The door opened.
Komal walked in with her usual sharp confidence 💼—
And froze. ❄️
On the sofa:
Laddu.
On Mochi's lap.
Like a baby koala 🐨.
One arm in a sling.
Head resting comfortably.
Absolutely unashamed.
Mochi was watching TV calmly 📺, one hand casually resting on his shoulder like this was the most normal thing in the world.
Komal blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Komal:
"…Am I in the wrong house?" 😐
Candy looked up proudly.
Candy:
"No. This is correct house.
Big brother is pillow now." 😤🛋️
Komal slowly put her bag down.
Komal:
"So this is what happened when I wasn't watching."
Laddu didn't even open his eyes. 😌
THE JEWELRY GIFT 💍👶
Mochi reached beside her and picked up a small box.
She stood and handed it to Komal.
Mochi:
"My mother sent this for the baby.
Silver and gold jewelry."
Komal opened the box.
✨ Tiny silver anklet
✨ Small gold chain
✨ Delicate. Beautiful.
Before anyone could react—
Laddu spoke.
Still lying on Mochi's lap.
Like a professor giving a lecture from a couch 🎓🛋️.
Laddu:
"Silver has natural antibacterial properties.
Good for babies." 🧪
Komal raised an eyebrow.
Laddu continued, warming up:
Laddu:
"Gold is great for kids' jewelry because it's shiny,
doesn't tarnish or rust, so it stays pretty.
It's soft enough to shape but durable for play." ✨
He shifted slightly, getting more comfortable.
Laddu:
"Also, gold is a good electricity conductor." ⚡
Silence.
Komal stared.
Komal:
"…Why does the baby need a conductor?" 😶
Laddu opened one eye.
Laddu:
"Future-proofing." 😌
Mochi didn't even look surprised.
She just changed the TV channel. 📺➡️
KOMAL TRIES TO INTERVENE 😤
Komal walked closer and crossed her arms.
Komal:
"Laddu. Come here."
Laddu closed his eye again.
Laddu:
"No." 😴
Komal:
"Come. Now."
Laddu hugged Mochi's waist tighter with one arm.
Laddu:
"I will not leave my best place." 🐨❤️
Mochi glanced down at him.
Mochi:
"You're heavy."
Laddu:
"Emotionally or physically?"
Mochi:
"Yes." 😐
Candy burst into giggles.
Candy:
"Big brother trapped forever!" 😂
Komal sighed and rubbed her temples.
Komal:
"So this is it.
The man who once flirted with fifty-one people…
is now a lap ornament." 🧸
Mother smiled quietly from the side.
Mother:
"He's home." ☕💗
Komal looked at Mochi.
Then at Laddu.
Then back at Mochi.
Komal:
"…You really tamed him."
Mochi shrugged, eyes still on the TV.
Mochi:
"He came like this." 🤷♀️
Laddu smiled softly.
Didn't move.
Didn't argue.
Didn't run.
For the first time ever—
He had found a place
he didn't want to escape from. 🌙✨
DINNER CONFESSIONS 🍽️🎶👶
Dinner was loud.
🍽️ Plates clinked
👶 Baby made suspicious noises
🦵 Candy kicked the table leg rhythmically
For the first time that day, Laddu sat properly at the dining table, sling and all.
Komal say cleared her throat politely.
Komal:
"So… Laddu.
When will you bring your girlfriend home?"
The table went silent. 😶
Candy's eyes sparkled.
Candy:
"YES.
What your home look like?" ✨👀
Laddu swallowed his food calmly.
Laddu:
"Perfect."
Everyone leaned in.
Laddu continued, completely serious:
Laddu:
"It's alive.
I live in a joint family.
No need friends outside.
Whole village is my family—by blood and by heart." 🏡❤️
mother paused mid-bite.
mother:
"…That sounds intense."
Laddu nodded proudly.
Laddu:
"When I bring her home,
whole village will welcome her."
Candy gasped.
Candy:
"With what?!" 😲
Laddu started counting on his fingers.
Laddu:
"Drums. 🥁
Horns. 📯
Flowers. 🌸"
Father raised an eyebrow.
Father:
"Sounds expensive."
Laddu added calmly:
Laddu:
"And my grandpa beating people." 👴💥
Absolute silence.
mama blinked.
mama:
"…Beating who?"
Laddu waved his spoon casually.
Laddu:
"Anyone who says,
'Why not marry my friend's granddaughter?'"
Candy nearly fell off her chair laughing.
Candy:
"Grandpa fight matchmaking people!!" 😂😂
Komal covered her face.
Komal:
"I'm so sorry, Mama."
Mama smiled peacefully.
Mama:
"That village sounds… very welcoming." 🌿
Laddu nodded respectfully.
Laddu:
"Wise choice." 😌
Mochi didn't look up from her plate, but her lips curved.
Just a little. 🌸
Because for the first time—
Laddu wasn't joking.
He wasn't flirting.
He wasn't running.
He was explaining where he belonged.
And who he would protect. 🛡️❤️
Dinner resumed with laughter, baby noises, and Candy loudly announcing she wanted drums at her birthday too 🎂🥁.
And Komal finally understood:
This man didn't just come from a family.
He came from a fortress with emotions. 🏰💗