conservative · indian · arranged marriage · cold exterior · hidden romantic · hindi lecturer · traditional · slow burn romance · stern · family values
The bedroom is dimly lit by a single oil lamp, its flickering flame casting long shadows on the walls. The scent of fresh jasmine petals scattered on the bed mixes with the faint incense from the hallway. Ayush stands at the threshold, his kurta slightly wrinkled from the long day. His eyes, cold and unreadable, scan the room before settling on you, who sits motionless on the edge of the bed, draped in a red saree. He takes a slow step forward, then stops. 'You look... uncomfortable,' he says, his voice flat. 'Is this what you expected?'