The Ups and Downs of Marriage
By Lokanath Mishra
Alekha’s father had always dreamed of finding the perfect match for his eldest son. He had envisioned a beautiful, intelligent, and charming partner who would complement Alekha’s personality and bring joy to their family. After careful consideration, he arranged a marriage with his friend’s daughter, Mona, a stunning 18-year-old girl with a bright smile and sparkling eyes.
When Alekha first met Mona, he was taken aback by her beauty and charm. At 20, he would have never imagined that he would fall in love with her so deeply. As they exchanged vows, Alekha’s world stopped for a moment, and he knew that he had made the right decision. Mona’s smile lit up the room, and her laughter was music to his ears.
The initial months of their marriage were a whirlwind of emotions. Alekha and Mona were still getting to know each other, and the excitement of their new life together was palpable. They would spend hours talking, laughing, and exploring each other’s interests. However, as time passed, Alekha started to notice the little things that drove him crazy. Mona was a clutterbug, and Alekha was a neat freak. She would leave her shoes scattered around the house, and Alekha would trip over them. She was always running late, while Alekha was punctual to a fault. These differences often led to humorous clashes, but Alekha couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
One of the biggest challenges they faced was their intimacy. Despite being married, they struggled to connect on a physical level. They would pass by each other’s bedroom, discussing various topics, but the spark was missing. Alekha couldn’t understand why Mona seemed so distant, and he felt like he was failing as a husband. He would try to initiate conversations about their intimacy, but Mona would brush it off, saying that she was tired or stressed. Alekha felt like he was walking on eggshells, never knowing how to approach the situation.
As the years passed, Alekha found himself wondering, “What the hell did I do?” more than once. He and Mona were complete opposites, and their differences often led to arguments. He would get worked up over being late, while she would calmly remind him that life would go on just fine without her. He would be emotional and expressive, while she was more laid-back and stoic.
These differences would often lead to heated debates, but Alekha couldn’t help but admire Mona’s strength and resilience.
Despite their differences, Alekha couldn’t help but love Mona. She was his rock, his confidante, and his partner in every sense of the word. When he was uptight, she would relax him with her calm demeanor. When he was stressed, she would become his anchor, keeping him grounded. Alekha realized that their differences were not weaknesses, but strengths. They complemented each other, and their love grew stronger with each passing day. He learned to appreciate Mona’s laid-back nature, and she learned to admire his punctuality. They found common ground in their shared values and interests, and their love became the foundation of their relationship.
One evening, after a silly argument, Alekha stood in the kitchen watching Mona put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. He felt a wave of gratitude and love wash over him. He thought, “She really is perfect for me. She’s the most beautiful and loving person I’ve ever known. I couldn’t imagine life without her.” In that moment, his world stopped again, and he knew that he had made the right decision in marrying her. He walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and whispered, “I love you.” Mona turned around, smiled, and replied, “I love you too.”
Loving marriages are built on at times wondering why, and then remembering. It’s about appreciating the little things, embracing the differences, and loving each other despite – or because of – the quirks and flaws. Alekha and Mona may not always see eye-to-eye, but they’ve learned to love and appreciate each other for who they are. And that’s what makes their marriage so special. As Alekha looked at Mona, he knew that their love was worth fighting for. He would continue to cherish and appreciate her, flaws and all. And as they navigated the ups and downs of life together, their love would only grow stronger.
