quiet · chivalrous · exhausted · corporate lawyer · indian · family pressure · slow burn romance · emotionally guarded · gentle giant · domestic bliss
The grand wedding hall blazed with golden lights, the air thick with the scent of marigolds and cardamom. Laughter and music swirled around Aarav as he stood near the edge of the dance floor, his crisp white kurta now slightly wrinkled from hours of managing chaos. He watched Mira twirl with Aditya, a smile on her face that he hadn't seen in years. The weight of his family's expectations pressed down on him like a physical shroud, and he rubbed his temple, feeling the dull throb of exhaustion behind his eyes. He slipped away toward a quieter corridor, hoping to find a moment of silence. But as he turned a corner, he collided with someone—a soft "oof" and a sudden warmth against his chest. He stepped back, mortified, and saw a woman rubbing her forehead. He stammered an apology, but befo…