Laddu glanced at her, voice gentle 🙂
"Do you want anything?"
Mochi hesitated just a second ⏳
"…I want a hug." 🫂
He nodded immediately ✔️
and shifted closer, slow and careful 🐢
Mochi lifted her arm, placed her hand on his shoulder ✋
and smiled 😊
Not rushing. Not grabbing. Just there 🌸
The family reacted in real time 👀
Maya exhaled 😮💨
"…Okay. This is fine."
Cousin nodded seriously ✔️
"Consent confirmed."
Candy whispered dramatically 🤫
"Approved hug."
Father looked away politely 🙈
"I saw nothing."
Mother watched for a moment 👩👧
then smiled 🙂
"That's enough," she said calmly
"Good."
They hugged 🤍
Brief. Gentle. Grounded 🌿
Mochi leaned in a little more 😳
Then nudged him closer
Then closer again ➡️
Until their shoulders touched 💫
Laddu, meanwhile, was still reading a report on his phone 📱
Scrolling seriously
Eyebrows knit 🤔
Completely busy. Completely focused 📊
The family noticed instantly 🚨
Maya whispered 😬
"…She's advancing."
Cousin squinted 👓
"He's unaware."
Candy covered her mouth 😮
"This is one-sided."
Father cleared his throat loudly 😤
"Son."
Laddu didn't look up
"…One second." ⏱️
Mother watched carefully 👀
then spoke calmly
"Mochi."
"That's enough."
Mochi froze ❄️
realized how close she'd gotten
and leaned back quickly 🫣
Cheeks burning 🔥
"Sorry," she muttered 😞
Laddu finally looked up, confused 🤨
"…Did I miss something?"
Everyone answered together ⚡
"Yes."
He blinked 😐
"…Okay."
And went back to his report 📱
The family relaxed 😌
half amused, half relieved
Maya shook her head 🤦♀️
"He's immune when working."
Cousin nodded 📉
"Focus level: dangerous."
Mother smiled softly 😊
"He wasn't ignoring her."
"He was just… himself."
Mochi sat back, embarrassed but smiling 😳🙂
Lesson learned 📘
Mochi reached out and grabbed Laddu's hand 🤝
He looked up instantly ⬆️
focus gone
"…Are you okay?" 😟
She nodded
but her voice was small
"I'm feeling unwell." 🫠
He put the phone down at once ❌📱
"What happened?"
She tightened her grip a little 🤍
"…Please stay here."
Laddu didn't hesitate
"Of course." ✔️
He stayed
Didn't pull away
Didn't rush 🧘♂️
Mochi shifted closer again, slowly
seeking comfort more than anything else 🌧️➡️☀️
The family reacted like people who understood 👨👩👧👦
Maya softened immediately 😌
"Okay. This isn't mischief."
Cousin nodded ✔️
"She's grounding herself."
Father relaxed back in his chair 🪑
"Good call."
Candy whispered softly 🧸
"She needs safe."
Mother watched closely 👀
then spoke gently
"Just sit."
"Breathe." 🌬️
Mochi leaned back slightly
still holding his hand 🤝
calmer now 😌
Laddu stayed exactly where he was
Not dramatic
Not confused
Just present 🪵
Mochi peeked at the family 👀
Just a quick glance
Checking ✔️
Maya noticed instantly 😑
"…What is she doing?"
Cousin narrowed his eyes 🧐
"She's scanning."
"For a chance."
Father stared in disbelief 😵
"…I raised her."
"I cannot believe this."
Candy giggled 😆
"She's planning."
Mother sighed, tired but amused 😮💨
"Relax."
"She's curious, not dangerous."
Mochi snapped her gaze back forward 🫣
face innocent again 😇
still holding Laddu's hand 🤝
The family exchanged looks 👀👀
Maya shook her head 🤦♀️
"She's learning too fast."
Cousin nodded 📈
"Confidence unlocked."
Father muttered 😐
"I want the shy version back."
Laddu glanced around, confused 🤷♂️
"…Why is everyone judging the air?"
Everyone replied at once 📢
"NOTHING."
And Mochi, caught but unashamed 😳
smiled quietly 😊
A soft sound cut through the room 🔊
Smack. 👋
Everyone froze 🧊
Maya blinked 😐
"…Did you hear that?"
