11 hours ago
Disclaimer: This story is completely fictional and describes the struggles of modern marriage in the age of social media validation.
Chapter 1: The Meeting
It was a normal working day for Amit in office when he got a call from his mama, his whole family was pressurizing him to get married as he was 38 year old already. Amit looked at the phone and instantly knew why it was ringing.
"Namaste Mama" Amit said
"Beta ek aur rishta laya hu tere liye" Mama beamed
"Mama firse shuru hogaye aap.........Iske pehle wali mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aayi" Amit said
"Arey beta ye ladki model hai....hehe" His mama crackled on the phone
Amit felt a shock after listening to what he said, He cross checked again with his mama. His mama forwarded few photos of the girl to him and Amit was shell shocked after checking her out thoroughly. Amit couldn't believe his luck as he was checking her out.
Amit said yes to meet the girl but in his heart he knew that girl would reject him. Amit was a 38 year old man who had already lost most of his hair, his health and his sanity in the process of chasing quick money. Amit was a highly successful man who was already earning in crores working at a MNC. That enabled him to buy a big house and a fancy car for himself.
Amit was born in a middle class family and always was a good student, while his friends had GF's and enjoyed life, Amit chose to focus on his studies which later helped him to climb the corporate ladder quickly. Within a decade of starting his career, he was now in the senior leadership position and earned more than all of his friends. Amit didn't want to get married but lately his family have been pressurizing him daily.
Amit already rejected few girls which his relatives had tried to push on him, this was the latest girl his mama was chasing him with.
Amit and his family finally decided to meet the girl's family on a weekend.
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The brass bell at the entrance chimed softly as Anupama stepped into the living room, balancing a steel tray of tea cups in trembling hands. The fragrance of cardamom floated through the air, mixing with the scent of incense sticks her mother had lit twenty minutes earlier to make the house feel “auspicious.”
Every eye in the room turned toward her.
And for a moment, silence swallowed everything.
Amit forgot to breathe.
He had seen photographs before. Carefully posed studio pictures sent over WhatsApp by her parents. But the woman walking toward him now looked unreal compared to those images. The pale gold silk saree clung softly to her tall frame, its embroidered border tracing the curve of her waist before falling elegantly around her long legs. Her skin looked impossibly smooth under the warm yellow lights of the room, almost glowing against the deep maroon blouse hugging her figure.
She was taller than he expected.
Much taller.
Even while sitting, Amit could tell she would tower over him in heels.
His throat went dry.
Anupama lowered her eyes politely as she approached the center table, but Amit noticed everything in frantic detail — the delicate fingers wrapped around the tray, the soft strands of hair brushing against her cheeks, the nervous rise and fall of her chest beneath the fitted blouse. Amit could figure she had an incredible figure, even in her blouse he could see the swell of her big breasts and as she turned in the living room, Amit's eyes caught a quick look at her incredible ass which was hugged by the tight saree.
His heart hammered painfully.
No girl had ever sat this close to him before.
At thirty-eight years old, Amit had spent most of his life buried in office cabins, spreadsheets, client meetings, and late-night conference calls. Women existed around him like distant decorations — receptionists, HR managers, wives of colleagues — people he never knew how to talk to. During college, while other boys flirted and dated, he had hidden behind books and computer screens.
And now suddenly, this woman… this breathtaking woman… was supposed to become his wife.
The thought felt absurd.
Almost cruel.
Anupama bent slightly to serve tea to Amit’s mother first. Her bangles clinked softly, and Amit’s eyes instinctively followed the graceful movement. The saree pallu shifted for a brief second, revealing the smooth curve of her waist and he caught a glimpse of her big boobs.
He immediately looked away.
Then looked back again.
His palms had become sweaty.
“Amit beta,” his mother said proudly, “say something.”
He straightened awkwardly on the sofa. His shirt clung tightly around his stomach despite the air conditioner running at full speed. A thin patch of hair remained carefully combed across his balding scalp, but nervous sweat had already begun ruining it.
“H-hello,” he managed.
Anupama finally looked at him directly.
Her expression remained polite.
Respectful.
But not warm.
Not even slightly.
“Hello,” she replied softly.
That single word made Amit’s pulse race.
Meanwhile, both families had already slipped into cheerful conversation.
Anupama’s father leaned forward enthusiastically. “Amit has done exceptionally well for himself. Vice President at such a reputed company… very few achieve this level.”
Amit forced a modest smile.
His father added proudly, “He earns enough that Anupama won’t ever have to worry about anything.”
Anupama sat quietly beside her mother, fingers intertwined tightly in her lap.
She had heard all this before.
Salary.
Position.
Property.
Stability.
Every conversation about marriage reduced her future into numbers.
Nobody asked her what she wanted.
Her mother gently nudged her. “Beta, ask Amit something.”
The room instantly became attentive again.
Anupama looked at him for a moment.
Up close, the age difference felt even larger.
His face looked tired despite his attempts to appear youthful. His heavy cheeks sagged slightly when he smiled. The expensive watch on his wrist and branded clothes couldn’t hide the fact that he looked almost middle-aged beside her.
She felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
Still, she spoke calmly.
“What do you usually do outside work?”
Amit blinked.
Nobody had asked him that before.
Especially not someone who looked like her.
“Oh… uh… mostly work,” he admitted awkwardly. “Sometimes movies. And… gym.”
The last word escaped before he could stop himself.
Anupama’s eyes briefly flickered toward his stomach.
Then she politely lowered them again.
But Amit noticed.
God, he noticed.
Heat rushed into his face.
His mother quickly jumped in. “He has been very busy lately, otherwise he was planning to focus more on fitness.”
Amit wished the sofa would swallow him whole.
To distract himself, he looked at Anupama again.
And once again, he couldn’t process how beautiful she was.
The sharpness of her jawline.
The softness of her lips.
The elegance in the way she sat with her back straight and ankles crossed neatly.
She didn’t belong in his world.
Women like her married actors, athletes, businessmen with perfect bodies and confident smiles.
Not men who got nervous ordering coffee from female baristas.
Yet here she was.
Sitting in front of him.
Potentially becoming his wife.
The realization sent dangerous thoughts creeping into his mind — thoughts he immediately tried suppressing.
He adjusted uncomfortably in his seat.
Anupama noticed.
And looked away instantly.
Her mother smiled brightly at both of them. “Why don’t the two of you talk privately for a few minutes?”
Amit nearly choked on his tea.
Anupama’s expression stiffened almost invisibly.
But in Indian households, such rituals happened automatically. Within moments, both families began encouraging them toward the balcony attached to the living room.
Amit stood first.
Even at full height, he barely reached Anupama’s eyes when she rose beside him.
The contrast was startling.
She looked elegant and composed.
He looked clumsy and painfully self-conscious.
As they walked toward the balcony together, Amit became hyperaware of every step, every breath, every inch of space between them.
Outside, evening sunlight painted the city orange.
Traffic noises drifted faintly from the streets below.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Anupama rested her hands lightly on the railing.
Amit stood beside her, unsure where to look.
“You… were a model?” he asked finally, remembering something her mother had mentioned earlier.
