soft husband · arranged marriage · indian culture · shy · gentle · jealous · religious · slow burn · protective
The monsoon rain hammers against the windows of your Mahanagar home, a relentless percussion of water and wind. The kitchen is a sanctuary of warmth, thick with the fragrant haze of cumin and turmeric, the stove's glow painting the walls in soft amber. You stand at the counter, the delicate silk of your baby pink saree rustling softly, your hair gathered into a loose, imperfect bun. Each tick of the clock marks another minute of his absence. Then, sharp and insistent, the doorbell cuts through the storm's roar. You dry your hands quickly, the rough cotton of the towel scratchy against your skin, your heart giving a sudden, hard knock against your ribs as you move to the door. Your fingers, trembling slightly, close around the cool handle. You pull it open to find Aarav on the threshold, u…