By Syed Majid Gilani
Not every bond is built on love and warmth. Sometimes, it’s merely a shadow of what it should have been — a connection soaked in pain, not affection. This is the story of such a bond — a loveless, silent relationship where one heartbeat with hope while the other had long stopped caring.
From the beginning, Muskaan’s indifference was unmistakable. She never offered Sahil the love or warmth he longed for. Though not outwardly cruel, her cold distance made it clear: her heart was never truly in it. Her silence, her emotional detachment, and her guarded behavior silently conveyed a harsh truth — there was no place for him in her world. Yet Sahil stayed, clinging to hope, believing that his love could someday bridge the growing chasm.
Muskaan’s aloofness wasn’t a temporary phase — it was a wall she built deliberately. In subtle ways, she tried to provoke Sahil, hoping he’d give up and walk away. But he didn’t. He loved her too deeply. He believed that with enough patience, love could melt even the coldest heart. Behind his back, Muskaan weaved quiet schemes and played cruel emotional games, yet nothing broke his spirit.
Sahil held on to the belief that love could conquer all. He endured her coldness, her detachment, and her silence. He thought if he remained kind and patient, one day she would recognize his worth. But her emotional distance gradually became a silent form of cruelty. Even then, Sahil kept trying, hoping his unwavering love might one day thaw her frozen heart.
He poured every ounce of his being into the marriage, giving his time, his energy, and his soul to a bond that was slowly crumbling. Every kind gesture was met with apathy. Every word of affection fell on deaf ears. Still, he hoped. Still, he believed.
But deep within, he always knew the painful truth — Muskaan had checked out long ago. She had emotionally and physically distanced herself, leaving him alone in a lifeless marriage.
The reality was harsh: Muskaan’s heart never belonged to Sahil. She carried an air of arrogance, coldness, and quiet contempt for him. Sahil had realized it early, but chose to suffer in silence — not for himself, but for the sake of his children. He endured the emotional neglect, fearing that separation would tear apart the family and scar their innocent lives. But Muskaan used even the children as weapons in her unspoken war — poisoning their hearts against the very man who had devoted his life to them.
Muskaan had never wanted to marry Sahil. It was a forced union, a decision made by her family. They stood by her throughout, knowing she had never truly accepted her husband. Sahil, on the other hand, had fallen for her at first sight. He thought she loved him too. But her actions — her frequent visits to her parents’ home, her avoidance of his calls, her emotional withdrawal — told a different story.
Her coldness wasn’t just the absence of affection; it was a constant, deliberate rejection. The bedroom Sahil had lovingly created for her became a stark reminder of his loneliness — a space where his love found no echo. No matter how deeply he cared, he remained unloved.
As the years passed, Sahil was forced to confront the reality he had long denied. His love had become a burden. His sacrifices only widened the gap between them. His patience and loyalty, which once held the marriage together, were now wearing thin. Piece by piece, the relationship crumbled, and Sahil’s heart bore the weight of every silent wound.
But in those quiet moments of despair, something inside him began to shift. He realized that holding on to a loveless relationship wasn’t strength — it was self-destruction. The marriage he had sustained through sheer will had long since lost its soul.
For the first time, Sahil understood that healing would only begin with letting go. It wasn’t an easy realization. Memories of the rare happy days and dreams of growing old together still haunted him. But deep down, he knew — Muskaan had made her choice long ago. And had she spoken honestly, had she shared her truth early on, they could have been spared years of silent suffering.
Though the wounds of the past would remain a part of Sahil’s story, he chose not to let them define him. He decided to walk the hard road of healing — unsure if he would ever fully recover, or if the scars would stay with him forever.
Whether his children would one day see the truth and return to the roots of their father’s love, only time will tell. As for Muskaan and those who supported her cold cruelty, what fate they meet in the Apex Court of Allah’s justice — is for the Almighty to decide.
Author is a government officer and a writer who reflects on human emotions, family bonds, moral values, and heartfelt experiences drawn from real life. He can be reached at syedmajid6676@gmail.com