“A little,” she answered. “During college.”
“That explains it.”
The words slipped out before he could filter them.
Anupama turned slightly. “Explains what?”
Amit swallowed hard.
“You’re…” He hesitated, then laughed nervously. “Very beautiful.”
For the first time, her expression changed.
Not into shyness.
Not happiness.
Something more complicated.
Almost sadness.
“Beauty fades,” she said quietly.
Amit stared at her.
He didn’t know why that sentence unsettled him so deeply.
Behind them, through the balcony curtains, both families watched eagerly with hopeful smiles — already imagining wedding cards, jewelry shopping, future grandchildren.
But standing there under the fading evening sky, Anupama and Amit looked like two strangers trapped inside a decision already made for them.
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The engagement happened within three weeks.
Everything moved with frightening speed after the families gave their approval. Dates were discussed, astrologers were consulted, banquet halls were shortlisted, jewelry sets were exchanged between smiling relatives who spoke as if the marriage had already existed for years.
Anupama often felt like she was watching someone else’s life unfold from a distance.
But slowly, amidst the chaos, something began changing.
Amit started trying.
Really trying.
Every morning, without fail, she woke up to a message from him.
Good morning, Anupama.
Did you eat breakfast?
Reached office. Long day ahead.
At first, she replied with dry one-word responses.
Then full sentences.
Then occasional emojis.
It surprised her how eager he seemed for even the smallest piece of her attention.
For Amit, every reply felt intoxicating.
At thirty-eight, this was the closest thing he had ever experienced to romance. He approached it with the sincerity of a teenager discovering love for the first time.
And money became his language.
Because confidence wasn’t.
Two weeks after the engagement, he picked her up for dinner in a black luxury sedan freshly cleaned for the occasion. Amit himself wore a navy-blue blazer that strained slightly around his stomach, but he had spent nearly an hour getting ready.
When Anupama stepped out of her apartment building, he froze again.
She wore a sleeveless black dress that ended just above her knees, paired with nude heels that made her already tall frame even more commanding. Her loose hair flowed over one shoulder in soft waves.
People stared as she walked toward the car. Amit noticed few men staring at her big ass as she walked towards the car.
Amit noticed every single stare.
And strangely… he felt proud.
Nervous.
Possessive.
Lucky.
All at once.
“You look beautiful,” he said immediately as she sat beside him.
This time, Anupama smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
The restaurant he took her to was one of the most expensive places in the city. Dim golden lighting reflected off crystal glasses while soft piano music floated through the air.
Anupama looked around, visibly impressed despite trying not to show it.
“You come to places like this often?” she asked.
Amit laughed awkwardly. “First time, actually.”
She looked genuinely surprised.
“Then why this place?”
He adjusted his watch nervously.
“Wanted to take you somewhere nice.”
Simple.
Honest.
That honesty slowly began softening her toward him.
Throughout dinner, Amit barely touched his food. He spent most of the evening watching her talk — about college, fashion shows, old friendships, her dreams of traveling abroad someday.
She came alive while speaking.
And Amit listened to every word with complete fascination.
He had never met someone so effortlessly confident.
Anupama, meanwhile, began noticing things she had ignored earlier.
Yes, he was awkward.
Yes, he was older.
And physically, he was nowhere near the kind of men who used to flirt with her during her modeling days.
But there was also something strangely comforting about his attention. Amit looked at her like she was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
No games.
No arrogance.
No pretending.
Just complete admiration.
And after years of dealing with superficial men in college, part of her unexpectedly enjoyed that.
By the third week, gifts started arriving regularly.
Designer handbags.
Perfumes imported from Dubai.
Diamond earrings.
A limited-edition phone she casually mentioned liking once during dinner.
At first she protested.
“Amit, this is too expensive.”
But he would smile shyly and say, “If you like it, then it’s worth it.”
And she did like it.
Very much.
The luxurious treatment slowly wrapped around her life like silk.
Spa appointments.
Weekend brunches.
Shopping trips.
Premium memberships.
Amit paid for everything without hesitation.
Yet underneath all his excitement, reality had quietly started dawning on him.
One Saturday afternoon, he waited outside a luxury boutique while Anupama tried on dresses inside.
One hour became two.
Then nearly three.
By the time she emerged carrying four glossy shopping bags, Amit’s credit card notifications had crossed amounts he normally spent only on business travel.
But what truly stunned him wasn’t the bill.
It was how naturally she belonged in that world.
The sales staff treated her like royalty.
Women glanced at her with envy.
Men turned around openly to stare.
And Anupama moved through it all with effortless elegance, as though expensive things had always been meant for her.
Meanwhile Amit waddled behind carrying bags, sweating despite the mall air conditioning.
For the first time, a dangerous thought crossed his mind.
She’s going to be very expensive.
Not just financially.
Emotionally too.
Because pleasing Anupama felt addictive.
The moment she smiled at him approvingly after trying on a dress, he forgot every painful swipe of his card.
That evening, while driving her home, she rested her head lightly against the seat and sighed contentedly.
“Today was fun.”
Amit glanced at her instantly.
“Really?”
“Hmm.”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
“You’re spoiling me.”
His chest swelled with satisfaction.
“I want to.”
Anupama looked out the window quietly after that.
She wasn’t in love with him.
Not yet.
Maybe not even close.
But she had started enjoying his presence.
And Amit, blinded by her growing warmth, failed to notice something important.
The more she got used to luxury, attention, and constant validation from him…
…the more impossible it would become for him to ever stop.
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Over the next two months, their relationship settled into a strange rhythm.
Amit worked.
Anupama glowed.
And money flowed endlessly between those two realities.
Every weekend brought something new — rooftop lounges, luxury hotels, private dinners, jewelry exhibitions, fashion pop-ups. Amit never said no to her.
In fact, he had begun living for the small moments when her face lit up with excitement.
Somewhere along the way, Anupama stopped feeling reluctant around him.
Not fully comfortable.
But comfortable enough.
She had learned Amit’s habits by now — the way he loosened his collar when nervous, how he laughed too loudly around wealthy people to fit in, how he constantly checked whether she was enjoying herself.
And Amit had become hopelessly attached.
By then, his entire emotional world revolved around her approval.
One Friday night, they visited an upscale pub inside a five-star hotel.
The music pulsed through the dim blue lighting while people crowded around the bar with cocktails in hand. Amit felt slightly out of place the moment they entered.
Anupama did not.
She looked breathtaking that night.
A deep emerald dress wrapped tightly around her body, the fabric shimmering every time the lights shifted across the dance floor. The dress exposed her shoulders and curved elegantly around her waist before hugging her hips. Her long legs seemed endless in silver heels.
When she walked beside Amit, heads turned instantly.
Amit noticed every single one.
At first, pride filled him.
Then insecurity slowly replaced it.
Because the men staring at her looked nothing like him.
Tall.
Fit.
Confident.
Young.
Anupama barely seemed aware anymore. Attention followed her everywhere she went; she had learned long ago how to ignore it.
Halfway through dinner, while Amit excused himself to wash his hands, he overheard laughter near the bar as he returned.
