Love Story of Emotion: A Hug from Behind
They had been married for five years. Five years is neither long nor short, but it’s more than enough time to bury a once-passionate love. In the early days of their marriage, they often quarreled, tasting the bitterness of emotional breakdown amidst the heated arguments. Over time, they grew indifferent to these conflicts, not wanting to exhaust themselves anymore. Whenever one was in a bad mood, the other would naturally retreat to give space.
They learned to tolerate each other, which led to more compromise. They thought this would make life happier together, but some things remain just wishful thinking. On some nights, as they lay on their spacious bed, their eyes would occasionally meet, and they would exchange a brief smile. One would reach out, patting the other’s hand or cheek as a sign of acknowledgment, and then they would turn over and drift off to sleep separately.
One day, she told him a story about a couple. The husband was always busy, rushing out early and coming back late, rarely expressing love to his wife. One morning, as the husband hurried to leave with his briefcase, his wife blocked the door, not letting him out. Growing frustrated, he tried to push past her, but she softly said, “Can’t you just hug me and move me out of the way?” The husband stood still for a moment, then embraced her tightly in his arms…
As she told the story, tears briefly shimmered in her eyes, but unfortunately, he didn’t notice. Or perhaps he did, but pretended not to. He smiled, just as he did whenever she finished any story, signaling his interest, and then his expression dimmed. He tucked his briefcase under his arm, opened the door, and left. The fresh morning sunlight poured into the room, but she felt dizzy under its brightness. Was the once-heart-stirring love now reduced to the absence of even a gentle hug?
He was a man who seldom expressed his feelings, while she was a woman who longed to be noticed. Many men and women in the world follow this path, moving in opposite directions. He couldn’t quite tell if he still loved her or not. Love demands fervent expressions, while affection, perhaps, only requires a simple pat on the hand or cheek.
When feelings become too dull, it’s often the woman who steps forward to play the role of savior. She started to make efforts, hoping to keep the family together. Just like in the story she had told, when he was about to leave one day, she blocked the door, not letting him go. She smiled, and he smiled too. Her smile was a bit childish and playful, while his was tinged with helpless affection. At moments like this, he would turn her around and gently hug her from behind, but he rarely faced her directly and never met her gaze. Watching him leave, the “playful” smile on her face would slowly give way to disappointment.
She had thought about leaving, but it wasn’t easy. Every time she made up her mind to walk away, he would drop everything and hold her tightly around the waist, preventing her from moving. They would stand frozen at the door, his forehead pressed hard against her back, firm and resolute. Over time, her heart would soften, and she would always pry his hands off and obediently return to the house.
I wonder, how many men with complicated feelings are hugging their tearful wives at this very moment—one unwilling to let go, and the other desperate to escape. Is this hug from behind really a way to keep the love alive? And how long can a love that’s being held onto last? The vanity of a man and the determination of a woman continue to play out in endless cycles around us. What I want to say is, in such moments, why can’t he just face her and hug her directly? At least then, they could see each other’s true emotions. And what problem can’t be confronted once you truly face each other?
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
