31 Days Later

sesungguhnya realiti itu tidak indah;

"Okay Yang (read as darling in Malay), today I'm gonna explain to you about one of the biggest events there is in Wrestling."

"Is this about Royal Rumble again?"

"No, that was in January. I'm talking about WWE's flagship event, WRESTLEMANIA."

I stare at Ahin. His chest puffed out, nose flaring, eyes glowing as he raised his clenched fists above his head. Clearing his throat, he deepened his voice and points his finger at me.

"ARE YOU REAAAAAADY?"

I nod my head slowly as he excitedly  plopped himself beside me under the covers and started showing me a video John Oliver made on the topic to give me a background on the events that will be occurring on Monday.

It's been 31 days since this man became my legally wedded husband. Yet, to be honest it has only been a week since we've started living together and sharing domestic life. It was tempting at first, that feeling of wanting to do everything together. It somehow felt like New Year's Day. So much excitement in starting this new journey. This new chapter.

People call it the honeymoon phase, and most of them will tell you that it won't last long and that it will  eventually fade away.

"The honeymoon phase always ends, for everyone. " 

- Rose Leslie

It got me wondering then, what lies after the honeymoon? Are all couples doomed to sooner or later detest eachother? And if you don't end up despising eachother and stay happy with somewhat normal marital problems that occur in any marriage, what do you call that then? Sure, Lily Aldrin tells us that what's after that is the best part ( refer episode Bagpipes, HIMYM). So in theory in should be better than the honeymoon right? What is it then? 

The thought bothered me for a while each time a small conflict arises between us.

"This is it. This is what they were talking about. The honeymoon is over and we are never gonna be this happy again."

Yet simultaneously as this happens, I also find us turning towards eachother again and trying to work things out. I know in my heart that it's not true.

All this talk about being in a certain phase made me feel like I was just waiting for an expiry date on my happiness. I understand that things will get real, and difficult times will arise, but maybe people can stay in love without worrying that it will one day end or disappear. I mean, do people who celebrate their 30th Wedding Anniversary celebrate that they made it through life together or do they celebrate that they survived living with eachother?

Perhaps we still are in the honeymoon phase. Considering how optimistic I am. It's only been 31 days after all. Who knows. And at this point, perhaps it's not even that important anymore.

Either way, regardless of whatever or how long this phase might last or end, there's one thing that I've come to know and be confidently sure about after all this;

Wrestlemania is on Monday and fans need to raise their voice on the welfare of their favourite wrestlers. Seriously, how can they be considered independent contractors! 

Oh, and also that I love my husband Ooi Kok Hin.

Here's to 31 days and beyond love.