28/10- Epi 108 ... Pressure building

28th Oct Fri

Need to watch the episode in detail again ... just saw in ff mode. Pressure building on Khushi by Bua.

*edit*
Khushi apologises to a bemused Arnav ... don't blame him for being confused, Khushi sounded totally off her rocker ... as crazy as she probably feels she is going! Black magic, jadoo tona ... before he can figure out what she's talking about, she decides she merits punishment, and punishes herslef by drinking the remnant of his juice ... thereby proving both her repentance, and also that she did nothing truly dangerous again. And after asking him to drink the kadha and please forgive her, she leaves, stumbling over the table and the door on her way out! Klutzy, genuine, innocent Khushi ... how can he remain mad at her for any length of time!

Anjali gifts La a sari and jewelry, and then the same to Khushi ... Khushi refuses, but Anjali insists, so does La. Khushi still tries to say no, Anjali says she will get angry like Arnav then Khushi will have to accept. And Khushi is silent. But she refuses the payal as she wears only the payal given by her own mother. Anjali understands, and asks Khushi to come the next day with mithai.

Shyam Shashi - Shyam tells Shashi that he's married to Anjali at RM where Khushi works. And he will be able to spend Diwali at RM because Khushi will be at home.
Why can't Shashi tell his blind, deaf and dumb sister by gestures that he does not approve of Shyam?

Khushi returns home coughing. Shyam brings wheelchair for Shashi. Then sheds crocodile tears about leaving because of the neighbours. Khushi in major conundrum.
Buaji on full blown emotional atyachaar ... Shashi babua adopted you ten years ago, and today you have to repay that debt. And today Shyam had to listen to so much from the neighbours.
Arey baba, Shyam had to listen to the neighbours, so get rid of the guy! Neighbours for once were right!
Buaji asks Khushi to change her mind about her refusal to marry Shyam.

Arnav coughing, drinking kadha and remembering Khushi. She drank the same drink to punish herself, and asked him to drink the kadha.
So he drinks it. And makes a face ... cute! *rofl*
Pehle Di ki baat maanta tha, ab Khushi ki baat bhi maanne laga?! Good going, Arnav! 

Khushi remembers drinking the khus laden juice and Arnav's face.
Payal tells her to listen to her heart, and not worry about Buaji. Some relief for poor Khushi.

Diwali morning ... Khushi making Lakshmiji's footprints.
La gets the sari meant for Khushi. So Anjali realises the red sari meant for La has gone to Khushi ... Shape of things to come?


RM ... decorations for Diwali. La goes to get the diyas made by Khushi.
And Arnav is a gone case *rofl* ... even the diyas remind him only of Khushi ... and the moments by the pool.

Precap ... Khushi and Shyam in RM at the same time. Will Shyam slime out of this yet again? Or is there finally going to be a dhamaka? The near misses are getting tiresome and predictable ... now we need an explosion.

So Khushi has said 'no' to Garima and Garima has accepted her refusal. Now will Buaji's emotional blackmail work? Or will Payal's gentle support be enough for Khushi to stick to her stand?

Khushi knows she doesn't want to marry Shyam. She doesn't understand what is between her and Arnav ... partly because she can't think about Arnav in any romantic sense whatsoever. For her, Arnav is taken, he's a committed man, and moreover, La is her friend and a good one. She is changing her mind about Arnav, has already changed it ... he is no longer Rakshas, or even Laad Governer, he's now a benefactor, benevolent, compassionate, he was there when she needed support desperately ... but why does she feel so strange every time she goes near him? Khushi is too innocent to recognise awakening desire ... yet.

Arnav, older, more worldly-wise ... he knows he's attracted to Khushi ... very attracted. So what? She's a beautiful girl, he's a normal man with all his hormones intact, he's made no promises to La, so he's not even committed ... and Khushi's reactions show that she is attracted to him too ... but does she realise that? And what would her response be if she did? Arnav is gauging Khushi ... but he's not in love with her, oh no. If anyone suggests that, he would laugh them off. As he did with Di ... oh right, she was talking about someone else, not Khushi ... why did he only think about Khushi when Di said he was in love? Of course he's not in love ... he's ASR, he does not believe in love.
And he has to keep telling himself and the rest of the world that.

27/10 - Epi 107 ... One step forward, one back ... one forward again?

27th Oct Thurs

So after a pheeka Diwali episode full of Slimeball Shyam, Brainless Buaji and Gutless Garima, we get an Arhilicious episode again ... cv's are being very smart! And judging by the SBS segments, all these scenes have been shot much earlier, so they have enough time to play around with the editing.

In terms of Arshi, one step forward ... the mitti in eye scene ... pulsating!

Nimbu mirchi ... one step back ... Khushi clueless again, and silliness quotient back. Fortunately Arnav keeps his calm ... leading to maybe one more step forward again tomorrow?

*edit*
Starts with La sending Khushi to get mitti, much against Khushi's wishes - she wanted to stay away from Arnav and the strange feelings he arouses in her. But then off she goes, gets mud, spilling it all over in her hurry to get done with the job, realises it's not enough and goes back again. Meanwhile Arnav sees the mud, "mitti?" ... he probably knows by now that behind every unusual situation in the house these days is usually Khushi. She takes the mitti and runs, stops short on seeing him, mitti in the air and in her eye ... Arnav glaring, Khushi looking back guiltily and winking furiously ... Sanaya looked damn cute and her suit color was gorgeous!

Khush stammers something about La and diyas ... Arnav interrupts -  Can you stop putting your hand in your eye? Not bothered about the mud, just bothered about her eye ...

She stares, winks again, goes to rub her eye again, he grabs her wrist ... Arnav has no hesitation in holding Khushi's hand on any and every occasion ... and he does it with complete authority, as though he has the right to hold her hand ...
She stops, he pulls her and makes her sit, and kneels in front ... I start melting slowly ... awww ...
Khushi tries her other hand, he holds that as well ... 'do I have to give you overtime to make you sit still?' ... his voice affectionate, slightly exasperated, concerned ... Khushi stares back at him, and the current starts sparking ... she leans back, he says nothing, but his eyes are hot, angry ... quietly she comes forward slowly, eyes down and he puts up a hand to hold her eye open and blows gently ... and Khushi stares as though she can't believe what's happening ...

She closes her eyes, and he swallows ... at the gesture that denotes acceptance of his touch, the innocence of the face in front of him, the awareness of the moment ... both are totally caught up in the moment, in the closeness, the awareness pulsating between them, the act of blowing the mud out of her eye more like a lover's caress than anything ... his look fixed to her face as though he can't take his eyes away, her eyes lowered as though she can't bear the heat in his ...
Pulsating, electric ... with the soft strains of 'rabba ve' in the background ...

And as he goes to push her hair away from her face in a soft caress, she opens her eyes ... and they both stare at each other, arrested ... reality returns, they come back to their senses, but both are still affected ...

He sees her wrist still held in his hand, and releases it ... he stands up ... what the hell just happened to him ...?
She can't look at him, face flushed, cheeks burning ... she stands slowly ... what happened to her ...?
Both awkward, conscious, silent ... turn to talk together and fall silent again ... 

Finally she finds her voice ... soft, breathless ... I'm sorry, I ... your pots ... mitti ...
He returns somewhat to normal ... I had planted seeds there ...
She tries to apologise, she'll bring the mud back, he dismisses her worried stammer ... shut up, you can take mud from that other pot ...
She takes the mud, and leaves, wondering how she escaped a shouting again,  what happened to her Laad Governer ... and what happened to her?

Lavanya in the meantime orders mudcake ... all the talk of mud? Mamiji eats mud instead of mudcake ... shape of things to come?
Khushi goes to return the mud, Arnav tying the nimbu mirchi to the tree, all the while talking on his bluetooth, he stares at Khushi ... and Khushi remembers Buaji talking about someone doing black magic on her. So is that what he has done, is that why she feels so strange every time she goes near him?
Ah, now I realise ... Khushi put khuskhus to make his voice hoarse so he would stop reciting mantras!
Arnav coughing, Anjali worried ...
Anjali tells mami she gave Arnav the nimbi mirchi ... Khushi realises he was not doing jadoo tona on her ... apologetic as usual, and takes the kadha for Arnav. Meanwhile, Arnav sees on his lappy that Khushi had mixed something in his juice ... but what? Why? And he's mad ...
Khushi knocks at the door, he drags her in and doesn't say a word ... just shows her the video. And looks at her with an 'I'm waiting for an explanation' look ...
Lots of progress here ... no blowing up, no lecture on aukat, middle class ... just a controlled anger ... what were you up to? And it had better be good ... 

I was apprehensive about the nimbu mirchi and black magic part ... am glad it was wrapped in half an episode and didn't drag. The first half of the episode was electric ... the dust in eye scene.

 

26/10- Epi 106 ... Double pronged attack

26th Oct Wed

From Buaji and Nani :)

Seems to be building towards Shyam exposure for sure ... full steam ahead, because now Shyam gambles a last throw of the dice - forcing Buaji into thinking of what people around are saying - hey, I agreed with the neighbours completely! Keeping a young man as PG with two unmarried girls? Only a really stupid woman would do something like that! Would serve Buaji right if Khushi offered to shut the neighbours' mouths by tying Rakhi to Shyam - or doing tilak for Bhai Dooj!
Anyway, so Shyam does what he does best - all smooth unctuous slime, playing son of the house in front of gossiping neighbours, and getting Buaji all embarrassed - so she's all ready to force Khushi into agreeing.

On the other hand, Khushi decides her acidity problem is becoming bigger and bigger, and she has to stay away from Arnav ... even though Devi maiyya gets a scolding from her for not letting her do that!
And even though she can't manage to stop her eyes seeking his whenever he's around ...
I do hope she remembers Devi maiyya's ishaaras from yesterday and the fact that she realised that Arnav or no Arnav, she definitely doesn't want to marry Shyam!

Arnav is losing it bad ... gazing lost at his shirt and remembering Khushi and the rangoli ... Anjali pinpoints the right reason, but wrong person again ... and Arnav, all set to argue forcefully that no, Di, I am not in love with Khushi ... is completely jolted by the fact that she's not talking about Khushi at all, while all he can think about is Khushi ... he's even forgotten that he has a live in girlfriend at all.

And Nani decides to make the best of a bad job and accept La ... so pressure is going to build on Arnav as well ...though Anjali remains clueless - Arnav is changing because of La ... really?!

