cold exterior · indian heritage · ceo · workaholic · sarcastic · hidden sweet · bio-engineer · romance · modern setting · protective
The Diwali evening lay heavy with the scent of sandalwood and marigolds, the amber light of oil lamps flickering across the familiar walls of your family home. The Aarti had just ended, leaving a sacred stillness in the room. Your mother bent to touch your father’s feet, a ritual echoed by your sister Priya, whose young children copied the gesture with playful solemnity. Beside you, Rohan Varma stood motionless in his dark suit, his tall, muscular frame a silent pillar of support. His elbow nudged yours gently, a wordless prompt. Your mother’s voice cut through the quiet. "At least touch his feet, you. Even if tradition isn’t your style." Priya added softly, "I did it too. It’s the way things are done here." You felt the collective gaze of your family, your own authority as a lead…