A group of drunk men stood nearby.
One of them glanced openly toward Anupama.
“Bro,” he muttered loudly enough to hear, “how the hell did that guy pull her?”
Another laughed.
“Must be rich as hell.”
A third smirked while looking directly at Amit.
“Either money… or black magic.”
Fourth joined in
"Look at that ass man, that fat bastard can't handle all of that"
Another said
"Yaar ye mote saand ko ye model jaisi biwi kaise mil gayi, hame toh GF nahi mil rahi"
Another said
"Ye mota takla uska baap lagta hai"
The group burst into drunken laughter.
Amit stopped walking.
His chest tightened instantly.
The air suddenly felt heavier.
He knew they were mocking him.
Mocking his body.
His age.
His appearance.
And worst of all… they were right.
For one humiliating moment, he imagined confronting them dramatically like heroes in movies. Grabbing someone by the collar. Defending his fiancée’s honor.
But his legs refused to move.
His mouth went dry.
What if they laughed harder?
What if a fight started?
What if he got beaten up in front of Anupama?
So he stood there frozen for three painful seconds before quietly walking back to the table.
Anupama looked up immediately.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” he lied.
But she had already noticed the men glancing toward her and whispering.
This wasn’t new to her.
College festivals.
Fashion events.
Clubs.
Random streets.
Comments followed beauty everywhere.
She simply continued eating calmly.
Amit stared at her silently.
“Aren’t you angry?” he asked quietly.
She looked confused.
“About what?”
“What they said.”
Anupama shrugged lightly.
“If I reacted every time men talked nonsense, I’d go insane.”
The casualness of her answer unsettled him.
Because for her, this world was normal.
For Amit, it felt brutal.
That night he barely slept.
The incident kept replaying inside his head.
And beneath the humiliation lurked another emotion he hated admitting:
Fear.
Fear that someday Anupama herself might realize she deserved someone better.
But the wedding preparations accelerated so quickly afterward that insecurity barely had time to breathe.
Their marriage became one of the biggest social events among both families.
Hundreds of guests attended.
And nearly everyone had the same first reaction upon seeing the couple together.
Shock.
Anupama looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.
The bridal lehenga, embroidered heavily with gold thread, transformed her into something almost unreal. Diamonds rested against her neck while soft makeup highlighted her sharp features perfectly. Cameras adored her.
People couldn’t stop staring.
Meanwhile Amit looked overwhelmed beneath layers of expensive sherwani fabric. Despite months of dieting attempts, his body still appeared bulky and heavy beside her graceful frame.
The contrast became impossible to ignore.
Relatives whispered discreetly.
Some out of disbelief.
Others out of envy.
And Amit’s friends…
They were openly jealous.
During the sangeet ceremony, that jealousy reached its peak.
Anupama performed a choreographed dance with her cousins under dazzling stage lights. The performance was elegant yet sensual, her movements smooth and confident from years of stage experience. Her fitted outfit shimmered with every movement, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. During one of her dance move, her big boobs jerked in her tight dress much to the envy of all the male guests. During one of her dance moves, she turned her back to the audience, her backless blouse and creamy milky back on full display to everyone. Amit could only hear the lyrics KAJRA RE.....KAJRA RE....TERE KAALE KAALE NAINA............
He saw men talking in whispers among themselves and looking at him with envy or jealousy
Amit sat completely mesmerized.
He had never seen her like this before.
So confident.
So magnetic.
So completely beyond his world.
Even older uncles stared too long before awkwardly looking away.
His friends leaned toward him repeatedly during the performance.
“You lucky bastard.”
“How did this happen?”
“Brother won life.”
One uncle came to him and said
"Beta sambhal paoge na"
Amit laughed nervously each time, but inside, pride swelled through him like fire.
Then came his own turn to dance.
And disaster followed immediately.
He moved stiffly, awkwardly, struggling to match even basic rhythm. Sweat soaked through his sherwani within minutes while guests clapped supportively out of politeness.
Anupama tried helping him through the routine with encouraging smiles, but several cousins hid their laughter unsuccessfully.
Even Amit knew he looked ridiculous beside her effortless grace.
Still…
When the song ended, Anupama squeezed his hand briefly before leaving the stage.
A small gesture.
Yet Amit replayed it in his mind for hours.
The wedding itself passed in a blur of rituals, flowers, sacred chants, camera flashes, and exhaustion.
And then suddenly…
She was his wife.
That realization hit Amit hardest during the flight to the Maldives two days later.
Anupama sat beside the airplane window in a loose white sweater and sunglasses, scrolling through honeymoon 5 star resort photos on her phone while sunlight touched her face softly. Amit had spent 8 lakh rupees for a week long honeymoon in Maldives.
Amit looked at her wedding ring.
Then at his own.
His pulse quickened again.
A honeymoon.
A private villa.
An entire week alone together.
For most men, maybe that was normal.
For Amit, it felt terrifying.
Because despite all the expensive dinners, gifts, and ceremonies…
He still had absolutely no idea how to be a husband.
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Chapter 2: The Honeymoon
The moment the seaplane descended over the Maldives, Anupama pressed her face closer to the window like an excited child.
Endless shades of blue stretched beneath them — turquoise lagoons melting into deep sapphire waters, tiny islands floating like emeralds in the middle of the ocean. Sunlight shimmered across the waves so brightly it almost looked unreal.
Even Amit forgot his nervousness for a moment.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said softly.
Anupama nodded slowly, unable to look away.
“It looks fake.”
A small smile appeared on Amit’s face. He had spent weeks researching honeymoon destinations obsessively, terrified of disappointing her. Every review, every luxury resort comparison, every private villa package had been analyzed carefully before finally choosing the resort.
And now, seeing her reaction made every rupee feel worth it.
When they finally arrived at the St. Regis resort, Anupama stopped walking altogether.
The property looked breathtaking.
Wooden villas stretched over crystal-clear water while white sand beaches glowed under the afternoon sun. Palm trees swayed lazily in the warm breeze, and the distant sound of waves created an almost dreamlike calmness.
Luxury surrounded them everywhere.
A private butler welcomed them personally.
Fresh flowers decorated the pathway to their villa.
Even the air smelled expensive.
Anupama slowly removed her sunglasses, staring around in disbelief.
“You booked this?”
Amit suddenly felt self-conscious again.
“Yeah… I thought you’d like it.”
Like it?
She looked completely stunned.
Their villa opened into a massive living space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the ocean. A private infinity pool shimmered outside while steps descended directly into the sea below.
Anupama walked through the villa silently, touching everything in amazement — the silk curtains, marble bathroom counters, enormous bed decorated with rose petals.
Then she turned toward him.
For the first time since he had known her, her eyes held pure excitement directed entirely at him.
“This is insane.”
Amit laughed awkwardly. “Too much?”
Instead of answering, Anupama walked closer unexpectedly.
And kissed him softly on the cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Amit froze completely.
His brain stopped functioning.
Nobody had ever kissed him before.
Not in college.
Not in college.
Not during office parties or lonely drunken nights imagining relationships he never had.
Thirty-eight years of existence — and this tiny moment shattered him more completely than anything else.