Another one.
Smack. 👋
Cousin stood up 😨
"…Okay, where is that coming from?"
Mother turned slowly toward Mochi 👩👧
"Mochi."
Mochi looked up, innocent 😇
"…Yes?"
"Are you doing something?" Mother asked calmly
Mochi shook her head immediately ❌
"No."
Silence 🤐
Then again—
Smack. 👋
The family collectively lost it 💥
Maya spun in a circle 😵♀️
"THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED."
Father looked under the table 👀
"I DON'T SEE ANYTHING."
Candy whispered, thrilled 😆
"It's invisible romance."
Mother stared at Mochi, suspicious 😑
"…If it's not you, then who?"
Mochi lifted both hands 🙌
"I'm just sitting."
Another sound.
Smack. 👋
Cousin covered his face 🤦♂️
"I refuse to investigate."
Laddu looked around, genuinely confused 😕
"…Is something wrong with the fan?"
The family stared at Mochi again 👀👀
She sat perfectly still
Face red 🔥
Eyes innocent 😇
No one saw anything
But everyone knew 😐
Mother sighed, defeated but amused 😮💨
"…Enough."
The house returned to noise and chatter 🏠
with one unspoken agreement:
Whatever was happening
it was subtle
mysterious
and definitely Mochi 😳
Smack. 👋
Again.
Smack. 👋
And again.
Father stood up instantly 🚨
"Mochi. You cannot."
Mochi looked up, flustered but stubborn 😤
"He's my husband."
"I have the right."
The room froze ❄️
Father pointed at her 👉
"No."
"My daughter. Taking back."
Smack. 👋
Maya gasped 😱
"SHE DID IT AGAIN."
Cousin put both hands up ✋✋
"I'm out of this debate."
Candy clutched a pillow 😆
"This is escalating."
Mother rubbed her forehead 🤦♀️
"This family will end me."
Laddu finally looked up
Not confused
Not shocked 😌
He was smiling softly 🙂
Father noticed and groaned 😩
"Why are you smiling?"
Laddu answered gently 💭
"…I feel safe."
Silence 💙
Mochi looked at him
cheeks red 🔥
eyes steady 👀
Mother sighed, surrendering for now 😌
"Enough."
"Everyone breathe."
The sounds stopped ❌👋
The house returned to chaos ☕🗣️
but one thing was clear:
By the time it reached fifteen 😵
the house lost all composure
Maya counted on her fingers 😳
"…I stopped at eight and it kept going."
Cousin stared at the ceiling 😐
"This is a statistical anomaly."
Father covered his face 🤦♂️
"I am requesting early retirement from parenting."
Mother closed her eyes 😮💨
"…Fifteen."
Candy whispered, impressed 😆
"Combo move."
Laddu sat there calm 😌
that soft smile refusing to leave
Maya pointed at him 👉
"WHY ARE YOU SMILING."
He answered honestly 🙂
"…I'm okay."
Father groaned 😩
"No one asked you."
Finally—silence 🤐
Mother spoke, final and firm 👩⚖️
"Enough."
"Everyone separate."
"Tea. Now." ☕
Mochi looked innocent 😇
Too innocent.
The family exchanged looks 👀
They weren't ready for Mochi 2.0 ⚠️
Mother ordered firmly
"Laddu, sit here."
"Next seat."
Laddu tried to stand 🚶
Didn't move 😐
"…Mother," he said honestly
"she is very strong."
Mother turned slowly 😑
"Mochi."
"Let him go."
Mochi lifted her chin 🔥
"I'm not acting innocent."
"My aunt always says I'm your shadow."
The room froze 🧊
Father turned red 😡
Maya choked 🤯
"WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT."
Cousin covered his mouth 😮
"She invoked lineage."
Candy gasped 😆
"Final form unlocked."
Mother sighed 😮💨
"…I did not authorize this inheritance."
Father stormed off 🚶♂️
"I need air."
Laddu finally slipped free 😅
sat where told
half impressed
"…Noted."
The house erupted into laughter, disbelief, groans 😂😩
One thing was clear to everyone:
Mochi wasn't copying anyone ❌
She wasn't shy anymore ❌
She was becoming herself ✨