30/8 - EPi 64 ... The Sanaya I love

30th Aug episode

The Sanaya I love is back! Although I love Khushi with her nonstop bak bak and her impish charm, I love the emotional Sanaya more - that's the girl I loved and watched MJHT for. Through most of today's episode, she had not a single word to say - her eyes spoke all through, in the scenes at the RM, and then when ASR comes to her house. And her eyes are sooo eloquent! Her dilemma, her fears, her worries, her internal battle - all reflect in her eyes ... she doesn't need words.

After the rather abrupt end to last night, I thought I would hate ASR today ... but I didn't really. In his dialogues, I saw where he was coming from - finally he had Khushi in front of him, finally she couldn't run away as she had been doing all these days, and he could get his frustration, his gussa, his bhadhaas out ... all his pent up frustrations about how she yelled at him in his own house, how she keeps coming back to haunt him ... every time he looks around, she's there ... yes, his frustration and anger is considerably fuelled by the knowledge of his own weakness, of the fact that only he knows, and no one else, not even his sainted Di, that try as he might, he can't get the dratted girl out of his mind. So it's not only that he's accusing her of popping up in his house every time he looks around, he's also letting loose his frustration that she doesn't leave his mind ... ever!!!

I liked that they kept the family confrontation short - it actually finished within half an episode ;-) and Anjali and Nani told him why Khushi was here ... La, of course, kept silent ... wisely for the first time in her life! And Anjali didn't do too much dialogue-baazi either - just told him bluntly that he had sent Khushi off, most unfairly, and he had to get her back. I think everyone also realised that there was no way Khushi would come back to the house after that barrage, unless assured by the man himself that there would be no more. Anjali's telling off was short and pithy, and the way she refused Arnav's help when she stumbled, not once, but twice, was even more effective, plus locking herself away in her room. CV's have shown the brother-sister bond very effectively, so the fact that Arnav doesn't think twice, but barges out to get Khushi back once his sister has spoken, doesn't come as a surprise at all - it would have been far more of a shock had he not done so! See the wisdom of taking a story slowly and surely and taking time to build up all the relationships.

And oh yes, I was SURE ASR would not apologise! Apologise ... and ASR?!!! No way!So again, glad to see him stay in character for that one ... the way he asked Khushi to come back was another insult ... if it's money you want, here it is! One hates ASR, of course ... the audience is meant to hate him as of now.

And the last scene was very well set up - Khushi's parents' story has been keeping pace all along, now it comes to a head - her mother breaks down as her father is losing his health, his sleep in worry over the shop and everything seems to be crashing down around their heads. Payal also breaks down ... it's left to Khushi to be the strong one, she's there to give them strength, to say that don't worry, we'll do something ... but what?! All roads seem to be closed ... till the door opens.

And for once, ASR actually puts the money on the table ... Khushi has tried everything she could with her head held high, keeping her self-respect intact, but it hasn't worked ... she hasn't got a penny so far with all her efforts. Finally she has to bow down. And I wonder what thoughts go through her mind as she stares at the money - the answer to her prayers, the solution they need ... at the cost of her self-respect, leaving her open to more insult, more humiliation ... but is that the only cost to saving her father's shop? A father who is not her real father, but has given her all the love and feeling of belonging she needed when she was left an orphan? Payal can think about keeping her self-respect, but Payal belongs to the family, Khushi doesn't. She owes them ... owes the parents who took her in when she was all alone in the world ... and if by taking this job, taking the money, and the loss to her self-respect and pride that comes with it, she can repay even a part of that debt, well, that's a small price to pay. So what if it makes him think worse of her. His opinion of her is already rock-bottom, it can't sink any further ... and what does his opinion matter, anyway? She has to save her father's shop. That is what matters.

So although Payal and Buaji urge her to turn down the money, to throw it on his face, Khushi stands quietly, lets ASR leave and then looks at the money again. Payal and Buaji keep urging her ... she barely hears them ... you can see the dilemma, the internal struggle, and then the silent determination as she quietly shuts the door. The road is chosen ... there's no going back.

The interactions in RM will now take on a new hue. She's there, he knows she's there ... will his attitude start changing, now that she's in front of him and not running away? Or will he try to pick holes in her, insult her, humiliate her ... how will she react? And will she slowly start to see a new side of ASR? Finally? The new promo seems to indicate as much.

