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"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of... We know the truth not only by the reason, but by the heart." - Blaise Pascal
I can't think of a quote that provides a better insight into seemingly irrational human behavior. Not all of our actions are governed by reason, sometimes we are guided by instinct, intuition or gut and for this there can be no logical reason. We can keep asking questions as to why people behave in certain ways, but no one outside of they themselves can really understand or answer that question. Quite often, they themselves can't offer rational explanations to their actions. There is a compelling force that guides their actions, something over which they seemingly have no control. A plea of temporary insanity is after all a legally admissible defense even under criminal law.
Whether it is freeing her hair, caressing Ruhaan's shirt or blocking Veer's image, Mishti is not acting rationally. It is more of an instinctive, heartfelt response to a nameless feeling that Ruhaan is evoking within her. Not to belittle her relationship with Veer, but it is fairly obvious that what she is experiencing is completely new to her. Which is why she is unable to fathom why she is feeling or acting the way she is. Her relationship with Veer has its foundation in logic more than emotion. It is a carefully thought out choice, after factoring in their suitability on various grounds, and not some grand all-consuming passion. At least that is what it appears to be from Mishti's side. Of course she finds him attractive and is very fond of him, she would never have ventured into this relationship without that. Having made up her mind to marry him, she has been working on making this relationship as perfect as it can be, by avoiding all sources of conflict. She will be the perfect daughter-in-law to Veer's parents, place their wishes ahead of hers, give up her career, make him the center of her universe. In short, she has been doing every thing she can think of to protect this relationship and keep it from falling apart, unlike the failed marriage of her parents. She thinks she has it all planned, she thinks her relationship is fail proof, but she has failed to recognize that the heart has its own reasons.
This is no defense of her father but Mishti needs to stop looking at his actions as the daughter of the wife he wronged. Pari has been able to go past the actions of her parents because she is not judging them. Mishti needs to stop too. I have said this before, she cannot compensate for her father's mistakes, she cannot undo his wrongs, her being committed is not going to compensate for his betrayal. She needs to factor in both head and heart in her decisions.
On Ruhaan, while it appears that he is betraying Veer, isn't the converse also true? Even if his motives are selfish, isn't he also doing Veer a favor? Why would Veer want to marry a woman, who chooses to be with him simply because she is committed to him? Why would he want to marry a woman who is possibly in love with someone else? Or even if he does, should he not be made aware of that truth before he makes that decision? Left to herself, Mishti is going to remain in denial and keep repeating her commitment spiel.
Ruhaan and Mishti are the only ones who know what is going on. Mishti is so drunk on commitment that minor emotional transgressions notwithstanding, she is going to plunge headlong into the commitment at the cost of being dishonest to herself, Veer and Ruhaan. Veer is unfortunately not perceptive enough to read between the lines or pick up on latent tensions. A more perceptive man would have certainly read more into Mishti's behaviour around Ruhaan. Forget Veer, even the rest of the family seems to be in denial mode. They are cooking up their own reasons for her behavior and, even if they believe it to be pre-wedding jitters, no one is bothering to sit her down and have a free and frank conversation with her. Instead of telling her it is too late, Radhika ought to have asked her what prompted her to wonder if things were happening too fast. Su Bua should have asked her why she was doubting her love for Veer. Given their age and life experience, it is surprising that neither woman is wondering why Mishti is being the way she is.
All of the above is not to absolve Mishti of all responsibility for her words or actions. Of course she is responsible, and it is she who will have to pay the price eventually. Sadly, there will be collateral damage as well, be it in the form of Veer or Ruhaan. Given the fact that Veer himself is oblivious to what is going on, the onus rests on Ruhaan, Radhika or Su Bua. Or you never know, there could be a surprise candidate in the form of Pari, She appears to have her head in the clouds right now, but who knows, maybe it is she who will discover the truth and help Mishti clear the confusions in her head thereafter. Who better than her to understand Mishti's triggers, after all they share the burden of a parent (s) whose failure to honor relations and commitments has messed them up in the head. Pari has been able to get past it and maybe she will guide Mishti past it too!
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