Heart is a Fool

Chapter 15: Some Truths Unfold

Robin had managed to get the office identified in Chandigarh and took it on lease for a year; it was not too far from where Palak lived. Ritwik completed the paperwork and got busy preparing for the start-up conference in Mumbai. While he was waiting to board his flight to Mumbai; he received a message from Vikrant that mom was not yet ready to meet him and it will happen in due course. She sends her blessings for him to succeed with PR Associates which would be her great joy. Ritwik was disappointed that Geeta had refused to meet him but in the name of Rhea and Piya he had a spring in his step.

The three days in Mumbai were an eye opener of sorts; so many young dreams and so much hope. He felt a little old while interacting with twenty somethings who were raring to go. There was so much to do and so little time. He met up with some technical whiz kids who could power his ideas and take it to the next level. His speech after his felicitation for winning the KKR prize was well appreciated by the audience. 

Rainbow Advertising & Marketing

Vivek and Aarohi argued over Ritwik and whether they should work with him specially since he has deserted Palak. Vivek was adamant and insisted that Ritwik has a heart of gold and someday with his permission he would tell some truths to Aarohi that she should know. As regards, Ritwik and Palak there must be more than what meets the eye and as of now Vivek would stand by Ritwik. 

Ritwik came over to their office in Mumbai for the meeting that he had originally planned to have in Delhi nearly a month ago.  He was largely happy with the plan that Vivek had prepared; suggested nitty gritties and gave his own ideas until they had thrashed it out to the finest detail over the next few hours. They again met the next day to discuss the commercials so that the friendship nurtured over the years between him and Vivek did not get strained. They did not want money to sour the confidence that they had in each other. 

Just before he was about to leave ; Vivek insisted that Ritwik watch the translation and subtitles of the excerpts of the documentary that Tim had sent. Ritwik wanted Tim and Vivek to sort this out between themselves since he had introduced them but after much persuasion decided to give 5 minutes to hear this lady who seemed to have gained fans in both Tim and Vivek.

Ritwik hears Geeta

The documentary started with a lady performing stretches; fencing with a partner and running across a park in Chicago which finally led to a gazebo in a perfectly manicured garden in India. Ritwik was puzzled when he saw her run; it reminded him of her racing him every morning to inspire and strengthen him. His vision was blurred for a while and he could hear someone speak of her battle with cancer and what she lost and what she gained during her journey. When he rubbed his eyes and opened them again; there she was; looking older than his sepia memories. When all the years he spent hating her; she was struggling somewhere emotionally and physically. It was her will power to be by her son who needed him kept her going through the treatment and later preventing her from remission. 

This is the second time Vivek observed Ritwik shedding tears; he though he was overwhelmed by this gritty woman's story, Ritwik stood up, dragged himself and left Vivek's office to board the cab to Mumbai airport. As tears flowed down his eyes; he felt like a loser; every time he misunderstood them ; these two strong women; Palak and Geeta ; they turned their tables on him to prove that "Shakti" manifests in women power.  God has again blessed him twice over in Rhea and Piya and he Ritwik (meaning Priest in Sanskrit) was rightly named to worship the divinity in feminine power. 

Ritwik and his Dad in Noon House

Ritwik was restless during his flight to Delhi and literally zoomed out of the airport towards Noon House. When he entered the house; he found every one gathered in the drawing room and Reeva going ga ga over Jas Khurana. Mamta asked him to join as she offered his home made Chicken Tandoori and Pakodas. He sat silently for a while munching and heard all about Jas Khurana and how he was keen to meet Ritwik more than Reeva. He did not even feel like laughing at such a sad joke and told his dad that he had to show him something personal in his library. Mamta was laying the dining table but her ears were tuned to Ritwik's words. His father wanted to hear it in front of the entire family and Mamta insisted that they do dinner first. Ritwik was very fidgety through dinner and picked on a piece of chicken like a little child. Mamta tried her best to cheer everyone up but she had knots in her stomach thinking if Ritwik and Palak had bumped into each other?

Much to his discomfort and hesitation; he played the 10 minute video on Geeta in the library. Mamta was silent, this was in line with what she had already heard from Palak. Vijay reacted like a raging bull; accusing Geeta of staging a drama; Reeva and Rishabh blamed Ritwik for creating disturbance yet again. Ritwik valiantly argued with his dad; that Geeta was saying the truth and there was no reason to disbelieve her. VP hollered at the top of his voice and stormed off followed by Reeva and Rishabh. Ritwik looked at Mamta who gave him a nod and asked him not to do stuff that affects his father's health and followed the party.

Ritwik Lost in Thought

Aman held Ritwik from the back and took him to his room. The two friends sat there next to each other and silence spoke. At last Aman spoke; I believe you Ritwik; I believe what we saw. You should meet her if you can and heal this wound, this pain you have carried in your heart. Ritwik kept thinking of the bubble that he has spent his life in ; flaunting Mamta as his "Sohni Mom" and cursing his birth mother Geeta ; whereas she was the Rock Star to be proud of 

Ritwik messaged Tim ; praising his documentary and asked him to fix up a meeting with Geeta and the agency Rainbow Advertising so that they could show her the Hindi Translation and sub-titles. That night he did not sleep a wink; his thoughts moved between the four most important women in his life Geeta-Palak-Rhea-Piya constantly and everything else became secondary. Towards day break ; he sank  into sleep with a beautiful dream; Geeta giving him tips to manage Rhea and Piya while Palak laughed loudly in the background....