The Decision
The call cut.
No one spoke for a moment.
The silence pressed down 🫥🫀
Mother looked around the room, slow and steady.
"This is the plan," she said.
"We keep him here. We keep him safe." 🛡️🏠
Father nodded.
"…Then we act like it's normal."
His voice stayed low ⚖️
Maya clapped once, sharp.
"Give me ten minutes."
Decision mode activated ⏱️🔥
She grabbed her laptop and disappeared into her room.
The door shut softly.
Everyone waited 💻🚪
Mochi stood still, hands folded.
"…Act like he is part of the family?"
Her voice barely moved 🤍
Mother looked at her, firm but gentle.
"He is."
No hesitation 🌱
Father added quietly,
"And today, you're his wife."
The word landed heavy 💍
Mochi swallowed.
"…Okay."
She didn't argue 🫶
Ten minutes later, Maya returned.
She turned the screen around.
A photo filled the room 📸
A wedding photo.
Laddu and Mochi.
Simple. Clean. Believable 👰🤵
Candy's eyes widened.
"…That looks real."
Shock slipped out 😳
Maya smirked.
"Welcome to modern problems."
Confidence intact 😎
Mother nodded once.
"Good."
No praise needed ✔️
Father straightened his shoulders.
"We don't overdo it."
"No stories. No speeches." 🧱
"Just normal," Mother said.
"Like it's always been this way."
Tone settled 🕊️
Mochi took a breath.
"…I can do normal."
She meant it 🌸
Mother squeezed her hand.
"Stay close to him."
"Don't argue. Don't correct him." 🤝
Father added quietly,
"And if he asks—"
"We answer simply." 📏
The house adjusted silently.
Photos placed. Voices lowered.
Roles chosen without ceremony 🖼️
Not because they wanted to lie.
But because they needed him safe.
And home 🏠
Living Room — Reintroduced
Laddu stirred and opened his eyes slowly.
Light hurt. Faces crowded.
Too many people 👀
"…Who are you people?" he asked.
His tone was wary.
Instinct alive ⚠️
Mother stepped forward calmly.
"You're my son-in-law," she said.
"You lost your memory." 🧠
Laddu blinked.
"…What?"
Confusion sharp ❓
She didn't rush.
She didn't dramatize.
She stayed steady 🌊
"Your name is Laddu," Mother said.
"You're twenty-two years old."
"You're from India, Haryana." 📍
Laddu frowned.
"…Keep talking."
Curiosity engaged 🔍
"You have a sister named Komal,"
"You loved toys as a child,"
"You never cared about clothes or fame." 🧸
"You work too hard," she added.
"Even when you shouldn't."
Truth landed 🎯
Laddu's eyes narrowed.
He was listening now.
Really listening 👂
"You were once catfished by a granny,"
Mother said calmly.
Without blinking 👵
Maya coughed.
Candy froze.
Trauma unlocked 😬
"And your first crush," Mother continued,
"was a neighbor aunty when you were two."
Pure chaos 🫠
Laddu stiffened.
"…How do you know that?"
His voice sharpened ⚡
"You were raised by your great-grandmother,"
"You're six foot eight,"
"And you like setting traps." 🧩
"Not to hurt people,"
"But to test situations."
Precision explained 🎯
Silence took the room.
Laddu swallowed.
Something shifted inside 🫀
"I never told anyone that," he said.
His voice was slower now.
Uneasy truth 😶
Mother met his eyes.
"You didn't," she said.
"You lived it." 🧠
Laddu leaned back against the sofa.
Not panicking.
Just unsettled 🛋️
"…Okay," he said quietly.
"Then answer one thing."
Tension rose ⚠️
Everyone stiffened.
This was the question.
The one they prepared for ⏳
"If I'm your son-in-law," Laddu asked,
"where is my wife?"
The room turned together 👀
Living Room — The Proof
Laddu looked at Mochi carefully.
Measured her silently.
Not rude. Instinctive 📐
"…Possible," he said finally.
Everyone froze.
That wasn't rejection 😮
"Almost seven feet," he added.
"Same height feel as my great-grandmother."
Logic strange but real 🧠
Mochi blinked.
Didn't argue.
Didn't smile 😐
"And epicanthic fold eyes,"
"I like those."
Blunt observation 👁️
Candy's jaw dropped.
Maya whispered,
"He analyzed her like a blueprint." 🗺️
Laddu nodded to himself.
"…Checks out."
Satisfied 🤔
Then he looked at Mother.
"If she's my wife," he said,
"show proof." 📱
Mother didn't hesitate.
She picked up her phone.
Prepared 📲
She turned the screen toward him.
The wedding photo filled his vision.
Too natural to fake 💍
Laddu leaned closer.
His expression changed.
Recognition surfaced 👀
"…That's me," he said softly.
He touched the screen once.
Careful 🫱
"And that's her."
Mochi's breath caught.
Heart stuttered 💓
Laddu leaned back.
"…Okay," he said.
"Then I'm married." ✔️
He looked at Mochi again.
Not flirting. Not distant.
Just accepting 🌿
"Hi," he said.
"…Wife."
The word settled 🫶
No one cheered.
No one spoke.
Because the lie held 🤫
And more importantly—
Laddu stayed.
That mattered 🏠
Living Room — Gaps and Silence
Laddu sat again, staring ahead.
Shoulders heavy.
Something missing 🧩
"I don't remember," he said slowly.
"One full year of my life."
The room quieted 🕳️
Then his eyes shifted.
"…What is he doing here?"
He pointed at Ben 🐕
Candy blinked.
"You don't remember Ben?"
Concern rising 😟
Laddu lifted his legs onto the sofa.
"Why is that thing here?"
Suspicion alive ⚠️
"You pet him," Candy said.
"All the time."
Simple truth 🐾
Laddu stared at Ben.
"…He attacked me once."
Memory incomplete 🧠
Maya muttered,
"That was one time."
Everyone remembered 😑
Laddu hesitated.
Then reached out slowly.
Touched Ben's head 🤚
Ben didn't react.
Didn't growl.
Didn't move 🐶
Laddu froze.
"…He's not doing anything."
Confused awe 😶
Candy smiled softly.
"He trusts you."
That was enough 🤍
Mother swallowed.
"Some things stayed," she said.
"Even without memory." 🌱
Ben shifted closer.
Still silent.
Still calm 🐕
Laddu stared at him.
"…That's strange," he murmured.
But not afraid 🧠
The family exchanged looks.
Not panic. Not relief.
Understanding settled 🌿
Even with memories missing,
Some bonds survived quietly.
Waiting to be noticed again 🫶