What is a love affair?

Here are some definitions…

As per Google

A romantic or sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other.

Google also says on the first page.

‘intense enthusiasm or liking for something’

Merriam-Webster

Romantic attachment or episode between lovers.

A lively enthusiasm.

Cambridge Dictionary

Romantic and sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other.

Strong liking for a particular activity or a place.

Collins Dictionary

Romantic and usually sexual relationship between two people who love each other but who are not married or living together.

To like something and be enthusiastic about it.

What does a love affair mean?

Online definitions are usually a reflection of what the society thinks and wants. This has been the norm even with the old offline dictionaries. The society stands on some foundations and institutions. Marriage is an important pillar in every society. Defiance to any such norm will be met with reprisals.

All definitions necessitate that both the people involved in an affair have to be married but not to each other. Is it then acceptable if one or both are unmarried?

The second definition is more interesting because it suggests that one person can be enthusiastic about the other.

Almost everyone insists that the relationship has to be romantic and sexual in nature for it to be deemed as a love affair.

Two things are pretty clear, first, society does not want the definition of love affair to be an interpretation. Second, as long as society exist, an affair will be looked down upon.

A love affair is a …

It is a form of protest against the rules set by the society. For the ones indulging in breaking rules, this one forms at the top of the list.

It is the statement by the people who believe that happiness is theirs for the taking. It is not for those who take what comes their way. Marriage is a form of compromise but it is still the best way to lead a happy life. The only problem with a marriage is that it is a gamble. Both love marriages as well as arrange marriages are a gamble.

It is a connection between two people. It need not be romantic or sexual in nature. But why has society branded it as such. Because there is this apprehension of the elders that any such connection between married people might lead to a love affair. But if two people are already in a relationship such as marriage, is it going to be threatened by another relationship.

It is a feeling of enthusiasm and excitement towards another person. We are now entering into the realm of a relationship totally non sexual in nature. This kind of relationship opens up large number of possibilities because this relationship never enters the boring territory.

It is a finite episode. Hard to believe, but if the definitions are right, then you have to consider the possibility that a love affair is limited time. Make the most of it.

Where love affairs tend to go wrong

Either one of the partner involved wants to keep it short term. In that case the other one is cheating or faking it. Even if there would be love involved, it finally ends up in a heartbreak.

People do not consider the consequences with families involved.

One of the person involved starts re-loving his or her spouse. Try to gauge the interest levels to decide how to respond. This is the most important possibility you need to consider.

If it were just an attraction or a fling, then a love affair will definitely result in disastrous consequences. There is one exception though, if the attraction is genuine and the spark was always there.

Conclusion

Society will cling onto things which help it not to fall apart. In case of attraction and liking, there is no match for an intimate connection. All great relationships begin with a great conversation. Love in that case happens to the saffron that sweetens the whole thing.

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