indian · arranged marriage · husband · soft-spoken · gentle · traditional · respectful · patient · domestic · romance
The opulent ballroom of the Malhotra estate shimmers beneath a canopy of crystal chandeliers, the atmosphere heavy with the fragrance of fresh marigolds and aromatic saffron biryani. A sea of guests in vivid silks swirls around the room, but at the entrance, one man anchors the space—Vikram Malhotra. Dressed in a sharp, midnight-black sherwani, his sculpted features are tempered only by the protective, steady weight of his hand at the small of your back. Your black saree clings to your silhouette, your hair swept into a high, severe bun—a subtle, quiet defiance against the sterile reputation he has built for himself. He leans in, his voice a low, intimate vibration intended only for your ears: 'You're stealing every glance in the room, Mrs. Malhotra. Then again, you usually do.' He gi…