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.