29/11 - Epi 131 ... Feel good - filler

29th Nov Tues

Feel good filler type of episode ... with a few ewww moments of Slimeball Shyam wriggling out of yet another sticky situation. Now why did I even think that Anjali would be the one to discover his duplicity? As Anjali asked, is she thinking too much? Duh, the question should have been, is she thinking at all - answer is NO!

So episode starts with suspicious Anjali, Shyam wondering where he has slipped up, so feeling his way carefully. And Anjali asks if he's hiding something from her ... and duh Anjali is back ... if he was hiding something, would he tell you?!

Preparations for engagement full swing, Akash flustered about meeting Payalji ... lots of teasing. Arnav asks him to take something to office, La complains Khushi is not there yet, Arnav remembers Khushi saying it doesn't matter to her if she's there or not, and perversely he decides to go to office ... to prove that of course it doesn't matter to him if she's there or not. Akash tries to dissuade him *rofl*
Shyam cottoned onto Anjali, so drama starts to allay her suspicions.

Akash-Arnav ... cute! Akash preening, Arnav barking about meeting, baffled at Akash's behaviour, Arnav's baffled confusion was epic! Why is Akash so worried about his shirt? And buying payal?!
Was great to see some different expressions on Barun's face - he must have enjoyed doing these scenes! I really hope Arnav Khushi do some playacting to get Payash together - their scenes with their collective comic timing would be a sight to see! Here's hoping!

Interespersed with Khushi running around getting late, Payal caught in confusion, to go ot not to go ... then Khushi leaves, Payal leaves right behind her and drops her purse, Khushi follows her to return it ...

Akash, Arnav, Payal, Khushi all land up at restaurant ... which bears striking resemblance to RM *rofl*

Shyam succeeds in pulling wool over Anjali's eyes again ... *puke* ... thanks to phone call with Motilal ... when is this guy's luck going to run out?!

Arnav Khushi meet in restaurant ... tu tu main main starts again ... where do cv's get their side characters? The waiter's expressions were epic ... gave an added dimension to the quickfire volleys between Arnav Khushi, which were total fun in themselves ...
Khushi's dialogues ... 'same to you' ... she belatedly realised that they weren't in RM and he had no right to ask her why she was there!
Table for two ... ek inke liye, ek inki akkad ke liye! *rofl* Arnav starts getting annoyed with Khushi, realises the waiter is having far too much fun at his expense and glares at him, as though to say ... why are you listening, this is between her and me, stay out of it! Waiter must have thought they were an old married couple for sure!
Both belatedly realise they're not here to fight, and take off.

Last bit dragged ... Payash finally meet, Akash asks for his answer ... cv's putting off Arshi interactions till tomorrow when laat Governer meets halwai ...

So the next track being out into place, because once the La engagement is broken, then Arshi need another reason to meet. There will be tu tu main main at first, then hopefully, if the promo is correct, then Arnav Khushi will be on opposite sides as expected, but Arnav supporting, Khushi opposing ... an interesting twist, and one which should bring them closer.

28/11 - Epi 130 ... Slow and Steady brings the Change

28th Nov Mon

La insists on buying dress like Khushi's ... aye lo! I though La would do makeover of Khushi, here Khushi is doing makeover of La! Pompoms, gota and all! Nani likes La's dress, La is happy because it's Khushi's style. Anjali is still lost ... ghanti baji, for sure. Khushi is still quiet ...
Arnav lost in memories of Khushi, why do her tears get to him? Wrong flashbacks, Arnav ... now if you had fb's of Diwali night, of the Diwali lights, of taking out mud from her eye, or even of bashing up goons for her, you might understand your feelings better. As it is ... no way. So back to square one ... he won't let her affect him.
*sigh* how many times have you sworn that, Arnav? Losing count here!

Arnav sees La in Khushi style, and loses it ... yet again! That resolve didn't last long at all, did it?! And he lets it out ... here he's trying to forget her, and there his blind fiancee is not helping matters any! And he lets loose again about class ... don't become like Khushi ...
La is upset ... I've just worn a dress like this, everyone likes it, why are you so angry?! Why are you like this?
Because she wore a dress like Khushi's ... she said it herself ...
I am what I am ... go and change.
And for once, La fights back ... maybe with Khushi's style, she got some of Khushi's courage ... no, I won't change ...
He gets angrier and strides off, leaving La in tears, she can't understand him at all, he's even angrier than usual these days, what did she even do?
Khushi is upset ... it's not what La did, it's what she did ... told Arnav he didn't matter ... and now he's taking it out on not only her, but everyone even remotely resembling her ... Oh yes, Khushi knows that he's angry with her about what she said, he's repeated it too many times for her not to know ...

Anjali and Nani have no clue how to handle Arnav, all they can say is, don't take it to heart ... That's why Arnav is the way he is, because no one dared brave his anger and point out where he was wrong. They take La away, and Khushi goes to confront Arnav yet again. Well, someone has to ... and no one else is up to the task, apparently.

Arnav in his room ... did he know Khushi would come? Probably ... she's the only person who can dare tackle him ... he knows he was wrong, he doesn't want to hear it, and she sure as hell is going to tell him ... Get out.
Did he think she would listen? Of course not ... ok, talk, I'm not listening. And he slides the glass door shut again, and waits.
Sure enough, she opens it.
I need to talk to you. This was my fault, don't blame La.
Don't interfere between me and La. Well, he's right to say that, but she knows and he knows it's not about La and him, it's about her and him ... his anger with her.
Do you even know how much the people around you care for you? And how much you hurt them when you talk like this?
His eyes fall ... she sounds more mother than anything ...
But then she makes a mistake, she says the truth ... you're angry with me, don't take out the anger on La ...
How dare she ... how does she know exactly what the problem is?! How dare she read his mind?! So he bursts ... no, I'm not angry with you, don't think you're that important, that it's about you, because you are nothing ...
She listens, she is hurt again, but she's getting used to it now ... she lets him let it all out ...

Cancel the 'not' in everything he's saying, and you get what he really means ... he turns around again, his back to her ... and he waits. Is she still there? She has to be ... she can't leave and go away ...
He turns again ... no, she hasn't. She's there. Hurt at his words, but there.
I know I don't mean anything to you. But I also forgot that Arnav Singh Raizada never apologises. My mistake that I tried to say anything. That I expected more of you.
She slides the door shut, holds his eyes for a moment longer, and leaves.

I loved the way Khushi was calm and composed all through, except for the momentary tears - they weren't really needed, IMO ... the way she knew exactly what the problem was ... well, of course she did, he repeated it often enough ... and the way she gently, yet very firmly told him off. And held his eyes all through.
And I loved Barun's expressions after Khushi left ... the anger is slowly leaving their confrontations ... Arnav knew she was right in what she said, the sulky boy knows that mom was right, for Khushi was more like a mom in this interaction ... calm, firm and then leaving it to Arnav's judgement ... and of course, Arnav had to do the right thing, not just because Khushi said so, but because he knew she was right. and that he had been unfair ... yet again.

So Arnav apologised to La ... and to her. As La hugged him and told him she loved him, he looked straight at Khushi and said "I'm sorry."
Because what she says, does matter ... and maybe this was a reassurance for him? That even though she is engaged, she is still there for him? He hasn't lost her completely yet?