29/8 - Epi 63 ... Abrupt

29th Aug episode

Things have been moving so slowly and in so much detail that I found today's episode a bit rushed and lacking the depth of the Thursday and Friday episodes. The long drawn out Khushi teaching La how to make adrak chai and pakoras only served to underline La's complete indifference and apathy to the whole shenanigans - wonder why she agreed at all ... was it only to prove to ASR the sincerity of her efforts, knowing his animosity to Khushi and being sure in her heart of hearts that Khushi wouldn't last long in RM once ASR found out about her being there? Also underlined of course, Khushi's own sincerity towards her job - something she had already shown suring the office track - klutzy and clumsy she might be, outspoken and impetuous also, but she's also sincere and hard-working - that's something they've shown from the start. What the CV's haven't shown, and which is a new development, is the new restrained Khushi .. being careful what she says, and seeking to avoid ASR because every time they have crossed paths, it's been to her detriment. Although her Devi maiyya seems to think otherwise and makes sure their paths cross again and again. 

Anjali apologising to Khushi was very much in character ... as I thought earlier, during the scene, using the contract was an after-thought for Anjali, and not something she did willingly. She was convinced Khushi was the answer to her problems, and so Khushi had to be brought to RM ... by hook or by crook. But she was uncomfortable about the means she used, and thus the apology was natural. Gracefully offered, and gracefully accepted ... as Khushi said, she did this job against all her better instincts, and only for her family's sake, so she recognised Anjali's compulsions as well. Two women who understand each other, because for them, family comes before self.

Rather enjoyed Nani - smart lady, not in the least interested in La's reform, but only wants Khushi in front of ASR to highlight the differences between the two, and hopefully open his eyes. The first bit of subtlety from Nani ;-) And it was hilarious that she had actually kept repeating her comparisons in front of Anjali until that innocent girl was convinced it was her own idea to get Khushi to 'train' La. No wonder Nani didn't utter a single word when Anjali tried to explain Khushi's presence!

So far so good. Now for the abrupt part - ASR in office - is he always so snarly and rude with office staff or whoever he was talking to? Surprising that he's a successful businessman then, because you can't bite people's heads off all the time. There are far more effective ways to terrorize them. And again the conversation with the caterer didn't sound right - ASR hadn't been thinking of Khushi so why get so het up all of a sudden. They show so many fb's all the time - here some fb's, a slightly longer conversation, with maybe the caterer asking if he could give her part-payment or something, or saying something about her phone call, would have been in place. As it was, his anger seemed misplaced and over the top. Or maybe La should have gotten slightly on his nerves and he should have remembered her interrupting his talk with Khushi ...

So the set-up to the ASR-Kh scene wasn't in place.  But kudos to the actors that despite that, they managed to inject the required feeling into the Arshi scene - until the part when ASR lost it and yelled at Khushi to get out. But why??!! Till yesterday, he'd been wanting to see her, to talk to her, to shout at her for leaving, for not listening to him ... he had so much he wanted to say and his anger was because she refused to listen. Then what happened today?

Nope, this part was not well written at all. The only part I enjoyed was the silent part - from Arnav entering, both sensing each others' presence, both negating it - he in words, she with a wordless shake of her head (Sanaya emotes better so she doesn't need the dialogues here), and then the moment when he puts his hand on her shoulder and realises it is in fact Khushi. Without seeing her face.

links
part 1
part 2

Week Aug 22 - 26th Epi 58 - 62

22nd - 26th August Episodes 58 - 62

Interesting week - also it's nice to watch the week's episodes at a stretch, one sees the progress of the story better than with the daily 20 minute episodes. Although they are stretching things a bit, what I like is that the details are being taken care of to quite an extent.

Thursday's episode was good ... as always, when the forum says the episode was bad/boring/etc., I find it good in terms of storyline ;-) Anjali persuading Khushi to come as La's 'sanskari' teacher had lots of undertones, not least the reiteration by Anjali that Khushi has all the ideal qualities to become a Raizada bahu. And I actually liked the way Anjali did it ... it was clear that the use of blackmail with the contract was a last resort for her, not something she did willingly, or had even thought about beforehand. It was funny and yet smart of the CV's to include Mami in the mission, to make sure that Arnav is the only stumbling block for Khushi's entry to RM, otherwise Mami would definitely have been one too.
And I liked Khushi's reactions to the blackmail, both to Anjali, as well as later ... hurt and bewilderment, together with a sense of betrayal ... how could Anjali do this, use the contract as pressure tactics? ASR Khushi would have expected to use it, but she never thought Anjali would stoop to this. Hence her anger later with Shyam - it was her hurt, her bewilderment and her frustration spilling out ... she was helpless in the face of this threat and she knew it. She will not accept Shyam's offer - she is too self-respecting for that.

