Kayal had one dream growing up — to marry Arjun.

Her cousin. Her first love. Her everything.

Everyone in the family knew it. Everyone said they'd end up together. So she believed it too.

But on the day of their wedding, dressed in silk and bangles, just minutes away from tying the knot, Arjun disappeared.

All he left was a letter.

No goodbye. No explanation. Just one decision that shattered her heart and crushed her strength.

And before she could even take a breath, everything changed.

They made her marry Ezhil — Arjun’s younger brother.

The boy she used to fight with over TV remotes. The one she teased and ignored.

But that day, he was the one who stepped in. Quietly. Without fuss. Without complaints.

And now, she was his wife.

There was no love between them. Just awkward silences, stolen glances, and two people stuck in a marriage they never imagined.

What Kayal didn’t know was — Ezhil had loved her for years.

He just never thought he’d get the chance to stand beside her.

Now that he did, he didn’t want to force anything.
He just wanted to stay.
And maybe… give her the time to see him. Really see him.

This isn’t a perfect love story.
It’s a slow one.
A real one.

About two people who never saw each other that way—until fate pushed them closer.

And one quiet boy who had always waited...
Even when he wasn’t chosen first.

🌸 Note: In certain South Indian traditions, marriage between a girl and her mother’s brother’s son (cross-cousin) is a culturally accepted and legally valid practice in India.

                            Tropes

Professor x student

Forced Arranged marriage

Sunshine x Sunshine

One side love

He fell first x She fell harder

Love after marriage

Slowburn

South Indian Cross cousin trope (cultural and legal)