He deserved to be slapped. Even as a woman, Nalini had never been spoken to so rudely or insulted so casually. The women in her family were strong and respected; they carried the bloodline forward. Even when her parents argued, she couldn't have imagined her father speaking to her mother in such a cold, disrespectful way. She would have slapped him. Instead of doing the same, Nali curled her fingers into her palms and lowered her eyes. She had to be patient; her parents had been together for years, she had no idea what their marriage had started like.
She could do that; she was reassuring herself that she could keep herself from reacting poorly, perhaps with teeth or claws, if he spoke to her like that again, when he continued. Her eyes ticked toward him, remaining lowered, watching just from the corners – a little suspicious, truth be told. He had seemed gentle before, after all. As for what he meant to do, Nali let the lie pass without challenging it – he had intended to do just what he did, but maybe just thinking better of it was enough for now. He was struggling with their situation, that was clear. Giving him a break was a kindness she could manage.
When he extended his hands, she paused only for a few seconds before laying hers in his open palms, easing closer until she could look up into his eyes. His unease made her want to comfort him, but there was no way she could offer that. Not at the moment, at least. "I suppose... that I see these things as blessings, rather than chains? I don't know what your life in America was like, but all I have known is family. Coming here seems like... such an adventure. To be able to travel, to see so much, and honor my family at the same time... it is a great gift to me. And you..." She took a deep breath, then raised up onto her toes in order to lean her forehead against his. "The gods put us together. I trust that. I will do what I can to make you happy, Ranveer, and if I can't..."
Nali had meant to offer him the opportunity for at least part of the life that he wanted, doing as he wished. But her more primal nature bristled at the thought. "...then I will at least try not to make you miserable," she finished instead. Clearly she would need to turn over the idea of what, exactly, would bring him some peace – and what she would be able to stomach.