The warmth of her lips lingered on his skin long after she stepped away.
His face turned red instantly.
Anupama noticed and smiled faintly.
“You’re blushing.”
“I— no, I—”
He couldn’t even form sentences anymore.
She laughed softly and walked toward the balcony.
Amit stood motionless in the middle of the villa, touching his cheek like an idiot.
That evening, they changed into casual beachwear and wandered through the resort together.
Anupama wore a flowing white beach dress over her swimsuit, the sea breeze constantly playing with her hair. Barefoot on the sand, she looked effortlessly radiant against the sunset colors spreading across the horizon.
Couples everywhere glanced toward her.
Amit noticed it immediately again.
But here, strangely, the jealousy felt smaller.
Maybe because she stayed close to him naturally now.
Sometimes slipping her arm through his while walking.
Sometimes smiling at him first before reacting to the beauty around them.
The ocean breeze relaxed her in ways Amit had never seen before.
For the first time since the wedding chaos began, she seemed genuinely peaceful.
They spent hours exploring the island.
Walking along wooden piers above glowing water.
Trying tropical drinks at beachfront restaurants.
Watching stingrays glide beneath the decks at sunset.
At one point, Anupama removed her sandals and stepped directly into the shallow waves, laughing softly as water splashed around her ankles.
Amit watched from the shore for a moment.
Mesmerized again.
The sunset painted her skin golden while her loose white dress fluttered around her legs in the wind.
She looked less like someone’s wife and more like a scene from a film.
Then she turned toward him suddenly.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Amit hesitated before awkwardly rolling up his pants and walking into the water beside her.
The waves reached only their calves, warm and gentle beneath the fading sunlight.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.
Just quiet.
Comfortable.
Anupama looked toward the horizon thoughtfully.
“You know,” she said softly, “I didn’t expect all this.”
Amit looked at her carefully. “Good or bad?”
She took a moment before answering.
“Different.”
The word lingered between them.
And for Amit, standing beside his beautiful wife in the middle of the Indian Ocean while the sky burned orange around them, even different felt enough.
Their eveningn after lunch in the Maldives began lazily.
Sunlight poured through the glass walls of their villa while waves shimmered quietly beneath the deck outside. Amit woke up later than usual and found
Anupama already standing near the balcony doors, adjusting the strap of a wide beach hat.
For a moment, he simply stared.
She wore a pale turquoise bikini beneath a loose white cover-up that barely concealed her toned figure. Her long legs looked even more striking against the morning light, and the sea breeze moved through her hair softly as she glanced toward the ocean.
They had landed in Maldives couple of hours ago and Anupama immediately reminded him that she was a former model. Amit just kept looking at her big round ass which as staring at his face.
Amit’s throat tightened instantly.
They still haven't had sex yet as both of them were tired after the flight, he still wasn’t used to seeing her like this.
“Ready?” she asked casually.
Amit nodded too quickly.
The private beach near the resort was quieter in the mornings. Couples lounged under umbrellas while waiters carried drinks across the white sand. The ocean looked impossibly clear, shifting between shades of blue under the bright sky.
Anupama removed her cover-up before stepping into the water.
And Amit immediately became aware of people noticing her again.
A few men glanced openly.
A group of tourists whispered among themselves.
One woman even looked toward Anupama with visible envy before nudging her husband away.
Amit pretended not to notice, settling awkwardly onto a beach chair beneath the shade. He tried focusing on his drink instead of the uncomfortable awareness spreading through his chest.
Out in the shallow water, Anupama looked completely at ease.
She floated peacefully beneath the sunlight, laughing softly whenever small waves splashed against her. Away from wedding rituals and family expectations, she seemed lighter here. Freer.
That was when Jack appeared.
Amit noticed him instantly.
Tall.
Athletic.
Probably in his early thirties.
Sun-tanned skin, sharp jawline, wet blond hair pushed carelessly backward after coming out of the ocean. His lean frame looked almost sculpted under the sunlight, the kind of effortless physique Amit could never imagine having.
Several women nearby were already staring at him.
But Jack wasn’t looking at them.
He was looking directly at Anupama.
Amit felt something unpleasant twist inside him immediately.
Jack slowed near her in the water, clearly debating whether to approach. Then Anupama looked up briefly, and he smiled.
“Excuse me,” he called out casually in an English accent, “but I just had to say… you look absolutely stunning.”
Anupama blinked in mild surprise.
Then smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
Amit gripped his drink tighter.
Jack moved a little closer through the shallow water, maintaining a respectful distance but radiating easy confidence Amit envied instantly.
“You’re European, right?” he asked.
“No. Indian” Anupama giggled
“WHATTT. I’ve been to Mumbai once. Incredible city.”
Anupama nodded lightly, brushing wet hair behind her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Amit sat frozen on the beach chair, pretending to scroll through his phone while every nerve in his body focused on them.
The contrast between himself and Jack suddenly felt brutal.
Jack stood tall and relaxed in the water beside her, his toned body glistening under the sun while Anupama laughed softly at something he said.
Beside them, Amit felt painfully out of place.
Middle-aged.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Even the way Jack spoke looked effortless — confident eye contact, playful teasing, easy posture. Things Amit had never naturally possessed.
Anupama wasn’t flirting back exactly.
But she was enjoying the conversation.
That hurt more than Amit expected.
Jack finally glanced toward the shore and noticed him sitting there.
“Your husband?” he asked.
Anupama turned briefly toward Amit and nodded.
Jack smiled politely and raised a hand toward him.
Amit forced himself to wave back.
The gesture felt humiliating for reasons he couldn’t explain.
A few minutes later, Anupama returned toward the beach while Jack headed deeper into the ocean with a surfboard.
Amit tried sounding casual.
“Friend?”
“Just some tourist,” she replied while reaching for her towel.
“He seemed… comfortable talking to strangers.”
Anupama laughed faintly.
“Foreigners usually are.”
Amit nodded slowly.
But his eyes drifted back toward the ocean again.
Jack was surfing now, cutting smoothly across the waves while several tourists watched admiringly.
Anupama noticed Amit staring.
Then she noticed the insecurity quietly sitting behind his expression.
For a moment, her face softened slightly.
“He was just talking,” she said calmly.
“I know.”
But Amit’s voice lacked conviction.
Because deep down, something uncomfortable had awakened inside him.
Until now, their honeymoon had existed like a protected bubble — luxury resorts, romantic dinners, private villas. A world where Amit could almost forget how mismatched they looked together.
Jack shattered that illusion effortlessly.
Seeing someone like him beside Anupama made reality impossible to ignore again.
She fit naturally beside men like that.
Young.
Confident.
Attractive.
Meanwhile Amit still felt like a man constantly trying to earn the right to stand next to her.
That evening, during dinner at the overwater restaurant, Amit became unusually quiet.
Anupama noticed after a while.
“You’ve barely spoken.”
“I’m talking.”
“No,” she said gently. “You’re thinking.”
Amit looked away toward the dark ocean outside.
The truth sat heavily inside him, too embarrassing to admit aloud.