So it all depends on how the man and the girl respond to pressure ... Khushi might fight her feelings for Arnav, because of La, social status, and all other factors, but from the precap, Arnav doesn't seem to be fighting his feelings for Khushi at all ... But how will Khushi face the marriage challenge? And how will Arnav?

No Arshi at all today ... except for the smallest of eyelocks ... very little of either Arnav or Khushi at all. Definitely an episode the cv's felt would have fewer viewers than usual. The scene I liked best - Arnav Anjali ... not because Anjali is so clueless, but because of Arnav realising whom Anjali meant, and whom he was thinking about!

25/10- Epi 105 ... The difference between inside and outside

25th Oct Tues

Have to hand it to Khushi ... or rather to her subconscious self ... it's smarter than the rest of the characters put together! She knows she doesn't want to marry Shyam, even if she doesn't know exactly why.

Slightly random episode in terms of Arshi  - seems like the cv's want to show Arnav Khushi falling for each other, but are running out of innovative ideas to do so ... fairly trite scenes like Arnav staring at Khushi wearing a sari (Barun's expressions made me laugh at the start, though he recovered later in the scene, Sanaya was spot on as always in her confusion and selfconsciousness, and La - can she really be so clueless?), Khushi seeing Arnav in the autovala, the guard, the dhobi, her dream of a shower of flowers and stars (both the actors' expressions were off there) ... all seemed a little contrived.

What I liked ... Khushi walking home alone, conversing with her Devi maiyya in a troubled tone, what is happening, what are these signs you're giving me, and then as realisation dawns ... no wonder I don't want to get married ... I loved Sanaya's expressions in this scene ... I think I just prefer the serious emotional Sanaya!
Liked the Khushi babuji scenes as well, with Khushi trying to cheer up babuji with stories of childhood ... and then getting upset herself and running away ... she really needs that silent support Arnav gives her. And not the slimy slithery snake talks! Loved the way she ignored Shyam when she first entered the house and he asked her why she was late.

And the scenes I really liked and found relevant ... Shyam Khushi when he's sweet talking her and telling her he will always be there for her, and she remembers Arnav, who without all the sweet talk, with his brusqueness and rudeness, WAS there for her when she needed him, when she needed help ...
and LOVED the way Khushi snatches her hand away from Shyam as though it's something slimy! :)

Also loved the way Khushi is so selfconscious and uncomfortable with Shyam all through the scene ... after the marriage proposal which she has turned down very directly, any really decent guy would have had the decency and sense to leave the house ... it makes for such an uncomfortable situation. But Shyam of course is trying to act as though he's her husband already, its a done deal ... and Khushi does not like it. Not his attitude, not his hand holding.
And he's mad again ... Shyam's anger is definitely building up as his plan starts misfiring ... he accounted for Buaji's gullibility, for babuji's helplessness, but he didn't account for Khushi's will and stubbornness.

So amma pressurises her again, and Khushi upset, starts making jalebis again ... the dream sequences were well done ... Arnav as khadoos in Khushi's dreams as in real life, yet Khushi is happily melting into him, smiling away, supremely comfortable in his arms and his bedroom ... while Shyam is as sweet talking and smooth as in real life, yet Khushi is uncomfortable with his words and his closeness, and the location is her own kitchen - where will he take her after marriage?! Ghar jamai?. She seems to have recognised the reality of both men, and the difference from what they portray on the outside ... now just hope she can stay true to her inner voice and Devi maiyya's ishaaras. 

24/10- Epi 104 ... Nazarein milana, nazarein churana

24th Oct Mon

All about nazarein milana, nazarein churana ... cute episode as Arnav and Khushi start the journey of falling in love ...

Khushi still confused, wants to stay away from Arnav till she sorts out her feelings ... but La and Anjali both think otherwise. La is cute, but I really wonder where they're going with her and Arnav - La seems completely comfortable with the fact that Khushi can manage Arnav much better than she can ... and ditto Anjali. Both want Khushi to bring Arnav downstairs, they seem to have accepted that Khushi can do what neither of them can.

Khushi discussing her thoughts with her Devi maiyya was really cute ... she is so confused and cute with it!!! Dismayed that Arnav is at home, happy that he's not coming down, dismayed when Anjali and La ask her to chalao some tigdum, hopeful that her tigdums won't work ... Sanaya's expressions were so cute and adorable!
And the Arnav Khushi scene was hilarious ... Khushi babbling nonstop, finally blabbing all Anjali's plans out, telling him he needn't come down, and retreating, relieved that he won't come downstairs, only to see him emerge promptly ... Arnav, now really?! So much work, yet you stayed home for Anjali's sake ... but of course only for Anjali ... and now you come down to make sure Khushi isn't up to any trouble?! Kabhi kabhi apni so-called girlfriend ke baare mein soch liya karo ... if you have any time to spare from looking out for Khushi, that is!

Akash-Payal revert to blah state ... they are fillers, nothing more, because Arnav and Khushi can't be onscreen the entire episode! So are mami and La - advertising masterchef ... ads within the program show that it's popularity is increasing further!

Anjali Khushi Arnav ... shaadi talk ... Khushi wondering what love is all about ... Arnav listening keenly *rofl* earlier when Anjali spoke of love, he scoffed, now he seems all ears! The part which rings a bell for both of them ... can't see the other in trouble, in pain, distress ...
And all the while, nazarein milana, nazarein churana going on full steam ;-)

Anjali disappears, Arnav promptly falls off the stool, Khushi tries to save him, and fall and eyelock ... rabba ve ... badly edited, but the acting again saved it ... especially Sanaya's ... Khushi all confusion, trying to get up as quickly as possible, struggling ... Arnav just looking at her ... then finally he lets her free, and puts out a hands ... and she takes it ... sees the color on his face, goes to wipe it, he holds her hand, and points, it's as full of color as the spot she was going to wipe ...

And hilarious precap - Khushi is now seeing Arnav everywhere ... autodriver, dhobi ... cv's seem to have decided to keep Diwali light and happy!
Bit of a disconnect though ... in the lights scene, Arnav seemed to know what he was doing, but today he seemed unaffected, while Khushi's confusion, nervousness and awareness is growing rapidly. And I really don't know why Blah is even around ... and what Anjali thinks about Arnav and Khushi ... is she just happy that Arnav and Khushi are not at daggers drawn any more? 

21/10 - Epi 103 ... Kya hua yeh ...

21st Oct

Kya hua yeh, kab hua yeh ...
Dil ne na jaana jo hua yeh ...
Dhadkanein bhi bin poochhe tham gayi ... 

The first lines of Gunjan's realisation song ... so apt here ...

Does Arnav realise what is happening to him? Why has it become so important for him to see that smile on her face? And why he is finding it more and more difficult to stay away from her? Why when he touches her, it's with a possessiveness and a feeling of rightness ... she is his, to have and to hold ... and yet, to ask ... are you all right? All right if I come close, all right if I touch you, take care of you, look after you ... and look at you ...as though my eyes are hungry for you and only you ...
She answered him with her passivity, with her lowered eyes, her silence, the closing of her eyes at his lightest touch, her quickened breaths ... and the way he removed the lights was no less lover-like than a lover removing his bride's ghoonghat, her ornaments on a wedding night ... the light touches, the fleeting caresses, the authority with which he held her, touched her, turned her ... as though he and he alone had that right ...and her submission to his every touch, every gesture acknowledged that right silently.

What a scene ... no hugging, barely any touching ... all in the eyes ... his smouldering, passionate, hers nervous, shy and completely submissive ... to his touch, to his right to that touch ...

Does he know what's happening to him? Does he know what is happening to her? He's older, wordly-wise, experienced ... she is younger, innocent ... there have been sparks and flames in their encounters all along ... but now the fire is changing, from roaring furious rage to a different kind of heat ... even more scorching ...

He seems to know what is happening between them ... as he introspects later that night ... his eyes soft, a reminiscent half smile in them as he touches the dainty fairy lights with a gentle hand ... touching not the colored lights, but her ... again ...

And Khushi walks home in a daze ... lost in her thoughts, in thoughts of Laad Governer ... Laad Governer no more, he is Arnavji ... he is gentle, he is kind ... and when he comes close, he takes her breath away ... what is happening to her?!

But she doesn't have much time to think, to reflect ... :((( because as soon as she reaches home, she's hit by a bombshell ... Amma and Buaji asked her yesterday, and today they have already fixed everything ...
No, she can't!!!

She can't marry Shyam ... that much she knows. Why, she doesn't know ... but her inner voice, her conviction is strong ... strong as it always is, guiding her as it always does ... she cannot and she will not marry Shyam ...
Much to his fury ...
Amma is sympathetic, Buaji is angry ... Khushi confides in her babuji, she is sorry for hurting him, but she can't do this ...
She begs Devi maiyya for help ... why is she unable to listen to her family for the first time, why is she unable to stop thinking about Arnavji ... why? Show me the way, tell me what to do ...

Poor Khushi ... it is not easy to withstand the pressure of a loving family who has her best interests genuinely at heart, especially when she knows how much she owes them ...

Arshi scene ... breath-taking!! Scorching, steaming chemistry ... all in the eyes, barely a touch ... that is what romance and passion is all about ... no flying dupattas, no eyelocks ... seduction and passion through smouldering eyes and lowered lashes, through fleeting touches, gentle barely-there caresses and quickened breathing ... the deafening heartbeats could be heard through the rabba ve ...
SaRun were simply amazing  ... with his smouldering eyes and her lowered gaze and deep blushes, the possessiveness in the way he touched her, moved her as he took off the lights slowly, gently with a lover's touch and the way she submitted passively to his softest push, as though recognising his intent with her heart, quiet, only her closed eyes showing how deeply she was affected by his closeness, his touch ...
He knows what is happening to her ... and to him ... but where will they go from here?

I wish they had ended the episode there and left us to moon dreamily on Arshi over the weekend ... we could have gone back to Slimeball Shyam and Brainless Buaji on Monday! 
But kudos to Khushi ... stay true to your heart and to your inner voice, sweetheart, because you are going to need all the strength of your convictions and your faith in Devi maiyya to stick to your refusal in the face of the emotional blackmail that is now coming your way ...

Khushi's confusion, her refusal, her inner struggle ... Sanaya fabulous again!

Thoughts on the way ahead ...
Khushi stays firm on her refusal to Shyam, frustrating him more and more ... which has started ... finally leading him into making a mistake. For that, I would really like Arnav to start suspecting Shyam just a wee bit ... his return to life and to his awakening emotions should kickstart some more thinking on his part ... This leads to Arnav and Khushi discovering Shyam's truth ... only them ... and wanting to protect Anjali ...

