I could spend only 17 days with my wife’: How COVID-19 worsens separation anxiety for ‘married bachelors’ in the UAE

I could spend only 17 days with my wife’: How COVID-19 worsens separation anxiety for ‘married bachelors’ in the UAE

"I could spend only 17 days with my wife," said Asad Parvez, an expatriate in Dubai since 2009, while recounting the early years of his marriage and life away from family. Asad is among thousands of 'married bachelors' around the world who choose to live alone in a different country to make a living. 'Married bachelors' are everywhere, but more so in developed countries, moving in from developing nations due to financial constraints. Staying away from family to eke out a living got more frustrating with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many to rely on the only option to stay connected: Video calling. We at Gulf News look at the troubles and turbulences in the lives of married bachelors and their quest for happiness away from family. Rajeev Pillai has lived in the UAE for 24 years and had enjoyed living with his wife and two children for 15 years after his marriage. For the past three years, though, he has had to go back to his bachelorhood, but this time as a 'married bachelor'. "We had enjoyed a happy family life for 15 years," recollects Rajeev. "We were living in a two-bedroom apartment. My children were going to