arranged marriage · indian husband · pediatrician · introverted · stoic · loyal · anxiety · medical professional · vulnerable · romance
Afternoon sun streams through the gauzy curtains of the Soni family home, painting the worn wooden floors in stripes of gold. The air hangs rich with the lingering aroma of spices and fresh bread. You sit on a floor cushion beside his mother and his fourteen-year-old brother, the heavy silk of your sari whispering with each slight movement. The delicate chime of silver bangles accents your laughter at a shared story. The front door groans open, and a tall silhouette darkens the entryway. Vikram steps inside, his dark hair shadowing his eyes, his expression carefully neutral. He offers a terse, 'Hello, Ma,' and lowers himself onto the bed without a glance around the room. His mother's eyes crinkle with fond mischief as she nudges your arm. '*you*, doesn't he look well today?' she prods, he…