Khushi finally bows to pressure and agrees to marry/ get engaged to Shyam ... and Arnav somehow stops the ceremony at last moment ... somehow leading to Arshi engagement or marriage ... this would mean Shyam's truth out in front of all .. but that would mean exit of Shyam?

neither is completely satisfying ... will wait and see how the cv's take it ... so far I haven't been disappointed at all ...

Forgot to add ... liked the first scene ... Arnav trying to hide his Santa Claus act under usual khadoos act ... manages to convince the ladies ... cute! 

 

20/10 - Epi 102 ... AWW-inspiring episode!!! :)))

20th Oct

Are the cv's bent on giving us a Diwali bonanza? Seems like it ... Today no Shyam and some completely AWW-inspiring Arnav-Khushi scenes.

To start off the episode, a really sweet Payal Khushi scene, where Khushi is very clear that Shyam is not the man for her ... and she spells out what she thought would happen when she fell in love ... a feeling of happiness, a shower of flowers, the stars in the sky seeming brighter, as though they are all gathered in her aanchal, and 'him' all around, everywhere ... and as Payal asks her teasingly where will you find a fool who will fulfill your crazy dreams, she thinks of one person ...No flashback needed, her eyes grow soft and the music plays ... and as she lies down, she remembers the fool who took on five goons for her sake, the fool who paid her hospital bill because she was in trouble ...
And on the other side, Arnav lies in bed, remembering her ... in his arms ... in the hospital, when their souls seemed to connect ...
Dreamyyyy!!!! 

Morning at RM ... wonder of wonders, Akash's backbone has grown further ... to Anjali's amusement. He wants Payal ... Anjali encourages him.
Khushi back to work, someone has to pay the bills ... thank god Buaji is speechless.

 Khushi enters RM ... awwness starts with the first shared sneeze :)))
Then Khushi proceeds to fire lazy worker sitting idle, by firing over Arnav's shoulder ... don't you know you'll get fired if he sees you sitting idle? ...
Once Arnav would have gotten furious ... now he is ... amused!!!
"You were saying something?"
Oops!!! :o
Their expressions here ... to die for ... Arnav with that amused glint in his eye and the slightest of smirks ... and Khushi not knowing what has hit her :)))
*sigh* I love a guy with a sense of humour and teasing ... awww ... Khushi runs for her life ... awww again. He watches her go, still amused ... triple awww ...

Anjali thinks he had words with Khushi yet again, and I learn something new. Apparently it's not enough to get your house cleaned at Diwali ... the real 'shagun' is if you clean it yourself. So LG becomes LG kaka ... and Arnav stayed back because too many breakages happened last Diwali.
Each dialogue is relevant here ... setting up the next scene so perfectly ... awww ...

Khushi - sooo conscious of Arnav, where he is, what he's doing, every move of his ... so much so that she can't even concentrate on bua's phone call ... their eyespeak again ... awww ...
How's your babuji?
Huh?
How's your babuji? again ... patiently, gently ...
She stammers out something ... he's ok, he's back home ... he leaves, she's still lost in him ... untill Bua's shrill tones bring her back to reality ... 
Eyespeak again ... he can't seem to look away from her today ... and she can't hold his gaze ... could almost feel the heat in his gaze and her face ...

A cute Payal Akash scene ... will he, won't he pluck up the courage? Payal is not encouraging him ... 

Back to RM ... La did chickan curry, Anjali and La disappear, Khushi thinking about dhanteras ... knocks over Arnav's favourite vase (a fairly hideous one) ... Arnav appears instantly ... (obviously ... he's pretty much contantly near Khushi today ;-) doing a darn good imitation of her shadow) .. he glares, she stares back horrified, penitant ... Anjali and La rush there ... Anjali asks how did it breaks ... Khushi opens her mouth ...
I broke it by accident.
What!?! She turns to stare at him disbelievingly ... the guy who used to blow her up for things she never even did, is today taking the blame for what she so obviously did do?
And he adds ... it wasn't that great ... 
That was a really sweet touch ... not just taking the blame, but not letting her feel bad about it either ...
Anjali hiding her grins with difficulty ... does she know that Khushi was the culprit? If she does, she has to start understanding the changed equation between Khushi and Arnav very soon ... first he quoted Khushi's words at her, and now this ...
I think Khushi's heart has started 'dhak-dhak' big time now ...
Ladies of the house ordering their jewellery for dhanteras ... OP doing great as usual ... he 'forgettiyed' mami's tops ... *rofl*
Anjali offers Khushi to get something for dhanteras ... Khushi refuses, but asks for 20 packets of detergent and gives OP the money ... she tells La and Anjali about the silver coin offer ... and even if she doesn't get it, at least she won't have wasted the money.
And Arnav overhears ... hayee, knight in shining armour!!!
Really liked the way this was done ... he knows she won't accept another gift, any ehsaan ... so he does something far more thoughtful ...

Heartwarming scene ... Mami preening herself with one gaudy necklace after the other, while Anjali and La watch anxiously and so supportively as Khushi opens one packet after the other ... encouraging her all the while. La really needs to be treated well, she has become a sweetheart!
The last packet is damaged ... Khushi says, if that's what is in my fate, I accept it ...
Yes, her fate ... her hero ... flaws and all ... a difficult man ... but so worth it ...
And she gets more than what she expected ... double of what she prayed for ... two coins, not one ... awww :)))

And she jumps up and down in sheer excitement ... buaji will be so pleased. Arnav watches her with a soft smile ... he brought a smile to her face when she's going through such troubled times ... he's happy. While earlier, her tears used to bother him, now he's gone a step further ... seeing her happy makes him smile. And when he smiles, it reaches his heart, and widens those cracks in the wall he built around it ... that wall is crumbling fast and he doesn't even know it.

When you have two actors who emote so beautifully with their eyes, they set the screens on fire ... the five seconds of precap killed me ... I will need rescuscitation tomorrow!

19/10- Epi 101 ... Chookar mere mann ko, kiya tune kya ishara

19th Oct

I seem to be on a song spree these days :)

The only complaint with the Arshi scene ... the interrruption with Slimeball Shyam :(((

Episode started with SS, and Buaji who of course never hears anything she doesn't want to :((( SS gloats some more - he is really becoming completely hateful now.

Khushi in hospital discovers that Arnav has paid the bill ... calls out to him. Loved the expression in his eyes as he looks at her ... gentle, soft ...
Khushi asks if he paid, he says yes, and she takes off ... why did you do that? I don't need favours, I will manage, I can look after my father ...
First he soothes her pride ... I felt it would be difficult, and my accountant should not have cut the tax, but ...
I can manage, I'm not your family, I'm just an employee ... remembers what happened to her yesterday, and falters, but comes back again ... I will manage ...
He says very gently, complete understanding in his eyes ... I know you will manage but ...
I don't want any favours, I'm not begging in front of you, I don't ...
He just listens ... she is at breaking point, he knows, he understands, he lets her let it all out ...and doesn't say a word ...

I fell in love with Arnav at this point ... his eyes said it all ... 

She stops ... self-realisation dawning again, probably helped by the soft understanding in his eyes ... what is she saying ... he was just trying to help, and she ... she's going crazy ...
He listens quietly still ... he understands, he really does ... does this remind him of what he went through many years ago? Where all he had to cling on to was his pride?

And she runs ... before she breaks down again in front of him ... yesterday was embarrassing enough ... she can't do it again.

He quietly follows her ... he knows she needs support today ... she needs him ... and today he will not be found lacking ...

Khushi breaks down again ... (didn't like that part very much, tbh, would have been better if she had just sat quietly, twisting her hands or her dupatta) ... Arnav sits down next to her and she looks at him slowly. And somehow she can tell him this time ... her fears, her worries, her tension ... she can't lose her father again ... her words an apology in themselves for lashing out the way she did, because she knows he will understand ... his eyes tell her he understands, his very presence there tells her he understands ... and he is there for her ...
 Chookar mere man ko, kiya tune jo ishara
Badla yeh mausam ...
As he tells her wordlessly ... reaching out a hand to lightly touch her head ... a new determination in his face, almost an anger ... no, not again, he will not let any pain touch her again ... he will protect her, look after her ... a promise in that touch ... she looks at him ... their eyes connect, and so do their souls ...

Tu hi bata mere maula, tu hi bata mere rabba
Faasle meelon ke hai, dono hain alag disha
Kabhi yeh mil payenge, nahin kisi ko hai pata
Nahin kisi ko hai pata

Two different people, different worlds, different paths, different goals ... yet they are so similar inside ... can they ever bridge the differences to mesh their similarities together?


ek baat us mein bhi hai, to ek baat us mein bhi hai
Hai dhoop sa voh agar, voh chandni raat si hai 
He is the sun, fierce, blazing hot, she is the gentle cooling healing moonlight

Mil payein kabhi dono, kya teri is mein hai raza
Kya teri is mein hai raza ...
Can they ever be one?

And as their eyes meet, they both wonder ... what is this connection they feel ...? They can't hold each other's gaze, yet  can't look away either ...their eyes bind them together, their souls reach out to each other ...

Na paas aa sake ho, naa door jaa sake
Gar pyaar inko kheenchein, takraar inko roke
And they separate and walk in opposite directions, yet looking back, searching, wondering,
Nikal pade hain kadam, inhein raasta tu hi dikha

Tu hi bata mere maula, tu hi bata mere rabba ...

The last part was fantastically picturised ... as Arnav and Khushi walk away from each other, alone yet still connected in the middle of the busy hospital corridor, looking back, first one, then the other, then both together ... eyes meeting again one last time ...
Tu hi bata mere rabba ...

Beautiful!!!!
No "romance" ... no ghisa pita eyelocks, hugs ... the scene played out like a poem in slow motion, especially the last walk down the corridor ... 

Interspersed were the Payal Akash convo, where Payal told Akash clearly, without crying (for once!) that they would not meet again ... bravo, Payal, finally spelled it out, let's see if Akash can withstand his mother's pressure now. For once I liked them both.
And the Shyam-Garima-Buaji convo, which was as nauseating as I expected, Shyam agreeing meekly for the marriage 'only for bauji's sake' ... while gloating inside at his success ...