And that bond still unnamed ... but still very much there ... strengthening slowly, imperceptibly with each skirmish, as though every knot strengthens the rope further.

Khushi leaves ... mixed emotions again ... so he listened to her, he even said sorry to La ... and they are together ... well, that's what she wanted, wasn't it?

Mama Mami ... so Mama is back? And Mami fixing Akash's alliance ... Akash decides to take matters into his hands. Interesting that Arnav never told Mama about his engagement ... Anjali did. Arnav seems to have had the same problem as Khushi did.

Khushi talking to Devi Maiyya ... (as I predicted) she's had enough. No more tears. Just last out till Arnav-La's engagement and she's done ... she will forget everything. No more questions, no more answers. (I did think she knew what had happened to her, as did Arnav ... no? cv's? Really? Dragging the realisation still, are we? Or maybe she's hiding from it as much as Arnav is, because she and he are both taken, they don't have the right to think about anyone else, so she won't.)

Akash getting into action now .., mami is as much road roller as Buaji, even though not so heavy-weight, but no less dangerous. So he fixes appointment with Payal for the next day. And it was so nice to see Khushi's smile back, and her teasing Buaji ... maybe it's not Nand Kissore on the line, that's why he's not answering ... and phone baat karne ke liye hota hai! 

So tomorrow Khushi and Arnav accompany their siblings for the date ... this should be fun. Some much needed light hearted moments. And maybe Arnav's attitude will change a little more. Khushi is already changing, the maturity coming in slowly and steadily.

And lo and behold ... Anjali is asking Shyam questions! And even more ... point to be noted, milord ... she doesn't ask him about the ring or mention meeting Motilal ... not yet. Hmmm ...

25/11 - Epi 129 ... Break point?

25th Nov Fri

ASR all the way ... taunting, cruel, he cannot see anyone win from him ... first the necklace again, putting it on La, but looking only for Khushi's reaction ... is La quite blind, by the way? And the taunt again ... hope you didn't mind. And Khushi looks at him, disbelievingly ... all this just to taunt her? He snaps the case shut as she refuses to react ... boy, he sure is a sore loser.

Shyam apparently told Anjali not to call Motilal ... ok, cleared that up.

Clothes shopping ... Arnav surprisingly decides to accompany ... obviously, more opportunity to taunt Khushi and get that confession out of her ... Khushi is dismayed ... more of this?

Mall/ refurbished office - that set is being used overtime for sure ... *rofl* ...

Anjali bumps into Motilal jeweler ... and he discloses Shyam bought a ring ... Anjali very confused ... but he said he never bought a ring? Anjali manages to fob off the jeweler ... but she is confused for sure. Can she ignore this one? Especially when Khushi is waving the same ring in front of her eyes?

La trying on clothes ... Arnav Khushi stealing looks while Arnav pretends to be busy on phone ... Khushi tries desperately to go home and get out of Arnav's company, but Anjali is firm ... she has to check on something.
Anjali ki dimaag ki batti jali???

La makes Khushi try on a wedding lehnga ... open hair and all ... Khushi looking beautiful *sigh*

And Arnav is mesmerised ... of course he is ... any man would be ...
He steps closer to her as though he can't help it ... reaches out ... and she steps back instantly ... she is not his to touch, he doesn't have the right ...
And he loses it ... Arnav slides behind the ugly ASR ... you and your cheap fiance can't afford this, take it as a gift, ... or a tip.
She pulls the tag out of his hand gently. Her eyes show her hurt, then harden ...
I don't want it ... but thank you for asking. As you said, it's not bad ... but it's not that special either. I don't like it after all.

Is she talking about the dress ... or about him?

She manages to hold his eyes without a tear till he leaves. Then she breaks.
Gift ... or take it as a tip ...why is that always his only weapon ... and why does it hurt so much every time? Because he uses it to show her the gap between their worlds, between them ... a gap she can never bridge.
La gaily talks about living in a dream world.

It's better to live in a dream world, Lavanya. In the real world, there's only heart break.

She looks at the price tag as though it embodies everything that broke her heart.

And he sees her heart break ... and his torment starts. What is he doing ... why is he doing this? And why does he forget every time that her stubbornness, her pride may be a match for his, but her tears are a weapon he has no shield against? He swore to protect her ... then why does he always make her cry? And he can't face her ... he can't even face himself at the moment, that was a low blow, very low ... an unworthy move ...

Anjali tries to trace Shyam ... he's not in office. He must be in court ... but she's worried.

Back at the mall, Arnav calls La ... Khushi puts it on speaker ... he tells La he's leaving ... he has to leave. He can't face anyone right now.

Precap seems as though he's back at square one ... *sigh* really Arnav? again 'I don't know why I can't see her tears'?! And what does he mean by he won't let that happen again? He won't let her cry again? Or he won't let her tears affect him again?
Have to wait for Monday to see ...

My feeling ... Khushi reached her break point today ... she will distance herself ...emotionally for sure, and hopefully even physically - she might finally decide to stop going to RM ... finally giving up hope of ever seeing Arnav again ... because ASR is well and truly back. She might even agree for an early marriage.
Arnav ... can't decipher from the precap what he will do ... but whatever he decides, if Khushi does distance herself, all his plans will go out of the window. But he's near break point too ... he's left with very few weapons in his armory ... the taunt today was not really about money, it was about his anger that he had no right to touch her, that she had withdrawn that right, another man had the right to buy her gifts ...
But her very gentle, very biting taunt back ... she's not interested in what he has to offer ... that would have got him going again ... if he hadn't witnessed her breakdown after that ...
So now he knows, he's got the answer to his question ... does it matter to her? Yes, it does ... what he says matters to her ... he breaks her heart, but she can't let him know it ... she won't let him see it.

And Anjali and her investigation is the Joker in the pack ... or is it a red herring? A couple of days back, CV's indicated Khushi getting suspicious of Shyam, now Anjali ...

24/11 - Epi 128 ... Ego ... or Love?

24th Nov Thurs

Arnav really has to make it clear whether it's just ego directing his 'get Khushi to admit that it matters' campaign, or love. And if it's love, he's going about it all the wrong way. Khushi never bends to ASR, she bends only to Arnav. ASR's campaign is bound to fail, because at the moment it seems all about ego. He knows he matters to her ... yes, he does. He knows she matters to him ... of course he does. But he told her she didn't matter to him ... and when she repeated the words back, they stung.

Why would Khushi admit that yes, he does matter, what he does to hurt her, does matter? She had started looking on him as a protector, even a confidante, someone who understood her, who supported her when she needed support ... she started developing feelings for him that went beyond gratitude. It could be called an infauation, and really, was that so surprising? But she never wanted anything back, never expected anything back ... after all, he was ASR, business tycoon, she was a lowly employee at best, far removed from his world, and he was in a relationship with La, who called Khushi her best friend, who depended on Khushi. No, Khushi was happy with the way things were, she drew comfort and strength from Arnav's support, and if she dreamed about him secretly, well, she knew her dreams would never come true ... And as long as she had his support, she could withstand anything, even the enormous pressure on her to say 'yes' to Shyam ... she had Arnav's support, she felt strong, confident, protected.

