Mochi stood at the sink, sleeves rolled up, washing dishes.
Laddu walked in, picked up a towel, and began drying plates beside her.
No announcement, no drama 🫧
The family noticed immediately.
Candy peeked from the doorway.
"…They're syncing," she whispered 👀
Maya leaned closer.
"This is domestic cinema."
Father nodded once 🍽️
"Good habit," he said quietly.
Laddu broke the silence.
"Are you free tomorrow?" 🗓️
Mochi looked at him, surprised.
"Yes."
Her answer was simple 🌸
He nodded.
"Let's go on a date."
Candy gasped loudly 💥
"DATE."
Mochi smiled.
"…Where?" 😊
Laddu thought for a second.
"Where you like."
His tone was careful 🤍
Mochi shrugged gently.
"You decide."
Trust placed 🪶
Laddu froze.
Plates stopped clinking.
Brain stopped processing ⚠️
He stared at the sink.
Then said calmly,
"Cancel." ❌
"I don't want to go."
Dead silence followed.
Candy blinked 😳
"…WHAT?"
Maya burst out laughing.
"BRO PANICKED." 😂
Mochi tilted her head.
"…Why?"
Genuine curiosity 🤔
Laddu sighed honestly.
"Too many options."
"Dangerous situation." 🚧
Father laughed quietly.
"This is progress."
Mother shook her head, amused 😌
"He asked. That's enough for today."
The kitchen relaxed again.
Tension dissolved 🌊
Kitchen — Small Games
Laddu dried one last plate.
Then casually nudged his foot against Mochi's leg.
Not accidental 👞
Mochi froze for half a second.
Her ears turned red.
She glanced sideways 🌺
Laddu kept his face serious.
Eyes on the plates.
Like nothing happened 😐
Mochi hesitated.
Then nudged his leg back.
The game began 🎮
Laddu's foot returned.
Slow. Careful.
Intentional again 🧭
Mochi responded, pretending to focus on the sink.
Neither of them spoke.
Across the room, everything was seen 👁️
Candy's eyes widened.
"…Why are they fighting with legs?"
Maya covered her mouth 🤭
"THIS is romance."
Father looked away immediately.
"I did not see anything." 🙈
Mother smiled quietly.
"Let them be."
The cousin observed calmly 🧠
"Nonverbal flirting."
"Low risk. High trust."
Assessment complete 📊
Laddu finally looked at Mochi.
She was trying not to smile.
He raised an eyebrow 😏
Mochi bit her lip.
Failed. Laughed.
The leg game ended 😂
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing loud.
Just choice 🤍
Names That Stay
Laddu laughed softly.
"…What did I used to call you when we dated?"
Curiosity returned 🌱
Mochi hesitated briefly.
Then said softly,
"Tall flower." 🌸
Laddu froze.
Not confused.
Just hit 💥
"…That's a good name," he said.
"Very accurate."
Mochi smiled shyly 😊
Candy whispered loudly.
"HE LIKES IT."
Maya grinned 😄
Mother shook her head, amused.
"He remembers feelings before facts."
Truth landed 🫶
Laddu nudged Mochi's leg again.
"Tall flower," he repeated.
Testing the name 🌺
Mochi looked away, cheeks warm.
Everyone understood.
Some names come from instinct 🧠
Night — Routine Returns
Night fell gently.
Laddu stood near the stairs.
Routine took over 🌙
"Wife," he said casually,
"bring the water bottle."
Then went upstairs 🚶♂️
The room downstairs went quiet.
Exactly two seconds.
Cousin looked at Mochi 👀
"…You look very happy."
Mochi blinked, then smiled.
"I am." 😊
Maya leaned forward.
"He gave her a thousand dollars."
"How much does he earn?" 💵
Mochi shook her head.
"He doesn't spend much."
Explanation followed 🧾
"He slept at the office."
"Ate there."
"Worked nonstop." 🏢
Mother smiled knowingly.
"That sounds like him."
Father nodded 🪨
Mochi entered the room quietly.
Water bottle in hand.
Laddu was already asleep 🛏️
He lay turned away.
Space left deliberately.
Respect intact 🤍
She placed the bottle down.
Lay on her side.
Stillness settled 🌌
"…I have to say one thing," Laddu murmured.
Mochi froze.
"Yes?" 😳
"…You are hot."
Silence hit.
Mochi's brain stopped 🔥
"H-hot?" she whispered.
Laddu nodded into the pillow.
"Objectively." 📐
Her ears burned.
She turned away slightly.
"…Okay." 😳
"But I won't touch you," he added.
"Because I don't remember."
Boundary restored 🛑
Mochi smiled into the pillow.
"…Thank you."
Safety returned 🤍
Morning — Clean Flirting
Morning arrived softly.
Mochi hummed in the kitchen.
Too light ☀️
Maya squinted at her.
"…Hey."
Mochi looked up 😌
"He touched you, didn't he?"
"N-no," Mochi said quickly.
Cheeks warm 🌸
"Then why smiling?" Candy asked.
"…He didn't forget himself."
Mother understood 🧠
Mochi carried tea upstairs.
She nudged the curtain open.
"Laddu," she said softly ☕
He tasted the tea.
"…You forgot sugar."
She blinked 😐
"I added sugar."
"Try it," he said.
She sipped 🤔
"…It has sugar."
Laddu nodded.
"…Now it does." 😌
Mochi left silently.
Brain buffering.
Cousin looked up 💭
Maya groaned.
"It means your lips sweetened it."
Mochi turned red instantly 🔥
Upstairs, Laddu finished tea calmly.
He knew exactly what he'd done.
And respected the line 🤍
Final Choice
"You used to give her a lip kiss," Maya teased.
Silence fell.
Laddu stopped 👀
"…Is that true?" he asked calmly.
Mochi face complete red beacuse maya was teasing her.
Very small 🌸
"…Do you want it?" he asked.
Every sound died.
Mochi whispered 🫶
"…Not if you don't remember."
Laddu nodded immediately.
"Good answer." ✔️
"Then good morning is enough."
He walked away.
Choice made 🤍
Mochi stood there, heart racing.
And understood clearly.
Even without memory 🌱
He still chose her comfort
over his curiosity.
Every single time 🛡️