Annoyed that the beautiful Arshi moment had to end in Shyam ... but loved the fact that Khushi said 'No' to Shyam so firmly ... the way she said it, politely yet very firmly ... and managed to hold fast despite his subtle and not so subtle attempts at emotional blackmail ... Was worth it to see Shyam's face when she said no ... but he is going to turn really ugly now.

Wonder if it will go according to my prediction ... will post it here ... readers, please comment!!!

Just realised again ... Khushi is really the main character in the show ... she is onscreen most of the time!!! No wonder we're not getting any promos ... she would have no time to shoot anything extra! And no wonder the initial title was based on the protagonist's name ... it revolves around her completely. Even more proud of my girl!!!

What on earth ...

... is Brahma up to? I'm on the same page as Devyani *rofl* Don't trust that man an inch!

When I watch Brahmanand Jhakar in action, I realise that both Shyam and the Cv team in IPK have a long way to go to reach this level of how to portray a villain. Brahmanand Jhakar is crude, uncouth ... yet his villainy is so suave and polished and bloody cunning, that it leaves you gasping for breath. And wondering ... what the hell is this man up to now?!

And after Arnav-Khushi, Gaurav-Vidya are definitely my favourite couple. If ever they come on another show, individually or together, I will watch them for sure ... even Brahmanand and Devyani, for that matter. Superb actors!

18/10 - Epi 100 ... Tum bhi chup ho, main bhi chup hun

18th Oct

Tum ho gham ko chupaye
Main hun sar ko jhukaye
Tum bhi chup ho, main bhi chup hun
Kaun kise samjhaye

Ever since I saw the Arnav-Khushi scenes yesterday, these words have been running in my head ...
Khushi, recovering from that mad unthinking moment when she flung herself into his arms ... needing support so badly that she forgot what lay between them ... backing away, horrified at herself ...
Arnav ... belatedly recovering from his frozen state ... but too late ... she had backed off already ... he wanted so badly to comfort her, he knew she needed it, needed him for some strange reason ... he knew her enough by now to know that like him, she also always had a facade on, but today she had removed it ... and he was found wanting ... to his eternal regret ... yet again ... 
tum ho gham ko chupaye
main hun sar ko jhukaye

And the continuum when Khushi comes to RM for her salary ...
tum bhi chup ho, main bhi chup hun ...
kaun kise samjhaye ...
How to reach out ... with the memory of that unfinished moment between them ... awkwardness, embarassment, discomfort ... both with their own regrets ...
why did I reach out to him for comfort ...? 
why didn't I reach out and give her the comfort she needed...?

Coming to the episode -
the first scene ... brilliant! Sanaya was absolutely fantastic ... I found Barun a bit blank today during the hug, he was much better during the apology scene. His expressions were off.
Khushi backs away, horrified, Arnav recovers life and tries to move forward, say 'Khushi' again ... but now she has recovered her senses ... what was she thinking?! And she runs away ...
Loved the part when Khushi stands outside the hospital room ... an outsider of sorts ... Payal, Buaji and Amma eating lunch, worried but comfortable that Khushi is there to look after things ... while Khushi is just getting overwhelmed ... the way she leans against the glass tiredly :( ... and then recovers to wonder again, why? Why did she do such a foolish thing? What would he be thinking? 
Sanaya's expressions, her body language, everything ... superb here ... simply superb!

Arnav at home, pacing up and down ... his own regrets ... but very different ones ... Why??? Why couldn't I reach out to her, comfort her? All she wanted was for someone to say, it's all right, things will be okay, why couldn't I do that much? Why do her tears do this to me?

Skip the Shyam-Bua-Garima scene ... Bua needs a brain transplant asap!

Arnav next morning ... still lost in thoughts of Khushi ... La arrives all bright and chirpy, and hugs him ... still remembering Khushi, he hugs her back ...
Duh, wrong place, wrong time, wrong woman ... and wrong words ... you should have said them yesterday, Arnav!
He doesn't even react to La's chirruping ... (Barun actually looked a bit blank again, but am giving him benefit of doubt here!) ... finally tubelight La realises his mood is off!

Shashi is discharged ... so soon? After a major stroke? Oh well ... medical details ... ignore, ignore. Finally doc says something sensible, recovery does happen with therapy ... got something right! And then adds that Khushi can take her time over the bill ... the Raizada family's presence didn't go unnoticed, fortunately ...
Reminded me a bit of Darcy and Elizabeth of PnP ... how Elizabeth learns of Darcy's goodness from the housekeeper.

Arnav again .. still completely lost ... La trying her best, but she is clueless as to what makes Arnav tick. Anjali does realise that he is upset about Khushi's father, attributes this to his remembering her and Arnav's own loss ... but Arnav is more worried about Khushi ... why couldn't he comfort her, how badly she broke down ... he is feeling her pain again and it's hurting him so badly ...
Loved Barun here, his expressions, and his words ...all he can think about is Khushi and her pain ... finally he is seeing another's pain and it's reaching him, hurting him ... he wanted to be emotionless, aloof, but he can't. It's already too late ...

Khushi and Payal next day with their father ... again, loved the scene, both girls being ultra brave, Payal belatedly!

Khushi goes to collect her salary. Again the silence between Arnav and Khushi ... a silence that speaks, but neither can hear the other through the deafening noise of their own thoughts, their own regrets ...
She ... her memory of throwing herself into his arms ... how could she have done that, embarrassment, awkwardness ... what would he think of her,  was he angry at her presumptuousness ...?
He ... the same memory ... why didn't he comfort her then, why can't he comfort her now ... why can't he do something for her, take that worry and tension off her face ...?
Same memory lies heavy between them ... but very different regrets.

Anjali interrupts as usual ... becoming kabab mein haddi, this girl! Khushi asks for her salary ...
Didn't care for the dabba ... understandable that she was expecting cash, but a plastic box would have done just as well, and would have looked less tacky.
Arnav gives her the cheque, she is dismayed, but all right, she'll deposit it ...
The amount ...? She had calculated for Rs 30,000 ... every last penny is needed desperately and accounted for ... but she hadn't accounted for tax ...

Why is she being paid out of AR funds anyway? Or does their accountant handle each and every payment? Official as well as personal? Scene was meant to show her desperate need for money, and it did ... felt so bad for poor Khushi, the sole breadwinner, with a mountain of problems surrounding her ... but loved the way she managed to keep her dignity intact and left quietly.

Arnav felt even more upset at her obvious dismay about even a small (for him) amount like 3000 rupees ... he tried to make up ... but again, just a little too late ... and Khushi upset again that he would misunderstand her need for money ...
Anjali tells him that Khushi is worried about hospital expenses ... so finally is he going to do something about that?

Again this scene made me tear up ... Sanaya was fantastic yet again, Khushi's worry, her tension, her desperation, which she tries to hide, her dignified quiet retreat ... she has to manage somehow, and she will ...
And Barun was great ... Arnav wanting to reach out, to help, but he's a victim of his own self ... for so long he has kept himself aloof, distanced, that now when he is aching to reach out, he can't ... 

Skip last Shyam-babuji scene ... more of Shyam's taunting, Babuji's helplessness ... and of course Bua won't overhear anything of importance anyway!

Links
Part 1
Part 2

More eyespeak - this time, GV

Loved the Gaurav Vidya scene today ... another couple who can act with their eyes, and say everything without any words! They don't love each other ... or rather, she does, he doesn't ... but they are so elegant and mature in their interactions, and the genuine desire to want happiness for the other. Gaurav, for all his scruffy looks and Jat appearance, is that rare breed - a true gentleman.
But Chinu for Vidya??? No, please!

Devyani needs to make up her mind and take a stand ... but will she ever? Just being able to stand up against Brahma is a big deal for her. Again, another wonderful actress, a pleasure to watch her emote on screen.

17/10 - Epi 99 ... Hug unfinished ;)

17th Oct

Rushed for time so few quick points ...

Me no like ...
1. Hospital scene ... never has there been any hospital scene in Bollywood/ Tellywood that didn't make me cringe or scoff ... this was no different. Weeping wailing women, shock and horror when doc says Shashi babu is paralysed ... saw that coming from a mile off, so absolutely no surprises, don't ask how a heart attack can lead to a stroke, have long stopped expecting any remotely credible medical facts from shows or films. Shyam's crocodile tears made me want to hit the screen. And the only time I EVER liked a family's reaction to illness was the way the Kashyap family reacted to Suhana's tumour ... that was realistic and completely true to life! Wish the cv's here had seen that and made some changes to what they showed today ... it was just too trite and cliched and nauseating for words! Family can be griefstricken, yet stand strong ... they usually do!

2. Mami made me want to puke again, but today I actually looked past her hateful attitude and saw where she was coming from. Trying desperately for years to hide her roots, insecure and guilty about them and the way she entered the Raizada family, she obviously doesn't want another 'low class' girl in the house to remind her of them, even on temporary basis, especially when they are becoming closer and closer to all the family members. And her methods are as crude as her thinking, she just tries to insult Payal and Khushi again and again, hoping that they will get put off, even if Nani and Anjali don't. Much to her shock, her son is actually becoming enamoured of one of them ... making her even more desperate and therefore cruder in her language.

3. The way Anjali and Akash missed seeing Shyam in the hospital ... really, these scenes need to be made much more believable! Only to be expected, of course!

4. Shyam's monologue at Shashi's bedside ... as loathesome as the guy himself. Liked the touches (directorial? actor's own?) of Shyam looking at the door periodically to check no one was coming in, while he spelled out his hateful plans. Felt bad for poor helpless Shashi babu.

Good parts ... me like :)))
1. Khushi and her babuji ... their silent communication, the helplessness in his eyes, the tears and fears in hers ... Sanaya and the actor playing her father were so good!!!

2. Liked Anjali-Akash ... both wanting to go to help out the Gupta family, Anjali out of the goodness of her heart, Akash for that as well as other reasons!

3. Liked the way Arnav came to know of Khushi's father's heart attack, and his instant reaction of guilt and self-condemnation when he remembered how he had dumped her on the roadside ... let her down yet again.

4. Khushi's rather brisk way of dealing with the Shyam nautanki ... tie a bandage and be done with it, I don't have time for all this, my family needs me. 

5. Liked the scene with Anjali and Akash consoling the wailing trio, and Anjali unknowingly puts more burden on an already faltering Khushi, by telling her that she has to be the strong one to support the rest of the family. Khushi is trying her best ... but she just breaks ... and rushes out.

