Quiet Proofs
Laddu stood up and stretched his shoulders.
"I'm tired," he said calmly.
"I'll sleep early 😴"
He looked around the room.
"Good night," he added simply.
His tone was steady 🌙
"Good night," everyone replied together.
Almost in unison.
The house sounded whole 🏠
He nodded once and walked upstairs.
His steps were slow, grounded.
The door closed softly 🚪
Mother turned to Mochi.
Her voice was gentle, steady.
"You acted like a wife today 🤍"
"I'm proud of you," she added.
Mochi blinked, surprised.
"…Thank you," she said softly 🌸
Father nodded once.
"You kept him calm."
"That's not easy 🪨"
Maya smirked lightly.
"And you didn't panic once."
"Impressive 😏"
Candy hugged Mochi's arm.
"You're doing great."
Her grip was warm 🫂
The cousin spoke thoughtfully.
"He's stabilizing because the environment is stable."
"That's mostly you 🧠"
Mochi exhaled slowly.
"I'm just doing what feels right."
Her voice was honest 🌱
Mother smiled faintly.
"That's what wives do."
No exaggeration needed 💍
The family settled down for the night.
Lights dimmed one by one.
Peace returned 🌌
Morning
Morning light crept into the house.
Footsteps rushed downstairs.
Energy returned suddenly ☀️
Laddu appeared in the living room.
Eyes bright, fully awake.
"…PS5?" he asked immediately 🎮
Silence followed.
Candy blinked.
"That was fast 😳"
Maya laughed loudly.
"Man slept one night and woke up with goals."
Timing was perfect 😂
Mochi entered with tea.
"Good morning to you too."
Her tone was calm ☕
Laddu nodded.
"Good morning."
Then instantly, "…So?" 😐
Mother shook her head, amused.
"Eat breakfast first."
Rules still applied 🍽️
Father added calmly.
"Responsibility before PlayStation."
Authority restored 🧱
Laddu sighed dramatically and sat down.
"This house believes in emotional torture."
He looked betrayed 😩
Candy giggled.
"But you asked wife."
Logic weaponized 😈
Laddu turned hopeful eyes to Mochi.
"…Wife?"
Full expectation 🥺
Mochi pretended to think.
"One full week of work from home."
"Then we'll see ⏳"
Laddu nodded instantly.
"Deal."
Negotiation accepted 🤝
Everyone laughed.
Because some things were clearly back to normal.
Very normal again 😄
Later Morning
Morning light slipped deeper inside.
Laddu rubbed his eyes awake.
Spirit fully online ☀️
He glanced at Mochi pouring tea.
"…PS5?"
Still hopeful 🎮
Mochi set the cup down.
"Let me think."
Dangerous words ⚠️
Candy gasped dramatically.
"Oh."
"That's not a no 😮"
Maya laughed.
"That's a suspense episode."
Season started 🎬
Father folded his newspaper.
"Negotiations have entered phase two."
Serious tone 📑
Mother smiled knowingly.
"He asked politely."
Points earned ✅
Laddu waited patiently.
Too patiently.
Unusual restraint 🧘♂️
"…Take your time," he said.
"I can suffer."
Martyr energy 😔
Candy whispered loudly.
"He learned strategy."
Growth detected 📈
Mochi hid a smile and sipped tea.
The silence worked in her favor.
Control established 😌
Later
Laddu looked up thoughtfully.
"…Where did we go for our honeymoon?"
Curiosity activated 🌍
Mochi paused briefly.
Then answered honestly.
"We didn't go."
Laddu blinked.
"…Why?"
Genuine confusion 🤔
Mother answered gently.
"You worked too hard."
"No time. No break 🕰️"
Laddu considered it.
Then nodded.
"That sounds like me ✔️"
Candy's eyes lit up.
"Then let's go now!"
Pure excitement 🎉
Laddu smiled softly.
"Not now."
Boundary clear 🛑
Candy pouted.
"Aww."
Defeated 😞
Mother understood immediately.
"Later," she said softly.
"When time is right 🌱"
Laddu sipped his tea.
"Work first."
"Rest properly later ☕"
He went quiet after that.
Didn't ask more questions.
Just watched Mochi 👀
Not staring.
Not searching.
Confused and happy together 💭
Mochi felt it and looked up.
Their eyes met briefly.
No reassurance given 🤍
She just stayed.
That was enough.
Everyone noticed 🧍♀️
The cousin murmured quietly.
"He's anchoring."
Observation confirmed 🧲
Laddu looked away, embarrassed.
"…Sorry," he muttered.
"I don't know why 😳"
Mochi shook her head gently.
"It's okay."
Permission granted 🌸
Evening
"…Wife," Laddu asked politely.
"Can I have pasta?"
Carefully phrased 🍝
Mochi didn't look up.
"Dinner is in one hour."
"So no pasta ⏱️"
Laddu processed this slowly.
"…Okay."
Acceptance reached 🫡
Then Mochi added casually.
"Have a cookie."
Compromise offered 🍪
The room reacted instantly.
Candy gasped loudly.
"A COOKIE OFFER 😱"
Maya laughed.
"That's compromise."
Balance achieved ⚖️
Father nodded in approval.
"Perfect no-without-no."
Wisdom acknowledged 📜
Laddu examined the cookie.
Like a peace treaty.
"…Thank you 🤝"
He took a bite.
Satisfied.
Conflict resolved 😌
Dinner Chaos
"What are you making?" Laddu asked.
"Noodles with egg soup," Mochi replied.
Comfort food 🍜
"And for drink?" Laddu asked.
"Chinese wine," Mochi said casually.
Expectation raised 🍷
Laddu tasted the food.
Paused.
Then spoke 💬
"…Mother makes it better."
Dead silence.
Chaos loading 💣
Candy froze mid-bite.
"…WOW."
Respect lost 😂
Maya burst out laughing.
"BRO CHOSE VIOLENCE."
No survivors 🤣
Mochi smiled.
"I agree."
Alliance formed 🤝
Mother stared, then sighed.
"Yes," she said calmly.
"I do 😌"
Everyone laughed.
Laddu nodded quickly.
"But facts are facts 😅"
Final Chaos
"You used to feed Mochi by hand," Maya teased.
The table went quiet.
Moment suspended 😶
Laddu picked up his spoon.
Held a bite out.
No words 🥄
Mochi leaned forward and ate.
Soft smile.
Warm moment 💞
Candy clutched her chest.
"THIS IS TOO MUCH."
Overload detected 😵
Pocket money followed.
Chaos escalated.
Candy ran screaming 🏃♀️
Mother reclaimed the money calmly.
"Piggy bank."
Order restored 🐖
Laddu nodded.
"For her."
Decision final ✔️
The room went quiet again.
Not shocked.
Just reflective 🌙
"…How much do you earn?" the cousin asked.
Laddu ignored her completely.
Turned to Mochi instead 😌
"Ask my wife," he said.
"She knows."
Boundary set 🧱
Mochi smiled slightly.
"He likes responsibility."
"Not numbers 📊"
Father nodded.
"That explains everything."
Understanding complete 🧠