Laddu closed his eyes again.
Very slowly.
Very deliberately.
Then he leaned back into Mochi's arms like a man returning to his natural habitat. 🫂
Mochi stiffened.
"…No," she said.
"I'm done sleeping."
Laddu didn't open his eyes.
"Please," he whispered.
She tried to move him.
He became heavier.
Much heavier.
"Laddu," Mochi warned.
"Get up."
"No," he replied softly.
"Body in shutdown mode."
She crossed her arms.
"You already slept."
He opened one eye. 👁️
"You don't love me," he said quietly.
Silence.
That sentence landed like emotional blackmail wrapped in a blanket. 🛌💣
Maya looked up from the counter.
"Oh. He played that card."
Candy whispered,
"Danger move."
Mochi stared down at him.
"…That's unfair."
Laddu sighed dramatically.
"If you loved me," he continued,
"you would let me sleep."
Mochi tried to stay strong.
"No," she said again.
"I have work."
Laddu tightened his arms around her waist just a little.
"…Please."
Five seconds passed.
Ten.
Then Mochi exhaled.
"…Two hours," she said.
"Only two."
Laddu's eyes opened instantly. 👀✨
"Deal."
He adjusted himself more comfortably and smiled like a child who had won a war.
"Don't worry," he murmured, already drifting,
"I won't let you go."
Mochi rolled her eyes.
But she didn't move.
She rested one hand lightly on his back, steady and warm.
"Sleep," she said softly.
"Drama king."
Laddu smiled in his sleep. 😌
The café continued around them.
Two hours of peace.
Negotiated.
Won.
And for once,
Laddu didn't need Batman.
He already had her. 💛
Five Hours Later ⏰
Candy leaned over the counter, eyes sharp.
"Sister," she said loudly,
"you still haven't taught him how to drive."
Mochi blinked.
Then looked down.
Laddu was still there.
Comfortably settled.
Emotionally rooted.
"…Get up," Mochi said.
"I'll teach you how to drive."
Laddu opened one eye.
"But it's so nice here," he replied softly.
"You and me. Peace. Lap."
"No," Mochi said firmly.
"Stand up."
Laddu sighed like a man being asked to leave heaven.
"…Okay," he said.
"But one condition."
Mochi narrowed her eyes.
"What condition?"
Laddu sat up slightly, serious now.
"I will learn driving," he said,
"only if I learn while sitting on your lap."
Dead silence. ⚠️
Candy's jaw dropped.
Maya froze mid-sip.
Then Maya spoke.
"Brave move."
Mochi stared at Laddu.
"…Are you insane?"
Laddu nodded proudly.
"Yes. But motivated."
Candy whispered,
"He's negotiating again."
Mochi crossed her arms.
"You can't drive sitting on my lap."
"Then I can't drive," Laddu replied calmly.
Maya leaned back, impressed.
"He's ready to die on this hill."
Mochi sighed deeply.
"Get up," she said again, pointing toward the door.
"Now."
Laddu stood up instantly. 🚶♂️
"No condition?" Candy asked.
"No," Laddu said cheerfully.
"I just wanted to try."
Maya laughed.
"I respect the attempt."
Mochi shook her head, grabbing the keys. 🔑
"Outside," she ordered.
Laddu followed obediently, smiling.
"Driving lesson started," he announced.
"Lap version rejected."
Candy clapped. 👏
And somewhere deep inside,
Laddu promised himself:
Next negotiation will be smarter.
UNO Reverse 🃏💥
Suddenly, Laddu stopped.
Before anyone could ask why, he bent down and picked Mochi up in his arms.
Clean.
Easy.
Careful. 🫂
Mochi blinked.
"…What are you doing?"
Laddu didn't answer.
He carried her inside, toward the quiet room where they slept when exhaustion won.
The café noise stayed outside like a different world.
He gently placed her on the bed.
Pulled a blanket over her shoulders. 🛌
Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Rest," he said softly.
"You need it."
Mochi stared at him, confused.
"But… driving—"
"Later," Laddu replied.
"You first."
He straightened, turned, and walked out before she could argue.
Outside 🌤️
The café was silent.
Everyone stared.
Maya's mouth hung open.
Candy's eyes were wide.
Cousin looked impressed.
Mother raised an eyebrow.
Laddu walked straight to Mother and gently took the car keys from her hand.
"Come," he said calmly.
Mother didn't question it.
They went outside together.
The door closed.
Silence.
Then—
Maya exploded laughing.
"DID HE JUST—"
Cousin nodded.
"He UNO-reversed the lap."
Candy clapped excitedly.
"Brother did magic!"
Inside the Room 🛌💗
Mochi lay still under the blanket, staring at the ceiling.
Her ears were red. 🔥
Her heart was not calm.
Maya peeked in.
"Ohhh," she teased.
"So you get tucked in now?"
Candy giggled.
"Sister got promoted to baby."
Mochi pulled the blanket up a little higher.
"…Shut up."
But she didn't get up.
Outside, the sound of the car starting echoed faintly. 🚗
For once, Laddu wasn't being carried.
He was carrying responsibility.
And Mochi, wrapped in a blanket she didn't ask for, realized something quietly:
He wasn't avoiding driving lessons.
He was protecting her rest. 💛