Why did the author not notice signs in the house that Pi was married?

The author didn't see signs that Pi was married because he wasn't looking for them.

This house is more than a box full of icons. I start noticing small signs of conjugal existence. They were there
all along, but I hadn't seen them because I wasn't looking for them.
He's a shy man. Life has taught him not to show off what is most precious to him.