Laddu sat back down.
Same place.
Same confidence.
But Mochi didn't look at him.
Not even once.
The café felt colder than before. ❄️
Laddu cleared his throat.
"…Sorry."
No joke this time.
Mochi's jaw tightened.
"You dare do that again," she said, voice low and controlled,
"and don't expect me to stay quiet."
He nodded quickly. ✅
She finally turned toward him.
"And don't sit on my lap," Mochi added.
"Stand up."
Laddu shook his head.
"No," he said softly. "I won't."
Maya stiffened. 😬
Mother looked up immediately. 👀
Laddu leaned closer, trying to soften it with words.
"Don't worry," he murmured.
"Tall-baby… my body and soul are yours only."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Once. 💋
Then again. 💋
Mochi's hand came up between them.
"Stop."
He kissed her again, lighter. Automatic.
"I don't want to," Laddu said, half-smiling.
That smile vanished fast.
Mochi pushed him back.
Hard enough that he felt it. 💥
"I am angry," she said clearly.
"Not shy. Not teasing. Angry."
The room went silent. 🧊
Laddu opened his mouth.
"Scientists say anger causes wrinkles—"
"Enough," Mochi snapped. ❌
She stood up in one smooth motion, towering now, eyes sharp. 🔥
"You don't joke when I say stop," she said.
"You don't argue with my boundary."
Laddu froze.
For the first time tonight, he didn't try to be clever.
"I will break your leg," Mochi added calmly,
"if you don't listen."
Laddu swallowed. 😮💨
"…You already broke my mind," he said quietly.
She stared at him.
Then he did the important thing.
He stood up.
No protest.
No excuse.
"I'm sorry," Laddu said again.
"This time properly."
He took a step back, giving space. ↩️
"I forgot myself," he admitted.
"I won't forget you again."
Mochi's breathing slowed.
She didn't forgive immediately.
She didn't smile.
But she nodded once.
"Good," she said.
"Because I choose you. I don't tolerate being ignored."
Laddu nodded.
"I hear you," he said. "Loud and clear." 🔊
Maya exhaled. 😮💨
Mother relaxed.
Candy whispered, "That was scary."
Mochi sat down again.
Not on his lap.
Next to him.
Laddu stayed where he was.
Hands to himself. ✋
Eyes forward.
Trust, he realized, wasn't built by affection alone.
It was built by stopping when asked.
And tonight, he learned that the hard way.
😂 Family Joke Time (Recovery Phase)
Laddu stood up suddenly.
Everyone flinched. 😳
"Relax," he said, raising a hand. ✋
"Joke time."
Maya sighed.
"Why do I feel unsafe."
Candy clapped. 👏
"Yes!"
Mother sat properly.
"Go on. Finish fast."
Laddu cleared his throat like a professional storyteller. 🎤
"Once," Laddu began,
"a village man bought a buffalo."
Candy nodded seriously.
"Important animal." 🐃
"Yes," Laddu agreed.
"Very respectable."
"The man got all the buffalo documents written on paper," Laddu continued,
"and gave them to his wife."
Mother smiled faintly. 😊
"That part sounds familiar."
"He told her," Laddu said, copying the man's voice,
"'Put it in a very important place.'"
Maya leaned forward.
"This will go wrong."
"The wife," Laddu continued,
"did what all wives do."
Mochi crossed her arms.
"…What."
"She put it inside a pot," Laddu said,
"where she keeps all important papers."
Candy gasped. 😱
"The sacred pot!"
"Now," Laddu said,
"one day a middle man comes."
Cousin groaned.
"Never trust middle men."
"He is the one who talks between families for arranged marriage," Laddu explained.
"He asks the wife—"
Laddu switched to a polite tone.
"'Give me your daughter's details. I must show them to the boy's family.'"
Mother nodded.
"Normal."
"The wife," Laddu continued,
"without thinking… puts her hand inside the pot."
Maya whispered.
"No."
"And instead of the girl's data," Laddu said slowly,
"she gives him… the buffalo papers."
💥💥💥
Candy:
"NOOOOO."
Maya:
"I KNEW IT."
Mother covered her mouth. 🤦♀️
"The middle man goes to the boy's house," Laddu continued,
"where the whole family is waiting."
Mochi leaned in despite herself.
"He opens the paper," Laddu said,
"and starts reading."
Laddu adopted a serious voice.
"'Colour: complete black.'"
Candy held her breath. 😬
"The boy's grandfather says," Laddu added,
"'Most of our gods are black. No problem.'"
THE ROOM LOST IT. 😂
"Middle man continues," Laddu said,
"'Long black tail.'"
Candy screamed laughing. 🤣
"The grandfather says,"
"'We used to be monkeys. No problem.'"
Cousin nearly fell off her chair.
"Middle man reads again," Laddu continued,
"'Four boobs.'"
Silence. 🧊
Then—
"The grandfather nods," Laddu said,
"'God sometimes gives extra blessings. No problem.'"
Maya wheezed. 😵
"I'M GOING TO DIE."
Mother wiped tears. 😂
"This is horrible."
"Then," Laddu said softly,
"the middle man reads the last part."
Everyone leaned in.
"'Five children… and six months pregnant.'"
Dead silence.
Absolute.
Laddu paused.
"…The grandfather quietly stood up."
Candy whispered.
"Oh no."
"He went to his room," Laddu continued,
"opened an old box."
Mochi's eyes widened. 👀
"He took out his ancestor's sword."
💥💀
Maya:
"RUN."
Candy:
"HE CHOSE VIOLENCE."
"And," Laddu finished proudly,
"he chased the middle man across eight villages."
Mother laughed so hard she had to sit. 🤣
Cousin wiped tears.
"Eight villages is personal."
Mochi shook her head, smiling despite herself. 😊
"This is stupid."
Laddu bowed dramatically. 🎭
"Lesson," he concluded,
"always label your papers."
Candy clapped wildly. 👏👏
"Best joke ever!"
Mother sighed, still smiling.
"You should stop talking."
Laddu grinned. 😁
"Tomorrow."
The café filled with laughter again. 😂
Even Mochi smiled.
And for tonight—
That was more than enough. 🌙✨