Until Diwali night ... when things changed between them ... a roller coaster ... first soaring to dizzying heights, then to a crashing fall ... when she saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before, when they were closer than they had ever been before, when she thought that maybe dreams can come true ..
And then he broke her dreams ... and mocked her for even daring to dream ... she was nothing, a nobody, and a nobody she would always be. Had she forgotten that La was there in his life? She had no right to dream ... he was taken ... he would never be hers ... and he didn't even want to be.

ASR broke her that night ... after Arnav showed her a glimpse of heaven, ASR brought her back to reality ... she vowed never to dream again ... and made her decision ... neither Arnav nor ASR in her life anymore ... she would do what her family wanted and marry Shyam. And stay away from RM and ASR. ASR would not break her again.

But fate and Devi maiyya had other plans ... Devi maiyya worked overtime, so first Khushi and Arnav got engaged at the right time, right place ... and then Anjali, La and Nani collectively decided that without Khushi, the walls of RM would collapse ... or at least, the shaky foundations of the Arnav'La relationship would definitely give way ... so Khushi had to bow to pressure yet again ... not family pressure this time, but pressure from a family which had grown very dear to her, where she received respect and affection and acceptance. For an orphan girl, this was huge ... she knew how precious relationships were, and because she had no one she could really call her own, she could not and would not turn her back on those who did. Even if it meant facing him again. But she would try to keep her self-respect intact ... if they called her family, she would not work there, she came as an equal, a friend, a sister ...

But everything went topsy-turvy after Arnav came to know about her engagement. She was his, how could she get engaged to anyone else? And then she challenged him ... why does it matter to you? He had told her she meant nothing to him ... then why?

And he knew he couldn't run away from it any more ... she did matter to him.

So he has to get her back.
Anjali says Khushi doesn't seem happy. Arnav examnes her closely, Anjali is right ... Khushi does not seem happy. He asks her ... but his question is filled with taunts again, and of course, Khushi denies it. She's happy all right, is he?

Now is what I don't understand. Is it just ego, or is it love? It's possessiveness all right ... for Arnav, Khushi is his ...
So what is his game plan? To get her to confess that yes, he does matter to her.
So first move ... engagement to La.
That doesn't shake her. No, she tells him, your engagement does not matter to me. I'm only talking for the others ...
He knows and she knows that she's lying. For some stupid reason, he still matters to her, what he does still hurts her. And he knows that, she knows he knows that.
So next step ... ok, she won't admit it so fast, let's give her a week ... and during the week, she stays here ... let me see if it still doesn't matter.

Ego ... or love?

This is where ASR fails. He's tackling this problem like ASR ... but ASR is not the one Khushi loves. Khushi loves Arnav. ASR is not the one Khushi weakens for, bends for ... Arnav is. Khushi can withstand all the taunts, all the barbs ASR throws at her ... she can't withstand Arnav's softness.

So Khushi won't break for ASR. She'll break for Arnav. Question is, will ASR's ego allow Arnav's love to emerge?

Episode -
Garima-Khushi ... Garima still blind.
Khushi-Payal ... both sisters hiding from each other. Khushi knows Payal is hiding something though.
Anjali-Akash ... Anjali can read Akash all right, she just can't read Arnav. She encourages Akash not to give up.


La-Khushi ... La is scared of Arnav, especially when he's angry. And she admires Khushi, who isn't.
Khushi's eyes show wariness as soon as Arnav enters the conversation. She knows he's up to something, she's just not very sure yet what it is. But she will know soon ... and forewarned is forearmed. Her words that she didn't care, stung him deeply ... she knows that. But why should he care? After all, he told her she meant nothing to him, didn't he?
Then why ...? Why is he so upset when she said the same?

Jewelry selection at home ...
Khushi talking to Akash on phone ... Arnav enters ... Khushi instantly wary ... you weren't coming ...?
Why? Why does it matter to you?
Yes, her words hurt him ... but why?

Payal-Buaji-Akash ... Akash goes to invite Gupta household for engagement.

Jewelry shopping ... Arnav likes a ring, but as soon as Anjali says it's Khushi's choice, he turns it down. Sulking, are we? Can't let her know that she matters to you, but sure as hell want her to say you matter to her!

Arnav and Khushi left alone ... Khushi doesn't look at any jewelry ... but she likes one delicate set ... (looked as chunky as the rest to me) ... La calls her and she goes off. Arnav promptly buys the set Khushi likes - to her consternation. And then walks to her ... Khushi ...
What is he up to?
And then makes her hold it, as he gifts it to La. And looks at Khushi for her reaction.
 And again ...  I gave what you liked to La ... I hope it doesn't matter to you.

That was deliberate and calculated. And she  knows he's out to hurt her ... did her words prick him so much?

What a brat!!!
Khushi might understand what he's doing, why he's doing it ... and therein might lie his defeat ... or his victory ... 
What I would like to see more of, is Arnav's feelings ... right now it seems all about his ego. And I want to see Khushi doing exactly what she is doing right now ... telling him with her eyes that she knows what he's doing, and she can take it ... let him take out his anger on her, till it's all gone and only the love is left behind. Let her smile for the rest, and let him see her hurt ... because her hurt is what hurts him the most.

And I also want Arnav to use the opportunity to goad La into calling things off ... if he is really doing this to get Khushi to confess, has he thought about what will happen if she does? They will still be at stalemate because La is very much in the picture.
So lots of feelings and emotions need to be shown over this week of engagement preparations.

23/11 - Epi 127 ... Throwing the Gauntlet

23rd Nov Wed

Yesterday Arnav was challenging Khushi ... very clearly now, from today's episode.
On Diwali night, he lied to her, he told her, it doesn't mean anything, she doesn't mean anything.

Barely a week later, she flings his words back on his face ... if she doesn't mean anything, why does her being engaged matter? Aapko kyun farak padta hai?
And the truth comes out without thinking ... It does matter, dammit ... But he can't tell her why ... won't tell her why.

So she flings his words back again ... then your being engaged doesn't matter to me either ... Humein koi farak nahin padta.
And they both know she's lying.
So now, her words back to her again ... then plan my engagement, my big day. Because it doesn't matter to you, right?
Who will crack first?

Episode starts with yesterday's scene - Arnav saying the engagement will happen tomorrow or not at all. Your choice.
And as he leaves, he looks at Khushi ... the challenge starts.
Khushi sees the others upset, especially La ... her family, friends - no one can come. Anjali says she will talk to Chotey, but Mami and Nani are apprehensive ... what if he just backs out completely ...
No one knows how to handle this one.

Except Khushi.
And Arnav knows that. So he makes for the pool - their private place. Knowing very well that she will follow him.
A side thought - is the pool under an Invisibility Cloak or something? Because as soon as Arnav and Khushi are alone there, it seems to become invisible to the rest of the family.
Poolside ... he picks up a file, pretending to be busy, knowing she will not care. Sure enough, she doesn't, she sees through his pretense right away. Well, he expected that.
Rapid fire exchange again ...

Why are you doing this?

Whatever I do, I am not answerable to you.

When your engagement is fixed for next month, then ...

