They stepped out of the restaurant. 🍽️➡️
The bell rang behind them. 🔔
Candy was full.
Happy.
And therefore… extremely dangerous. 😌⚠️
She bounced once on her heels.
Mochi checked the time on her phone. ⏰
Mochi:
"Let's go pick Ben."
Laddu nodded calmly.
They walked three steps.
Exactly three.
Then Laddu stopped.
Suddenly.
Laddu:
"Stop."
Mochi exhaled through her nose.
Mochi:
"…Why are we stopping now."
Laddu raised his hand and pointed.
Bright sign. 🌈
Colorful windows. ✨
Shelves packed with temptation.
TOY SHOP.
Candy's eyes exploded like fireworks. 🎆👀
Candy:
"TOYS—!!!"
Mochi grabbed her hand instantly.
Mochi:
"No."
Too late.
🧸 INSIDE THE TOY SHOP
The bell rang again. 🔔
Seller looked up and smiled wide.
Seller:
"Hello brother!"
Laddu paused.
The seller squinted.
Leaned forward.
Then gasped.
Seller:
"WAIT—
YOU!"
He rushed forward like destiny had finally arrived.
Seller:
"The new drone you ordered has arrived!"
Mochi turned sharply.
Mochi:
"…You ordered a drone?"
Laddu blinked.
Laddu:
"Oh.
That one."
Candy screamed like a siren. 🚨
Candy:
"DRONE?!?!?!"
The seller proudly placed a box on the counter.
Big.
Shiny.
Expensive-looking. 📦✨
Seller:
"Latest model.
Long battery.
Very stable."
Laddu nodded once.
Laddu:
"Good."
Mochi stared at him like she was reconsidering all life choices.
Mochi:
"When did you order this."
Laddu shrugged casually.
Laddu:
"Before you started managing my life."
Candy had already grabbed another box.
Candy:
"I WANT THIS!"
A remote-control car. 🚗
Red.
Fast.
Very loud.
Seller smiled.
Seller:
"Very good choice for children."
Candy hugged it tightly.
Candy:
"This is my son."
Mochi rubbed her temples. 🤦♀️
Mochi:
"We came for the dog."
Laddu gently placed the drone box on the counter.
Laddu:
"Yes."
Then nodded toward Candy.
Laddu:
"And for happiness."
The seller packed both items quickly. 🛍️
Seller:
"Anything else, brother?"
Laddu thought.
One second.
Then shook his head.
Laddu:
"That's enough damage for today."
🐶 BACK TO THE PET SHOP
They returned to the pet shop.
The seller looked up proudly.
Seller:
"Sir!
Ben is ready!"
Ben walked out.
Clean. ✨
Fluffy. ☁️
Smelling expensive. 💸
Candy screamed like she discovered heaven.
Candy:
"BEN IS A CLOUD!!!"
Ben ran straight to Laddu.
Jumped.
Licked.
Claimed. 💥🐕
Laddu laughed softly.
Laddu:
"Good boy."
The seller handed over bags.
👜 Food
🧺 Bowls
💊 Medicine
🦴 Collar
Seller:
"All done."
Laddu paid without blinking.
Mochi watched quietly.
She noticed everything.
How he checked the collar size.
How he asked about food timing.
How he listened carefully.
Candy hugged Ben tightly.
Candy:
"YOU LIVE WITH US NOW."
Ben wagged like his life depended on it. 🐕💨
🚗 THE EXIT
They walked out.
Arms full.
Dog happy.
Candy holding her car.
Laddu holding the drone.
Mochi stopped walking.
Looked at him.
Mochi:
"You came for driving lessons."
Laddu smiled calmly.
Laddu:
"We upgraded the mission."
Mochi shook her head.
But she was smiling.
Just a little. 🙂
Because somehow they left with:
• 🚙 a new car
• 🐕 a clean dog
• 🚁 a drone
• 🚗 a remote car
• ❤️ and a family that looked very real
Even if none of them were ready to admit it yet.
🚗 ON THE ROAD
The car moved smoothly.
Candy tested her remote car on the floor mat. 🎮
Ben had his head out the window, living his best life. 🌬️🐶
Then—
Laddu stiffened.
Laddu:
"Stop."
Mochi braked gently.
Mochi:
"Again?
Why do you keep—"
She looked ahead.
A familiar figure stood near the road.
Tall.
Sharper.
Different.
Barfi. 🧱
Before Mochi could speak—
The door opened.
Barfi got in.
No greeting.
No smile.
Just sat down.
Candy stared.
Candy:
"…You look angry."
Barfi exhaled hard.
Barfi:
"That asshole—"
He stopped.
Looked at Candy.
Cleared his throat.
Barfi:
"…That idiot Lie was doing too much drama."
Candy nodded seriously.
Candy:
"Drama is bad."
Barfi glanced at Mochi.
Barfi:
"Don't worry.
He won't come near her again."
Mochi frowned.
Mochi:
"What did you—"
Barfi and Laddu spoke together.
Laddu:
"Stop."
Barfi:
"Don't ask."
They exchanged a look.
Short.
Heavy. ⚫
Mochi didn't like it.
Mochi:
"You're ignoring me."
Laddu kept his eyes forward.
Laddu:
"Just drive."
🏪 THE STORE
Laddu pointed.
Laddu:
"Here."
Mochi slowed.
Plain sign.
No colors.
No toys.
A place that didn't invite questions.
Inside—
Seller looked up.
Seller:
"You're late."
Barfi nodded.
The seller reached behind the counter.
Placed a big black bag on the table.
Heavy.
Solid. ⚫👜
Seller:
"Your stuff is ready."
Barfi picked it up.
Didn't open it.
Didn't check it.
Just paid.
Cash. 💵
Fast.
Mochi's heart thumped.
Mochi:
"…What is that."
No answer.
Candy hugged Ben tightly.
Ben growled softly. 🐕
Laddu placed his hand on Ben's head.
Laddu:
"It's fine."
It wasn't reassuring.
🚗 ON THE ROAD AGAIN
They drove.
Silence.
Then Mochi couldn't take it.
Mochi:
"What is happening."
Barfi stared out the window.
Barfi:
"There's something weird."
Mochi leaned forward.
Mochi:
"Weird how."
Barfi spoke slowly.
Barfi:
"An animal."
Candy blinked.
Candy:
"Animal?"
Barfi:
"It eats humans."
The car went quiet. 🧊
Barfi continued.
Barfi:
"And runs very fast."
Mochi laughed nervously.
Mochi:
"That's not—"
Laddu interrupted.
Laddu:
"It's real."
Mochi stopped laughing.
🚉 THE STATION
They reached the station.
Barfi opened the door.
Picked up the black bag.
Barfi:
"I'll handle it."
Mochi finally spoke.
Mochi:
"Be careful."
Barfi paused.
Looked back.
Smiled faintly.
Barfi:
"I will."
Then he left.
🚗 AFTER HE'S GONE
The car moved again.
The station disappeared behind them.
Mochi spoke softly.
Mochi:
"He was such a nice boy."
She hesitated.
Mochi:
"…But he looks like a gangster now."
Laddu kept his eyes on the road.
Quiet.
Then said:
Laddu:
"Things change a man."
Mochi glanced at him.
Mochi:
"…Like what?"
Laddu didn't answer.
Ben rested his head on Laddu's knee. 🐕
Candy stopped playing.
The road stretched ahead.
And for the first time that day—
The silence wasn't funny.
It was heavy. ⚫