The Arnav-La scene was small yet telling ... again reiterated that Arnav will do anything for his sister, she means the world to him, so La has to keep Anjali happy. And when La asks, is anyone else important to you, she's clearly expecting him to name her, La ... but he doesn't. He doesn't even think of nani ... the person who flashes instantly into his mind is Khushi ... because he was thinking of her ... yet again ... before La entered. Liked the way they showed this ... not through fb's this time, but just Arnav looking lost into the distance, ostensibly while working, but the bg Arshi music playing - just the tinkle of the piano ...

What I don't understand - especially from Thursday's and Friday's episodes - what exactly is Anjali doing? Or rather, what is in her mind? Two or three possibilities as to her mindset -
One, she really thinks La is the best choice for Arnav. Or maybe, more accurately, she thinks that La is not ideal, but she is Arnav's choice, so that's enough for her. But since she wants peace with naani, she wants Naani to accept La, and La to learn at least some of the basics about being 'sanskari bahu', whatever that means. Friday's episode and the scene with Mami in the car cleared her motives further - she's afraid that if La walks out, or Naani throws her out, Arnav will follow up on his threat to live with La, and will leave. And she doesn't want that to happen at any cost. So okay, some logic is seen here.

The alternative which flashed across my mind - Anjali is fond of Khushi and is impressed by her. With some good reason - although Khushi behaves like a child in her own house, but in front of the Raizadas, she has always been polite, well-mannered and soft-spoken. Even her anger about the sweets being spoiled did not erupt in a temper tantrum, but instead channeled itself into making more jalebis, so that the absence of the sweets she was supposed to serve went unnoticed by the guests. Thus saving the party, and the Raizadas from embarassment. Also, on the one occasion when Khushi blasted Arnav in front of the rest of the family (Khushi's good manners don't extend to Arnav, which is fine, as his usual unemotional coldness doesn't extend to Khushi - both bring out uncharacteristic traits in each other) - anyway - when Khushi blasted Arnav in front of the Raizadas, she still maintained her politeness to Nani and Anjali, and even apologised to Anjali for the way she had spoken to Arnav. So 'sanskars' well in place, as far as Nani and Anjali are concerned. Also another dialogue of Anjali's made me think for a bit - when Anjali tells mami, Arnav doesn't say anything in front of Khushi, so he'll keep quiet about Khushi being in the house to teach La ... so Anjali has definitely noticed this uncharacteristic behaviour of Arnav's with respect to Khushi. Also noted Anjali saying 'Sita' and looking at Khushi ... (and Naani's glance at Khushi at that point was very meaningful ... methinks if Khushi moved from teacher to candidate-in-chief, Nani and Anjali won't have any objection at all).

Which leads me to wonder ... what exactly is Anjali's goal here? Try if La will change enough to be acceptable to Nani, and to the rest of the house (read Anjali also, because Anjali sure as hell isn't impressed with La as of now). And also, to bring Khushi into the house, hoping that if La doesn't work out, Arnav will see the difference between Khushi and La, and might start actually liking Khushi? Which would be great because nani and Anjali already like her, if Arnav started liking Khushi as well, the Mahabharat would be safely averted. We viewers want this to happen, of course. What I'm wondering is, does Anjali also, consciously or subconsiously, hope for this? Because she alone does know that Khushi disturbs Arnav like no one else does, specially not La. And she knows Arnav will fight his feelings, if they exist ... he said that to her himself. So seedhi ungli se ghee definitely nahin niklega ... she has to do something tedha.

So is Anjali playing a double game with Arnav here? Is she smart enough? Certainly from the past two episodes, she seems determined enough - if she won't even listen to her sainted husband's opinion on the Khushi matter ... she is determined to have Khushi in the house under Arnav's eyes.

*edit* ... Also, I really liked Khushi in the last part on Friday, as well as the Khushi Anjali interactions. Made me feel again that Anjali made the blackmailing deal to Khushi really out of desperation - and she might not even have followed up on it. But Khushi couldn't take the chance, couldn't afford to take that chance, she really was helpless and Anjali knew it. So the encounter between Anjali and Khushi was well-played - Anjali was genuinely happy to see Khushi, while Khushi's habitual sunny smiles were conspicuous by their absence, as well her her words - 'halat hi aise the ki humein aapka prastav sweekar karna pada.' Yes, Khushi needs the money desperately, and all roads seem to lead her back to Raizada Mansion. So Khushi was sombre and serious all through - now that she has made up her mind to do this, she will do it to the best of her ability - including persuading La to accept her as teacher. Again, liked the way she told La ... it's in both our interests, now your call. The tone was polite and humble, yet had that undertone of determination.
Khushi is starting to grow up for sure ... *mental cartwheels*
And for the first time, Khushi took Arnav's name ... Arnavji ... when talking to La ... can't wait till she addresses him as Arnavji and he does a double take ... *dream* ...