Engagement is tomorrow ... with finality. Not looking up from his file.

But why are you in such a hurry ...?

He drops the file and stands ... now she's talking.
Who are you to interfere in my decisions?

What do you think of yourself? Just because everyone is too scared to open their mouth in front of you, that doesn't mean ...

She stops. He's looking at her steadily. Scared to open her mouth in front of him? She?

When Anjali and Nani have spoken to the pandit about the date then ...

She stops again ... he's still looking at her steadily. No, it's not about dates either, is it? Try again, Khushi ... his look challenges her ...

She falters again ... looks away. Lavanya needs time to prepare ...
He interrupts ... did she send you? Is that your next excuse?

No ...

Then why have you come? And if she has a problem, let her say it herself ...
She interrupts this time ... if you would give her a chance, she would say something ... she tried, but you didn't listen to her ...
And neither will I listen to you ... so just get lost.
But she's heard that too many times now ... in far worse tones. He doesn't mean it ... not this time ...

No get lost. You have to listen to me. This is your engagement, not a game ...

Oh, but it is a game, Khushi ... a well thought out game of chess ... La, Nani, even Di are just the pawns ... the battle is between the King and Queen.
You're telling me about engagements? First you handle your own engagement ...
Now we're getting to the point. To the epicentre ... what started this whole battle ...

She doesn't want to bring that in ... she looks away.

We're not talking about my engagement. We're talking about yours ...

He interrupts again, now he's got her where he wants her ... exactly! You won't discuss yours, fine, so we'll deal with mine ... yes, it's my engagement.

And then he closes in for the final battle ... quietly, purposefully ... a step closer ...

Khushi, my engagement ... whether it happens tomorrow or a week later, whether it even happens or doesn't ... what difference does it make to you? 
Very, very quiet ... and his eyes fixed on her so steadily ... piercing through her ... seeing right through her ... tell me. Say it ...
She looks down, away ... anywhere but at those eyes, seeing what she doesn't want to show at any cost ... she fumbles ... aapki sagai ho ya na ho ... 
He's still looking at her ... tell me ... just tell me once, say it just once ...

Why will it matter to me?

She doesn't matter to him, he said it himself ... he cut her to ribbons ... how can she forget that? And he will do it again if she gives him the chance ...
She looks at him more surely this time ...
Humein koi farak nahin padta ... it doesn't matter to me ...
His own words back at him ... but her eyes search his ... he knows she's lying, they both know ... but he also knows she won't break ...
His own fault ... he did the damage on Diwali night ... and undoing it will take more than this. Because she's not his Queen for nothing ... she's as strong as he is, if not stronger ...

I'm only saying it for everyone ... she falters again.
Not everyone. This is between only him and her. I know you're lying, his eyes tell her ... and she can't meet them ... yes, she knows she's lying too ...

And he holds her hand and takes her to the rest ...
This guy doesn't leave a single chance to hold her ... with full authority ... she is his. Always has been, always will be.

La trying to explain to her mother about the rush ... Arnav and Khushi reach there, he releases her hand only when in full sight of the others.
Khushi has convinced me to postpone the engagement ...
Not even trying to hide Khushi's influence now ... bringing it out in the open ... now try to hide what's between us, Khushi ... because I'm not hiding it any more.
And Khushi wonders ... now what is he doing?
The engagement will be next week. No longer. 
Relief on everyone's faces ... perturbation on Khushi's. She knows he's up to something, she just isn't sure what. And her defences are weak ... very weak.
Next bombshell.
Khushi will handle all the arrangements. After all, she is responsible for this rishta ... barbed remark ... sure, she is, nobody but the two of them know just how responsible she is ...
A solicitious 'is that okay with you, Khushi?'

La is overjoyed ... of course it's ok with Khushi.

And a final barb before he leaves ... I hope tumhe koi farak nahin padta. 

Ohhh, that stung him ... ASR can dish it out, but he sure as hell can't take it ... I am so rooting for Khushi to win this round ... he wants her to confess her feelings, to tell him it does matter to her ... but she can't. For more reasons than one ... not just her own unhappy engagement, but the circumstances in which it happened, her loyalty to La ... and her confusion as to what he wants. Is it only about his ego, or is it about his feelings too? And till he clarifies that, she will hold strong ... she has to.

Preparations start ... Akash volunteers to distribute invitations ... especially to Khushi's house *rofl* Both brothers just don't give up ... only their ways are different.
Khushi leaves for her tuitions.

Later ... Anjali taking Arnav's measurements ... *rofl* is she going to stitch his clothes herself? Arnav not interested in arrangements or ring shopping ... but he is interested in Khushi's programme.

Anjali annoyed as usual ... she can't understand what's going on in Arnav's mind. *rofl* of course, she can't ... it's Operation Khushi as of now ... Shyam takes the opportunity to slime off again. Did Khushi overhear his voice on the phone when Anjali was talking to her?

Khushi making jalebis again ... and talking to Anjali ... Shyam arrives ... slip no. 1 ... you have so many responsibilities ...

How do you know?

Slimeball slimes out with a longwinded excuse ... too long winded? He tries to tell her she should stay home more ...
Liked the way this part was done ... he starts to leave and she talks about the phone call ... did his long winded smooth talking ring a bell? Slimeball flustered ... no, I didn't call anyone ... he goes further, in fact, I didn't have network today ...

I just said his voice sounded like yours ... not that it was you.

He beats hasty retreat ... leaving Khushi very thoughtful.

Khushi ... pleeeaassee don't be a tubelight like Anji!
What I hope will make the difference is that Khushi would be very motivated to find something which could get her out of this engagement ...

Akash-Anjali about Payal ...
Garima talking to Payal Khushi ... didn't see the point of the scene, except maybe to reinforce to Khushi that she is stuck with Shyam ... unless she can find a really good reason to break it off. Garima encouraging Khushi about Shyam ... really? When she knows her husband was not happy with Shyam?

Precap - Akash arrives at Gupta house to invite them ... all that is fine ... but I can see Shyam getting trapped ... entire Gupta family at RM for an engagement which he will have to find a really good excuse to get out of attending? Makes me more and more sure this engagement might not happen.

22/11 - Epi 126 ...Check?

22nd Nov Tues

Back later with a detailed take ... but a thought just struck me ... is Arnav doing this hurried engagement to goad La into breaking off their engagement? Or to goad Khushi into revealing her feelings?
If the latter, he may be doomed to disappointment ... because Khushi is far stronger than he is. In fact, that's what is riling him the maximum ... that she is able to act unaffected by his engagement, while he is shellshocked by the news of hers ... maybe that's why he's testing her more and more.
And will either the Arnav-La break or the Khushi confession - whichever happens - coincide with Khushi finding out Shyam's truth and breaking off her engagement? But distancing herself from the Raizada household in guilt?

Many ways this can go ... interesting! Pace is building up.

Episode starts with the two sisters, both musing over their love lives ... Khushi's rajkumar is always in a temper ... and Payal's is unavailable. Interesting that Khushi sees Arnav as her rajkumar ...

