THE CHALLENGE OF LONELINESS AND LOYALTY IN LONG-DISTANCE MARRIAGES

Artist's Impression of Husband and Wife.

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A 78-year-old man has been struggling with loneliness since his wife, aged 65, traveled abroad three months ago to care for their daughter who recently had a baby. She is expected to return after this period. During her absence, the only people living with him are a maid, a driver, and a cook, all residing in the boys’ quarters behind his bungalow. The elderly man expresses deep discomfort and emotional coldness without his wife’s presence. He now contemplates marrying a second wife because his wife has indicated she might extend her stay abroad to four months. Despite his Christian faith, which forbids polygamy, he insists that if she does not return within the agreed three months, he will disregard these religious constraints and find another woman to keep him company. He explains that the maid and cook cannot fulfill the emotional and personal care his wife provides, emphasizing that the unique bond and affection he shares with his wife cannot be replaced. When asked if his threat to remarry was merely a tactic to hasten his wife’s return, he admitted it was, but also warned he might follow through if his plea is ignored. Having spent most of his life with his wife and never living apart for extended periods, the man finds the current separation particularly difficult. His wife, while also unhappy about the distance, seems less troubled by the situation. Nonetheless, his loneliness does not justify seeking companionship outside his marriage. While long separations are challenging for couples, resorting to new relationships as a remedy for loneliness is not advisable. Such actions often lead to a desire for even more companionship, complicating the situation further. Ultimately, one partner’s embrace cannot be easily replaced, and seeking multiple relationships may only deepen emotional complexities rather than resolve them.