Without even removing his shoes or coat, he burst through the door and exclaimed, “Lena! We need to have a serious talk…” His eyes, already wide open, grew even larger as he rushed to add, “I’m in love!”
Lena’s first thought was, “Well, looks like the infamous midlife crisis has come knocking at our door. Hello, old friend…” She kept silent but stared at her husband more intently than she had in years—possibly five, six, or even eight years.
They say a person’s entire life flashes before their eyes at the brink of death; for Lena, it was her shared years with her husband that began to flicker through her mind. Their meeting was quite ordinary—an online acquaintance. She had shaved three years off her age; he had added three centimeters to his height. Through these slight alterations, they barely matched each other’s search criteria and eventually found one another.
Lena could no longer recall who initiated the first message, but she distinctly remembered that his letter was free from crudeness and carried a playful self-irony, something that immediately attracted her. At thirty-three, with average looks, she realistically assessed her prospects in the dating world. Feeling she was, if not last, then near the back of the line, she decided to hold her tongue on the first date, listen attentively, wear rose-colored glasses and delicate lingerie, and carry homemade cookies plus a volume of Turgenev in her handbag.
Their first meeting went surprisingly smoothly—proof that dressing in the right way truly matters. Their romance blossomed swiftly and passionately.
Their mutual interest created a strong bond, overcoming parental pressure for grandchildren. After six months of regular encounters, her fiancé gathered courage and proposed. Both families were introduced quickly. The couple’s wish for an intimate wedding with close relatives was wholeheartedly accepted by their parents. To prevent any second thoughts, they booked the earliest free day for the ceremony.
Life together, as Lena perceived it, was quite comfortable. Their household climate resembled a tropical environment with minor seasonal changes—lacking the fiery drama of African savannahs but marked by harmony and respect. Could one ask for more?
Her husband, a typical male, dropped his pretentious ’empathetic, gentle, romantic sober macho with golden hands’ persona just weeks after their wedding. He revealed himself simply as a hardworking and caring man in comfortable sweatpants.
Lena, representing the more complex female half of their union, gradually loosened the tight corset of her previous ‘silently alluring, sexy, intellectual homemaker’ image. This transformation accelerated rapidly due to a pregnancy, and within a year, she joyfully abandoned her fragmented façade and slipped into a cozy housecoat.
- Despite shedding their artificial personas, none fled from the relationship.
- Neither spouse demanded changes or cast blame.
- This mutual acceptance reinforced Lena’s conviction in their marital choice.
Household routines and raising two children born in close succession sometimes rocked their marital boat. However, no shipwreck ever occurred. When the storms calmed, they resumed their steady, peaceful journey through life together.
They were fortunate to have doting grandparents aiding whenever possible. Both climbed their career ladders slowly but surely, while making time to travel, indulge their hobbies, and nurture their relationship without straying from average societal norms.
Now, after twelve years of marriage, Lena’s husband had never been caught in infidelity or even light flirting. Lena herself wasn’t a jealous partner, so he could have allowed minor flirtations without triggering disputes. She imagined him flirting and chuckled internally at the absurd and amusing vision. This was because, after several failed attempts at giving conventional compliments early in their relationship, her husband switched tactics. He began to compliment her silently—either by wide-eyed expressions or inaudible ultrasonics that Lena couldn’t detect—his eyes bulging like a slow loris.
Over time, Lena mastered interpreting the spectrum of emotions in her husband’s eyes—from wild admiration to quiet approval, surprise, confusion, and even disapproval. She pictured him, eyes widening more and more, as he complimented some rat.
Feeling her throat dry at the thought of him morphing into a loris, Lena nervously smiled and whispered:
“So, what’s your rat’s name?”
Her husband’s eyes seemingly popped out, and he shuddered, stammered, and breathlessly exclaimed:
“What? How… how did you guess I’m in love with a rat?! Wow… You’re unbelievable. I just couldn’t pass by her. I was stunned the moment I saw her. Look at her—so soft, lovely, delicate… she reminds me of you.”
Then he pulled out from under his jacket a small grey rat with translucent pink ears, a pink nose, and shiny black bead-like eyes.
From that moment on, Lena could not hear anything else. She gazed affectionately at her husband, his new furry companion, and their mutual affection. She felt immense happiness that he had fallen in love with this little rat who so closely resembled her.
In summary, this story highlights the unexpected turns in long-term relationships, the importance of genuine acceptance, and the simple joys that sustain a marriage through life’s seasons. Lena and her husband exemplify enduring love grounded in understanding and warm companionship, even when surprises arise.