For the first time since their marriage, he understood something terrifying:
No amount of money could stop the world from comparing him to men like Jack.
Chapter 1: The Meeting
It was a normal working day for Amit in office when he got a call from his mama, his whole family was pressurizing him to get married as he was 38 year old already. Amit looked at the phone and instantly knew why it was ringing.
"Namaste Mama" Amit said
"Beta ek aur rishta laya hu tere liye" Mama beamed
"Mama firse shuru hogaye aap.........Iske pehle wali mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aayi" Amit said
"Arey beta ye ladki model hai....hehe" His mama crackled on the phone
Amit felt a shock after listening to what he said, He cross checked again with his mama. His mama forwarded few photos of the girl to him and Amit was shell shocked after checking her out thoroughly. Amit couldn't believe his luck as he was checking her out.
Amit said yes to meet the girl but in his heart he knew that girl would reject him. Amit was a 38 year old man who had already lost most of his hair, his health and his sanity in the process of chasing quick money. Amit was a highly successful man who was already earning in crores working at a MNC. That enabled him to buy a big house and a fancy car for himself.
Amit was born in a middle class family and always was a good student, while his friends had GF's and enjoyed life, Amit chose to focus on his studies which later helped him to climb the corporate ladder quickly. Within a decade of starting his career, he was now in the senior leadership position and earned more than all of his friends. Amit didn't want to get married but lately his family have been pressurizing him daily.
Amit already rejected few girls which his relatives had tried to push on him, this was the latest girl his mama was chasing him with.
Amit and his family finally decided to meet the girl's family on a weekend.
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The brass bell at the entrance chimed softly as Anupama stepped into the living room, balancing a steel tray of tea cups in trembling hands. The fragrance of cardamom floated through the air, mixing with the scent of incense sticks her mother had lit twenty minutes earlier to make the house feel “auspicious.”
Every eye in the room turned toward her.
And for a moment, silence swallowed everything.
Amit forgot to breathe.
He had seen photographs before. Carefully posed studio pictures sent over WhatsApp by her parents. But the woman walking toward him now looked unreal compared to those images. The pale gold silk saree clung softly to her tall frame, its embroidered border tracing the curve of her waist before falling elegantly around her long legs. Her skin looked impossibly smooth under the warm yellow lights of the room, almost glowing against the deep maroon blouse hugging her figure.
She was taller than he expected.
Much taller.
Even while sitting, Amit could tell she would tower over him in heels.
His throat went dry.
Anupama lowered her eyes politely as she approached the center table, but Amit noticed everything in frantic detail — the delicate fingers wrapped around the tray, the soft strands of hair brushing against her cheeks, the nervous rise and fall of her chest beneath the fitted blouse. Amit could figure she had an incredible figure, even in her blouse he could see the swell of her big breasts and as she turned in the living room, Amit's eyes caught a quick look at her incredible ass which was hugged by the tight saree.
His heart hammered painfully.
No girl had ever sat this close to him before.
At thirty-eight years old, Amit had spent most of his life buried in office cabins, spreadsheets, client meetings, and late-night conference calls. Women existed around him like distant decorations — receptionists, HR managers, wives of colleagues — people he never knew how to talk to. During college, while other boys flirted and dated, he had hidden behind books and computer screens.
And now suddenly, this woman… this breathtaking woman… was supposed to become his wife.
The thought felt absurd.
Almost cruel.
Anupama bent slightly to serve tea to Amit’s mother first. Her bangles clinked softly, and Amit’s eyes instinctively followed the graceful movement. The saree pallu shifted for a brief second, revealing the smooth curve of her waist and he caught a glimpse of her big boobs.
He immediately looked away.
Then looked back again.
His palms had become sweaty.
“Amit beta,” his mother said proudly, “say something.”
He straightened awkwardly on the sofa. His shirt clung tightly around his stomach despite the air conditioner running at full speed. A thin patch of hair remained carefully combed across his balding scalp, but nervous sweat had already begun ruining it.
“H-hello,” he managed.
Anupama finally looked at him directly.
Her expression remained polite.
Respectful.
But not warm.
Not even slightly.
“Hello,” she replied softly.
That single word made Amit’s pulse race.
Meanwhile, both families had already slipped into cheerful conversation.
Anupama’s father leaned forward enthusiastically. “Amit has done exceptionally well for himself. Vice President at such a reputed company… very few achieve this level.”
Amit forced a modest smile.
His father added proudly, “He earns enough that Anupama won’t ever have to worry about anything.”
Anupama sat quietly beside her mother, fingers intertwined tightly in her lap.
She had heard all this before.
Salary.
Position.
Property.
Stability.
Every conversation about marriage reduced her future into numbers.
Nobody asked her what she wanted.
Her mother gently nudged her. “Beta, ask Amit something.”
The room instantly became attentive again.
Anupama looked at him for a moment.
Up close, the age difference felt even larger.
His face looked tired despite his attempts to appear youthful. His heavy cheeks sagged slightly when he smiled. The expensive watch on his wrist and branded clothes couldn’t hide the fact that he looked almost middle-aged beside her.
She felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
Still, she spoke calmly.
“What do you usually do outside work?”
Amit blinked.
Nobody had asked him that before.
Especially not someone who looked like her.
“Oh… uh… mostly work,” he admitted awkwardly. “Sometimes movies. And… gym.”
The last word escaped before he could stop himself.
Anupama’s eyes briefly flickered toward his stomach.
Then she politely lowered them again.
But Amit noticed.
God, he noticed.
Heat rushed into his face.
His mother quickly jumped in. “He has been very busy lately, otherwise he was planning to focus more on fitness.”
Amit wished the sofa would swallow him whole.
To distract himself, he looked at Anupama again.
And once again, he couldn’t process how beautiful she was.
The sharpness of her jawline.
The softness of her lips.
The elegance in the way she sat with her back straight and ankles crossed neatly.
She didn’t belong in his world.
Women like her married actors, athletes, businessmen with perfect bodies and confident smiles.
Not men who got nervous ordering coffee from female baristas.
Yet here she was.
Sitting in front of him.
Potentially becoming his wife.
The realization sent dangerous thoughts creeping into his mind — thoughts he immediately tried suppressing.
He adjusted uncomfortably in his seat.
Anupama noticed.
And looked away instantly.
Her mother smiled brightly at both of them. “Why don’t the two of you talk privately for a few minutes?”
Amit nearly choked on his tea.
Anupama’s expression stiffened almost invisibly.
But in Indian households, such rituals happened automatically. Within moments, both families began encouraging them toward the balcony attached to the living room.
Amit stood first.
Even at full height, he barely reached Anupama’s eyes when she rose beside him.
The contrast was startling.
She looked elegant and composed.
He looked clumsy and painfully self-conscious.
As they walked toward the balcony together, Amit became hyperaware of every step, every breath, every inch of space between them.
Outside, evening sunlight painted the city orange.
Traffic noises drifted faintly from the streets below.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Anupama rested her hands lightly on the railing.
Amit stood beside her, unsure where to look.
“You… were a model?” he asked finally, remembering something her mother had mentioned earlier.
“A little,” she answered. “During college.”
“That explains it.”
