Honor

Smita has a premonition that Meena is in trouble. However, she falls asleep while writing her article, and she and Mohan arrive too late to help her: Meena has been stoned by a mob of men and is lying on the ground, barely alive. Smita and Mohan risk their lives and confront the mob. The dying Meena whispers to Smita, revealing where her mother-in-law and Abru are and asking her to take Abru to America. Rupal drags Smita and Mohan to the family’s hut and looks for Abru. Smita lies, telling him that she is with Anjali. Mohan calls the police, but no one answers; he pretends to call a superior police officer. The men whom Smita insulted demand an apology. She thinks of her father and what it means to love someone enough to sacrifice one’s pride, and she apologizes. The mob leaves, allowing her and Mohan to rescue Meena’s mother-in-law and Abru and bring them to Mohan’s house. The mute Abru suddenly wails for her mother but looks at Smita.

Smita and Mohan do not speak of what happened; she does not want to involve him in her “hunger.” Meena’s mother-in-law gives Mohan and Smita custody of Abru. She wants Mohan in particular to adopt Abru, but Smita says Meena wanted her to have custody. Mohan asks Smita to move to Mumbai with him, for love. Otherwise, he will take a leave of absence and move to America with her. Abru falls, and the pair console her and fall sleep together. Smita thinks her family would love Mohan.

Mohan completes paperwork to adopt Abru despite Smita’s earlier claim on her. Smita agrees to meet his Parsi landlord in Mumbai, and he reiterates that he will move to America if she prefers it to India. Meanwhile, Anjali’s organization demands an investigation of Meena’s brothers for her death.

Smita and Mohan visit Shannon, who thinks Smita looks happy with Mohan. The pair then have lunch with his landlord, his friend’s mother. She is protective of him, pinching Smita and warning her not to hurt him. Smita sees a reflection in a mirror that shows her and Mohan as a happy older couple. She realizes this sight is wishful thinking. Abru already treats her as her mother.

Mohan drives Smita to the airport, as she is leaving for America. She opens the car window, and India “enters” like a third passenger. Mohan has already started redirecting his love for Smita to Abru. Smita believes people like Mohan, Meena, and Abdul are from a different tribe than her, as they are willing to risk everything for love. While she waits for boarding, a young girl spills Smita’s coffee. The girl’s name is Meena, and this causes Smita to doubt her decision to leave. She runs from the airport and finds Mohan waiting for her plane to take off, as per Indian tradition. She finally realizes Mumbai is home.

A deceased Meena explains that she named her daughter Abru because the name means “honor.”