25th Aug Links
25th Aug part 1 HD
25th Aug part 2 HQ

26th Aug links

26th Aug part 1 HD
26th Aug part 2 HD

Week 15 - 20th Aug Epi 52 -57, ME

To be edited ;)
Episodes 52-56, ME Episode 57 

Week Aug 8-12 - Epi 47 - 51

To be edited ;)

8/8 - Epi 47 ... Family vs Self

8th Aug Monday

I loved Sanaya aka Khushi today ... I love all strong female leads and today Khushi showed all the signs of growing into one. Or growing further ... she's already a strong character, not the usual weepy SP heroine at all. Loved the girls' scenes, both alone and with Bua.

And the Arnav-Anjali scenes were good as well ... love the way this show is well rounded with all the different relationships being given their due. Even the Arnav-La scene was needed, to show the shallowness of the relationship and the difference between Arnav's equation with Khushi and that with Lavanya. Funnily, for all his talk about 'haisiyat' and 'aukat', Arnav's relationship with Khushi is that of equals, he is on the back foot there if anything, while La, although being equal in terms of social status and all that jazz, is the doormat in the relationship, always eager to please and not put a foot wrong. And probably as the show goes on, that's what is going to irk Arnav ... at the moment, he feels he likes it this way, but for any intelligent man, having a yes-woman for a partner must be completely unsatisfying. And the comparisons are going to keep coming up between La and Khushi ... in Khushi's favour, much as he tries to deny it.

And deny it he will - that was very clear in the scene with Anjali. Always knew that Arnav might realise his feelings first, but he will be the last to admit to them ... and he put that into words today. "Even if I do find a girl like that, I'll run away from her ... because my head rules my heart." And that's why he likes La - he's in no danger from her at all, he's in charge, in control, because his emotions are not involved. Whereas with Khushi, he loses control instantly ... and it's getting worse and worse. Especially the way he has no control over his thoughts ... and her habit of creeping into them constantly.

Neither has Khushi ... its just starting for her now, but she's going the same path. Can't stop thinking about him ... but she's just keeping quiet about it, keeping her thoughts to herself, which in itself is a new thing for Khushi, used as she is to sharing everything with her Jiji. And that's the way I love it :)
But the difference is that for Khushi, family comes first. Or maybe she's just not at the stage yet when she doesn't want to go away from Arnav ... not consciously, that is. Subconsciously the yearning is there ... she says she wants to go, and when Payal agrees, she looks actually disappointed. But the moment the phone call comes from home, her parents are in trouble, she forgets it all, she HAS to go back and support them, they need her ... family comes first ... even before those unfamiliar yearnings she can't understand. As always I loved the scenes with Khushi and her parents - all three are excellent actors and they put life into their scenes with the understated feelings.

And then Bua counsels them ... loved Bua here, another great actress ... stay here and earn some money for your parents, they need your help, not your tears ...

Two things I liked in this scene ... once again the fact that the broken marriage is considered a blessing, not a curse for life ... that it's good Payal escaped a dowry-seeking family. And secondly that the girls, or Khushi, rather ... are considered a support for their parents, not a burden to be married off and how will their marriage happen now that the shop is gone etc. etc. ... Bua, who was so against Khushi working, now openly supports the idea and suggests it would more useful for Khushi to work rather than the girls go back to Lucknow.
Though Khushi was always helping her parents with the sweetshop, so that works both ways - Bua does want the girls to stay on with her ... but she has financial problems herself ... the whole family is in trouble. Buaji as usual suggests asking Shyam for help again, so Khushi calls him ... er, how many phones does Khushi have? I thought Arnav broke the last one pretty comprehensively.
Anyway, let's see how Shyam slithers out of this one ...

Khushi is already wondering what to do ... stay or go ... and asking Devi maiyya for a sign ... The problem is after the last confrontation with Arnav, I don't even see how he can give her her job back ... he's so pissed with her.

Links
Part 1 HD
Part 2 HD 

5/8 - Epi 46 ... Running away

Friday 5th Aug

One hides his growing feelings in anger, and the other runs away from them. Both so confused ... don't know what is happening ... all they know is that something is happening.

