Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, soft and golden 🌞
Not loud.
Not rushed.
Just warm enough to say: You're safe.
Komal stood at the door with her bag slung over her shoulder.
She paused.
Looked back once.
Really looked.
Komal:
"…Take care of each other." 🤍
Laddu nodded respectfully.
No jokes.
No teasing.
No clever comebacks.
Just a simple nod. 🙇♂️
Komal left.
The door closed with a quiet click 🚪
And with it, a long chapter of chaos, fear, and misunderstandings quietly walked out of the house.
THE PET SHOP — CLOSING OLD LOOPS 🐕🦺🐦
Laddu went out alone.
No phone.
No rush.
Just intention.
He walked into the small pet shop where Ben the dog and the crow were kept.
Ben recognized him instantly.
😡
Angry.
Tail stiff.
Eyes sharp.
The crow stared.
Judging.
Always judging. 👁️🗨️
Laddu crouched down carefully, sling and all.
Laddu:
"Ben… I'm sorry." 🧎♂️
Ben stared.
One second.
Two.
Five full minutes. ⏳
Then—
Ben walked forward and licked Laddu's face aggressively. 👅💥
Forgiveness granted in exactly one second.
Laddu smiled faintly. 😌
He turned toward the crow.
The crow tilted its head.
Caw. 🐦
Laddu sighed.
Laddu:
"And you… I know you hate me."
The crow cawed louder.
Judgment confirmed.
Laddu nodded.
Laddu:
"Fair." 🤷♂️
He opened the cages.
Ben ran out first, circling him like the world had just fixed itself 🐕💨
The crow hopped to the edge… paused dramatically… then flew out with maximum flair. 🕊️✨
Laddu whispered:
Laddu:
"Be free.
Both of you."
The crow landed on a wire outside, stared at him one last time 👁️
Then flew off.
Ben stayed.
Of course he did. 🐾❤️
BACK HOME — ORDINARY MAGIC 🍳🫧
At home, Mochi was in the kitchen.
Sleeves rolled up.
Hair tied loosely.
Hands wet with soap and foam 🫧
She washed dishes slowly.
Not rushing.
Not waiting impatiently.
Just… waiting.
Father sat quietly with the baby on his chest 👶
Mother folded clothes.
Candy sat on the floor drawing something that looked like a dragon eating cereal 🐲🥣
Everyone noticed Mochi glancing at the door every few minutes.
No one teased her.
No one commented.
They let her wait.
THE RETURN 🚪✨
The door opened.
Laddu stepped inside.
Ben followed like a shadow. 🐕
Mochi didn't turn immediately.
But her shoulders relaxed.
Just a little.
Laddu walked straight to the kitchen.
He didn't speak.
He simply wrapped one arm around her waist from behind.
Mochi leaned back into him naturally —
like muscle memory had never forgotten. 🧠❤️
Laddu kissed the side of her head lightly.
Laddu:
"I'm back."
Mochi:
"…Welcome home." 🏠💛
Suddenly—
He bent down and scooped her up effortlessly.
Mochi:
"Hey—!" 😳
Candy gasped like she witnessed history.
Candy:
"BIG BROTHER PICK BIG SISTER AGAIN!!" 🚨
Laddu carried Mochi to the sofa, sat down, and pulled her onto his lap.
Carefully.
Protectively.
Like she was precious glass.
He rested his head against her chest, one arm around her waist.
Laddu exhaled deeply 😮💨
Like a man who finally reached shore after a long swim.
Within seconds—
He fell asleep.
Just like that.
No struggle.
No tension.
No running.
NORMAL, AT LAST 🌙💤
Mochi didn't freeze.
Didn't panic.
Didn't look around for approval.
She simply lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair.
Once.
Twice.
Slow. 🌿
Like this was the most normal thing in the world.
Mother smiled softly.
Mother:
"He sleeps when he feels safe." 🤍
Father nodded.
Father:
"That's rare."
The baby made a small sound. 👶
Candy whispered loudly (as always):
Candy:
"Big brother is Mochi's pillow forever!" 😆
Mochi didn't answer.
She just kept stroking Laddu's hair gently.
Ben curled up near their feet 🐾
The house stayed quiet.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just… full.
For the first time in a very long while—
Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. ✨
ON THE SOFA — HALF ASLEEP, FULLY HOME 🛋️💞
Laddu stirred slightly on Mochi's lap.
Not fully awake.
Just drifting between sleep and comfort.
His voice came out lazy, warm, stupidly honest.
Laddu:
"You know… if you were on the Titanic…" 🚢
Mochi looked down at him.
Mochi:
"…What?" 😐
Laddu smiled faintly.
Laddu:
"It would never drown.
The ice would melt first."
Mochi rolled her eyes.
Mochi:
"You're saying nonsense again."
Laddu shifted closer, forehead brushing her chest.
Laddu:
"Because you're too hot." 🔥
Before she could react—
He lifted his head slightly
and kissed her cheek.
Soft.
Gentle.
Unhurried. 💋
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Just affection.
Mochi froze for half a second.
Then relaxed.
Laddu smiled with his eyes still closed.
Laddu:
"Mochi… will you carry me like a baby my whole life?" 🥺
Mochi sighed.
Ran her fingers through his hair again.
Mochi:
"I have no choice."
Laddu hummed happily and drifted back to sleep. 😌
THE CONFESSION THAT SHOOK THE HOUSE ⚡
Laddu stirred again.
This time, fully awake.
He looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time all over again.
Then—
He kissed her cheek.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Soft.
Warm.
Unhurried. 💋💋💋
Laddu (dangerously casual):
"You know…"
Mochi:
"…What now?"
Laddu:
"How about this."
Another kiss.
Laddu:
"I leave my job."
Silence. 🧊
Candy dropped her crayon.
Candy:
"WHAT." 😱
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:
"…What?"
Laddu continued calmly.
Laddu:
"You leave yours too."
Mochi:
"Are you sick?" 🤨
Laddu smiled.
Laddu:
"We do nothing.
Live together.
Annoy each other."
Another kiss.
Laddu:
"Until we get old."
THE FAMILY EXPLODES 💥😂
Father jumped up.
Father:
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Mother gasped.
Mother:
"Son—!"
Candy jumped on the sofa.
Candy:
"BIG BROTHER STAY HOME ALL DAY?! YESSS!!"
The baby made a noise like approval. 👶👍
Mochi stared at Laddu.
Mochi:
"Are you serious?"
Laddu nodded.
Laddu:
"Dead serious."
Father:
"You cannot quit life!"
Laddu:
"I'm not quitting life.
I'm choosing it."
Grandma leaned in.
Grandma:
"So when is marriage?" 💍
Everyone:
"GRANDMA."
Mochi looked down at Laddu.
Mochi:
"You would really give up everything?"
Laddu looked at her.
No jokes.
No running.
Laddu:
"I already lost you once.
Not again."
Silence.
Warm.
Heavy.
Right.
Mochi sighed and rested her palm on his head.
Mochi:
"…You're impossible."
Laddu smiled.
Laddu:
"And you're stuck with me."
Candy cheered.
Candy:
"FOREVER!!" 🎉
Laddu hugged Mochi tighter and fell asleep again—
Like a man who had just casually proposed the most chaotic future imaginable.
And somehow…
It felt right. 💛✨