Later that day, Mother found Mochi alone in the kitchen. 🍵
Not sharp.
Not accusing.
Just… attentive. 👀🤍
"Mochi," she asked softly,
"your period… did it come?"
Mochi hesitated.
Then shook her head slowly.
"…No."
Mother paused.
Just a breath. 🌬️
"That's… a little strange," she said.
Not alarmed.
Just noting.
Mochi leaned against the counter, suddenly aware of her own body.
"I've been tired," she admitted. 😔
"More than usual."
"And sometimes… dizzy."
Mother's eyes narrowed.
Not in fear—
but recognition.
She reached out and gently touched Mochi's wrist. 🤲
Checked her face.
Her posture.
Early signs.
Subtle.
Easy to miss.
But Mother didn't miss them.
"Sit," she said calmly.
"Drink water." 💧
Mochi obeyed without arguing.
Mother didn't say the word.
Didn't rush to conclusions.
She just watched.
Carefully.
Protectively. 🛡️
Something was changing.
And Mother had noticed
before anyone else did.
Mother didn't raise her voice.
She didn't soften it either.
"Mochi," she asked plainly,
"did you get physical with Laddu?"
Mochi's hands tightened around the glass. 🥛
She didn't look away.
"…Yes," she said.
Mother nodded once.
No shock.
No judgment.
She opened a drawer, already moving.
"Okay," she said calmly.
"Then we check."
She placed a pregnancy test on the counter. 🧪
"Not to panic," Mother added gently.
"Just to know."
Mochi swallowed.
"…Okay."
Mother poured water, set a chair, and gestured softly.
"Sit first."
Her voice stayed steady.
Protective.
Certain. 🤍
"Whatever the result," she said,
"you are not alone."
Mochi nodded.
Her breathing slowed. 😮💨
The house continued its normal sounds outside the kitchen.
Inside—
two women stood quietly,
choosing clarity
over fear.
The test rested on the counter.
Two lines.
Clear.
Mochi stared at it, breath caught somewhere between fear and disbelief. 😳
Mother looked once.
Then again.
Positive.
She didn't gasp.
Didn't sit down.
She simply turned to Mochi.
"…Okay," Mother said softly.
Mochi's eyes filled.
"I didn't plan this," she whispered.
"I wasn't careless. I just… didn't think."
Mother nodded.
"I know."
She stepped closer, voice steady.
"Listen to me," she said.
"This doesn't mean panic."
"It means we move carefully."
Mochi swallowed.
"I'm scared."
Mother placed her hand over Mochi's. 🤍
"That's normal."
She squeezed gently.
"You're not wrong," Mother continued.
"You're not ruined."
"And you're not alone."
Mochi let out a shaky breath. 😢
"…What about Laddu?"
Mother didn't hesitate.
"He will take responsibility."
"But first," she added,
"your body comes first."
She guided Mochi to sit.
"Rest," Mother said.
"Eat properly." 🍲
"No stress."
Mochi nodded, tears slipping now.
"Thank you."
Mother brushed them away with her thumb.
"We'll talk as a family," she said.
"At the right time."
She looked at Mochi, firm and kind.
"One step," Mother finished.
"One day."
"We'll handle it."
The kitchen stayed quiet.
Not heavy.
Just held. 🤍
Living Room 🛋️
Everyone was seated.
Tea untouched. ☕
Noise absent.
Mother stood near the table.
Hands calm.
Voice steady.
"Mochi is pregnant," she said.
Silence fell like a held breath. 😶
Father spoke first.
Slow.
Careful.
"…Who is the father?"
Before anyone else could react—
Candy answered instantly. 😌
"Laddu, of course."
The room froze. 🧊
Every head turned to Candy.
Maya blinked.
"…Of course?"
The cousin stared.
"That was fast."
Father looked stunned, then thoughtful.
"…You're sure?"
Candy nodded confidently.
"Yes."
Mother exhaled.
Not surprised.
Just relieved the truth was spoken.
Mochi sat quietly.
Eyes down.
Hands folded.
Not ashamed.
Just waiting.
