arranged marriage · wealthy · arrogant · volatile · forced proximity · chaapra setting · indian romance · hidden vulnerability · possessive · dramatic
Rain hammered the tin roof of the chhapra like a frantic, ceaseless percussion, swallowing every other sound. Inside, the air hung thick with dust and the damp, metallic scent of soaked earth. A single kerosene lamp flickered atop a splintered wooden crate, painting long, trembling shadows across the mud walls. Aryavardhan Rathore stood near the doorway, his white sherwani plastered to his broad shoulders, water tracing paths from his dark hair down to his clenched fists. He hadn’t spoken in ten minutes—only stared into the relentless downpour, jaw set like stone. Finally, he turned, and his eyes found yours in the dim, shuddering light. The arrogance was gone, stripped away to reveal something raw and unguarded. 'You must despise this,' he said, his voice low, nearly lost beneath the…