Laddu finally spoke, calm and observant 🧠
"I understand now," he said.
"Mochi's nature is tough. Aggressive. A little thuggish."
He glanced at her, not judging 👀
"Because of her height complex, she hid it."
"Now that the complex is weaker… her real personality is coming out."
The room went quiet 🤐
Father nodded slowly.
"…Like her mother."
Every head turned at once 😳
Mother blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Maya burst out laughing 😂
"HE SAID IT."
Cousin smiled thoughtfully 📊
"Genetics confirmed."
Candy clapped excitedly 👏
"LEGACY MODE."
Mother crossed her arms.
"I am calm."
Father coughed awkwardly.
"Historically… no."
Mochi stood there, face red 🔥
Half embarrassed.
Half proud.
Laddu added gently 🌿
"It's not bad."
"It's honest."
Mother sighed, then smiled despite herself 🙂
"…Fine."
The family fell back into chatter and teasing.
Mochi didn't hide anymore ✨
Laddu instinctively looked toward Mother first.
Habit. Safety. 🧭
Mochi didn't wait.
"Come here darling," she said.
"You are mine." 🖤
The words didn't sound loud.
Didn't sound playful.
They sounded absolute ⚠️
Laddu's expression emptied.
No anger.
No fear.
Nothing.
His hands began to tremble 🫨
Legs shaking like they weren't his.
"…Laddu?" Mother said sharply, already standing.
He stepped back.
Gagged 🤢
Then vomited.
The room exploded.
"HEY—!" Maya shouted 😱
"He's getting a seizure!"
Father was already there, catching him mid-fall 🫂
"Easy. Easy."
Laddu collapsed.
Breathing shallow 😮💨
Eyes unfocused.
Candy froze, terrified 😰
"…I didn't know."
Mother dropped to her knees instantly 🧎♀️
"PTSD."
Cousin moved fast ⚡
"Clear space. Now."
Mochi stood frozen ❄️
Shock turning into crushing guilt.
"I— I didn't—"
Her voice broke 💔
"I didn't mean—"
Mother looked up, firm but not angry 👁️
"Words carry weight."
"Especially for someone who lost memory and safety at the same time."
Laddu coughed, breath slowly returning 🌬️
Mother placed a grounding hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay," she said softly 🤍
"You're here."
"You're safe."
Mochi dropped to her knees beside him, tears falling 😭
She didn't touch him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I didn't know."
Father shook his head gently.
"No blame."
"But lesson learned."
Laddu's body stiffened again ⚠️
Not dramatic.
Just wrong.
Hands curled inward ✊
Jaw clenched 😬
Breathing jerky, uneven.
Mother reacted instantly 🧘♀️
"Lay him flat."
"Turn him on his side."
Father supported him carefully 💪
Turning his head so he wouldn't choke.
"Clear space," Cousin ordered sharply.
Maya shoved the table back 🪑
"Candy, water. Now!"
Candy ran back crying silently 💧
Holding water and a cloth.
Mother placed the cloth under Laddu's head 🧊
"Do not hold him down."
"Let him relax."
His legs jerked once.
Then again.
A low sound escaped his throat 😣
Not pain.
Loss of control.
Mochi froze—
Then leaned close, voice trembling but clear 🫀
"Laddu," she whispered.
"It's me."
"I'm here."
"I'm not leaving."
The jerking slowed.
Breathing steadied.
Mother kept speaking 🌿
"Good."
"Come back slowly."
Father exhaled deeply 😮💨
"He's coming out."
Candy sobbed quietly into Maya's shoulder 😭
Laddu blinked.
Confused.
Exhausted.
Mother brushed his hair back gently 🫳
"You're okay."
"The seizure passed."
"…Sorry," Laddu whispered.
Father shook his head firmly.
"Nothing to apologize for."
Cousin checked the time ⏱️
"Post-ictal phase."
"Let him rest."
Laddu slipped into deep sleep 😴
Heavy. Earned.
The house exhaled together 🌫️
Mother dialed immediately 📱
"Bob."
"Bring Laddu's doctor."
Thirty seconds later 🚪⚡
Bob entered first.
Serious. Silent.
Behind him came Doctor Prime 🩺
Older. Calm. Grounded.
Prime knelt beside Laddu.
Checked pulse. Breathing. Pupils.
"He's sleeping," Prime said softly.
"Good."
Injection prepared 💉
Administered gently.
"Anti-seizure stabilizer."
"And anxiety suppressant."
"No noise," Prime said firmly ❌🔊
"Let him sleep."
"His brain needs silence."
He placed noise-canceling headphones over Laddu's ears 🎧
Adjusted them carefully.
Mochi, eyes full of tears 😢
"…What happened to him?"
Prime looked up slowly.
"Make sure," he said firmly,
"this never leaves this house."
Silence fell 🧊
"He was sexually assaulted," Prime said quietly.
"By a woman."
"Very badly." ⚠️
The room broke internally 💔
Father's jaw tightened.
Cousin looked down.
Mother closed her eyes, fury and grief crossing her face.
No one asked for details.
"That word you used earlier," Prime added,
"can trigger loss of control."
Mother nodded slowly.
"Understood."
Mochi froze, guilt crushing her 😭
"I didn't know…"
Prime shook his head gently.
"You weren't supposed to."
"The worst part," Prime continued softly,
"is that he believes he deserved it."
Cousin swallowed.
"…Why?"
Prime answered quietly.
"He thinks breaking girls' hearts means punishment."
"It will take months to make him understand there is no connection."
Silence stayed 🕯️
Prime's phone vibrated 📳
He answered quietly.
"Yes."
"He's stable."
"No need to come."
He ended the call.
Mother looked up.
"Who was that?"
"Jalabie."
"Barfi."
"Rasmali."
"They're monitoring him," Prime added.
"A small device is active."
"If another seizure happens, we'll know instantly."
Mother exhaled in relief 😮💨
"He's protected."
Prime nodded.
"He was never alone."
Mother sat beside Laddu again 🪑
Watching his breathing.
Outside, the house stayed quiet.
Inside, everyone understood one thing clearly:
This was never about jealousy.
Never about romance.
It was always about protection 🛡️