The words slipped out before he could filter them.
Anupama turned slightly. “Explains what?”
Amit swallowed hard.
“You’re…” He hesitated, then laughed nervously. “Very beautiful.”
For the first time, her expression changed.
Not into shyness.
Not happiness.
Something more complicated.
Almost sadness.
“Beauty fades,” she said quietly.
Amit stared at her.
He didn’t know why that sentence unsettled him so deeply.
Behind them, through the balcony curtains, both families watched eagerly with hopeful smiles — already imagining wedding cards, jewelry shopping, future grandchildren.
But standing there under the fading evening sky, Anupama and Amit looked like two strangers trapped inside a decision already made for them.
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The engagement happened within three weeks.
Everything moved with frightening speed after the families gave their approval. Dates were discussed, astrologers were consulted, banquet halls were shortlisted, jewelry sets were exchanged between smiling relatives who spoke as if the marriage had already existed for years.
Anupama often felt like she was watching someone else’s life unfold from a distance.
But slowly, amidst the chaos, something began changing.
Amit started trying.
Really trying.
Every morning, without fail, she woke up to a message from him.
Good morning, Anupama.
Did you eat breakfast?
Reached office. Long day ahead.
At first, she replied with dry one-word responses.
Then full sentences.
Then occasional emojis.
It surprised her how eager he seemed for even the smallest piece of her attention.
For Amit, every reply felt intoxicating.
At thirty-eight, this was the closest thing he had ever experienced to romance. He approached it with the sincerity of a teenager discovering love for the first time.
And money became his language.
Because confidence wasn’t.
Two weeks after the engagement, he picked her up for dinner in a black luxury sedan freshly cleaned for the occasion. Amit himself wore a navy-blue blazer that strained slightly around his stomach, but he had spent nearly an hour getting ready.
When Anupama stepped out of her apartment building, he froze again.
She wore a sleeveless black dress that ended just above her knees, paired with nude heels that made her already tall frame even more commanding. Her loose hair flowed over one shoulder in soft waves.
People stared as she walked toward the car. Amit noticed few men staring at her big ass as she walked towards the car.
Amit noticed every single stare.
And strangely… he felt proud.
Nervous.
Possessive.
Lucky.
All at once.
“You look beautiful,” he said immediately as she sat beside him.
This time, Anupama smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
The restaurant he took her to was one of the most expensive places in the city. Dim golden lighting reflected off crystal glasses while soft piano music floated through the air.
Anupama looked around, visibly impressed despite trying not to show it.
“You come to places like this often?” she asked.
Amit laughed awkwardly. “First time, actually.”
She looked genuinely surprised.
“Then why this place?”
He adjusted his watch nervously.
“Wanted to take you somewhere nice.”
Simple.
Honest.
That honesty slowly began softening her toward him.
Throughout dinner, Amit barely touched his food. He spent most of the evening watching her talk — about college, fashion shows, old friendships, her dreams of traveling abroad someday.
She came alive while speaking.
And Amit listened to every word with complete fascination.
He had never met someone so effortlessly confident.
Anupama, meanwhile, began noticing things she had ignored earlier.
Yes, he was awkward.
Yes, he was older.
And physically, he was nowhere near the kind of men who used to flirt with her during her modeling days.
But there was also something strangely comforting about his attention. Amit looked at her like she was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
No games.
No arrogance.
No pretending.
Just complete admiration.
And after years of dealing with superficial men in college, part of her unexpectedly enjoyed that.
By the third week, gifts started arriving regularly.
Designer handbags.
Perfumes imported from Dubai.
Diamond earrings.
A limited-edition phone she casually mentioned liking once during dinner.
At first she protested.
“Amit, this is too expensive.”
But he would smile shyly and say, “If you like it, then it’s worth it.”
And she did like it.
Very much.
The luxurious treatment slowly wrapped around her life like silk.
Spa appointments.
Weekend brunches.
Shopping trips.
Premium memberships.
Amit paid for everything without hesitation.
Yet underneath all his excitement, reality had quietly started dawning on him.
One Saturday afternoon, he waited outside a luxury boutique while Anupama tried on dresses inside.
One hour became two.
Then nearly three.
By the time she emerged carrying four glossy shopping bags, Amit’s credit card notifications had crossed amounts he normally spent only on business travel.
But what truly stunned him wasn’t the bill.
It was how naturally she belonged in that world.
The sales staff treated her like royalty.
Women glanced at her with envy.
Men turned around openly to stare.
And Anupama moved through it all with effortless elegance, as though expensive things had always been meant for her.
Meanwhile Amit waddled behind carrying bags, sweating despite the mall air conditioning.
For the first time, a dangerous thought crossed his mind.
She’s going to be very expensive.
Not just financially.
Emotionally too.
Because pleasing Anupama felt addictive.
The moment she smiled at him approvingly after trying on a dress, he forgot every painful swipe of his card.
That evening, while driving her home, she rested her head lightly against the seat and sighed contentedly.
“Today was fun.”
Amit glanced at her instantly.
“Really?”
“Hmm.”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
“You’re spoiling me.”
His chest swelled with satisfaction.
“I want to.”
Anupama looked out the window quietly after that.
She wasn’t in love with him.
Not yet.
Maybe not even close.
But she had started enjoying his presence.
And Amit, blinded by her growing warmth, failed to notice something important.
The more she got used to luxury, attention, and constant validation from him…
…the more impossible it would become for him to ever stop.
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Over the next two months, their relationship settled into a strange rhythm.
Amit worked.
Anupama glowed.
And money flowed endlessly between those two realities.
Every weekend brought something new — rooftop lounges, luxury hotels, private dinners, jewelry exhibitions, fashion pop-ups. Amit never said no to her.
In fact, he had begun living for the small moments when her face lit up with excitement.
Somewhere along the way, Anupama stopped feeling reluctant around him.
Not fully comfortable.
But comfortable enough.
She had learned Amit’s habits by now — the way he loosened his collar when nervous, how he laughed too loudly around wealthy people to fit in, how he constantly checked whether she was enjoying herself.
And Amit had become hopelessly attached.
By then, his entire emotional world revolved around her approval.
One Friday night, they visited an upscale pub inside a five-star hotel.
The music pulsed through the dim blue lighting while people crowded around the bar with cocktails in hand. Amit felt slightly out of place the moment they entered.
Anupama did not.
She looked breathtaking that night.
A deep emerald dress wrapped tightly around her body, the fabric shimmering every time the lights shifted across the dance floor. The dress exposed her shoulders and curved elegantly around her waist before hugging her hips. Her long legs seemed endless in silver heels.
When she walked beside Amit, heads turned instantly.
Amit noticed every single one.
At first, pride filled him.
Then insecurity slowly replaced it.
Because the men staring at her looked nothing like him.
Tall.
Fit.
Confident.
Young.
Anupama barely seemed aware anymore. Attention followed her everywhere she went; she had learned long ago how to ignore it.
Halfway through dinner, while Amit excused himself to wash his hands, he overheard laughter near the bar as he returned.
A group of drunk men stood nearby.
One of them glanced openly toward Anupama.
