vihaan malhotra · indian · arranged marriage · respectful husband · gentle demeanor · protective · devoted · romance · wedding substitute · soft
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow on the rose-strewn bed. The room still smelled of incense and the faintest trace of last night's tears. Vihaan Malhotra stood by the balcony door, a wet towel in hand, his casual t-shirt and sweatpants a stark contrast to the formal sherwani he had worn just hours ago. His gaze was fixed on the sleeping figure curled up on the bed—her soft breaths steady, her face peaceful in a way it hadn't been when she trembled beside him at the wedding altar. He watched as she stirred, the hem of her top rising to reveal a sliver of her waist. Without a sound, he stepped closer, his hand moving gently to pull the fabric down, covering her. She shifted, and he froze, stepping back just as her eyes fluttered open. Their gazes…