6. Need I say it ... the Arshi scene. The way Khushi prays to Devi maiyya ... give me strength ... opens her eyes and sees him ...
The way she stands, her expressions, the way she starts walking, slowly, and then runs ...
The way she holds him tight and breaks down finally ... as though knowing she's found her shore, her anchor, her bulwark ... someone to support her ... because she can't take it any more ... Sanaya as usual excellent in emotional scenes ... she made me choke up yet again ...
The struggle within Arnav ... gosh man, don't be inhuman! Fight your own demons another day ... for once, think of her before your own self!

He'd better complete the hug tomorrow ... but I think he might not - even chances. He will be there for her, though ...and she will know that ... he will make sure she knows.

Now what?

Just when I think Maryada has entered a slow phase, it bounces back ... now WT* is Brahma up to? A far more nuanced villain than most shows, and so is Roshnee Devi ... just watched the ITA awards and am so glad that Maryada got best director and best villain for RD ... wish Brahma had got the best villain also!

14/10 - Epi 98 ... The struggle within, the confusion within

14th Oct

I don't blame Khushi for being confused, honestly I don't! In the span of about twelve hours, this guy tolerated her bakbak, accepted her challenge with a hint of her own daredevilry, and openly proclaimed her his bride, then shouted at her, told her to leave without showing him her face. She then woke up to see him caring for her as tenderly as a lover, his softened mood lasted till they were ready to leave, then he flew into a towering rage and almost killed a guy ... after which his foul mood has persisted, and he refuses to tell her why! Just when she thinks things are back on even keel, there he goes again!

And this time something has changed ... his silence troubles her more than even his hurtful words do ... she tries again and again to restore some balance, to go back to where they were, to be her usual chirpy self, even though it takes an effort ... talk to me ...
He is silent.
Maybe he's angry because his meeting got cancelled.
It's good, isn't it, that it got cancelled? You're hurt, how could you work?
Silence.

Is he angry with her because she dressed in those clothes? After all, that's why the mistaken identity and the fight happened. So she says sorry for that.
No response.
We've reached Delhi!
Still no response.
And his silence is troubling her, worrying her to death ... something has happened, something has changed, it feels strange, can we go back to where we were? Talk to me, remind me of my haisiyat, scold me, it was my mistake to wear these clothes, but what could I do ... still, scold me for that if you want, I know I've done something wrong, but I don't know what it is you're angry about now ...

Just shut up!

And so disturbed is she by his strange silence, and the turbulent emotions between them, that she welcomes this ... and takes off into bakbak again in sheer relief ... yes, things are back to normal, he's autocratic Laad Governer again ... we're fine ... you're not so angry after all. You were much more angry when you beat up those goons, I was scared you would kill him!
Silence again.
Is he annoyed because she stopped him from beating up the guy? Did it hurt his ego?
So she praises his fighting skills ... you beat him up, good for you, they will never look at another girl again ...
And unknowingly, she reaches the crux of his inner conflict, what has been plaguing him ever since she asked him the first time ... WHY so much anger? Why did he lose all control when he saw her hurt even so slightly? What made him go berserk at the sight of someone touching her, hurting her ...? Why???
What would you have done if he had actually hurt me?

He doesn't even want to think about it.
Get out.
Stop asking me these questions to which I don't have any answers, stop asking me what I've been asking myself for so long ... get out, so that I don't see your face any more ... because every time I see you, the questions rise again ... why???!!! And I don't want to know the answer ... I'm afraid to face the answer ...

Arnav's struggle has well and truly begun ... and the person he will hurt most in this internal conflict will be not Khushi, but himself. Because every time he hurts her, he hurts himself even more. But he has to hurt her, he has to push her away ... he is scared ... terrified ... that he is not in control any more. So he leaves her on the road, and drives away. Running away ... but how can he run too far from himself? And he sees her face in the mirror, the silent reproach, the bewilderment ... what are you punishing me for this time?
What indeed?

Interspersed with very streotypical hospital scenes, Babuji in hospital, Shyam worried that his secret will come to light, he has to get rid of Babuji for good before he recovers. Payal actually shows slight backbone in comforting her mother, in calling a concerned Anjali to ask for Khushi, and in refusing Akash's help.
Side note - did Anjali stop Akash from confronting Mami, but encourage him to visit the hospital anyway? Or did Akash go on his own?
More cliche .. Shyam tries to switch off the oxygen supply, just as Khushi arrives and babuji recovers sufficiently ... doctor is slightly suspicious of Shyam hovering around the oxygen supply, hope he will tell either Khushi or Arnav that ... because it is one of them who will discover Shyam's truth for sure, am more and more convinced. The denoument will come from one or both ... and they might collaborate in keeping the truth from Anjali ... I hope so anyway! After some more anger and hate from Arnav's side ...

Arnav reaches home, OP tries to tell him something (about Khushi?) ... he doesn't listen ... of course, when does he behave rationally when he's angry? All he can think about is Khushi ... and why???

Precap - Khushi runs into Arnav's arms ... has Babuji died? or relapsed?

13/10 - Epi 97 ... Mujhe haq hai

13th Oct

The first Arshi scene ... no words spoken ... and I have no words either ... hats off to the actors.
Arnav with the concern, the guilt, the worry, the remorse as he remembers what he did to her, what she did for him ...
and Khushi, beautiful in sleep, her innocent unconscious snuggling into his hand, peaceful in his presence, with his touch  ... a contrast to her troubled sleep post the GH incident ...

Aur ahista kijiye baatein, dhadkanein koi sun raha hoga ...
Lafz girne na paayein hothon se, vaqt ke haath inko chun lenge ...

Tumhe haq hai ...
You have the right ... to think about me, to care about me, to cry for me ... and to hold me close ...
I have the right ... to care for you, to touch you, to hold you close ...

Later in the morning ... his tacit admission that she was right ... the transport strike is still on, but I've organised a car ...
Her tacit admission that she was wrong ... a quiet "I'll go back to Delhi ...on my own ..."
The few words, quietly spoken ... a new understanding, a new familiarity ... no apology was asked for, none was needed, their actions, their expressions spoke, and the words were superfluous ... 

The goondas ... mistaken identity ... as Khushi realises ... and tries to explain, looking back frantically at where Arnav is getting pushed around by the goons ...
and then one of them pushes her ... and Arnav sees red ... how dare anyone hurt Khushi ... that is HIS right, to hurt and to heal Khushi ... no one else can lay their hands on her ... and he brushes off everyone else in true Amitabh Bachhan style *rofl* ... and bashes up the orange shirt who dared to lay a finger on HIS Khushi ...

Suri uncle runs to help, goons scatter, all except the one being pummeled by an enraged Arnav ... until she stops him, horrified at the naked violence and Arnav's disproportionate reaction ... he just pushed me, I'm all right ... stop!!! And only her hand stops him ... he rises, as the red haze of anger clears, slowly realising what he was doing ...

Why so much anger? It was just a push ... I'm all right ...

He doesn't know why so much anger ... or maybe he does, but doesn't want to know ... anger unleashed, not only at the goon for pushing Khushi, but at himself for hurting her too ... which she has forgiven yet again ...

The fight scene was surprisingly good for a tv show ... remembered the horrendous ones from MJHT which made me laugh ... this one at least looked good!
And equations changed permanently between Khushi and Arnav ... exactly what I wanted from this trip ... no romance, but a slowly dawning understanding of the other's importance in their lives, a gradually building possessiveness ...

I have the right to care about you, to scold you when you are wrong, to get angry with you when you are right ... mujhe haq hai ...

Half the episode was on Shashi babu confronting Shyam, Shyam's ugly side well and truly out in the open as he tries to get rid of Shashi babu ... Shyam wants to marry Khushi? Being a lawyer, doesn't he know that's bigamy and illegal? Obsessive psychopath lover a la Darr and Anjaam? So Shashi babu suffers a heart attack, Shyam withholds medicines, but Buaji et al arrive a bit too soon ... Shyam is not in the clear yet. And Anjali saw Shashi talking to Shyam again in the mandir ... will she come to know that Shashi babu is Khushi's father in the near future?
Shyam was good ... mean, ugly as hell, slimy as he withheld Shashi's medicines, and then switched smoothly to concerned unctuous good guy as Buaji et al burst in. And all the women did nothing but cry ... *sigh* ... get a doctor first, brainless people, before you wail the roof down!

Precap ... Khushi asks Arnav why he got so angry at a push, what would he have done if she had been hurt ... he gets angry and tells her 'get out' ... yet again ... *sigh* ... this guy needs serious anger management classes. Poor Khushi has a tough time ahead of her!

12/10 - Epi 96 ... Eyespeak

12th Oct

Aankhon hi aankhon mein ishaara ho gaya ...
Aankhon mein voh baat keh gaye ...
I loved the eyespeak between Arnav and Khushi today ... ahh, the connection is back ... the way they don't need words to talk ... their eyes say it all.

On Tuesday she said she would make him stay back, because it was foolish of him to try and leave. She gave him good reasons for staying back ... he didn't listen. So she challenged him ... you will stay back, I will make you.
And he accepted the challenge ... You will? What makes you think I will listen to you? Just try it!


So she did ... in full Khushi style, all nautanki drama, the works ... *rofl* ed at the you're leaving me because of too much mirchi in the daal ... and Arnav of course, faced with some 5-6 very determined bulky Khushi champions, was left with no choice ... much to his annoyance ... not so much at having to stay, but at losing his challenge.
And Khushi celebrates as the bhangra dancers start their festivities.
And in those fleeting moments, amidst the colorful noisy bhangra dancers and the noisy joyous festive atmosphere, the two had a silent conversation ... in their own world, without even registering the noise and color around them ...
She ... impish, delighted grin, a victorious wiggle of the eyebrows ... I got you!
He ... Angry ... just you wait ... 
She ... You're just sulking ... you challenged me and I won ...
He ... for now ... just for now, believe me ...
And then she gets up to dance, still delighted, and he sees her dancing without a care in the world, ... his face softens seeing that innocent smile, the sheer joy and life in her ... but then she looks at him and smiles again ... delighted to see him smile ... and he takes it as rejoicing in her victory yet again ... his smile fades and his mind clicks into action ... she won. She won?! How dare she win against him, Arnav Singh Raizada? And the fun and lightness of the challenge is forgotten as Arnav pulls the heavy mantle of ASR around him again ...

Loved the way this was picturised ... Arnav and Khushi peeping at each other through the colorful curtain of shifting dancing figures, her mischievous impish grin, his snarky one ... for a moment there, ASR was gone, it was Arnav alone ... meeting Khushi on a common turf ... 
and then he's gone ... and ASR is back ... together with the temper that doesn't let him think ... especially where this girl is concerned.
So he does a nautanki of his own ... yes, we're married ... and tonight is our wedding night ...