Links
Part 1 HD
Part 2 HD

4/8 - Epi 45 ... An Equal Storm ...

Thursday 4th Aug

Well done episode! And beautifully acted by Sanaya and Barun!

Starts with Arnav in office ... he can't get Khushi out of his mind. Specifically, he can't get her ignoring him out of his mind.
When Anjali asked him whether he was angry because Khushi said so much to him, or because she didn't give him a chance to explain himself, she hit the nail on the head. Arnav didn't mean for Khushi to get into danger ... it was his temper that sent her to the guesthouse. An unthinking act done in the heat of the moment. And since then, we've seen more of Arnav's temper ... his obduracy about Lavanya in the face of Nani's insistence being the prime example. When he's angry, he doesn't think ... period. But when Khushi's life was endangered, he realised what a huge mistake he had made. The problem is that since then, Khushi has been punishing him relentlessly for that mistake, without giving him a chance. No chance to explain that he didn't mean it, no chance to express that guilt that has been eating away at him since then. And her tirade at his house made things worse ... she made him feel small in his own eyes. No wonder that since then he has been in a foul mood all through ... and her not talking to him, avoiding him is worsening it all. She told him what she thought of him, and now by ignoring him, she'a making him feel he's not even worth a second chance. He NEEDS to talk to her ... not to apologise, because Arnav Singh Raizada doesn't ever apologise ... but just to say ...

Just to say what??? Even he doesn't exactly know what he wants to say. He just knows that it's getting more and more urgent every day that he does say something ... anything ... that he talk to her ... if only that maddening woman would stay still and listen ... instead of running away all the time. And somewhere, dimly, he's hurt that she keeps running away from him ... is he really that bad? Is he so small, so insignificant in her eyes, that she doesn't even want to talk to him again?


And then she enters. And he can feel her ... he gets up slowly and walks to his window ... yes, it's her. Nervous, timid, muttering to herself as usual ... reassuring herself there's nothing to be scared of, he's not there .. because she knows there is something unfinished between them ... in their last encounter, she had the last word and walked away unscathed and that's not possible with Arnav Singh Raizada. Sooner or later he's going to be back to wreck her life again ... far safer to stay quiet, stay away from him, to avoid him ... which shouldn't be difficult now that she's left her job, right?

But fate has other plans ...
As he watches her walk to her desk, he doesn't see the girl who gave him a tongue-lashing, instead he sees the vision in red who robbed him of his senses ... As she sits at her desk, she doesn't see the rakshas who wrecked her life more than once, she sees the man who saved her life ... and looked into her eyes as though into her soul ...
NO!!! She is not going to think about that! She closes her eyes as though to shut out those visions physically, and opens them ... to look up straight into his eyes. And neither of them can look away. He still angry, his frustration building even more at the sight of her, she nervous, more and more ...
The peon interrupts to ask why she's here, she wants her things ... but for the first time realises they're not there. They're in the storeroom, she's told ... Arnav Sir said to deliver them to her home. And independent-minded Khushi doesn't want any more favours - she'll collect her own things, thank you very much ... spoken to the peon, but directed to the listening Arnav, as they both very well know.

Arnav's had enough. He orders her up to his cabin. She ignores his order and asks the peon to show her the storeroom and before the poor guy can protest, she takes off.
Spare a thought for the poor peon here ... his job's on the line in this crossfire!
Khushis mutters to herself again NOT to look at him ... but of course, she can't help one last glance ... and he's still standing in the same position, glaring at her. She continues on her way ... not looking back again, so she doesn't see him come down the stairs and follow her to the storeroom ... he has decided he will talk to her today and he will ... and nothing she says or does is going to come in his way.

Khushi goes inside the storeroom to get her Devi maiyya ... methinks the peon ran for his life! Sees Devi maiyya perched up high on a shelf, gets on a stool to get her down ... just as Arnav comes striding in furiously ... "what do you think of yourself?!" ... startles her and she falls ... and Arnav dives to rescue ... Devi maiyya!! And she falls on a pile of soft bean bags, and he falls on top of her ... and is lost in her eyes ... as is she ...
She looks away at devi maiyya and then back at him ... he's looking at her as though he can't see anything else but her ... and neither of them is making any attempt to move ...

