I think they want to have a life outside of their tradition, but are bound by tradition. I think Rishi really wanted to be with Jen, but I think he also knew mom wasn’t going to give her blessing. I just don’t think he fully understands that he would genuinely have to choose between these relationships. He could choose Jen & lose his whole family, or choose his family & lose Jen. He’s not going to get to experience personal happiness without one great loss or another, and the way he’s navigated this is by trying to tunnel an alternate route. I think he thinks (or thought) he’d find some way to compromise that would work with him being able to have the love of his life & his family.