And poor Khushi ... her smile fades ... why doesn't he see that she did this only for him ... but of course, he can't, because his ego doesn't allow him to see past the fact that she bested him in their challenge ... and he can't have that ...
So off he goes in total caveman style, to the cheers of the crowd ... and a very scared Khushi ... uh oh, she's unleashed the temper again ... now he's not going to be thinking past that temper ...
And of course, he doesn't ... it's all about how dare she behave like that with him ... how dare she ...
Not ready to listen or think as to why she did what she did ... tells her again to get out of his life, leave because he doesn't want to see her face again ...
and leaves her outside, in the dark, in the cold ...
And Khushi curls up into a little ball, terrified as the light goes out and she's left in the dark ...

Next morning Arnav wakes up ... ok, I loved his concern and his thoughts for Khushi as soon as he got up ... but seriously, man ... did you actually go off to sleep peacefully after leaving her locked out alone in the dark? Major minus points for that one! My husband would be in the doghouse for life if he did that!
Anyway, Arnav makes up for it with his immediate concern and the way he remembered telling her to leave ... Oh shit ... has she actually left?!
And loved the poignancy of the scene ... as he finds her curled up outside, the light fused ... he actually tries the switch, and again remembers she's afraid of the dark ... love the way the cv's put in all these little touches and the way he remembers all her fears ... carries her in ... and again a repeat of the GH scene, the way she holds onto him and he gently releases her hand ...

Dhabe vali aunty rubs it in further unknowingly as she wonders how Khushi caught cold when the blankets were right there ... Arnav is now drowning under his guilt ... yet again.

And the last bit reminded me why I just love this couple ... their emotional scenes are going to be killers ... hardly any words, as he wakes her up, she murmurs 'amma, babuji' and his jaw clenches again ... again seeing the little lost girl, an echo of his own lost self ... she wakes up, sees him, doesn't say a word, her eyes confused, dazed ... his eyes, his touch gentle as he lifts  her, gives her medicine, helps her drink her milk ... all the while they are looking at each other, and looking away again, he from guilt, she from ... what?

Reminded me of the words of the song
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar

Nani ... bravo ... telling mami like it is ... you're scared because this is exactly what you did!
And Anjali ... honestly, she's bugging me ... on one hand, she encourages Akash about Payal, on the other hand, she tells Mami that there's nothing between them. Two-faced!

Shashai finally follows Shyam to the mandir and catches him red-handed ... literally ... putting sindoor into Anjali's maang ... no chance of any galat fehmi here ... but really Shashi babu *head desk* ... confronting the guy here and now?! Couldn't you wait till you got home and had witnesses or reinforcements? Of course you couldn't ... otherwise story kaise aage badhti?!

And one last question ... did Arnav get around to eating last night or not? The main reason why Khushi stopped him? One of the reasons, anyway.

Links
Part 1
Part 2

11/10 - Epi 95 ... Mixed bag again ... does comedy always mean juvenile?

11th Oct

*sigh* ... the bane of daily soaps ... daily soaps! Or rather, the lack of original thinking ... pressure of time, or sheer laziness and taking audiences for granted?

Things I liked : Akash finally grew a backbone of sorts.
But why did Anjali stop him?
Thoughts - Anjali's character is dangerous. In the sense that she wields the maximum influence in the house, yet is unwilling to exert that influence strongly enough on things that matter. Examples abound - she knows that Arnav doesn't love La enough to want to marry her, and probably knows La is not right for him either, yet is unwilling to exert any pressure on him either in favour of or against marriage. Ditto with Nani, Anjali tries to keep peace between them, without letting them fight out their major issues clearly ... brushing them under a carpet in the interest of peace at all costs. Problem is, that cost might later prove to be too expensive.
Will she be the same when Shyam's truth finally comes to light? Know in her heart that Khushi is innocent of leading Shyam on, yet, in the interest of peace and preserving her marriage, allow the blame to stay on Khushi without defending her or forcing any showdown with Shyam?

Things I liked : Shashi ticked Shyam off about badmouthing Khushi for being out with another man. He trusts her. Enough said.
Thoughts: I wish he had added that his own opinion of his daughter is more important than any stranger's or outsider's opinion, thereby putting Shyam very firmly in those categories. And also if he had added that stray dogs will always bark, that would have been icing on the cake!

Coming to Khushi-Arnav ... mainly Khushi today, Arnav was pretty unremarkable.
Things I didn't like : The first dupatta scene ... honestly, just about as cliched as could get ... besides, didn't gel with Khushi's character at all to be so simpery ... couldn't they have done a replay of the 'dori' scene of MJHT 2, with Khushi snatching up her dupatta herself and wrapping it while Arnav donned the garb of a gentleman and looked away? Why did she have to wait for him to pick it up?

The climbing on the table to talk, and then wondering 'how did I reach here?' Honestly, cv's, stop making Khushi so juvenile and brainless! You have one heroine with the IQ of a grasshopper in your other show, can you make this one a little more intelligent ... and a bit more consistently?! If the fall scene was required, Khushi could have gone a little further away and then tripped as she turned or something ... this was pretty stupid! Reminded me of Dubeyji in Monsoon Wedding ... though that was hilarious, but here, Khushi is the heroine, not a comedian! Stop making her into one ...

Things I liked : yes, there were things I liked about Khushi today, even though she irritated me with the above two scenes a lot.
I liked that she called her parents to let them know her whereabouts ... I expected that, and was glad to see it happen, including the instructions about buaji's medicines ... re-emphasizing the caring, responsible side of Khushi.
I liked that she was the one to clarify that she and Arnav were not married ... Arnav did nothing but glower.
I liked that she landed up confessing about the petrol ... it was a juvenile and stupid prank, jeopardising an important work trip for the sake of romance. La should never have agreed to it, of course, so the blame goes to them both ... I don't blame Arnav at all for losing his cool so completely. But also, this showed her essentially truthful nature, which when the Shyam truth emerges, should weigh on her side. Now all I need is for her to confess to her antics in bringing La back ... and Arnav to tell her coolly that he knew it was her all along.
I liked the embarrassment when she found herself in his arms, and her temper, as quick to flare as his ... put me down! And when he dropped her, and the dhaba valas attributed it to his not being strong enough to hold her, his expression was hilarious ... served him right for being such a boor! I liked her not quite hidden snigger at that one!
I liked best of all : the way she tried to stop Arnav from leaving, pointing out all the obstacles which he in his anger had completely forgotten ... no phone, a transport strike, and he hadn't eaten ... now that is the Khushi I want to see more often ... using her brains.
Also, since she makes mistakes, and then tries to rectify them, I would really like to see Khushi be the one to get them to Nainital in time for Arnav's conference ... after the obligatory goonda sequence is done. 

Arnav today : pretty unremarkable - he did nothing much but glower at just about everything ... to the point that I felt like shaking him and telling him - Man, lighten up! He relapsed back to his angry child status today ... fine, he was justified in being angry and worried about his business trip, but the difference between him and Khushi came out even more strongly ... she makes the best of things and carries on, and he allows them to overpower him. And her line about his anger overpowering his thinking ... has she been listening to Anjali?!
Anyway, he was pretty much in character ... the only thing I liked about him was that even in his anger, he remembered to leave her money to get back to Delhi ... I didn't blame him for being angry enough at the petrol prank to want to dump her there and then at all! 

I did feel the difference in their social statuses very strongly today ... although hey, I have seen suited-booted businessmen eating happily at roadside dhabas, it's not such a big deal. He actually reminded me of Mami with his constant awareness of the difference between them, and his refusal to eat the dhaba food.
His embarrassment at being with Khushi, while understandable, was not very nice. But there is a huge difference between them, which makes me feel their love story has a long while yet to start. At the moment, they have just about started acknowledging each other as individuals beyond their initial stereotyped judgements ... but they don't even like each other very much yet ... simple physical attraction aside. My main question is ... will the cv's be able to deal with their story without turning them, especially Khushi, into permanent comedians?

10/10 - Epi 94 ... More progress

10th Oct

Definitely more progress between Arshi ... they're looking and sounding more and more like a married couple now in their interactions *rofl* ... their interactions have now taken on the sound of normal conversations, with the bitterness, hate and anger relegated to the past ... until it surfaces again?

And PayAsh scenes were so typical SP saas-bahu scenes ... crying silent, suffering bahu and vicious mean saas ... so Payal needs the combined army of spineless Akash, La and Anjali to protect her from mami's tongue ... god help her if and when she gets married to Akash!

Shashi babu finally asked Shyam about his DOB discrepancy ... of course, Shyam has an excuse ready ... but battle lines are being drawn slowly ... 

The Arshi scenes were few today, but were cute ... better than the silly humour of the ME! So Khushi sitting comfortably in a hole in the ground ... Arnav relieved first to find her ... his first words - are you all right? and then he goes into annoyance, why didn't you say something, now get out ... she replies, if I could get out, do you think I'd still be sitting here? *rofl* Enjoyed the banter - this girl will not let Arnav get away with anything! And the hug as he pulls her out, and again that tug of awareness, this time on both sides ... and shorn of the anger of their usual encounters, it makes them both awkward ... confused ...

And the second Arshi scene ... the dialogue that made me laugh again ... so familiar ... after Arnav found his tongue again at the sight of Khushi in that beautiful lehnga ... "why do these things only happen to you?" and Khushi replies meekly, in complete agreement, "I don't know!"
Loved the sight of Arnav mesmerised by Khushi in the lehnga ... now if she would only open her hair and he would be a goner for sure!

9/10 - Epi 93 ... Intrepid, incessantly talkative, irrepressible Khushi :)

9th Oct Mahaepisode

Boy, how much she talks! *rofl* If nobody is around, she can talk to herself, but talk she must!
The episode showcased the changing equations between Arnav and Khushi - Arnav becoming more and more tolerant of Khushi and her shenanigans, Khushi becoming more and more talkative in front of him and losing her fear of her LG, the subtlest touch of awareness on her side as he fixed her Bluetooth, the smallest signs of regrets on his as the memory of her fear of fast cars made him slow down, and she reminded him with just a trace of sulkiness but no real accusation, that he had broken her phone. I really like that they are taking the Khushi Arnav story very slowly ... don't want them falling in love till Khushi has grown up a little more. As for the humour, I don't expect much better from GH ... it was okay to cute in parts - Khushi sitting in the boot and munching pakoras, her offer to push the car while he steered *rofl* ... she is no damsel in distress for sure! Intrepid Khushi! and her incessant bakbak in the jungle. Also loved the way Arnav knew she was following him, told her to come out into the open without a trace of anger, and told her to keep shut! All in all, I admired Arnav for keeping his cool when faced with irrepressible Khushi in her element!