Arnav-Anjali - for once, Anjali sees beyond her nose and realises that Khushi was upset. And Arnav is worried for Khushi ... but angry too. Khushis is upset - why then is she getting engaged? How can she think of spending her life with someone she doesn't love?
Methinks he should ask himself the same questions too.
Anjali wonders why he's talking this way ... she should also wonder why the brother who never believed in love is now talking so authoritatively about why Khushi should not marry without love!
He asks Anjali to leave him alone ... his words echo again ... how can she spend her life with someone she doesn't love?
What he means is ... how dare she? How can she leave him and go to someone else? She is his, she has to love him, because he needs her.
Loved his expressions here ...

On the other side, Khushi lost in his thoughts, as he is lost in hers. Remembering his asking her why does she look unhappy?
Shyam comes ... if he was really what he claimed to be, his behaviour was bang on. Hesitant, trying not to encroach, let's go out as friends, if you don't want to call it anything else, I know all this is sudden ...
But Shyam's reality makes me want to puke when he acts all solicitious ... he's actually gone and bought a shaadi ka joda for Khushi already, under the guise of Buaji's wishes, of course ... and when he holds Khushi's hand to put on the bracelet, felt like shouting "don't you dare touch her!" So did Khushi ... it was in her eyes. And as Shyam calls off their 'date' and goes on rambling, Khushi loses herself in thoughts of Arnav again ... uncaring about the man next to her ...

On the other side, La is rambling about honeymoon destinations, only to find Arnav lost in his thoughts ... and completely unresponsive. And for once, she doesn't even try.

Next day, Anjali deciding what to wear for her 'date' ... Khushi enters, Arnav sees her ... Anjali's words ring in his ears ... Khushi doesn't seem happy ... and he searches her eyes ... no, she doesn't. Her usual sunny smile, her spirit, her zest for life seems dimmed, her face shadowed ...

RM was Khushi's refuge ... here she could get away from the reality of her life for a few hours, be free-spirited and happy again, forget the Shyam cloud hanging over her head. Maybe that was why she never told anyone here about her engagement, maybe this was one place she could forget about it herself, or try to. But now that everyone here knows as well, the Shyam cloud follows her here too ...

Does Anjali notice their interaction? Or is she only focussed on Khushi and her evident unhappiness? I think the latter.
La and Anjali go off ... Shyam calls and Anjali asks Khushi to pick up. She listens to the voice at the other end, puzzled ... she has heard this voice before.
Thank god someone has some brains. Will Khushi connect the voice?

Anjali asks Khushi if she's happy with the engagement. Khushi puts her off ... but her face shows her feelings. But Anjali definitely knows that there is something wrong.

Khushi drops her bracelet at Arnav's feet.
Check ...
Tell your fiance not to buy you such cheap gifts.
I don't care about the price of the gifts.
You should. Maybe the man is as cheap as his gifts. You never said a truer word, Arnav! Even though it was out of sheer jealousy ... she can prefer another man to him?!

Khushi recovers some of her fight.
Don't bother about my fiance's bank balance, Mr. Raizada. He's rich in the things that matter to me.
Then why do you look so unhappy? Unanswerable.
So she turns his question back on him ... two players, circling each other edgily, claws at the ready, tempers sheathed, because this fight needs cool heads ...
Forget about me, Mr. Raizada. You will never understand what makes me happy. He does, Khushi, that's why he's doing such a good job of making you unhappy!
But then, if bank balance is all that's important to you ... you have a healthy one, why are you so unhappy?
As for me ... I'm happy. 
And she lowers her eyes in case he reads her lie ... like she read his lie yesterday.

Checkmate?
Not yet ... he's not giving up ... he can't lose. So next move ... his engagement will be the very next day.
La, Anjali, Nani ... all are shell-shocked, unhappy, upset ... so much to be done, no shubh mahurat ... not possible. But Arnav is adamant.
In his battle with Khushi, there are so many innocent casualties ... or pawns. Notably La.

Arnav backed himself into a corner ... getting out of it and handling all the repurcussions, is taking a toll on everyone. Especially as the rest don't even know they're on the chessboard. Only he and Khushi know what the real battle is all about. The problem is Arnav has all the pawns on his side. The Queen is alone. Can she still win the game?

21/11 - Epi 125 ... Kya gham hai jisko chupa rahe ho?

21st Nov Mon

Posting late because the episode made me feel really sad ... even more than the ME did. Maybe because Khushi was so sad and upset all through ... and so was Arnav ... the contrast with the rest of the family, and the two trying-to-pretend-we're-not lovers was very poignant and touching. The sadness and helplessness never left Khushi's eyes all through, however much she tried ... and the burning anger and accusation never left Arnav's ... how could she do this? Forgetting his own role in her reactions ... somehow he has come to believe that she is his, she is there, will always be there. No matter how much he pushes her away, she comes back, ... sometimes called by his sister, by his girlfriend, his nani, sometimes by his insults, sometimes by her own helplessness ... but she always comes back to him ... she is his ... she is there for him.

And he can't fathom this ... can't understand or comprehend this change ... she didn't tell him? She told him her deepest fears, she exposed her weakest self, her biggest vulnerabilities to him ... but she didn't tell him she got engaged? The bond, as yet unnamed, that they share ... she betrayed that bond ... she should have told him ... how could she not?!
What does it matter to him? she asks furiously ... He was the one who told her she didn't matter, that she meant nothing ... he was the one who brushed her off ...

Anjali takes her away, before he can complete his answer ... it matters because ... what? Why does it matter?
She looked back in the ME ... and her look said she knew he would not be able to say it.

All the details come out ... Khushi's fiance's name - Shyamji ... the same as Anjali's husband (wish she had said he's a lawyer too), Nani clarifies that Khushi's parents fixed the match, Anjali remembers Khushi's PG and clarifies it's the same Shyam ... so it is very well established that Shyam has been staying as a PG in Khushi's home ...
And when Shyam calls, he refuses to speak to Anjali ... and asks Khushi for a date ... *yuck*
Shyam is really losing it ... calling Khushi repeatedly when he knows she is in RM ... soon he is going to realise how close Khushi has become to the Raizada family, if he hasn't already, and how much more difficult his task is becoming.
Shyam has a date with both Anjali and Khushi ... how will he get out of this one?
Anjali sees that Khushi is not very happy ...

Arnav cutting flowers, plants, leaves furiously ... how could she get engaged? She belongs to someone else now? 
Khushi appalled ... what are you doing? Do you even realise ...?
What does it matter to you what I do?! Her own words thrown back at her ...
He cuts himself, she rushes to him, but he withdraws ... he won't let Khushi near him now ... he's angry ... how can she leave him ...?

Anjali tells Shyam that Khushi's fiance is also Shyam. And says she wants to call Khushi and fiance for dinner, and Shyam has to be there. Shyam sweating ... me happy. Anjali also fixes her date with her hubby. Shyam now annoyed ... he wanted to get some quality time alone with Khushi, but his dear wife is not letting him do that.
Have a feeling the date will be a cat and mouse game between Arnav, Khushi, Anjali and Shyam ...


La takes over the bandaging ... Khushi winces with Arnav's pain ... then turns to leave. She is an unwanted third here. But La asks Khushi to help ... to hold his hand ... She does.
La uses the opportunity to ask a few searching questions ... why did La choose this time to ask what were very private questions? Is it because she subconsciously realises that she will get some answers from Arnav only while Khushi is around? When she says anything to Arnav alone, he either snaps at her or walks off.