“Bro,” he muttered loudly enough to hear, “how the hell did that guy pull her?”
Another laughed.
“Must be rich as hell.”
A third smirked while looking directly at Amit.
“Either money… or black magic.”
Fourth joined in
"Look at that ass man, that fat bastard can't handle all of that"
Another said
"Yaar ye mote saand ko ye model jaisi biwi kaise mil gayi, hame toh GF nahi mil rahi"
Another said
"Ye mota takla uska baap lagta hai"
The group burst into drunken laughter.
Amit stopped walking.
His chest tightened instantly.
The air suddenly felt heavier.
He knew they were mocking him.
Mocking his body.
His age.
His appearance.
And worst of all… they were right.
For one humiliating moment, he imagined confronting them dramatically like heroes in movies. Grabbing someone by the collar. Defending his fiancée’s honor.
But his legs refused to move.
His mouth went dry.
What if they laughed harder?
What if a fight started?
What if he got beaten up in front of Anupama?
So he stood there frozen for three painful seconds before quietly walking back to the table.
Anupama looked up immediately.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” he lied.
But she had already noticed the men glancing toward her and whispering.
This wasn’t new to her.
College festivals.
Fashion events.
Clubs.
Random streets.
Comments followed beauty everywhere.
She simply continued eating calmly.
Amit stared at her silently.
“Aren’t you angry?” he asked quietly.
She looked confused.
“About what?”
“What they said.”
Anupama shrugged lightly.
“If I reacted every time men talked nonsense, I’d go insane.”
The casualness of her answer unsettled him.
Because for her, this world was normal.
For Amit, it felt brutal.
That night he barely slept.
The incident kept replaying inside his head.
And beneath the humiliation lurked another emotion he hated admitting:
Fear.
Fear that someday Anupama herself might realize she deserved someone better.
But the wedding preparations accelerated so quickly afterward that insecurity barely had time to breathe.
Their marriage became one of the biggest social events among both families.
Hundreds of guests attended.
And nearly everyone had the same first reaction upon seeing the couple together.
Shock.
Anupama looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.
The bridal lehenga, embroidered heavily with gold thread, transformed her into something almost unreal. Diamonds rested against her neck while soft makeup highlighted her sharp features perfectly. Cameras adored her.
People couldn’t stop staring.
Meanwhile Amit looked overwhelmed beneath layers of expensive sherwani fabric. Despite months of dieting attempts, his body still appeared bulky and heavy beside her graceful frame.
The contrast became impossible to ignore.
Relatives whispered discreetly.
Some out of disbelief.
Others out of envy.
And Amit’s friends…
They were openly jealous.
During the sangeet ceremony, that jealousy reached its peak.
Anupama performed a choreographed dance with her cousins under dazzling stage lights. The performance was elegant yet sensual, her movements smooth and confident from years of stage experience. Her fitted outfit shimmered with every movement, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd. During one of her dance move, her big boobs jerked in her tight dress much to the envy of all the male guests. During one of her dance moves, she turned her back to the audience, her backless blouse and creamy milky back on full display to everyone. Amit could only hear the lyrics KAJRA RE.....KAJRA RE....TERE KAALE KAALE NAINA............
He saw men talking in whispers among themselves and looking at him with envy or jealousy
Amit sat completely mesmerized.
He had never seen her like this before.
So confident.
So magnetic.
So completely beyond his world.
Even older uncles stared too long before awkwardly looking away.
His friends leaned toward him repeatedly during the performance.
“You lucky bastard.”
“How did this happen?”
“Brother won life.”
One uncle came to him and said
"Beta sambhal paoge na"
Amit laughed nervously each time, but inside, pride swelled through him like fire.
Then came his own turn to dance.
And disaster followed immediately.
He moved stiffly, awkwardly, struggling to match even basic rhythm. Sweat soaked through his sherwani within minutes while guests clapped supportively out of politeness.
Anupama tried helping him through the routine with encouraging smiles, but several cousins hid their laughter unsuccessfully.
Even Amit knew he looked ridiculous beside her effortless grace.
Still…
When the song ended, Anupama squeezed his hand briefly before leaving the stage.
A small gesture.
Yet Amit replayed it in his mind for hours.
The wedding itself passed in a blur of rituals, flowers, sacred chants, camera flashes, and exhaustion.
And then suddenly…
She was his wife.
That realization hit Amit hardest during the flight to the Maldives two days later.
Anupama sat beside the airplane window in a loose white sweater and sunglasses, scrolling through honeymoon 5 star resort photos on her phone while sunlight touched her face softly. Amit had spent 8 lakh rupees for a week long honeymoon in Maldives.
Amit looked at her wedding ring.
Then at his own.
His pulse quickened again.
A honeymoon.
A private villa.
An entire week alone together.
For most men, maybe that was normal.
For Amit, it felt terrifying.
Because despite all the expensive dinners, gifts, and ceremonies…
He still had absolutely no idea how to be a husband.
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Chapter 2: The Honeymoon
The moment the seaplane descended over the Maldives, Anupama pressed her face closer to the window like an excited child.
Endless shades of blue stretched beneath them — turquoise lagoons melting into deep sapphire waters, tiny islands floating like emeralds in the middle of the ocean. Sunlight shimmered across the waves so brightly it almost looked unreal.
Even Amit forgot his nervousness for a moment.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said softly.
Anupama nodded slowly, unable to look away.
“It looks fake.”
A small smile appeared on Amit’s face. He had spent weeks researching honeymoon destinations obsessively, terrified of disappointing her. Every review, every luxury resort comparison, every private villa package had been analyzed carefully before finally choosing the resort.
And now, seeing her reaction made every rupee feel worth it.
When they finally arrived at the St. Regis resort, Anupama stopped walking altogether.
The property looked breathtaking.
Wooden villas stretched over crystal-clear water while white sand beaches glowed under the afternoon sun. Palm trees swayed lazily in the warm breeze, and the distant sound of waves created an almost dreamlike calmness.
Luxury surrounded them everywhere.
A private butler welcomed them personally.
Fresh flowers decorated the pathway to their villa.
Even the air smelled expensive.
Anupama slowly removed her sunglasses, staring around in disbelief.
“You booked this?”
Amit suddenly felt self-conscious again.
“Yeah… I thought you’d like it.”
Like it?
She looked completely stunned.
Their villa opened into a massive living space with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the ocean. A private infinity pool shimmered outside while steps descended directly into the sea below.
Anupama walked through the villa silently, touching everything in amazement — the silk curtains, marble bathroom counters, enormous bed decorated with rose petals.
Then she turned toward him.
For the first time since he had known her, her eyes held pure excitement directed entirely at him.
“This is insane.”
Amit laughed awkwardly. “Too much?”
Instead of answering, Anupama walked closer unexpectedly.
And kissed him softly on the cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Amit froze completely.
His brain stopped functioning.
Nobody had ever kissed him before.
Not in college.
Not in college.
Not during office parties or lonely drunken nights imagining relationships he never had.
Thirty-eight years of existence — and this tiny moment shattered him more completely than anything else.
The warmth of her lips lingered on his skin long after she stepped away.
