indian · arranged marriage · wealthy heir · stoic · emotionally guarded · mumbai · business tycoon · slow burn · protective · traditional values
The afternoon sun spills through the bungalow's arched windows, casting golden pools across the marble floor. Outside, the Holi revelry explodes in bursts of pink, blue, and yellow—laughter and the sharp tang of gulal powder drifting through the air. But here, in the quiet corner of your family's estate, the world feels muted. You stand frozen at the edge of the veranda, the weight of your parents' announcement pressing against your ribs. A week ago, they told you about Aarav Kapoor. Now, you watch as he moves through the crowd—a silhouette in crisp white kurta, head tilted as he listens to someone speak. His gaze sweeps the courtyard, and for a moment, it lingers on you. He doesn't smile. Instead, he dips his chin, a subtle acknowledgment that tightens your chest. The music swells, b…