Everything can't be seen by the eyes ... if you don't see it, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
He seems to be saying those words to Khushi, not to Lavanya. She sees his anger always in his eyes ... because he hides his pain, his love ... all the tender emotions he's locked away. But Khushi has seen his pain, his vulnerability ... she knows a part of him that he keeps hidden ... but not all.
Then he adds to La ... I'm happy. Very happy.
Breaking Khushi's heart all over again. Not that she expected any other answer really.

The sadness in her eyes got to me ... seeing Arnav slipping away from her slowly ... he was never hers ever, but she had a part of him, which no one had ever shared, except maybe his sister ... maybe not even his sister. But he's taking it all back from her ... leaving her with nothing ... not even memories.
He stops her quietly ... the same sadness reflected in his voice and in his eyes. Does he feel the same? That whatever they had is slipping away slowly? The same sorrow ... that they will be left with nothing but regrets ... when they start their new lives, but not with each other.
Strange, isn't it? You forgot to congratulate me when I got engaged ... and I forgot to congratulate you ...
Is it really strange?
But he says congratulations anyway ... just as Shyam rings again ... the guy is getting desperate. How will Shyam ever be able to claim that Khushi pursued him?
And Shyam's call triggers Arnav's anger again ... again an interruption when he's talking to Khushi? Can't this guy leave him to speak to Khushi alone? And his anger emerges as another taunt ... maybe you're sad because your fiance doesn't have as much money as you thought he did. 

She doesn't say anything this time. She looks at him disbelievingly ... after all this time, the same taunt? Or maybe she realises now ... when he's angry, this is all he can think of. 
She leaves without a word, leaving him to his thoughts. She didn't even fight this time. She doesn't fight only when she is upset or helpless.
Will Arnav realise how upset she is? How unhappy she is?


Payash interspersed in between ... Akash asks Payal if she would care for him, if all the background issues were not there - she doesn't answer.

Precap has me waiting for the next episode. Khushi's unanswerable question ... if money is all you need, why are you unhappy? What do you want? 
Loved her tone in the precap ...

20/11- Epi 124 - ME Symphonic ...

20th Nov ME

I love Ravel's Bolero ... it starts softly, ever so softly, with just one instrument, slowly the others join in, one by one, each settling into place beat by beat, and building up both tempo and volume, the drum beats get louder and louder, and finally it reaches a deafening crescendo, with the whole orchestra in tune together and setting the pulses racing and leaving us finally with the deafening sound ... of silence.

And the ME was really crafted in the same way ... building all the tracks in parallel, each character joining in one by one, settling into place, the initial clash between Khushi and Arnav one of their usual spats, but leading up to the huge repurcussions later ... La, Nani and Anjali setting up next clash for Khushi's benefit, and Mami exposing the trio ... was happy with Mami for that one, for once ...

Cute Ooh la la song sequence ... very cute!!! Nani and her thumkas ... ooh lala!!! She was streets ahead of the younger lot for sure!

And HP faintiya ho gaye!!! *rofl*

Loved the way Arnav came striding down to see why there was more circus in the house, and softened on seeing his ladies dancing ... aww, happy to see his Khushi so khush ... and also happy and touched to see how Anjali and Nani accept her as part of their family so wholeheartedly, and La accepts her as a friend, without any baggage of aukat, bad dress sense, middle class and all the other stuff. And I really wonder whether La's unhesitating open friendship will make a difference to Khushi's feelings for Arnav ... or will La turn around and accept Khushi's and Arnav's love and be happy for her friend? Accept that she and Arnav were not meant to be? I do hope the cv's keep La and Khushi intact - it has become a really sweet friendship, and La definitely seems closer to Khushi than she is to Arnav!
Also, Arnav saw how Nani, La and Anjali were persuading Khushi to stay on ... even lying to make her stay ... and telling her she was part of their family.

Arnav and Khushi exchange looks again ... hers is helpless, how can she stay away from him, even though she's trying her best to do so ... his own family won't let her. His face hardens again ... no, he won't let her crack open his heart any more. Even though they all love her ... and have stopped her from leaving ... as he too wanted ... but will never admit.

Shyam calls ... slowly his facade is also cracking ... the goody goody smooth-talking slickster disappearing as each of his plans seems destined to fail ... why hasn't she found his ring yet?  It was with Anjali ... why doesn't she ask her? Khushi has to remember she is engaged to Shyam!
Anjali overhears the conversation and sees Khushi's worried face ... interesting, Anjali definitely overheard the name Shyam for sure.
Anjali and Khushi hunt for the ring ... dining table, Nani's milk, Lakshmi ... oops, nope, not there, please!

Anjali discovers that Arnav has the ring ... or rather, he tells her, after she bumps into him and gives him an earful about not watching where he walks ... repeat of Khushi ...
Anjali sends Khushi to take the ring from Arnav ...

Khushi scared to confront Arnav after their last spat ... with reason ... he remembers her refusal to apologise ... and now he's pushing her buttons ... come on, fight back, Khushi ... he knows she will, and he's looking forward to it ... he will get the better of her for sure, but not without a good fight, he knows ... so he challenges her further ... this ring isn't important to me, but it is to you ...
But he pushes too much ... she walks out ... the ring is not more important than her self-respect, which he is challenging ...

And Buaji calls ... unfair tactics, reminding Khushi again of her adopted status, of her indebtedness, of her helplessness ... Khushi is truly alone ... she cannot afford to alienate the only family she has in the world ... even if she has to accept an unwelcome alliance for that. And swallow her pride ...

Which she does ... she has no choice, after all ... Buaji made that very clear.
Arnav angry ... then she comes in ... what do you want me to do?
He made it clear, didn't he? Apologise.
She does.
No, not enough ... kaan pakdo.
She does ... he smiles ... victory ...
Sorry ... choked out ... the smile leaves his face ... it meant so much to her? She's crying?
How many times do I say it? Sorry ... sorry ... sorry ...
He is flabbergasted ... and defeated ... completely ... by her defeat ... He thought he wanted to see her lose face, wanted to grind her pride into the dust ... turns out he didn't want that at all ... turns out he can't stand to see her losing ... even to him ...
He loves the fighter in her, the winner ...
Khushi ...
He rises and goes to her as she starts to hold the second ear ... he stops her, unable to bear it any more ...
Shhh ...
She looks at him ... he looks away in self-loathing ... why did he do this? Picks up the ring, holds her hand gently and opens the palm, puts the ring there ... handing her his victory ... and keeps her hand in his ...

She looks at him disbelievingly ... did he just give in? And then realises he's still holding her hand ... with the ring of another man ... the man she's engaged to.
She snatches her hand away ... he doesn't have the right to hold it ... she doesn't have the right to let him hold it ...
She fumbles trying to put the ring on ... he catches her hand again and starts to put it on very gently ...
And for the second time she snatches her hand away, leaving him with the ring ...
You can't put this ring on ... it's my engagement ring ...

The first crescendo ... as he stares at her, shocked, trying to take in her words ... engagement ring ... a deafening silence ...
She is engaged??? 

