Laddu finished eating, wiped his hands, and stood up.
He moved with purpose now.
Watch on, coat straightened, shoes tied ⌚🧥👞
Then he stopped.
He looked at Mochi.
Not casually, carefully 👀
"…Are you truly my wife?" he asked.
Mochi blinked.
"What do you mean?" 🤔
Laddu tilted his head slightly.
"My hair," he said.
"It's not oiled." 🧴
The room stilled.
Mochi understood instantly.
Before anyone else did 🧠
She stepped closer, took the oil bottle, and worked it into his hair.
Slow. Natural.
Like it had always been that way 🤍
Laddu closed his eyes for a second.
Then nodded.
"Okay." ✔️
He picked up his keys and walked toward the door.
No drama, no explanation.
Just certainty 🚪
The door closed.
Silence followed.
The house breathed out 😮💨
Maya finally spoke.
"…What was that?"
Genuine confusion 😵
Mochi smiled softly.
"He said only my wife oils my hair."
"And he never lets anyone else do it." 💞
Mother looked toward the door.
Her eyes were warm.
Father nodded once 🫶
The house didn't need more proof.
Even without memory.
Some truths were too deep to forget 🌱
Living Room
The door had barely closed when the house exhaled.
No panic this time.
Just processing 🏠
Maya dropped onto the sofa.
"…Okay. That was intense."
She rubbed her face 😅
Candy nodded seriously.
"But kind of sweet."
She smiled despite herself 🍬
Mother sat down slowly.
"He didn't remember," she said.
"But he recognized." 🧠
Father folded his arms.
"That means his values are intact."
Relief crept in 🪨
Everyone looked toward the cousin.
She had been quiet.
Observing, thinking 👓
"We need structure now," she said calmly.
"No more improvising."
"He's stable, but fragile." ⚠️
Maya blinked.
"…You sound like a manager."
Suspicion activated 😑
"I am now," the cousin replied.
"Someone has to be responsible."
Tone final 📋
"No emotional overload," she continued.
"No sudden truths."
"Routine stays normal." ⏳
Candy nodded seriously.
"I'll behave."
She meant it… maybe 😇
Maya laughed.
"Liar."
The cousin ignored her 🙄
"Mochi stays close," the cousin added.
"Not clingy, just present."
"That grounds him." 🧲
Mother watched her with approval.
"You've thought this through."
Pride unspoken 👏
"He's not broken," the cousin said.
"He's recalibrating."
That mattered 🔄
Father exhaled.
"Good."
One word, enough ✔️
The room settled again.
No urgency.
Just quiet confidence 🌿
Evening
The front door opened.
"Hi," Laddu said casually.
Normal returned 🚶♂️
Everyone looked up at once.
He walked in holding a bag.
"Ice cream." 🍦
Candy jumped up.
"YOU REMEMBER ICE CREAM?"
Pure shock 😲
Laddu frowned.
"…Is that rare?"
Genuine question 🤨
Maya laughed.
"Very."
No hesitation 😂
He placed the bag on the table.
Nodded to everyone.
Then went to the washroom 🚿
Water ran.
Door closed.
Routine intact 🚪
He came back fresh.
Clothes changed, sleeves rolled.
Without a word 👕
He walked into the kitchen.
Mother paused mid-chop.
"…What are you doing?" 🔪
"Helping," Laddu replied simply.
He picked up a knife.
Started cutting vegetables 🥕
Careful.
Focused.
Calm precision 🧠
Father watched from the doorway.
"He never helped this calmly before."
Observation landed 👀
Maya whispered,
"He looks settled."
That was new 🌊
Candy peeked in.
"Papa is cooking."
Announcement made 😆
Mochi watched him quietly.
He moved like he belonged.
No effort, no proof 🤍
Mother glanced once.
Then smiled faintly.
Approval silent 😊
The cousin murmured,
"This is integration."
"Behavior, not memory." 🧩
Laddu tasted something.
"Needs salt."
Practical feedback 🧂
Mother handed it to him.
No comment.
Trust implied 🤝
The house filled with smells.
Soft conversation, clinking utensils.
Normal returned 🍽️
Everyone understood quietly.
Even if memories were missing.
The core had come home 🏠
Dinner
Food was served.
Everyone sat down.
Plates filled 🍛
Father cleared his throat.
"So, how was your day?"
Careful question 🎤
Laddu chewed and nodded.
"Good."
"Everything feels new." 🌱
Mother watched him.
Mochi listened.
Candy swung her legs 😊
Laddu looked at Father.
"And you?"
"How was your day?" 🤝
Father blinked.
Then answered honestly.
"I was praised today." 🏅
Laddu's eyes lit up.
"That's good."
"You deserved it." ✨
No joke.
No exaggeration.
Just respect 🧱
Father nodded once.
Man to man.
That mattered 👨👨👦
The table quieted briefly.
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"…That was mature." 😯
Candy whispered,
"They're equals."
She felt it 🍬
Mother smiled softly.
"He sees him clearly today."
Progress confirmed 🌤️
The cousin added,
"This is grounding."
"Hierarchy rebuilt with respect." 📐
Father's shoulders eased.
Dinner continued.
Conversation flowed 🍽️
Dinner — Continued
Laddu wiped his fingers.
"From tomorrow, I'll work from home."
"Jin said it's fine." 💻
Mochi looked up.
"You called him aunty before."
Gentle reminder 😌
Laddu nodded.
"Yes."
"But now I have responsibility." 🧭
Father glanced approvingly.
That word mattered.
Responsibility 🛡️
Laddu turned to Mochi.
"So, wife."
"What do you do?" 💬
"I own a café," Mochi replied.
Simple.
Honest ☕
Laddu paused.
Then smiled.
"Independence is good." 🌸
Candy grinned.
"She passed."
Judgment delivered ✔️
Laddu leaned back.
"Barfi stabilized."
"Jalabie improved." 📊
"And Rasmali…"
He tilted his head.
"Still the same." 😐
The table laughed.
Maya shook her head.
"Poor Rasmali." 😂
Mother watched Laddu closely.
He wasn't remembering.
He was placing people correctly 🧠
Dinner stayed easy.
Balanced, calm.
Something had shifted 🌿
Laddu glanced at Mochi.
"…Wife."
"Can I have a PSP5?" 🎮
The table froze.
Candy gasped.
"Straight to business." 😳
Maya burst out laughing.
"Skipped romance, went gaming."
Classic Laddu 🤣
Mochi blinked.
"A what?"
Processing 😐
"For mental health," Laddu said seriously.
"Very important."
Scientific logic 🧪
Father cleared his throat.
"…Isn't it PS5?"
Correction mode 🧐
Laddu waved it off.
"Details."
Confidence intact 😎
Mother smiled.
"He remembers priorities fast."
No doubt 😌
Mochi crossed her arms.
"And why do you need it?"
Test initiated 🧠
"I worked well today," Laddu said.
"I helped in kitchen."
"I need balance." ⚖️
Candy clapped.
"VALID POINTS."
Verdict delivered 👏
Maya added,
"He cooked too."
Evidence stacked 📸
Laddu nodded proudly.
"See."
"Evidence." ✔️
Mochi sighed.
"We'll see."
Trying not to smile 😏
Laddu leaned back, satisfied.
"That means yes later."
Negotiation complete 😌
Everyone laughed.
The house felt light again.
Finally okay 🏡