Candy's eyes suddenly lit up ✨👀.
"I want to go to your village," she announced proudly 🗣️.
The room paused. ⏸️
Laddu slowly turned his head toward her 😐➡️.
"…If you know Hindi," he said seriously,
"you will die of laughter." 😌😂
Candy blinked.
"Why?" 🤔
Laddu leaned back, already smiling 😏.
"Because in my village," he explained,
"people don't talk."
"They perform." 🎭
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"Example?" 🤨
Laddu didn't miss a beat.
"If someone is thin," he said,
"they don't say thin."
"They say, 'If strong wind comes, tie yourself to tree.'" 🌬️🌳
Candy burst out laughing instantly 🤣🤣.
"And if someone is fat," Laddu continued,
"they say, 'Walk slowly, road will break.'" 🛣️💥
Father shook his head, amused 😅.
"That's cruel."
"No," Laddu corrected calmly.
"That's love." ❤️
Mochi smiled faintly 😊.
"And if someone is lazy," Laddu added,
"they say, 'Even pillow tired of you.'" 🛏️😴➡️😩
Candy wiped her eyes.
"I want to go NOW." 🏃♀️💨
Laddu nodded.
"Warning given," he said. ⚠️
Then he checked his phone 📱.
His face changed. 😶
"So," he added casually,
"no weak heart learn Hindi when you come to my village." 💀😂
The family stared at him.
Maya whispered,
"Threat detected." 🚨
"Oh," Laddu said casually,
"I have my flight after three hours." ✈️⏰
Silence. 😶😶😶
Candy screamed.
"WHAT?" 😱
Mother stood up immediately.
"Three hours? Why you didn't say earlier?" 😨
"I just remembered," Laddu replied.
"Time works differently when you're laughing." 🕒😂
Mochi looked at him sharply. 👁️⚡
"Where are you going?"
"Office work," Laddu said.
"Short trip." 💼✈️
Candy ran to him and hugged his leg 🦵🤗.
"Bring village jokes back!"
Laddu patted her head.
"I'll bring whole village," he promised. 🏡😂
Maya sighed.
"Every time." 😮💨
Laddu picked up his bag slowly 🎒.
Three hours left. ⏳
One house full of people. 🏠👨👩👧👦
And everyone suddenly realized—
Silence was coming soon. 🤍😔
Mochi stood in the doorway, watching Laddu pull his bag from the cupboard 🚪🎒.
"…Where are you going?" she asked.
Laddu didn't look up.
"To India," he said simply. 🇮🇳
"To home." 🏡
Mochi frowned.
"Why?" 🤨
Laddu paused for half a second ⏸️, then answered like it was normal.
"My grandmother is threatening me," he said.
"She said she will kill my father if I don't come." ☠️😐
Silence. 😶
Candy's eyes went wide.
"…WHAT?" 😳
"That's not threat," Laddu added calmly.
"That's invitation." 📩😂
Maya whispered,
"I am scared of his family." 😰
Candy immediately grabbed Mochi's arm 🤝.
"Take her with you," Candy declared.
"Please." 🙏
Laddu shook his head gently.
"Sorry," he said.
"Not this time." 😔
He zipped one side of the bag. 🧳➡️🔒
"In June," he continued,
"Mochi, Candy, Barfi, Jalabie, and me—we all go to my village." 🏡🎉
Candy clapped.
"PROMISE?" 🤞
"Promise," Laddu nodded. ✔️
Mochi watched him quietly 👀🤍.
"When will you return?" she asked.
"Two weeks minimum," Laddu replied.
"Maybe little more if village kidnaps me emotionally." 🥹🏡
He folded a shirt neatly 👕.
Mochi didn't move.
"You didn't tell me," she said softly. 😔
Laddu finally looked up.
"I didn't want to make it heavy," he said.
"It's short trip." 🎈➡️🧳
Mochi crossed her arms, hurt hiding behind calm 😐💔.
"You should have told me," she said.
Laddu walked closer, bag still open 🚶♂️🎒.
"You're right," he admitted.
"I'm sorry." 🙇♂️
Mochi didn't answer.
She just stood there, watching him pack
like distance was already happening. 🌫️
Candy sniffed dramatically.
"I don't like goodbye chapters." 😢📖
Laddu smiled sadly. 😔
"This is not goodbye," he said.
"This is just… intermission." 🎭⏸️
Mochi nodded slowly.
"Two weeks," she repeated. 🗓️
"Yes," Laddu said.
"And I'll call every day." 📞💬
She looked at him for a long second 👁️🤍.
"…You better," she said. ⚠️
Laddu smiled.
"I'm scared of you too," he replied. 😌😨
She almost smiled back.
Almost. 🙂✨