Until "maiyya ke bhawan bhawan" jerks them back to reality ... Devi maiyya plays a huge role in their lives and Arnav had better start believing it! He comes back to earth, and offers her a hand to help her up ... and his anger starts to build again when she doesn't take it ... She answers the phone, has a perfectly sane rational conversation with her caller ... then why won't she talk to him???!!!
And she does it again ... puts the phone back into that stupid multicolored bag of hers, and starts to take off ... but he's not having it this time. "Stop running away, dammit ..." and as she makes for the door, he reaches past her, slams it shut ... she's nervous again ... is it because he's not letting her go this time, or because he's so close ... her phone rings again and he loses his cool completely, snatches it from her and throws it across the floor (that's the second phone of Khushi's that Arnav has destroyed!) ... and barks out "I'm talking to you, Khushi Kumari Gupta ... let me FINISH!"

And has his guns spiked suddenly and completely because she's suddenly in tears, and he sees her fear for the first time ... she's actually afraid of him?! Really afraid??!!  And for some reason, he just can't take that ... that's suddenly not what he wants at all ... the spitting, fighting wildcat he can deal with, but her tears he can't stand ...
He moves away, to lessen that threatening nearness, to give her space to recover, to show her somehow that he's not ... not what? Not a threat? Not dangerous? Why does he want to show her that? To redeem himself somehow in her eyes? He doesn't know ... he tries to call the staff to open the door. As usual, Khushi doesn't wait for his help, she tries the door again and he says it won't open. She fires up again ... another spat ... she wants out as soon as possible ... she opens the window and a gust of wind blows her dupatta off her, she doesn't notice in her disappointment - the window is grilled, so no escape ... and she sees her dupatta on his face ... he pulls it off and she turns back in embarassment, but he merely holds it out ... without looking at her, to spare her ... No, he doesn't want to cause her any firther embarrassment, any further hurt, he's done enough already. And as she pulls it around her and turns to leave, the dupatta seems to have other ideas, it clings to him ... she looks at the perfidious cloth and then at him ... and his eyes on her set her heartbeat racing again and her eyes fall ...

Shyam parts have been left out ... I need to try and edit this episode! Shyam is very definitely in love with Khushi ... that much is established.

Links
Part 1 HD
Part 2 HD

3/8 - Epi 44 ... Master Manipulator Shyam

Wednesday 3rd August

Shyam has the entire Raizada clan wrapped around his fingertips, as well as Buaji of course. It's a good thing Khushi hasn't fallen for his charm yet ... not completely. But will that help her or hinder her with Arnav?

Episode starts with Anjali mentioning Khushi, Arnav looks up at Khushi's name, and Shyam drops the plate of jalebis. But why is he so shocked? Did he not realise that Khushi is apparently known and liked in this house? Mami maroes side remark, which Arnav and Nani don't like, Anjali is more worried about Shyam. Arnav gets hiccups, Anjali and mami think it's La, Nani starts off again and Arnav gets pissed off. Both equally obstinate and unyielding - Arnav walks off.

Khushi and Payal discussing home economics, Khushi gets the idea of restarting the sari business, but Payal tells Khushi to get the sarees back from the Raizada house. Khushi doesn't want to even hear his name again - she gets too disturbed by thoughts of Arnav.

Anjali-Shyam-Arnav ... Shyam sweet-talks Arnav into listening to him ... his talk about relationships, family is really convincing and reasonable ... no wonder Arnav listens. Besides, after Nani's roadroller tactics, anything remotely sensible would work. Anjali does nothing but cast adoring looks at Shyam.
And now Arnav starts confusing me - he has a rishta with Lavanya, he wants nani to accept her, but he doesn't want to marry her. Because he wants to live life in his own way.
Methinks Arnav is confused as to what exactly he wants.

Shyam works on Nani ... and actually convinces her to let La move in. He knows how to work on old ladies very well! Mami's remark was the best - "Bin phere hum tere!" Anjali is actually not looking convinced.
Now why is Shyam doing this? Has he met Lavanya? Or has he just figured out that she's unsuitable? Or does he really want Arnav to get married?
Shyam's motives are very puzzling.

Khushi very perturbed ... then realises she has left Devi maiyya ki murti in the office. And she has to get the murti back.

Shyam-Anjali-Arnav ... Anjali confesses she doesn't like La very much either. Shyam remarks he has nothing to give Anjali other than loving words. Anjali says she is supporting La only for Arnav, she will support his choice even if she doesn't like it. So Anjali will not be a stumbling block for Khushi for sure ... as it is, she likes her. Arnav gives Shyam and Anjali a watch set, and watches Anjali's happiness at being with her husband. Then goes off to office. Oh, Shyam apparently is a lawyer in reality.

Khushi going to office, Payal and Bua protest, but Khushi says it's Sunday, Rakshas will not be there. So they agree.