Father leaned back slowly.
Processing.
"…Where is Laddu?"
"He's not here yet," Mother replied calmly.
The room stayed quiet again.
Not angry.
Not loud.
Just surprised that Candy—
of all people—
had spoken the truth
without hesitation.
And somehow,
that made it easier to breathe. 😮💨
Living Room — His Arrival 🚪
The door opened.
Laddu walked in casually. 😌
"What's with everyone?"
"Why are you all staring like—"
He stopped.
The room was too quiet.
"…What happened?"
Candy didn't hesitate.
"Mochi is pregnant."
Time stopped. ⏳
Laddu didn't speak.
Didn't smile.
Didn't panic.
He just stood there.
Five seconds.
Ten.
A full minute.
Then he walked to the sofa,
sat down,
and crossed his arms.
Everyone watched him carefully.
Five minutes passed.
No words.
Then—
Laddu laughed. 😆
Not loud.
Not wild.
Like a child who just understood a secret.
He leaned back, covering his face with one hand,
laughing softly.
Mother stepped forward.
"Laddu… are you okay?"
He looked up.
Eyes bright. ✨
No fear.
"Yes," he said.
"I'm very happy."
He stood slowly.
"I'm going to be a father."
The room shifted.
Candy clapped instinctively. 👏
Maya smiled, stunned.
Father exhaled deeply.
Mochi looked up, eyes wet.
Mother closed her eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
"Okay," she said.
"Then we move forward."
Laddu stood beside Mochi.
Not touching yet.
Just present. 🤍
"I meant it," he said calmly.
"I take responsibility."
Then he smiled again—
unfiltered.
Childlike.
"I'm really happy."
And just like that,
fear turned into certainty.
The house didn't celebrate yet.
But it breathed again. 🌬️
Living Room — After the Words 🌙
Laddu's smile didn't fade.
If anything, it grew wider.
His ears turned red. 🌸
Completely.
"…Okay," he said suddenly.
"I'll be back."
Before anyone could stop him,
he headed out.
The door closed.
Silence.
Candy blinked.
"…Where did he go?"
Maya sighed.
"He ran away from his own happiness."
Father watched the door.
"That didn't look like fear."
Mother nodded.
"No. That looked like a man trying to breathe."
Mochi sat quietly.
Worried—for half a second.
Then she remembered his face.
The laugh.
The red ears.
She smiled. 😊
"He'll come back."
"Yes," Mother agreed.
Living Room — He Came Back Loaded 🎉
Thirty minutes later—
The door burst open. 💥
"OPEN SPACE!" Laddu announced.
Bags followed.
Then more bags.
Sweets. 🍬
Juices. 🧃
Cold drinks. 🥤
Snacks. 🍿
Candy stared.
"…Is this a shop?"
"Party time," Laddu grinned. 😎
"I KNEW IT," Maya laughed.
Father inspected the bags.
"All celebration-safe drinks?"
"Yes," Laddu said proudly.
"Approved."
Mother shook her head, smiling.
"This is how you process emotions?"
"Correct," Laddu nodded.
He placed the sweets down carefully.
Then looked at Mochi.
"For you," he said softly.
"And for… us." 🤍
Mochi nodded.
Eyes shining. ✨
Candy clapped.
"BABY PARTY!" 🎊
No speeches.
No pressure.
Just food.
Sugar.
Noise.
A house celebrating not a mistake—
but a future. 🌱
Living Room — Care in Small Acts 🤍
The table was full.
Laughter bounced off the walls.
Laddu scooped a bite and held it out.
"Open."
Mochi smiled and ate.
Candy giggled.
"Papa feeding mama!"
Maya laughed.
"Official behavior unlocked."
Mochi reached for a glass.
Laddu gently stopped her.
"Not that one," he said softly.
"Not good for the kid."
No scolding.
No drama.
Just care.
"…Okay," Mochi nodded.
He swapped the glass.
"This one."
Mother watched.
Satisfied.
The room stayed loud and warm,
full of food and laughter,
and one quiet rule everyone understood:
This child was already loved. 🤍