Silent Suffering: Mohi’s Struggle in a Loveless Marriage

Vinesh the ‘Vinashak husband’, was less emotional, less concerned and with only a minuscule understanding of the love, support and emotions of his better half, Mohi. He behaved unlike a validating or passionate husband, yet Mohi, ever faithful and obedient-a Sati Savitri evokes trust in the relation of this pious wedlock.

This is a story of a woman struggling with a lack of emotional support from her husband. Mohi, a mother of three children, felt increasingly isolated and unheard within her marriage. Vinesh, her husband seemed detached and unwilling to provide the emotional support she desperately needed from time to time from the day one of their marriage. The gap between them was not due to age but was mainly due to her husband’s qualification of having passed the 12^th standard, while Mohi only had passed 9^th class at the time of their marriage. Handsome amount of cash and promised dowry was given to her in-laws, considering this background.

Vinesh was sent for higher studies and a technical training outside the country immediately after having the third child. Things changed drastically: Mohi was left alone and that too in a very limited accommodation provided by her in-laws, marking the beginning of cruelty from their side. This led to profound loneliness and a growing sense of disconnect .With no support from her husband’s parents, Mohi was left to bear the emotional burden alone.

Mohi and her selfish, cunning, wicked husband Vinesh had been married for almost seven years now, time filled with less joys and more challenges to keep this relation intact. Though in this period, God bestowed her with three children and a comfortable life, but beneath the surface Mohi felt a growing sense of emptiness. She yearned for a deeper connection with her husband, for someone to truly understand and validate her emotions, but this unscrupulous husband often seemed distant and unengaged, particularly when she tried to share her thoughts and feelings.

One evening, before her husband’s permanent departure to a foreign destination, after a long day at work and dealing with the kids as usual, Mohi felt overwhelmed and wanted to talk to Vinesh about her frustrations.

She sat down beside him on the couch, ready to share her feelings, but as soon as she started to speak, he interrupted her with a dismissive negation and timid expression, “Don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine.” Mohi felt her heart sink. She tried again, explaining how she felt stressed and needed some support, but this venomous husband simply sighed and changed the radio channel he was listening to, showing no sympathy or any concern towards her.

This pattern repeated itself time and time again. Whether it was a difficult day at work, a challenging situation with the kids, or simply a need to connect and share her emotions, this selfish person, her husband, often responded with silence, dismissiveness or a change of subject. Mohi felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells, afraid to express her feelings for fear of being met with indifference or negativity.

The lack of emotional support from him began to take a toll on her. She started to withdraw, feeling increasingly lonely and disconnected. She found herself seeking comfort and validation from friends and family on her parental side, especially her mother, brothers and two of her older married sisters and their husbands. She began to feel like she was living a parallel life with her husband, sharing a house and children, but not a genuine connection.

One day, Mohi had a breakdown. She burst into tears, overwhelmed by the weight of her feelings. This idiot husband, seeing her distress, simply stared at her with a blank expression, saying nothing. Mohi felt a deep sense of despair, realising that she was not only emotionally neglected but also unheard and unseen. She now had to face the cruelty of her in-laws as well and her husband in particular. Every day, every moment was a quarrelsome juncture in that house now.

Mohi knew she had to make a change. She decided to seek legal and professional help, hoping to improve her marriage and regain the emotional connection, she so desperately craved. She also began to prioritise her own needs and well-being, taking steps to build a stronger support system outside of her marriage.

The journey wouldn’t be easy, but Mohi with dint of her courage and conviction was determined to find a way to heal and rebuild her life. She hoped that by addressing the lack of emotional support in her marriage, she could find a path towards a more permanent departure from emotions.

With a permanent financial crisis and three children to look after, Mohi started a meagre job, barely making ends meet. Her in-laws started teasing her constantly and one morning asked her to leave the house. Desperate, she left the house permanently. This was not the end of the sorrows and sufferings. Her in-laws brought her to court and snatched her male child forcing her to accept dictated conditions. Her in laws were very cruel and ruthless.

This gave idiot Vinesh an opportunity to enjoy his time with friends and people around him and he began an extra marital affair started with his ex-girlfriend. Vinesh would enjoy the time in and out but would not bother about his legitimate wife and the children. This gave birth to a situation we call as Deferred Divorce agreement or illegal relation.

Reflecting on Mohi’s story, it’s clear that relationship breakdowns and infidelity are rarely simple, and every couple faces unique challenges.

What do you think are the most significant factors that lead to emotional distance or betrayal in a marriage?

Have you experienced or witnessed similar struggles?

Mohi’s journey reminds us that many people silently face hardship in their relationships. How can couples rebuild trust and connection and is separation sometimes the only answer?

Cultural expectations, family pressures and the stigma around divorce also play a role. How do you think these factors shape our choices?

What solutions or support systems could help people like Mohi, and how can communities better support those facing marital difficulties?

We invite you to share your thoughts, advice and stories in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other and explore how to build stronger, healthier relationships together.