The Three Women in One Man's Life

1. Ruth

Being the same reason why she is listed first, Ruth was Gogol’s first true love interest (wow!). He was so eager to break away from his Bengali roots and connect to a girl who knew him as Nikhil - and only Nikhil. He was looking for a woman who would accept him for his new identity, a girl who would accept him for what he wanted her to know about. Gogol was initially connected to the different air she brought about her and carried herself with. He was attracted to how easy their conversation was and her simple features. She wasn’t a beauty star nor was she insanely passionate about anything in particular. She was different than any other woman Gogol was forced to know growing up and she enjoyed getting to know him… At least to the extent that he allowed her to.

Where they appeared to be a strong, centered relationship, they obviously didn’t have enough kinks worked out in soon enough time. They clicked as boyfriend-girlfriend but any sort of advancement or puzzle thrown to them could easily send them in a negative spiral. Just take Ruth’s studies abroad as an example; it only took a couple months apart to mix their personalities up and forget what makes them good for each other. A flaw which proved fatal. However, at the time of the relationship, Ruth was right and good for Gogol. She brought him into the adult world and led him to feel confident in himself as Nikhil. Ruth was the first taste of female he received since his first kiss at his friend’s brother’s college party. And where Ruth was a good factor in starting the change the reader saw in Gogol, she wasn’t a strong enough part of his life to stay, thus leading to the deterioration of their relationship.

2. Maxine

Now, where Ruth was more of a “college-fling” in comparison to Maxine, Gogol’s relationship with Maxine started and ended with a similar fire. In Maxine, Gogol was looking for a woman that made him feel the way Ruth did, however he was looking for someone he could be reliant on like a parent. He wanted a motherly figure in his life, though one who he could still enjoy himself around. And whether Maxine was the motherly figure or whether Maxine’s mother was the motherly figure isn’t explicitly stated, however she was the bridge that connected Gogol post-Ruth to Gogol then. Gogol was attracted to Maxine’s ability to let go of worries and live carefree, while still carrying on a successful and content lifestyle. He admired the relationship she had with her parents and he yearned to be a part of that connection. Maxine loved to learn more about Gogol, enjoyed meeting his parents, and respected his wishes to be referred to as Nikhil even after she learned he was formerly known as Gogol.

Overall, their relationship appeared great while it lasted but, given the intensity it burned with, it was sure to burn out. Where Gogol initially liked how interested Maxine was, when his father’s time came and went, Maxine’s curiosity and interest immediately changed from endearing to annoying. And it was all in Gogol’s perception at that point in time. Gogol believed he was ready for something serious, that he was ready to settle down, but when it came time to prove himself to Maxine and her family, he back away. He forced Maxine to wait for him until he was ready and pushed her away anytime she attempted to achieve a close relationship to any degree. He made Maxine wait for him and he never returned the favor to her. An ending that, though despised, was foreshadowed within the immediate fire between them.

3. Moushumi

By the time Gogol had found romantic interest in Moushumi, he was finally ready to settle down. He had, for the most part, sorted out his priorities, grown to accept his mother and sister back into his life, and desire a connection to someone who would just listen and understand. Moushumi, who had known him previously from Bengali parties with their families and growing up (though uninterested in each other) together, had provided a familiarity and safe haven that Gogol didn’t know he wanted but decided he needed. Gogol was attracted to the same things he spent so much of his life avoiding when it came to Moushumi. He was interested in the sense of home she gave him and all he wanted was someone who understood him.

However, it was obvious from early on that Moushumi didn’t want to be tied down. She wanted to be free to explore her surroundings, to explore the people around her. She wanted to go back to Paris but not as a tourist with her husband who had never been there before. She wanted to find what it’s like to live without having to please anyone. She wanted more time but rushed herself into marrying Gogol. I mean, she didn’t even want to take his last name after the ceremony. The relationship held up minor red flags throughout, but somehow Gogol had convinced himself he was happy. He had convinced himself he had found the person who he wants to marry. Despite Moushumi’s wandering mind, she was the right fit for him when he needed someone who understood him and understood his pains. However, her distancing and disliking and disapproving of Gogol drove a wedge in their relationship, one that was unable to be repaired. And when she began seeing Dimitri in a secret affair while still wearing her wedding band around her finger, Gogol had drew the last straw.