Anjali comes in, completely oblivious to the tension ... she picks up the ring, prattles gaily, and helps Khushi put it on ...  Arnav watches as his sister gives his love away to another man.
Or is it claiming her for him? According to some traditions, the groom's mother or sister pehnaos the ring to the bride ...
Khushi tells Anjali it's her engagement ring, Anjali is overjoyed ... and leaves again to give the others the good news ...

They look at each other again, her gaze troubled, questioning, grieving ... his lost, confused, how could this happen?
Buaji calls again ... Arnav comes to life.
Second and final crescendo ... crashing, deafening ... he snatches the phone, he wants to talk to her, he needs to talk to her ... no one else ... she is his, then how can this happen ...?!
What are you doing? I was talking ...
I was talking too ... harsh, angry tones ... his life is slipping away and she's talking to someone else?
When did he say anything? Did he call out to her, or was it her imagination? Or his?
I don't know what you're saying. She takes a step back at the fire in his eyes.

And the crescendo peaks ... and plateaus at its height ...
What are you doing? Low, dangerous, the anger all the more deadly because for once it is controlled ...
What did I do? Her words equally controlled, the tension evident ...

You got engaged? And you didn't think to tell me??!! Why does nobody know ...??!!
What does it matter to you??!! You told me I didn't matter, I didn't mean anything, you crushed me into the ground ... then why does it matter to you?!

It matters to me because ....

Because ... 

And he knows why it matters to him ... he knows, he cannot deny it to himself any more ...

Anjali comes and takes her away ... as she leaves she looks back at him ... and he looks away, his face hard. She knows ... he won't say it. He will never say it.
She leaves without looking at him again.

And then he dares to look at her retreating back ... watching her go out of his life ... trying to breathe through the pain ... through the shards of glass choking his chest.
When Di said, 'saansein ruk jayengi' ... she didn't mention how much it would hurt.

Overplayed

BJ overplayed his hand ... Devyani wants a divorce. BJ shocked ... Devyani realises Priya was right all along ...

Good going, Devyani ... I do love an intelligent woman!

18/11 - Epi 123 ... Ringa Ringa ring

18th Nov Fri

All about the ring ... the ring is going to let hell loose very soon.
So Payal, as expected, turns down Akash ... she did it well ... quietly, in a dignified and firm way ... and saved her tears for when she got back home alone. Poor girl, she had one bad experience on her wedding day ... no wonder she is not prepared to go through something like that again. Akash will have to show much more courage to win her over ... more courage to her.

La asks where ASR is, Khushi says - by the pool. And at Anjali's worried look, she adds - he's all right. Anjali is reassured, La doesn't even bother to ask what happened to him. Khushi leaves, after La and Anjali persuade her to come back the next day.

Arnav finds the ring that Khushi dropped ... he doesn't associate it with Khushi at all.
Buaji discovers Khushi's ring is missing. Khushi is puzzled ... buaji, you talk so much the whole, most of it to me, now what exactly are you talking about? *rofl* ... and she too realises her ring is missing.

La thinks it's her engagement ring. Arnav exasperated, no it's not ... would he be asking whose ring it was if he had bought it for her? He found it by the poolside.
Anjali thinks the ring is Shyam's taste - how right she is. Arnav asks pertinent question - then why was it by the pool?
La has another bright idea - she's overworking her brain tonight! It's a surprise for Anjali. Anjali remembers the jewelry bill ... maybe it is. Arnav remarks that the ring has come back to its rightful owner.
Buaji hyperventilating - how to tell Shyam the ring is lost? Khushi not measurably perturbed, but she looks for it anyway.

Anjali in fool's paradise ...

Buaji hyperventialing while following Khushi like shadow ... Khushi realises maybe she dropped it in RM, buaji wants her to go immediately ... she says no, Buaji says, then call and tell them to find it, Khushi says she'll go tomorrow, what's the big deal *rofl* Buaji leaves, Khushi prays to Devi maiyya, let me find that dratted ring ... oh and while you're about helping me, please let Buaji sleep, I can take her snoring, but not her taanas!
Payal comes in, Khushi realises her sister is upset - sweet PK scene ... Khushi says, didn't you hear buaji - 36 times she remembered her nand kishore ...  Payal hides her upset again.
Khushi on a roll tonight!

Anjali teases Shyam about ring ... Shaym havayi gul ... hears Khushi is coming again and runs like scared rat. Ring falls into nani's milk glass. Starting ringa ringa roses ... *rofl*

Khushi arrives, starts hunting for ring ... buaji calls, Khushi exasperated ... bumps into Arnav and lets loose all her frustrations ...

Waiting for ME ... more ringa ringa roses and roller coaster ...

17/11 - Epi 122 ... Open your heart and let me in ...

17th Nov Thurs

A beautiful Arshi scene ... marred by awful editing ... I get that they have to ensure people watch the entire episode, so they intersperse other stuff with Arshi ... but it destroys the continuity and flow of emotions! :(((

Episode starts with Arshi in kitchen, Arnav finds Khushi ... but of course, he has built-in Khushi radar ... hems her in with one hand and opens mouth to blast off ... remembers his own stipulation, no talking, which she has adhered to strictly, so how can he lose? ... shuts mouth again, contenting himself with banging other hand on wall in frustration ... frustration compounded by tiny victory smile on Khushi's face ... girl, you're in trouble if you show him you won! He leaves, Khushi allows her smile to appear again, wipes it off hastily as he turns, replaced with demure look, but he's seen the smile ... even more annoyed, he walks off ... and Khushi almost laughs aloud!

Tiny Shyam-Buaji scene ... he's trying to get wedding date fixed asap, so that he can stop Khushi going to dratted RM!

Arnav drinking milk, as recommended by Khushi (I liked this little touch) ... ah, so Anjali does know where the kangan are. She takes them out of Arnav's cupboard ... very sweet Anjali-Arnav scene, as they both remember their mother and her kangan, Anjali in tears again, but Arnav's eyes are dry ... he doesn't allow himself the luxury of tears ...
He has always had to be the strong one, had to grow up too fast, because his sister was the weak one, he had to protect her, look after her, so he could never allow himself the comfort of tears, never allow himself to give in to his emotions ... as Anjali reads their mother's letter and cries, his eyes are sad, far-away ... but dry. He is his sister's comforter, if he gives way, who will look after her?
Anjali reads out the letter ... addressed to Arnav's wife ... my Chotey has anger permanently on his nose, but a heart filled with love ... bear his anger, and return his love with interest ... 
Arnav lost in his mother's memories ... truly, mothers know their children best ...
Anjali says ... if our mother could see you now ...
He interrupts ... she would not recognise me ...
He gets up and leaves ... not even to Anjali,  ... especially not to Anjali, can he show any weakness, because he is her strength ... if he gives way, she will too ...

As he leaves, Khushi enters ... she sees at a glance that he is upset ... one glance ...and it seems Arnav doesn't even attempt to hide his feelings from her ... his eyes are naked, tormented, as he looks at her, then leaves. As though he's telling her he needs her strength, her support.

Anjali explains ... and Khushi understands ...
She goes to the poolside to pick up the chillies ... Arnav is there, staring at the stars in the night sky ... she looks at his back, then up at the stars ... and knows ...