La got into more trouble, Nani making it very clear that La can't manage a thing without Khushi, which La also realises! Mami upset at La's changing camps!

Shashi babu got annoyed that Buaji and Garima had matched horoscopes without even asking him ... Shashi babu, you need to get more forceful about this Shyam character! And finally he does get something concrete - that Shyam's date of birth on horoscope and DL are different. But Shyam on the other hand knows that Shashu babu is not as gullible as Buaji. Is Shyam's obsession for Khushi going to prove stronger than his need for Rani Sahiba as a meal ticket? Guess so, otherwise story won't progress.

And in the end, Khushi is lost ...
Normal soaps, Kekta types, and even usual SO types - goondas etc. This soap ... not sure! she could be sitting somewhere at a dhaba eating her fill. Or she could have found them a ride to Nainital ...

7/10 - Epi 92 ... RIP ASR, Arnav is coming back to life

7th Oct

The last two weeks have been punctuated with milestones in the Arshi relationship, and the thawing of ASR ... and today ASR finally dissolved into Arnav. Beautifully done episode from start to end ... although I could have done without the jumping between the Payash scenes ...

And ASR laughed ... or should I say, Arnav laughed ... 

*edited*
Quick synopsis and my thoughts :) This is an episode that really can't be described, it has to be seen and felt ... the subtle play of emotions on the faces of the actors, especially Sanaya in the kitchen scene, moving between awareness and concern ... and the visible change in Arnav, the laughter in his eyes even after Khushi leaves, as though a weight has been removed from his heart and the long-dead Arnav has truly started to return to life.

Arnav feeling dizzy, goes to kitchen, Khushi tells him to get out, he's in no state to listen, she turns away and he collapses ...
Aapne vrat rakha hai kya? *rofl* ... aww ...
She does all the right things, try to call Anjali and La to find out what is wrong, what should she do ...
He collapses further ... Khushi freaks out even more ...
The first of the bits I loved ... the way she supports him, then gets lost in him ... full circle, deja vu of the first time he supported her when she fainted in the guesthouse, then got lost in looking at her ...
Sanaya did this simply beautifully, her expressions varying between awareness and concern, and as she gets on with the immediate task of supporting him, feeding him, being completely alert to what he needs, but the background awareness never quite goes away ... I think the bg music added to the effect, but I was totally lost in her face and the worry emanating from it ...

He manages to tell her he needs sugar ... Barun did this part beautifully, the muttered 'Khushi, meetha' ... Khushi even checks, are you sure, you're not supposed to have sugar ... but he mutters again and she runs to get something ...
Jalebis ... but of course ... remember you wanted to feed your husband jalebis, Khushi?
Again this scene can't be described ...as she feeds him, the worry on her face, Arnav slowly recovering, Khushi supporting him every inch of the way, as he groggily gets to his feet, the hands on either side ... for support, not to threaten ... does he remember? Deja vu again ... He sees the worried face, the concern, tells her, almost brusquely, 'hato' ... as though annoyed that he still needs support ...or that she thinks he needs it ... but she's too worried to register it ... so he removes her hand gently and starts to leave ...

"Aap theek to hain na?"
So worried still ... he nods slightly. Does the concern in her voice reach him? warm him?
"Kya hua aapko?"
He tells her briefly ... his blood sugar dropped, he came to get sugar.
Stumbles again, she reaches automatically to support him again ... he recovers to tell her, don't tell anyone.
"But are you all right?" Her overriding concern for him wrapping around them... yes, he nods, and leaves.
Leaving her worried and guilty ... you came for sugar and I ...
Again full circle ... his guilt about the GH drove him crazy for a while, her guilt about her shouting driving her crazy now ...

Interspersed with Akash near Payal's house, bond over sabzi buying ... this couple just showcases why a love story needs problems, otherwise it can turn completely bland ... this one is about as exciting as hospital food!

Anjali, Nani and Mami return, (return of the Om Prakash with them ;)  Anjali asks why Khushi called her, Khushi makes some excuse, but she's still distracted by her worry over Arnav ...
And Mami is still in La camp ...
Khushi can't think about anything except Arnav and his fainting ... and her own guilt ... why did she shout at him like that?
Arnav getting ready to leave for Nainital ... Khushi can't stop herself any more, goes to say sorry ... she is such a sweetheart ... forgets all about the fact that she looked after him when he blacked out, in her remorse and worry, why did I yell at him for no reason?
And the adorable Arshi scene ... Khushi trying to apologise, Arnav has already forgiven her ... heck, he doesn't even remember her yelling, all he remembers is her worry and the way she supported him, helped him, was worried, so worried for him ... as she blabbers on about her mistake, and begs for forgiveness, he's not even listening, he's just looking at her, the way she's smearing herself with besan all over her face in her anxiety and full on blabber mode ... and he starts laughing ... at the picture she makes, at her innocence, her cuteness, her so-touching worry, the heartfelt regret for such a small mistake ... at the bundle of contradictions that is Khushi ...
and Khushi stares at this laughing Arnav in wonderment ... for the first time seeing him laughing wholeheartedly, the shadows gone from his face ... I don't blame her for being thunderstruck ...

Anjali is overjoyed that Arnav is laughing for the first time in years ... Arnav recovers himself belatedly ... but not completely ... points to Khushi's besan smeared face ... and the siblings laugh again ... Khushi recovers slightly and runs to wash her face ...
Arnav stops laughing, but the smile still there in his eyes ... is he feeling lighter in his heart? Laughter is strong medicine indeed ... has it started dissolving the bitterness frozen inside him? And now the thaw has started, will he be ever able to go back to being the stern-faced, stoic, frozen and emotionless ASR?

Arnav has started emerging from ASR after years ... from where he was buried deep inside ...

And Khushi thinks so too ... as she pauses outside, looks back as she remembers his laughter again, and murmurs ... when you laugh, you don't look like Laad Governer at all ... with the softest of smiles ... aww Khushi, that wasn't Laad Governer laughing, it was Arnav ... and it's Arnav you will fall in love with. And it's Arnav you will force out of his ASR shell and into the world of the living again.

Rest of episode was about La and her 'alogee' and missing the Nainital trip ... contrast again between Arnav's attitude towards Khushi and towards La ... he found it so easy to forgive Khushi, but La earns his wrath yet again!
Khushi upto her tricks, emptying the petrol, and fixing up creature comforts inside the boot for La's tryst with Arnav, including all-important food ... and of course, she gets trapped inside ...
so Khushi and Arnav on the way to Nainital just in time for the Mahaepisode ... thank you, CV's!!!

6/10 - Epi 91 ... Awwlicious ... Khushilicious :-)

6th Oct

My post today doesn't make too much sense ... I was too busy going aww and grinning like an idiot ;-)

Awwlicious Khushilicious episode ... how can anyone NOT be in love with this girl?! Such a sweetheart ... poor Arnav baby is struggling hard, sulking, pouting ... I don't want to talk to you, it's all your fault, you told the kids to do all this, you've messed up my life, my mind ... and my heart ...
She begs him to forgive the kids ... he sulks - no, I won't. It's all your fault. Kids helpfully pipe up, no jijaji, it's not didi's fault.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings ... awww ...
The stolen glances ... aww again ...

He leaves, she follows with the kids ... he's rude to the kids, Anjali enters and intervenes, he hurts Anjali as well and leaves again ...
Anjali falls ... Khushi calls out to everyone ... Anrav thinks she's playacting again and he ignores.
Khushi to the rescue ... the sensible, mature, thinking Khushi ... gets Anjali to the sofa, restores her brace, calls the others. Arnav rushes, horrified but Anjali is unforgiving ... Nani emphasizes Khushi did everything ... I love cupid Nani :-)
Arnav repeats Khushi's words about forgiving ... lolzz ... Khushi startled, stolen glances again ... awww ... Nani Anjali equally aww ... who taught you all this? Has Khushi got another pupil besides La?
Stolen glances again ... awww ...
Kids apologise again, Arnav forgives them. But they're not sorry about the mustache, because it looks good on him ... *rofl*
Loved the way Khushi shushed that little girl guiltily ... looked like a mom shushing a child to not tell dad! 
Anjali points out that sounds like Khushi again ... Khushi blushes ... more stolen glances and aww ... am losing count here! *rofl*
La is feeling very left out ... or is it out of place? And just a bit insecure?

Kanjak puja ... Khushi explains to La, helps with the puja, one girl kisses Khushi, Anjali beams, and La feels even more uncertain.

Family gathering post puja ... Khushi brings tea, totally into bahu of the house mode, she really seems like part of the family now ... Arnav looks at her ... this guy just can't stop looking at her now ... awww! Nani clarifies what was puzzling me ... how have they managed to keep this a secret from Arnav for so many years ... kids were naughtier this year ... plus, I think Arnav spent more time in office earlier! Ab toh jab dekho, he's back home!
Liked mami's line ... kanya puja has been khufiya puja all these years!
Is it my imagination, or is mami also warming up to Khushi, and getting tired of La?

Khushi leaves, Arnav watches her go ... again???!!! *rofl* And she's got him on his Achilles' heel today ... her care for Anjali ... he's beginning to realise she is not what he thought her to be ... and to see her caring nature for everyone ... so when Anjali mentions Khushi was fasting, he goes to give her the dabba of prasad ... liked Nani's slight smile when he gets up ... Nani cupidwa ;-)

Cute klutzy Khushi re-emerges ... what have I done now? I didn't do anything, it wasn't me, I didn't break the pot ... shades of K3G again ... Arnav tells her firmly to shut up, and gives her the dabba ... heartbeats haywire again ... she snatches the dabba and runs ... Arnav left wondering ... ajeeb hai yeh!

Later Khushi stares at the dabba ... without eating a thing ... a first for her! He gave it ... aww. But life was so much easier when he was always mean to her ... now her heartbeats are driving her crazy!
So she decides to stay away from him ... na rahega baans, na bajegi bansuri!

