In Between Us || Zhanyi

The Fury

Under working: 15/08/2024

Once the woman leave Zhan's office, he was caught in an unexpected council meeting that stretched far beyond its scheduled time. Zhan was not just a professor but an integral part of the university's administrative board, so his present in such meetings were inevitable. By the end of it, his mind was foggy with exhaustion, and his body felt heavy with the weight of the day. He barely had the energy to think as he gathered his things and threw them carelessly into the backseat of his car. His only thought now was to get home. 

Till date Zhan had always regarded his apartment as home. He believed a place to live with all facilities should be called home but his definition of home had changed recently. Now,

Home is where Yibo would be.

Zhan had grown accustomed to Yibo's subtle presence in the house...Yibo's silent intervention in his life. Though Yibo rarely spoke, rarely engaged, just the knowledge that his husband was nearby provided Zhan with a sense of comfort. It was a quiet warmth that filled the cold spaces in Zhan's life. He didn't need conversation or grand gestures. Zhan was a man who preferred solitude, he never thought Yibo's mere existence in the house would become something so important that Zhan would look forward to after a long day of work.

He no longer like to stay back in university for longer periods after hour. At home he had stopped using his study room as much. Instead, Zhan would set up his laptop and paperwork in the living room, so he could sit in the same space as Yibo. Even if Yibo didn't acknowledge him, even if Yibo treated him like air most of the time, Zhan liked to be in close proximity. He could observe his husband in silence—Yibo's quiet determination, his independence. Zhan admired those qualities. It made Yibo unique. It made Yibo admirable in Zhan's eyes, attractive at the same time.

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They said, Love blooms from attraction....and merely it had four types or four levels......

1. Attracted to the body which is purely develops from bodily desire and sexuality. Once this desire is fulfilled for some time, the attraction tends to fade.

2. Appearance or beauty....While the attraction to physical beauty tends to last longer than bodily or sexual attraction, it too can fade over time. However, if a partner is not only attractive but also loyal and caring, the initial attraction can evolve into deeper appreciation. Many initial attractions are often rooted in appearance, but lasting connection requires more than just beauty.

3.Then comes the attraction based on personality or qualities. A person's character, talents, and abilities can create a strong and lasting appeal. Unlike physical beauty, which may fade, the admiration for someone's intelligence, kindness, or confidence tends to deepen over time. This type of attraction often forms a more stable foundation for relationships, as it is rooted in respect and shared values. It develops the other elements in the relationship that required to make the bond strong.

4.The most enduring form of attraction is the connection of the heart. This type of bond doesn't form easily—it requires time, shared experiences, and emotional growth. As feelings deepen, this connection becomes the strongest, built on trust, understanding, and emotional intimacy. Unlike other forms of attraction, which may fade, the connection of the heart only strengthens with time, creating a lasting bond that is the true foundation of a deep and meaningful relationship.