Arnav tells La she's moving in with him, La overjoyed. He's really leading her on. She asks what she needs to do, he says don't change. She says, so you like me the way I am?
Arnav stops at Khushi's desk and remembers her handing over her resignation, her leaving the house with a last backward look. And he says ... yes, I like you the way you are. And cuts the phone with La abruptly, continues staring at Khushi's desk. Till the watchman/peon asks him what the matter is. Then he visibly snaps out of his thoughts ... angry again as to why he's thinking about her? Yes, he is .. so he goes back to being rough tough ASR and orders her things to be sent to her house. As though to prove to himself that he doesn't want her around, that he can do without her, that if her things are not there, he won't think about her.
He's changing already ... earlier, he would probably have ordered them to be thrown away.

Shyam talks to Buaji and discovers to his horror that Khushi has also gone to the office. So will he try to break up the Arnav-Khushi meeting as soon as he can? I would bet so. Either he has a lot at stake here, and doesn't want them to meet at all and figure out his reality ... or he wants to keep Khushi safely away from Arnav.

Khushi arrives at office and all the scenes of her previous humiliation here flash before her eyes and she's actually scared about entering the office ... loved Sanaya's acting here. Nope, she's nowhere near falling for Arnav yet! In fact, after the last encounter, she doesn't want to meet him at all ... she knows she hasn't yet got retribution for the way she yelled at him, and she also knows by now that Arnav doesn't forgive in a hurry. So she tries to talk her own worries away - he won't be there, so don't worry, Khushi. And again, her acting is bang on ... smile on her lips, and worry in her eyes.

And the precap - Arnav senses her come in (hair blowing for a guy for once!) ... and watches her walk in ... she goes to her desk, sits ... and looks up straight at him ... And the fear is back.

Links
Part 1 HD
Part 2 HD

2/8 - Epi 43 ... Shades of Khushi and Arnav

Tuesday 2nd Aug episode

Shades of Khushi ... chulbuli, child-woman, naughty and teasing, concerned and responsible ... and the stirrings of something undefined.

Shades of Arnav ... alone in a sea of people, always holding back, afraid to exhibit any gentler emotions or signs of weakness ... and the stirrings of something undefined.

Episode starts with Shyam cutting Khushi's calls repeatedly ... nope, he's not going to jeopardise his marriage and his golden goose yet.
Khushi wonders why he's cutting her calls, then forgets about Shyam in the more important matter of ... what to make for breakfast the next day *rofl* Cure sisters' scene, where Akash, Anjali and Nani are approved of and Mami is thumbed down with a 'hello hi bye bye'. Thumbs up for Khushi's imitation of her though!!!
Payal asks about Lavanya and says Arnav broke her fast - Khushi doesn't like that. Payal says Arnav wasn't very happy about La's fast, but Khushi says his face is like that only - how similar Khushi and Arnav's thoughts are *rofl*. Then Khushi complains that now she won't be able to sleep for remembering him *lol*

Long scene with Nani and Shyam ... Shyam seems to have the knack of winding the older women around his little finger. And he told Nani about his accident? Interesting. Maybe to allay her suspicions about his late return.

Buaji on phone with a worried Shashi and Garima. Garima doesn't care for so much talk about Shyam. Shashi decides not to tell the girls about the shop being mortgaged. Both S and G are worried.
Bua asks about Shyam. Khushi tease her that she's missing Shyam a lot ... kya chakkar hai?! *rofl* Damn cute - teasing Khushi with sparkling eyes and the cutest, most mischievous smile - even Buaji can't resist.

Arnav sees the family enjoying the return of the prodigal son-in-law. Somehow he stays on the periphery ... again after yesterday, a repeat - showing him to be an outsider and alone in his own home, especially after the center of his sister's universe has obviously tilted away from him. Typical happy family scene, along with the obligatory song ... Shyam making and feeding jalebis with a smile ... till he avoids the question as to how and where he learnt. But he remembers Khushi ...

On the other side, Khushi making mountains of puris - this girl never does things in moderation! Much to Buaji's consternation ... and between them the sindoor ki dibbi goes flying ... and Khushi remembers the encounter with Arnav and the thaali ...

And on the other side, Arnav, drinking water, remembers breaking Khushi's fast ... and is lost in her thoughts ...
Rest of episode was about Shyam wanting to buy a new house, family thinks Arnav is worried about Anjali moving out, as are they all about Anjali staying alone while Shyam is not in town.

Payal and Khushi worried about finances, Bua's lost pension, and about why their father was worried on the phone. In the meantime, Shashi and Garima realise they might lose their shop if they can't pay the mortgage. Garima seems to want the girls back.

