Love Fades, Can It Reignite?

At one stage, Ethan felt real love was more powerful than any force. If two people were determined to stay together, they would search for ways to keep their connection alive through the daily challenges. Still, after ten years with Maya, Gus realized that belief was just a romantic idea he had written down as a college student when everything seemed possible, and his hormones ran high.

One Friday evening, he stood in the kitchen looking at the stove. While the linguine was softly cooked in a pot, the garlic shrimp bred nicely in a pan. Candlelight glowed, and the sound of Miles Davis came from the Bluetooth speaker. He grabbed a Chianti bottle and red tiramisu from the nearby Italian deli.

It was about time for Maya to return from college. He sent a message saying: "Today's dinner is ready." Let's not invite anyone else in this evening. I hope everything is okay with you. All she sent was a thumbs-up emoji.

Even without noticing, Ethan felt his heart lightening as soon as she walked in. She had her hair in a ponytail, while her shirt was only half tucked because she had a hectic day. Rasmus welcomed her by kissing her on her cheek.

"That smells wonderful," she said, putting down her bag. Even though we were ready for a meal, Tina ignored the table and went for the fridge, bringing out a Tupperware container. Is the chicken we bought on Wednesday still suitable for eating? What can I have for lunch tomorrow?

Ethan blinked. "I… took care of cooking dinner for us."

"Oh. Right. Sorry. I didn't even stop to think." "Your poem is really nice, Ethan. Thank you."

While they had supper, there was little speaking and much more rattling of silverware and glasses. She answered his questions about her day shortly. He complimented her earrings; she didn't hear him the first time.

After finishing the dishes and putting Maya to sleep on her laptop, Ethan sat on the couch and aimlessly browsed his phone. He didn't want another evening where things were lovely and tension-free, like house-sharing buddies.

There wasn't just one event that ruined their relationship. No significant betrayal or breaking apart has taken place. On the whole, the process involved a slow gnawing away at the institution. Love had given way to day-to-day duties. Taking care means getting badgered about it. Even the thought of sex was something he had stopped dreaming about, and when he tried touching her hip while they were in bed, she sighed and ignored him.

He was lonely. Achingly lonely.

The following week, Ethan visited the indie and watched a showing of Before Sunrise, which had long been one of his movies. He spontaneously went to the show, and he had almost finished his popcorn when he heard someone calling him.

"Ethan?"

He turned his head, and for a brief moment, he didn't know who the woman was standing behind him. Immediately, her smile came on, and I could see it was her again.

"Lila?"

She laughed. "Wow. Twelve years already, right?

"At least." He hugged her and was amazed at how warm it made him feel. Lila resembled her former self: her auburn hair always on one side, those lovable dimples coming out to play when she smiled, the broad smile that always made him feel like a hero.

The two stayed close during the movie, whispering now and then and always chuckling at the events they recalled together. Once they finished, they headed to a nearby café, just as they did in college, filling those hours with laughter.

Lila worked as a freelance photographer in Seattle for many years before returning to town. There was never a partner in her life. Never did exist.

As they had coffee, she said to Ethan, "You look good this morning." "I hope you're feeling happy."

He hesitated. "I'm married."

It took her some time to respond. It's not the answer to my question.

His eyes looked elsewhere, feeling sorry for showing how he felt at her question. "It's… complicated."

Ethan and Daniel talked for another hour, and after one last hug, he realized he was nervous. He told himself again that it was not because he was attracted to her but from nostalgia. What could have should have been.

However, they started spending more time together. At the start, everything happened by simple chance, such as seeing each other at the grocery store or the farmer's market. After that, it was done by choice. Instead of saying, "Let's catch up again," he swapped it for "Would you like to meet for a drink?"

Ethan always felt his comfort increasing whenever they met. Lila was the one person he could laugh around with freely. He complained about his job, his lack of progress on his book, and his house's emptiness. She paid full attention, and there was something warm and appealing about her.

