
Mochi:
"Welcome… little one."
The family gathered around her.
Joy.
Tears.
Life.
But Mochi's eyes drifted—just once—
To the empty space near the door.
Where Laddu should have been.
Mochi (quiet):
"He left… before I came…"
Mama heard her.
Mama:
"He didn't want to disturb our happiness."
Mochi nodded.
Her heart tightened—gently.
Not anger.
Not pain.
Just longing.
The baby made a tiny sound.
Mochi smiled.
For the first time in months. 😊
OUTSIDE — TWO MEN WALK 🚶♂️🚶♂️
Outside the hospital, rain misted the air.
Laddu and Bob walked side by side like exhausted heroes.
Bob reached into his pocket.
Bob:
"Want to smoke?"
Laddu shook his head.
Laddu:
"Smoking ruined my gym sessions.
So I quit."
Bob blinked.
Bob:
"Really?"
Laddu:
"I smoked .
Then I knew."
Bob smirked.
Bob:
"Cigar guy quitting?
That's new."
Laddu shrugged.
Laddu:
"I have a brand, man."
Bob laughed.
Bob:
"What about the car?"
Laddu:
"Towed. No parking."
Bob grinned.
Bob:
"Worth it?"
Laddu nodded once.
Laddu:
"Worth it."
They kept walking.
Quiet. Steady. 🌧️
BACK HOME — THE BROKEN DOOR 🚪🪵
The family returned home together.
Mochi held Candy's hand at the front.
Then they stopped.
Grandpa:
"…Why is the door missing?"
A carpenter was fixing the shattered frame.
Carpenter:
"Some young man broke it in one hit.
Told me to fix it before the family returned."
Father groaned.
Father:
"That idiot broke the door again."
Mama looked at the broken wood.
Mama:
"He broke it to reach me."
Cousin whispered.
Cousin:
"That's… heroic."
Mochi stayed silent.
Her chest tightened.
INSIDE — PREPARED LOVE 🍼🎁
The living room froze everyone.
Diapers.
Bottles.
Blankets.
Cradle.
Baby clothes.
Everything.
Cousin:
"A baby store exploded…"
Maya:
"No.
Someone prepared."
Mama picked up a receipt.
Mama:
"All delivered today.
By Laddu."
Candy grabbed tiny socks.
Candy:
"BIG BROTHER BUY MINI SOCKS!!"
Mochi picked up a blue onesie.
Soft. Warm.
Mochi (whisper):
"…He bought all this?"
Mama:
"Yes."
Her anger—already fading.
THE CALL THAT FAILS 📵
Mama dialed Laddu.
Ring.
Ring.
"The number you are trying to reach is switched off."
Mochi stiffened.
Mochi:
"Did he… collapse?"
Mama:
"No. He was fine."
THE TRUTH — HE LEFT ✈️
Bob and Jin arrived.
Jin:
"He left for the airport."
Shock.
Maya:
"What?!"
Jin:
"Business meeting.
Laptop only."
Mochi looked at the onesie in her hands.
Mochi (soft):
"…He left… even after all this…"
Mama touched her shoulder.
Mama:
"He didn't want to disturb us."
Mochi nodded.
Her voice barely audible.
Mochi:
"…He still runs alone."
But this time—
No anger.
Just thought.