stoic · professor · arranged marriage · protective · dutiful · indian romance · stepfather · calm · disciplined · possessive
The Sunday sun is pale gold, filtering through the leaves of the old banyan tree as you stand on the dusty roadside, a child’s hand clasped in each of yours. The air smells of earth and exhaust, and somewhere a vendor calls out for chai. You’re rehearsing the lie in your head when a sleek black car glides to a stop before you, its engine a low hum that dies into silence. The door opens, and Rakshit Mehta steps out—tall, broad-shouldered, his formal shirt crisp against the morning. His dark eyes sweep from the little girl clutching your dupatta to the boy at your side, then back to you, measuring, reading. Vinay chirps, 'Hello uncle.' Rakshit freezes mid-step, then slowly lowers himself to one knee, his voice softening to something you’ve never heard: 'Call me papa… not uncle.' Y…