They chose a park bench overlooking the lake to spend their evening there. Golden rays from the sun lit up the water as it lowered over the sea.

Did you ever wonder how things could have worked out if we hadn't separated? Lila asked.

It took Ethan's breath away. He understood it would be safer to say something that was not close. But he whispered, "All the time."

She faced him with her head close to his. There was more and more silence as time passed. Once their lips touched, it seemed gentle initially, but then they embraced it powerfully like they'd been waiting years to kiss.

Ethan found himself in Julie's bed the following morning. His clothing was arranged and neatly stacked on the chair. Lila was sleeping; she curled beside him with her hair covering the pillow like an artistic painting.

His eyes stayed on the ceiling as his heart pounded. Compared to her warm body, he felt the chill of doubt in his mind. This mistake was repeated again and again. It was something reasonable to consider. After all this, the commitment could not be reversed.

When he got home, Maya was already preparing coffee in the kitchen. She presented him with a mug without glancing at him.

"Oh, don't be late," I said.

He just nodded and said, "Yeah." He had to work longer than expected.

She acknowledged me but did not talk. This was much worse than a fight. She never seemed to be interested in what was happening around her.

After that incident, Ethan tried to go on with life as usual. Everything was just not right. He did not respond to Lila's text messages. He slowly dozed off next to Maya each night and wondered if they had given up on their marriage. He remembered all the moments when he didn't ask her what she felt or pay attention to her.

In the end, he couldn't handle carrying all this guilt.

One night, he invited Maya, saying, "Can we have a talk?"

He got a cautious look from her. "Okay."

He confessed that he hadn't been happy. "And I don't expect you to have done so, either."

She slowly nodded her head.

You and I are very far apart lately. We may share a household, but we do not know each other.

Maya bowed her head and looked at her hands. Ethan, I've been doing my best. That is true, and I look forward to it daily. However, I have felt exhausted lately. Everything is possible through effort and hard work. I didn't believe you had any interest in me either.

He answered, "Yes, I do." I am concerned about what is happening to you. There is too much I can't hide anymore.

She stiffened. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"I… I made a bad choice. I came across someone. Lila. From college."

Maya reacted as if she had been hit. "Did you both spend the night together?"

"Yes. Once. I was the one who decided to end it.

No one made a sound. She moved over to the window and embraced herself as she stood.

"I'm not sure what to say," she told them.

I don't anticipate that you will forgive me. However, I would like to learn. Should you still want to make things right with me, I promise I'll do anything I can.

Maya seemed troubled, and tears were forming in her eyes. "Are you even happy with us?"

He got closer to me. "I do. I was unable to display my feelings. This is true for me.

Both decided they would go to therapy. There was no instant solution. Often, it was as if trying to look for things that could have disappeared many years ago. Eventually, those walls were no more. Maya described how she'd felt as if she wasn't being seen by anyone. Her devotion to keeping the family going meant neglecting herself. Ethan did not interrupt Sam while he talked. He expressed his regrets, his anxiety that nobody cares and how it hurts to feel left out.

They cried. They fought. They laughed at each other's jokes again. Following dinner, they began strolling, which they hadn't done in a long time. On the tenth anniversary of their marriage, they prepared dinner and enjoyed dancing around the living room without shoes.

Ethan and Lila arranged a coffee date, and they met that afternoon. He confessed to her precisely what he was feeling.

"I let you down," he explained. "And I apologize."

She looked at him with a feeling of sadness. We were only here for a moment, Ethan. This place is indeed beautiful. However, I don't want anyone to depend on me as a means of getting away. I am not needed by you anymore.

He answered, "No." "I don't. But I will always appreciate what you did for me.

Frederick felt happier and less tense as he left the café. Details about the future hadn't been revealed, yet hope came to him for the first time.

Love was not there all the time. It represented a kind of learning activity. Tending to it was necessary, even when things would have been simpler if I had given up. Yet, in one way or another, Ethan and Maya managed to move forward and start over.

Together.