His face turned red instantly.
Anupama noticed and smiled faintly.
“You’re blushing.”
“I— no, I—”
He couldn’t even form sentences anymore.
She laughed softly and walked toward the balcony.
Amit stood motionless in the middle of the villa, touching his cheek like an idiot.
That evening, they changed into casual beachwear and wandered through the resort together.
Anupama wore a flowing white beach dress over her swimsuit, the sea breeze constantly playing with her hair. Barefoot on the sand, she looked effortlessly radiant against the sunset colors spreading across the horizon.
Couples everywhere glanced toward her.
Amit noticed it immediately again.
But here, strangely, the jealousy felt smaller.
Maybe because she stayed close to him naturally now.
Sometimes slipping her arm through his while walking.
Sometimes smiling at him first before reacting to the beauty around them.
The ocean breeze relaxed her in ways Amit had never seen before.
For the first time since the wedding chaos began, she seemed genuinely peaceful.
They spent hours exploring the island.
Walking along wooden piers above glowing water.
Trying tropical drinks at beachfront restaurants.
Watching stingrays glide beneath the decks at sunset.
At one point, Anupama removed her sandals and stepped directly into the shallow waves, laughing softly as water splashed around her ankles.
Amit watched from the shore for a moment.
Mesmerized again.
The sunset painted her skin golden while her loose white dress fluttered around her legs in the wind.
She looked less like someone’s wife and more like a scene from a film.
Then she turned toward him suddenly.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Amit hesitated before awkwardly rolling up his pants and walking into the water beside her.
The waves reached only their calves, warm and gentle beneath the fading sunlight.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.
Just quiet.
Comfortable.
Anupama looked toward the horizon thoughtfully.
“You know,” she said softly, “I didn’t expect all this.”
Amit looked at her carefully. “Good or bad?”
She took a moment before answering.
“Different.”
The word lingered between them.
And for Amit, standing beside his beautiful wife in the middle of the Indian Ocean while the sky burned orange around them, even different felt enough.
Their eveningn after lunch in the Maldives began lazily.
Sunlight poured through the glass walls of their villa while waves shimmered quietly beneath the deck outside. Amit woke up later than usual and found
Anupama already standing near the balcony doors, adjusting the strap of a wide beach hat.
For a moment, he simply stared.
She wore a pale turquoise bikini beneath a loose white cover-up that barely concealed her toned figure. Her long legs looked even more striking against the morning light, and the sea breeze moved through her hair softly as she glanced toward the ocean.
They had landed in Maldives couple of hours ago and Anupama immediately reminded him that she was a former model. Amit just kept looking at her big round ass which as staring at his face.
Amit’s throat tightened instantly.
They still haven't had sex yet as both of them were tired after the flight, he still wasn’t used to seeing her like this.
“Ready?” she asked casually.
Amit nodded too quickly.
The private beach near the resort was quieter in the mornings. Couples lounged under umbrellas while waiters carried drinks across the white sand. The ocean looked impossibly clear, shifting between shades of blue under the bright sky.
Anupama removed her cover-up before stepping into the water.
And Amit immediately became aware of people noticing her again.
A few men glanced openly.
A group of tourists whispered among themselves.
One woman even looked toward Anupama with visible envy before nudging her husband away.
Amit pretended not to notice, settling awkwardly onto a beach chair beneath the shade. He tried focusing on his drink instead of the uncomfortable awareness spreading through his chest.
Out in the shallow water, Anupama looked completely at ease.
She floated peacefully beneath the sunlight, laughing softly whenever small waves splashed against her. Away from wedding rituals and family expectations, she seemed lighter here. Freer.
That was when Jack appeared.
Amit noticed him instantly.
Tall.
Athletic.
Probably in his early thirties.
Sun-tanned skin, sharp jawline, wet blond hair pushed carelessly backward after coming out of the ocean. His lean frame looked almost sculpted under the sunlight, the kind of effortless physique Amit could never imagine having.
Several women nearby were already staring at him.
But Jack wasn’t looking at them.
He was looking directly at Anupama.
Amit felt something unpleasant twist inside him immediately.
Jack slowed near her in the water, clearly debating whether to approach. Then Anupama looked up briefly, and he smiled.
“Excuse me,” he called out casually in an English accent, “but I just had to say… you look absolutely stunning.”
Anupama blinked in mild surprise.
Then smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
Amit gripped his drink tighter.
Jack moved a little closer through the shallow water, maintaining a respectful distance but radiating easy confidence Amit envied instantly.
“You’re European, right?” he asked.
“No. Indian” Anupama giggled
“WHATTT. I’ve been to Mumbai once. Incredible city.”
Anupama nodded lightly, brushing wet hair behind her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Amit sat frozen on the beach chair, pretending to scroll through his phone while every nerve in his body focused on them.
The contrast between himself and Jack suddenly felt brutal.
Jack stood tall and relaxed in the water beside her, his toned body glistening under the sun while Anupama laughed softly at something he said.
Beside them, Amit felt painfully out of place.
Middle-aged.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Even the way Jack spoke looked effortless — confident eye contact, playful teasing, easy posture. Things Amit had never naturally possessed.
Anupama wasn’t flirting back exactly.
But she was enjoying the conversation.
That hurt more than Amit expected.
Jack finally glanced toward the shore and noticed him sitting there.
“Your husband?” he asked.
Anupama turned briefly toward Amit and nodded.
Jack smiled politely and raised a hand toward him.
Amit forced himself to wave back.
The gesture felt humiliating for reasons he couldn’t explain.
A few minutes later, Anupama returned toward the beach while Jack headed deeper into the ocean with a surfboard.
Amit tried sounding casual.
“Friend?”
“Just some tourist,” she replied while reaching for her towel.
“He seemed… comfortable talking to strangers.”
Anupama laughed faintly.
“Foreigners usually are.”
Amit nodded slowly.
But his eyes drifted back toward the ocean again.
Jack was surfing now, cutting smoothly across the waves while several tourists watched admiringly.
Anupama noticed Amit staring.
Then she noticed the insecurity quietly sitting behind his expression.
For a moment, her face softened slightly.
“He was just talking,” she said calmly.
“I know.”
But Amit’s voice lacked conviction.
Because deep down, something uncomfortable had awakened inside him.
Until now, their honeymoon had existed like a protected bubble — luxury resorts, romantic dinners, private villas. A world where Amit could almost forget how mismatched they looked together.
Jack shattered that illusion effortlessly.
Seeing someone like him beside Anupama made reality impossible to ignore again.
She fit naturally beside men like that.
Young.
Confident.
Attractive.
Meanwhile Amit still felt like a man constantly trying to earn the right to stand next to her.
That evening, during dinner at the overwater restaurant, Amit became unusually quiet.
Anupama noticed after a while.
“You’ve barely spoken.”
“I’m talking.”
“No,” she said gently. “You’re thinking.”
Amit looked away toward the dark ocean outside.
The truth sat heavily inside him, too embarrassing to admit aloud.
For the first time since their marriage, he understood something terrifying:
No amount of money could stop the world from comparing him to men like Jack.
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