The car moved smoothly down the road. 🚗✨
No jerks. No panic.
Mochi focused.
Hands steady on the wheel 🤍
Eyes sharp 👀
Posture calm, confident.
Candy hummed in the back seat, kicking her feet softly. 🎶
Then—
Laddu suddenly leaned forward.
Laddu:
"Stop."
Mochi reacted instantly, pressing the brake gently.
The car slowed to a clean halt.
Mochi:
"What— why?"
Laddu pointed through the window.
Mochi followed his finger.
And there—
On the side of the road…
Ben. 🐕
Dirty.
Fur messy.
Tail wagging weakly.
Sitting like he had been waiting for exactly this moment.
Candy screamed so loud the car probably heard it.
Candy:
"BEN!!!" 😭🐶
Before Mochi could even turn the key—
The door opened.
Laddu was already out.
🐕 BEN IS CLAIMED
Laddu knelt down instantly, ignoring the sling, ignoring the road, ignoring everything else.
Ben looked up.
Recognition hit.
Tail went wild. 💥
Body launched forward.
Ben jumped straight into Laddu's chest.
Laddu laughed softly, breath breaking just a little.
Laddu:
"There you are."
He lifted Ben easily, like muscle memory had never forgotten him, and carried him back to the car as if this was destiny, not coincidence.
Mochi watched from the driver's seat.
Silent.
Something warm twisted in her chest. 💗
Something familiar. Something safe.
Candy opened the door excitedly.
Candy:
"BEN COME HOME!"
Ben licked everyone in range like his life depended on it. 😵💫🐾
Laddu placed him carefully inside.
Laddu:
"Seatbelt not required.
But manners are."
Ben barked once.
Deal accepted. 🤝
🏪 THE PET SHOP
Mochi drove straight to the pet shop.
Bell rang as they entered. 🔔
The seller looked up.
Seller:
"Hello sir!"
Laddu stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No smile.
Only purpose.
Laddu:
"I have a dog."
He lifted Ben slightly.
Laddu:
"His name is Ben."
The seller crouched immediately.
Seller:
"He's very handsome."
Laddu nodded once.
Laddu:
"Clean him."
Seller:
"Yes sir."
Laddu raised his fingers, counting calmly.
Laddu:
"All injections.
All important ones."
Seller was already writing.
Laddu:
"Health check.
Vitamins.
Deworming."
Pen moved faster. ✍️
Laddu:
"Collar.
Leash.
Bowl."
Candy whispered with awe:
Candy:
"He shopping like war preparation." 😮
Laddu added, tone unchanged:
Laddu:
"Food for one month."
Seller looked up.
Seller:
"Which brand, sir?"
Laddu didn't blink.
Laddu:
"The best."
No pause.
No budget talk.
Seller nodded like this was completely normal.
Seller:
"Yes sir."
🧾 MOCHI WATCHES
Mochi stood beside him quietly.
Watching.
He wasn't joking.
Wasn't avoiding.
Wasn't lazy.
He was focused.
Responsible.
Precise.
She leaned closer.
Mochi:
"You didn't even ask the price."
Laddu looked at Ben.
Then at her.
Laddu:
"He waited."
That was all.
Mochi didn't argue.
She just nodded.
Ben wagged his tail harder. 🐕💨
Candy clapped.
Candy:
"BEN GOT PROMOTED!"
The seller smiled.
Seller:
"He'll be ready in an hour."
Laddu nodded.
Laddu:
"We'll wait."
He sat down.
Ben sat beside him.
Mochi sat next to Laddu.
Quiet.
Normal.
Like this was already family business. 🏠
Candy suddenly stopped spinning on the chair.
Candy:
"I am hungry."
Silence.
Laddu looked at her.
Very serious.
Laddu:
"That's dangerous."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:
"What?"
Laddu stood and turned to the seller.
Laddu:
"Hey.
Any family restaurant nearby?"
Seller smiled instantly.
Seller:
"Yes sir.
Two minutes walk."
Laddu nodded.
Laddu:
"Good.
Let's eat and come back.
Ben will be ready."
Candy jumped like a spark.
Candy:
"FOOD MISSION!" 🍽️🔥
🍽️ THE RESTAURANT
They walked into a small, warm restaurant.
Bell rang again. 🔔
The owner looked up.
Owner:
"Hello sir!"
He paused.
Looked at the three of them together.
Something softened in his eyes.
Owner (smiling):
"Today I give discount."
Mochi blinked.
Mochi:
"…Why?"
Owner waved his hand proudly.
Owner:
"Family discount."
Before Mochi could correct him—
Laddu spoke calmly.
Laddu:
"She is my wife."
Time froze. 🧊
Mochi stopped breathing for half a second.
Laddu pointed gently.
Laddu:
"Mochi."
Then gestured toward Candy.
Laddu:
"And this is my daughter."
Candy waved cheerfully.
Candy:
"Hello!" 👋
The owner beamed.
Owner:
"Very good family."
He led them to a table.
😵 MOCHI PROCESSES REALITY
They sat.
Candy grabbed the menu upside down immediately.
Mochi stared at Laddu.
Mochi:
"…You didn't even hesitate."
Laddu looked confused.
Laddu:
"About what?"
Mochi lowered her voice.
Mochi:
"You just called me your wife."
Laddu nodded.
Laddu:
"Yes."
Mochi:
"In public."
Laddu tilted his head.
Laddu:
"We are in public?"
Mochi:
"YES."
Candy slammed the menu down.
Candy:
"I want fries."
The owner reappeared instantly.
Owner:
"Anything else, sir?"
Laddu ordered like this was routine.
Laddu:
"One family set.
Extra rice.
Less spice."
Owner smiled.
Owner:
"Discount applied."
Mochi leaned closer.
Mochi:
"Why did we get discount?"
Laddu answered softly.
Laddu:
"Because we look like a family."
Mochi paused.
Her ears warmed. 🌸
Mochi:
"…We do?"
Laddu glanced at Candy arguing with the menu.
Then at Mochi.
Laddu:
"Yes."
The food arrived. 🍛🍟
Candy ate instantly.
Candy:
"Family discount tastes better."
Mochi tried not to smile.
Failed. 😊
She shook her head slightly.
Mochi:
"You are dangerous."
Laddu smiled gently.
Laddu:
"Only with responsibility."
Outside, rain began to fall lightly. 🌧️
Inside, they ate.
Quiet.
Warm.
Safe.
Like this table had been waiting for them all along. 💛