And she tells him so the next day when she goes for work ... much to his complete bewilderment ... where is this girl coming from? What brought that on? Till last night, she was completely normal ... as normal as she usually is, anyway *rofl*

Shashi babu tries to trace the car number - he can't. Shyam wondering what he's up to. Amateur detective work, that's what ... and very sloppy at that.

La- Khushi ... La going on business trip with ASR, again planning by Khushi to get La and ASR closer together. For once, La is worried, all their plans backfire ... but Khushi is optimistic. La mentions marriage, Khushi's face falls ...
La leaves for spa, Khushi goes to make pakodas. Khushi calls a hotel in Nainital ... this is going to backfire big time! But do we have a trip coming up? Or is this all about La's exit? La's exit this time has to be between La and ASR alone, without Khushi being involved, for it to be permanent - am surprised La hasn't seen that ASR's attention is always on Khushi - he has barely looked at La since she got back.

Last one minute was all about ASR blacking out ... he took more time than I've seen anyone take to faint *rofl*

And Shashi finally finds some concrete evidence, DOB conflicting in Shyam's driving license and patri. Question is, what is he going to do about it? Simple, Shashi babu, you're the man of the house, and the only one with any brains, tell your dolt of a sister you don't want a single guy staying in the house with your two young girls, she should send Shyam off, or you'll take the girls back to Lucknow.

5/10 - Epi 90 ... Cute!!! and yet another hit and miss ...

5th October

All about Khushi/Arnav and the brats ... cute!!! Special appearance - Om Prakash! *rofl*
And yet another hit and miss between Shyam and Shashi babu ...

Two tracks going on side by side ... Arnav Khushi's changing relationship and the softening of the Rakshas  ...
and the unveiling of Shyam. Somehow I don't think Shyam will be unveiled by Shashi babu ... Shashi might come to know the truth but have a stroke or heart attack or some such thing, rendering him incapable of speech or unconscious ... the main exposure will be by Khushi/Arnav ... either/or ... am almost sure.

*edit*
The Ice Age ends and the thaw sets in *rofl*
I liked the episode a lot today ... I think my liking is inversely proportionate to Khushi's silliness, and today her antics were not silly, they were in tune with the responsibility given to her, to keep the kids out of Arnav's way, and not even let him know they were there ... really, Anjali, do you know your brother AT ALL???!!! So Khushi tried her best all through, with no help from La and Mami ... strange, you invite kids for kanjak puja and you let them run amok in your house, and go off on your various errands or to sleep! Oh well, all for the Arnav thaw ... it's a good cause!

And I loved the way Khushi handled the kids ... firmly yet sweetly - she won my approval straight off when she didn't give them the thali of laddoos, but kept it firmly in her hands. *rofl* at La's indignation that Khushi is 'didi' and La is 'aunty'!

So Mami, Anjali, Nani and La all abandon Khushi to look after nine lively kids on her own ... Mami the bhoot ... of course some of them land up in Arnav's room and destroy the model, and paint on his picture ... I actually winced when that model toppled over *rofl*

Again, liked the way a harassed Khushi comes hunting, *rofl* at the kid who asks her "is this your husband's room?" striking her momentarily speechless ... she shepherds them out very firmly, takes a last look to see for any obvious destruction, misses it, but warns the kids not to go back into that room.

Then Khushi plays chupan chupai ... first wrong number ... Om Prakash - omg, that guy's expressions cracked me up! Reminded me of Bashful in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Never mind, Khushi ji ... I don't mind your catching me!
Second wrong number ... or right number *rofl* Arnav LG ... wondering as usual WT* ... that is becoming his permanent expression these days with all the Khushi madness in his life!
"Phir se zarurat se zyada lambe" ... she feels his face ... nope, Khushi, stubble definitely means wrong number again and she snatches her hand back ... and slowly opens her blindfold one eye at a time, and her heartbeat starts thumping again, belatedly this time ... so Khushi is a little lost ... awww ...loved the bg music here ...
And Arnav asks her exasperatedly, what exactly were you doing? And the anger is definitely a thing of the past ... the Ice Age is gone, and the thaw has set in ... slowly *rofl*

Poor Khushi still lost for a bit, then belatedly remembers her brief, and tries to hide the kids as best as she can ... *rofl* Khushi, nine active kids are UNhideable for any length of time!
Gosh, the scene was hilarious ... his incredulity ... what were you doing? ... were you actually playing??? With whom?
Om Prakash takes the fall again ... his turn to wonder WT* ...
Arnav gives up ... you are ajeeb!!! *rofl* that's putting it very mildly, Arnav!

Khushi heaves a sigh of relief, and warns the kids to stay out of his way, because he's a rakshas and eats kids! Then discovers three kids are missing again ... she needs help! But she sees OP going to give Arnav tea and the kids are in full view ... so she dashes ... another Arnav-Khushi face-off, Arnav wondering yet again what is wrong with her ... OP yet again a bewildered accomplice ... nope, no one came here ... OPji, if Khushi could get Arnav to take the rap for the missing Tulsi, what field radish are you? You don't have a chance!
And I cracked up at the last bit when he opens the shut door, takes his tea from Khushi's hand, and shuts the door again! As though to say ... meri maa, chai de do, baaki carry on with your paagalpanthi! 
Somehow reminded me of SRK-Kajol in K3G! As though Arnav has accepted Khushi is in his life, she is what she is, and he just has to live with it!

Again three kids missing ... Khushi calls Anjali and begs her to come back because Arnav is back ... he's coming back earlier and earlier from office these days, I find! Arnav yells ... Khushi goes running, she sees his pic with the moustache, and I don't blame her for sniggering, I did exactly the same thing *rofl* Then Arnav blows up about the model, he asks her if she broke it, she says she didn't ... and wonder of wonders, I think he actually believes her ... first wonder was that he even asked her whether she was the culprit! Angry Arnav is back though ... and Khushi is scared and worried, but not terrified ...she's more worried saving about the kids.
And finally the kids emerge and with them Nani, and the truth ... Arnav can't say anything more, and walks off ...
Khushi sees the broken model and is very upset ... she asks the kids immediately and they confess ... Nani questions her and she assures Nani the kids will atone for their mistake ... Nani trusts that Khushi will rectify matters. Love the way Nani trusts Khushi absolutely!

Interspersed with all these, were the scenes of Shyam taking Khushi's parents to the temple, making sure his and Khushi's horoscopes would match, and a hit and miss encounter with Anjali, Shashi sees Anjali behaving familiarly with Shyam, he gets Anjali's car number. Ok, this is leading slowly to Shyam's revelation, but am betting Shashi babu will be incapacitated somehow by Shyam before he can reveal anything. Shyam is turning uglier and uglier.
And the thaw between Arnav and Khushi is getting warmer and warmer ... waiting for the precap scene ... is it really concern for Khushi, or is Arnav actually going to play a practical joke on her?

I love the way the relationship is building between Arnav and Khushi ... the initial attraction is already well in place, but now they are getting to know each other as individuals, and Arnav is slowly and surely loosening up as he sees the genuineness, the sweetness and the innocence that define Khushi. And the child in her ... will that bring back the lost child in him? He lost his childhood far too quickly, is that what is going to be Khushi's biggest gift to him?

And hats off to Sanaya and Barun ...for their expressions ... and for holding them during those scenes!! I really want an SBS on how they canned these shots ... I want to know how much they laughed between takes! Oh, honorable mention to Om Prakash today as well!

Links
Part 1
Part 2

4/10 - Epi 89 ... Bipolar CV's

4th Oct

Wish they would make up their minds whether this is an intense love story or a comedy!
Anyway, the episode per se was enjoyable ... might as well enjoy while waiting for the seriousness to set in. And hope that the OTT comedy gets toned down at some point.

Episode starts with Nani losing it over the lost Tulsi ... I thought Tulsi was kept in the aangan and never inside the house?! Oh well ... nani delighted to see Khushi, La's training to resume! Arnav asks irately what the matter is - this time he doesn't blame Khushi!
Khushi loses track of everyone in trying to decipher her heart beat ... La drags her back to reality ... help, Chamkili!

Shyam setting scene for getting himself married to Khushi - seems to be the only way he can get her out of RM. Sindoor on her photo ... yuckkk ... the cv's had better not show a Shyam-Khushi marriage, they just dare not!!!!

Back to RM ... Khushi happily blames Arnav for putting the tulsi outside near his other plants, spelling it out that he should take the blame in place of Lavanya. Liked Khushi's exasperated look, when she spells it out ... you made the mistake, and La is being blamed ... like, can you get with it please and save your bimbo girlfriend? And winks at him desperately again and again, till he yells STOP out of sheer exasperation ... like, yes, okay!!! I get it,  I'll take the rap this time! *rofl* did she leave him any choice?
And I liked their exchanged looks as he leaves, then turns back, as though saying ... you'd better stop doing this, every time you manage to get me to do what you want ... this won't last ... and you'll get your just desserts when my patience runs out ... and her worried look, a hint of apology in it ...
La thanks Khushi ... now Khushi has to deal with ASR also for her, not just with Nani.

Gupta house ... Buaji convincing Garima ... Shashi babu, you'd better hold out ... or Khushi, you'd better say a firm NO. My last hope.

Rest of the episode was about Khushi's heartbeats and testing them ... first it was hiccups, now heartbeats ... Khushi confused, Arnav totally caught up in her confusion, all his attention on her ... what happened now?

Payal upset again about her wedding talks ... I think these are going to be filler scenes till the Diwali celebrations on SP are over ... Daljeet, and hopefully Barun Sanaya are taking part, so they need some non-Arshi scenes.
Khushi testing heartbeats again, Arnav wondering what the hell is wrong with this girl, does she think she's invisible, and what on earth is she even doing? But he still doesn't yell ... and Khushi ascribes her heartbeats to acidity and fasting ... they increase when she comes close or goes far, so no relation to ASR, thank god!

Mellow night scene ... ASR the workoholic (arey, kaam yaad aa gaya?), the other three in romantic mood, ASR non-romantic ... and again, Shyam reminds him of Khushi ...

Cute Khushi, castigating herself about her behaviour in front of Arnav, why did she talk so much to him, what would he be thinking of her ... and why is she feeling ajeeb? Acidity again ...

Anjali, Nani, La ... getting ready for Kanjak puja. More rope to hang La with ... Anjali leaves for YAP (yet another puja) and asks Khushi to take care, and not let the girls into Arnav's room.
So of course they will ... ;-)
And Khushi wants to leave before Arnav returns from office. So of course she won't. ;)

Precap - Slimeball Shyam will slime out again ...

Links