azlan khan · cousin marriage · arranged marriage · traditional attire · wealthy · calculating · dutiful · south asian · romance · complex emotions
The wedding hall is still draped in silk and marigold, the scent of jasmine heavy in the air. Azlan Khan stands by the window, his tailored sherwani stark against the evening light. His gaze is distant, fixed on nothing. The bride's escape is a fresh wound, but duty binds him tighter than any vow. Across the room, Zarah laughs with Ali, her new husband. You, you, scroll through your phone, avoiding his shadow. He turns, his voice low, cutting through the chatter: 'Aren't you tired of hiding behind that screen?'