Heart is a Fool

Chapter 13: Tied in Knots

Mamta followed Ritwik to his room and tried reasoning with him. He asked her if she really believes that Palak would have really left him for money and moved on with another man. She stared at him blankly and with a stoic expression muttered that she concluded from what he has told her. She tried calling Palak but her phone was out of reach and Aman said that they have moved out from their old house. Ritwik asked her if it never occurred to her that Palak could have been under pressure to do what she did; he has loved her, lived with her and proud of her value system. 

Mamta's heart sank when she heard those words; if ever he comes to know what transpired he will not spare anyone and she will lose him for ever. Ritwik ignored her presence and stared blankly at the wall and informed her that he is not meant to be in this house and as soon as his office is sorted; he will shift out too. Mamta quickly reacted since she did not want Ritwik out of home lest Palak reaches out to him. She convinced him to to stay on here; his dad will eventually come around and she will be happy and assured that he is around. 

That evening he went out for a drink with Aman and Ananya to celebrate his success; He could not come around to tell them who the loves of his life were but they realised he was distracted, distant yet smiling since he was checking his phone frequently. Contrary to their belief he was smiling away at the pictures of his kids that Palak's dad was sending across to him.

All 3 Kids ( Piya ; Rhea and PR Associates) growing up:

Ritwik was busy completing the legal, financial paper work for PR Associates and hunting around for a small  yet suitable office. In the middle of all this; he made time to check out on the photos and videos of Palak and the girls. Gone were the days of checking out centre spread models in men's magazines ; Ritwik was turning the pages of Dr Spock's Baby and Child Care whenever he found time. He was determined to land up at Chandigarh and face Palak the following week and end this drama. Now that the kid's were happy and healthy a little bit of stress followed by immense love would not do much harm to Palak. Though Aman was eager to join him; he asked him to be around Noon Biotech and keep watch on Rishabh.

Palak was home and chatting with Setu when she came to know about PR Associates and the loves of his life. Setu told Palak to call Ritwik but she was breaking into pieces inside thinking that Ritwik had moved on without batting an eyelid. All those proclamations of loving her forever seemed as shallow as a puddle pool. She cried hysterically and was inconsolable which left her parents worried. Her parents informed Ritwik and immediately consulted the doctor who explained to them that she was suffering from Post Partum Depression. 

Ritwik and Manjeet bonding

Ritwik dashed off to Chandigarh to meet the doctor who advised Ritwik to give Palak some more time and asked him to stay away. Palak was in extreme fear of losing Ritwik and even if he came in front of her she may behave hysterically which may not be good for the children since she is feeding them. A very disheartened Ritwik hugged Manjeet when they were speaking to the doctor ; the lady who once drove him up the wall was now his much needed solace. They sat on a bench in a street corner juice centre sipping on glasses of orange juice when Manjeet decided to cheer him up and flipped out her I Pad. She proudly showed Ritwik a video of her massaging Piya and Rhea to make him happy but it turned out to be a comedy of misconceptions. Ritwik thought she was applying too much pressure and hurting them and told Manjeet 

"Mamma mere betiyon ko kuch ho gaya na; kharoch bhi ayee to mein bhool jaoonga aap kaun ho"

to which Manjeet replied in good humour 

" Teri betiyaan mere kuch nahi lagti? Palak aise hi strong nahi bani; woh sab uski Maake ke massage ki jaadoo hai"

A few people walking by turned around to watch a handsome man arguing with a shrill middle aged woman what seemed like a mother - son playful banter

Ritwik whisked Manjeet away to his car lest people gather around thinking it was some street corner comedy show. Manjeet was loud ; often had her foot in her mouth and except for that one instance when her ego had the worst of her and she sent Ritwik packing to jail; she was immensely proud of her son-in-law for everything he was

Manjeet Reaches Home :

Manjeet pressed Ritwik's palm in assurance while getting off the car; handing over the neatly packed Aloo Parathas and Pickle which she had specially made for him. Ritwik smiled out loud thinking how she remembered to feed him even though she was stressed out with Palak.  As soon as Manjeet entered their modest home, she saw Palak curled up on the reclining chair lost in thought and the children fast asleep in their crib.  She was determined to sort out her daughter's life and not let anyone ruin it not even the Noon's . 

Ritwik in Solitude:

Ritwik drove around Chandigarh and finally ended up on a bench near Sukhna Lake. The luke-warm aloo paratha's were tasty and he licked the pickle off his fingers. Any thing made with dollops of mohabbat and lots of fursaat always has a magical taste and no one knew it better than Ritwik when he used to cook for Palak.  He was enjoying his solitude when he realized that he could take a lot more liberties with Manjeet than Mamta. 

The way he interacted with Manjeet; cracking jokes at her expense, scolding her or otherwise was unthinkable with Mamta. In the last 24 years of him and Mamta bonding he never raised his voice with her, there was always a veil of subtle submission into what she said. He could never take the liberties with her that the other 4 siblings did; was it his way of expressing gratitude for giving him support when he was broken ? or was the submission out of reverence.

Would life have been different if he grew up with Geeta?

3  Messages and 1 Phone call 

He sat by the lake and sent out 3 messages to people who would be key to his life in the days to come be it personal or professional and walked back to his car with renewed energy while talking on phone about business !!