Trust and Loyalty are the two strong-holds of a relationship that keep it safe and secure. Any digression into the forbidden realms of infidelity causes a relationship to collapse and break down. Infidelity is likened to a temptation that will allure the best of people into committing treachery to their beloved.
People who fall a prey to this temptation face consequences of failed relationships, estranged lovers and shattered conviction. However people who are able to stand strong in times when opportunities for infidelity strike their door have long-lasting and promising relationships.
The choices that a person makes when confronted with the ‘illicit’ is what guides the future consequences. A person’s choice can either ‘make’ or ‘break’ a relationship. At times, the way towards infidelity may seem as the easiest path but one must not forget that it is not the righteous path. The path of honouring one’s fidelity and loyalty is a tough one to tread but it promises eternal relationships.
Honesty in relationship demands people to overcome the urge of falling into the temptation of the taboo. Some people transgress the lines of fidelity intentionally while others fall a prey to it reluctantly. Nonetheless the consequences of infidelity on a relationship are the hardest part to deal with.
Initially, the exhilaration of the fling takes over one’s ability to think in terms of right and wrong. But once the initial thrill fades away, one comes to realize the seriousness of the situation and the damage it can cause to one’s prized relationships. Infidelity affects the traitor and the betrayed, but in different ways. However the damage that it causes to the relationship is irrevocable.
The Traitor
The temptation of the illicit invokes intense feelings and enticing thoughts that make it alluring and irresistible. As a result, a person becomes an easy prey to the enticement and eagerly holds on to the temptation, not wanting to let it go. Though deep down in one’s heart, one knows that the choices that one is making will have detrimental consequences yet the hold of the lure is so strong that one would rather bury one’s head in the sand like an ostrich instead of acknowledging the awfulness of the act and retreating one’s step on the path of fidelity.
During this time, the self-serving capacity which believes in fulfilling one’s own desires becomes potent over every other thought. The voice of the rational mind which warns again and again of the results of one’s action is silenced by one’s desires and exhilaration. The intention of the traitor may not be to hurt one’s beloved but the foolish belief that one’s infidelity will never be revealed and no one shall get hurt takes precedence over one’s better-judgement.
The forbidden fruit of infidelity lures an otherwise responsible and intelligent person in acting like a fickle and juvenile adolescent. But when the time comes to face the mirror and confess one’s transgression, the reflection stares back at the person with eyes full of resentment and shame. Even if the results of one’s action remain concealed, the revulsion, shame and regret will come to the fore once a person has woken up from the trance. It is easy to lie to the entire world but to lie to oneself is impossible. Nothing can undo the damage of one’s action at that time or wipe off the slate clean.
You might feel sorry for your deeds and plead to get a second chance to mend what you have broken, but trust once broken is hard to get back. Every blow of disloyalty on a relationship is like a wound which may heal with time but leaves a permanent scar which cannot fade away.
The Betrayed
The person at the receiving end of the blow suffers the most as she is ditched by the person she trusted most. The infidelity comes as a stab in the back, at a time, you least expected it and from the person whom you trusted above yourself. The perfidy leaves the betrayed with a million questions that fail to explain why she suffered the misfortune.
It shatters her heart and wounds her ego. The fact that she was duped by the one person whom she considered as her better half fills her heart with revulsion and disgust. But the most agonizing part is to mend the broken pieces of her heart which forget to trust and love again.
Every single moment of the time spent with the traitor comes as a huge slap on the face tarnishing her memories and reminding her of the hypocrisy. The bitter truth of infidelity is hard to swallow and gets stuck in the throat. Someone people choose to remember the infidelity with feelings of revenge and hatred while others endeavour to move on in life. But the scars are etched deeply in their minds and become a reminder of the bitter past.
The Consequences
The aftermath of the infidelity is a difficult one to cope with. At one end, you are afraid to leave your partner and move into a new relationship and at the other end, you fear losing the thrill that this fling gave you. You try hard to undo the damage but none of your actions can undone the agony which you inflicted on your beloved or ease your disgust at yourself.
Once again you will be forced to make choices. Whichever path you choose, let your allegiance be completely towards a single person so that at least you are faithful in one of the relationships. And if you are at the receiving end, allow time to heal your wounds.
Give yourself another chance and move ahead in life. Don’t allow one act of infidelity from your partner to ruin your life forever. Once your pain has eased, allow love to heal your scars. Carrying the resentment will tarnish your present and your future relationships. Feelings of revenge can calm you albeit temporarily. Peace cannot be realized until and unless you allow the antipathy and bitterness wash away from your body.
