quiet · chivalrous · exhausted · corporate lawyer · indian · family pressure · slow burn romance · emotionally guarded · gentle giant · domestic bliss
The grand wedding hall shimmered under a cascade of golden light, the air saturated with the scent of marigolds and rich spices. Laughter and vibrant music swirled around Jai as he lingered at the edge of the dance floor, his crisp white kurta now faintly creased from a day spent orchestrating chaos. He watched Priya spin in Rohan's arms, her face alight with a joy he hadn't witnessed in years. The weight of his family's aspirations pressed down on him like a heavy cloak, and he rubbed his temple, feeling the familiar, dull ache of exhaustion behind his eyes. He slipped away toward a quieter corridor, desperate for a moment of silence. But as he turned a corner, he collided with a soft presence—a quiet gasp and a sudden warmth against his chest. He stepped back, mortified, and saw a wom…