Arnav's house, sugar-free jalebis and Arnav asks Shyam if Anjali can stay on till Shyam gets posted back to Delhi. Shyam's initial reaction? His face goes still ... then he agrees easily, saying all the right things again. But is he really happy?
Shyam drops the thaali at the mention of Khushi and Payal. Why the shock? Probably because he didn't realise that everyone in the family knows them?

Links

Part 1 HD
Part 2 HD

1/8/11 - Epi 42 ... Intrigue and Lies

Monday 1st Aug episode

Interesting episode ... layering Shyam's character and underlining his standing in the Raizada home. The start - with Khushi's shock was merely a red herring - she doesn't see anything more alarming than Akash carrying her thaali out to her ... and hoping for a glimpse of Anjali. Cross-connection - she takes the thaali and off she goes.Back to return of the prodigal son-in-law ... all smiles and welcome, and soppy loving looks from his tearful wife ... must say, Anjali's acting today was very good. She looked completely and utterly besotted, and over the moon with joy that her husband was back.
So they all move home, mami wants food *lolz* but Shyam leads Anjali to carry out what appears to be a ritual between them ... renewal of their wedding vows.

Till now, Shyam had me guessing ... is he really such a loving husband as he looks? Not a single worried look, not a single shifty glance ... all his attention is on his wife, tender loving care at its best, gifts for the in-laws ... and as the vows start, all his attention, the smiling loving glances are still firmly in place. Then Anjali mentions 'khushi' ... and the face changes.  Interestingly, the fb's are of Khushi the first time he saw her, rescued her from the goons ...

My thoughts ... so could he be her brother after all? Because he's still looking very much in love with Anjali ...
And when Anjali talks about taking all his problems onto her, he stops her with a finger on her lips ...
Then Anjali mentions something about problems ... and again fb's of Khushi ... drenched in the rain, smiling eating chaat, laughing dressed to kill in the Teej sari ... and the eyes are just a little shady now. And now I am confused ... and I don't wonder that he has kept the Raizadas fooled for so long.

So the possibilities ... Shyam married Anjali for love, or for matlab because of her rich brother - since they got married just two years back, Arnav had obviously made his fortune by then. And now has fallen for Khushi big time ...  but has not broken off his relationship with his wife yet, obviously ... he's not going to kill the golden goose. Or Shyam could still be a long-lost brother, though ... out for revenge of some sort from the Raizadas and with only brotherly love towards Khushi. I know the cv's have talked about a love triangle ... but with the intrigue linking the pasts of Arnav and Khushi, I still don't discount this one.

The only time I felt Shyam gave a truly ugly look, surprisingly, was when he saw Khushi's name on his mobile.

Two more scenes of note - one when Anjali wants to tie the 'raksha dhaaga onto her two brothers, and Arnav doesn't want - Shyam persuades him. So Shyam has Arnav firmly on his side, and believing in him. For the moment. Well, we did know that ... just wonder how long this is going to last. And whether the changed equation between Khushi and Arnav will allow Arnav to believe Khushi, or like all soaps, will make him rebound from the attraction he's started feeling, back into the hate, 'she betrayed me' mode.
And second ... actually earlier in the episode ... as they enter the house, Arnav watches his sister with her husband, and suddenly he's the outsider ... all of Anjali's attention is caught up in Shyam and Arnav is suddenly alone. And you realise that in spite of this big family he lives with, Anjali is the only who is really his own ... except that she isn't only his any more.

And of course, my Khushi scenes ... cute, adorable Khushi is back as she rushes into the house wanting desperately to eat her dinner ... Buaji attributing her hurry to longing for Shyam was cute! As were the girls giggling over Bua sighing over Shyam. Loved how Khushi's concentration firmly on her food, except for when Bua asks her if she did any gadbad in her fast, and she remembers how she broke it ... or rather how Arnav broke it for her.

Precap ... again two interesting things ... Khushi telling Payal that all Raizadas have a rakshas hidden inside them, no matter how sweet they seem on the surface ... seems like she won't be very happy with Payal's fondness for Akash ... not at the start, at least.
And Shyam makes jalebis, Anjali surprised that he knows how to ... none of the Raizadas, of course, know about Khushi's idiosyncracy ... and Shyam drops the plate on hearing that Khushi and Payal are coming to the Raizada home. As a matter of curiosity, why exactly would they be coming? Khushi didn't forget anything else, did she?! But Shyam will have to look slippery now ... not expecting him to get caught this early, of course.

Part 1
Part 2