Almost two and a half decades ago, I remember how my Father summoned me into his office without any prior notice, I hurriedly went to his office without any second thoughts as I knew how he would react if I were only a minute late

Once I entered Father’s office, there, I saw you for the very first time, looking straight at my Father with your calm and composed look while I slightly pant from my hurried brisk walking

Father introduced me to you as we shook our hands, I felt how soft and delicate your tiny hand was with a hint of firmness behind that handshake. It was a core memory of mine

Later on, I found out that both our Fathers made a deal for us to get married, basically an arranged marriage

We both did not mind the outcome and burden of shouldering our family’s responsibilities after getting engaged and married in the first few years, I honestly even thought that we had that “fondness” and “spark”

Now, I am left wondering where that “spark” had gone off to

We don’t talk that much compared to years ago, spending only a little over two hours per day with limited conversation between those hours

I began questioning myself these days

“Was there a spark to begin with? Or was all of that.. just a façade?” I thought to myself as we ate at the dining table

I was so sure that I'll never hear silence quite this loud, however, I am proven wrong, almost every time