“You held me but you couldn’t see me changing
You held me and it eased your mind
Still I feel lost, I feel lost…”
~ Anna Leone.
April & May 2008.
Michael and Rupa live in Genava, a small college town in upstate New York. As Michael grades papers in his campus office, Rupa calls to tell him that her water broke and is on her way to the hospital.
Samina’s studio time gets interrupted when her seven-year-old daughter, Aniqa, bursts in to show off her new bangles. Behind Aniqa, an eleven-year-old Jiya hangs back and gauges her mom’s mood. As Samina kisses her daughter, Ronit struts in and shares about an upcoming film that would be perfect for her comeback role. She waves him off, but Ronit shoos the girls outside and tells Samina that his investors specifically asked for her to star in the upcoming film. Despite Ronit’s pleading, Samina refuses to do the movie.
While Michael paces in the hall, Rupa’s doctor finally informs him that Rupa passed away during an emergency C-section. Devastated, Michael sinks to the floor and weeps.
Later that night, Ronit warns everyone to pack up their most valuable possessions since their going to spend the next few nights at the Taj Hotel. Puzzled, Samina questions him why they’re leaving for a few days, but he only replies that every choice leads to consequences. Soon after checking in at the hotel, Samina watches the news only to see her home engulfed in flames. Ronit watches stoically while a frantic Samina peppers him with questions which he refuses to answer.
Michael’s best friend stays with him while family arrive in town for Rupa’s funeral. Afterwards, his sister-in-law and mother-in-law offer to raise Gloria in Florida. Initially, Michael objects but realizes that he’s not able to care for his daughter given his grief. After the semester ends, Michael accompanies them and Gloria as they return to St. Pete.
Standing on the street facing their smoking ruin of a home, Samina agrees to do the movie. A relieved Ronit phones his investors with the news.
