By evening, the house slowly began to empty.
Cousin had already left earlier with one last dramatic hug and twenty photos 📸.
Now Maya stood near the door, suitcase beside her.
She hugged Mochi tight, then leaned close to Laddu's ear and whispered with a dangerous smile 😈:
Maya:
"Don't break her heart again.
My fists are strong."
Laddu, half-asleep on Mochi's lap, responded without opening his eyes:
Laddu:
"Yes, yes… very strong… goodbye…"
Maya snorted, waved, and left 🚪.
And just like that, the house became smaller.
Only—
• Father ☕
• Mother 🍵
• The baby 🍼
• Candy 🎨
• Mochi 🌸
• And Laddu 😴 (still asleep on Mochi's lap)
remained.
A quiet, cozy evening settled in.
The kind of silence that feels heavy with meaning.
The kind that whispers: something important is starting.
MOCHI CAN'T RESIST ANYMORE 💗
Everyone drifted into the living room.
The baby chewed aggressively on a soft toy like it owed him money 🦖.
Candy sat cross-legged, drawing moustaches on the TV remote with a marker 🖊️.
Mother and Father sat on the opposite sofa, tea in hand, relaxed and observant.
And Mochi…
Mochi looked down.
At Laddu.
Still asleep on her lap.
His breathing was calm.
His eyelashes long.
His lips soft.
His head warm against her legs.
For three weeks, he had been careful.
Gentle.
Respectful.
Quiet.
No flirting.
No teasing.
No crossing lines.
Too different.
So she leaned down slightly…
And kissed his cheek.
Soft.
Quick. 💋
Nothing happened.
He didn't wake.
Mochi froze.
She glanced around.
No reaction.
So she kissed him again.
And again.
And again.
Tiny kisses scattered across his cheek like falling petals 🌸.
Mwah.
Mwah.
Mwah.
Mwah.
Candy looked up first.
Candy:
"BIG SISTER IS KISSING BIG BROTHER MANY MANY TIME!!"
Father choked on his tea ☕💥.
Father:
"Mochi—?!"
Mother covered her mouth, giggling.
Mother:
"Good. Good. Very good."
Grandma (who had entered silently like a ninja 🥷):
"Finally! She is making progress!"
The baby stared at them and made a confused:
Baby:
"Baah?"
Candy jumped in circles.
Candy:
"Big sister loves big brother! Look look look!!"
Father:
"Mochi, control yourself—!"
Mother elbowed him hard.
Mother:
"Let her be.
She's making up for three months of emotional stupidity."
Father sighed.
Father:
"…Fair enough."
Grandma pointed proudly.
Grandma:
"Kiss him again! He sleep like rock!"
Mochi's face burned red 🔥.
But she leaned down anyway.
One more kiss.
Mwah.
Right on the cheekbone.
THE SLEEPING BEAR STIRS 🐻
Laddu's eyelid twitched.
Candy gasped dramatically.
Candy:
"He waking up!! Big sister run!!"
But Mochi didn't run.
She stayed.
Held him gently.
And kissed his cheek one last time.
Laddu stirred.
Slow blink.
Another blink.
Then realization hit.
He was on Mochi's lap.
Again.
History repeating itself like a stubborn TV rerun 📺.
He relaxed instantly, eyes half-closing.
Laddu (sleepy):
"…This sofa feels familiar."
Mochi rolled her eyes but didn't move him.
Instead, she placed her hand on his shoulder.
And—
She froze.
Mochi:
"…Wait."
Her fingers pressed lightly.
Laddu hissed.
Laddu:
"Don't poke."
Mochi sat up straight.
Mochi:
"Your shoulder is swollen."
Laddu shrugged carefully.
Laddu:
"Ah. That."
Mochi stared.
Mochi:
"That?"
Laddu waved lazily.
Laddu:
"I broke the door, remember?
Door fought back.
Door lost.
Shoulder… half-lost."
Mochi's eyes narrowed dangerously 👀.
Mochi:
"We're going to the doctor."
Laddu:
"No need. Nothing happened."
Mochi stood up.
With him.
Still on her.
Laddu panicked.
Laddu:
"WAIT— what are you doing?!"
She bent down and scooped him up—
A full bridal carry 👰🤵.
Candy screamed.
Candy:
"BIG SISTER CARRY BIG BROTHER LIKE BABY!!"
Father jumped to his feet.
Father:
"Put him down! He's a grown man!"
Mother nodded calmly.
Mother:
"Let her.
He deserves this."
Laddu protested weakly.
Laddu:
"I can walk!"
Mochi:
"You will fall."
Laddu:
"I have legs!"
Mochi:
"You also have zero self-care."
She carried him straight toward the car 🚗.
Laddu gave up.
Laddu (resigned):
"…This is how I die."
THE HOSPITAL — SIX HOURS OF CONSEQUENCES 🏥⏳
Six hours later.
X-rays 📸.
Waiting rooms.
Ice packs ❄️.
Doctors shaking heads.
Doctor:
"You dislocated your shoulder."
Laddu blinked.
Laddu:
"…So it did lose."
Doctor:
"We popped it back in place.
You're lucky nothing tore."
Mochi crossed her arms.
Mochi:
"He said nothing happened."
Doctor smiled knowingly.
Doctor:
"Men say that a lot."
Laddu looked betrayed.
BACK HOME — POPPED AND HUMBLED 🛋️😶
They returned home late.
Laddu's arm was in a sling.
He moved carefully now.
Very carefully.
Candy stared.
Candy:
"Big brother broken?"
Laddu:
"Temporarily."
Mother helped him sit.
Mother:
"Next time you break a door,
use your head instead."
Laddu:
"I like my head."
Mochi sat beside him and adjusted the sling properly.
Her touch was firm.
Precise.
Caring.
Mochi:
"You don't get to decide when something is 'nothing.'"
Laddu looked at her.
Really looked.
No jokes.
No deflection.
Laddu:
"…Thank you."
She didn't reply.
She simply placed a pillow under his arm so it wouldn't hurt.
Candy smiled proudly.
Candy:
"Big sister is boss."
Father nodded.
Father:
"She saved you."
Mother watched quietly, smiling.
Mother:
"He's learning."
Laddu leaned back, exhausted.
But safe.
And for once—
He didn't argue
when someone took care of him. 💞