No gust of wind this time, no flying dupattas ... he knows she's there ... because he needed her ...
Maybe he wants to be alone ... she aches for him, hurts with him, a hurt she understands, because it is a shared hurt and a very private one, one they both hide from the world ... she picks up the chillies and turns to leave quietly, not wanting to intrude, to invade his privacy, because she knows he hates to show his vulnerability ... and he is very vulnerable right now ... 

So do they really become stars?

A quietly worded question ... from the depths of his heart ... to her ... because she understands ... and maybe her faith can give him the reassurance he needs ... because he lost his own faith ages back ...The vow of silence broken without even thinking ...

He doesn't need his privacy. For the moment, he needs her. She comes to stand next to him.
It's not a question of true or false ... it's a matter of faith ...
She points to two stars ... I believe ... those are my parents, they keep watching over me ...
He interrupts ... and are they happy to see us?Is my mother happy to see me like this?
And as she stares at him, her heart aching for him, he turns to look at her, not even trying to hide his torment, his vulnerability ... his emotions as exposed, as naked to hers as hers were to him one night some time ago ... two people from two different worlds, yet bound together by destiny, by a shared fate ...
She can't answer him ... would his mother be happy? Which mother would be happy to see her child in pain, shut off from the world, enclosed in his own walls of unhappiness and bitterness?

And it hurts her to see him so vulnerable, so tormented ...so alone ...
She leaves quietly ... turning back one last time to ask ... are you all right?
He half turns towards her, nods ... and watches her go ... somehow comforted slightly ... yes, he is all right, he's feeling better somehow ... he turns back to the stars ... maybe she's right, his mother is there somewhere, looking at him ...

Payash were annoying ... Akash bitwa finally confessed? Already? But why in the middle of such an important Arshi scene? Maybe because no one would have watched them otherwise! Bad, bad editing ... breaking up that scene into three- four small parts! Very annoying!

Forgot to mention the acting ... Arshi ... fantabulous! Barun and Sanaya just excel in emotional scenes ... Sanaya of course always brilliant ... loved the way she was the restrained one here, quiet yet strong, holding strong for Arnav, because he needed her strength and her faith ... he needed her ... including the way she turned to ask before leaving ... are you all right?
And Barun was brilliant ... naked emotion in his eyes, as he exposed his vulnerability completely to Khushi, and more than even that, his need ... like she holds strong for her family, and can let go only in front of him, he too, for the first time, found someone he could expose his vulnerability to, someone he could turn to for strength ... he needed her ...
And loved the way the vow of silence was broken ... no fanfare, no dramatics as to who won ... their shared need for each other won ... and no one was the loser.

Daljeet was very good in the Anjali-Arnav scene ... again reinforced the feeling I always get in these scenes, that she was always the weak one, and Arnav had to grow up before his time, assume the cloak of strength because she would have given way otherwise, and he couldn't lose the only family he had left.

Akash - Payal ... Payal had this annoyed look through the Akash confession scene which threw me off, which softened only slightly towards the end ... am pretty sure she is going to turn him down. However, I didn't pay much attention to them, was waiting impatiently for Arshi to re-start!

16/11 - Epi 121 ... Hubby-wife squabbles

16th Nov Wed

Back on track!

Apart from the sheer illogicality (is that a word?) of Anjali, La and Nani wanting Khushi in RM, the episode was good :)

Dining table scene, where Mami tastes La's mirchi-vali daal and runs for help, La and Khushi go to make fresh daal, while Anjali explains to Nani that La added the mirchi on purpose, and Nani enjoying the pranks ...

And then of course, everyone conveniently disappears when Arnav comes for lunch, giving us our Arnav-Khushi dose - these two are complete naturals at these scenes, made for each other ... he and Khushi glare at each other, but true to promise, no words ... Khushi starts to leave and sees Arnav taking the daal, tries frantically to warn him ... even uses the help of HP, which backfires completely ... if Khushi and La made the two daals, of course Arnav will have La's daal, and not Khushi's ... Khushi gives up, "okkkaayyy, don't say I didn't warn you," Arnav tastes the daal, all the while looking at Khushi daring her to stop him, Khushi turns and waits with the "just waiting ... waiting ... there, I tried to tell you but do you ever listen?" as he hiccups ... he still goes on eating the daal, because of course, how can he admit she was right? The phrase "cutting off your nose to spite your face" springs to mind!
Utterly *rofl* cute scene ... the expressions on both their faces, especially Sanaya's were an absolute riot! Treat to watch!

Mami at mandir, outplayed by Nani ...
Anjali, Nani, La and jewelry ... getting ready for the engagement ... will it happen? And the note finally finds its way to the intended recipient, just as he's losing it about his missed telecon call to the invisible Aman ... he realises belatedly what Khushi was trying to tell him, and as usual, he didn't listen.
Just as Khushi comes in with milk ... poor girl, his mirchi is hurting her ... she can't stand his discomfort or pain either, as much as he can't stand hers ... so she brings milk, mimes out eating the spicy daal ... her expressions were so sweet here, especially when she holds out the milk as though it's a peace offering ...
And Arnav bitua of course, throws the milk into the pool, like a petulant child ... tantrums, what tantrums!

And Khushi is so annoyed ... so she goes to the kitchen and starts making a racket, just as his important call comes in ... and of course, any sensible person on a call would go to another room, shut the door, and carry on ...
but no, Arnav cannot stay away from Khushi, so he comes further into the kitchen, wages war through eyes and gestures now, as words are forbidden ... he can't shout at her, so he calls Di, and Khushi disappears ...
Di leaves and he finally finds Khushi ...
Sanaya's expressions again ... OMG, hilarious! The mischief and naughtiness dancing in her eyes, as she bangs away at the pestle and mortar, perky, mischievous Khushi at her best ...
All the Arnav-Khushi scenes were such typical hubby-wife squabble scenes - ultra cute!  Especially the dining table one, with poor HP caught in the crossfire, and Khushi's "I told you so, but do you ever listen?" look!

Precap was ... indescribable ... felt like melting at the look in his eyes, his voice, as he asked her "do you think they're happy seeing us here?" ... seeing us??? Can't wait for tonight's episode.

I think they will both start laughing ... that's the only way the ice will break now and the distances lessen again ... to the point of the precap. Nothing melts away bitterness and anger like laughter does.

Recap

Waiting for the episode ... some thoughts

Quick recap ... Diwali episode, they came closer than ever before, he gave in to a moment of weakness, so did she ... they were both brought back to reality, he was horrified, she was confused ... he realised that he was hugely attracted to her to the point of going out of control ... so his engagement announcement ...
She was hurt like hell ... her own feelings she started to realise, but her heart broke at what he did ... she NEVER expected him to reciprocate her FEELINGS ... but the way he pushed her away so brutally hurt her badly ... in her moment of weakness, she said yes to marrying Shyam ...

So both engaged ... to the wrong person ... each of them know it in their hearts, don't want to really face it, but DON'T know about the other ...

Then Khushi doesn't want to come back to RM ever again - the very next day, however, she is called by Anjali to say goodbye in person. She decides she will not see Arnav again - but then she sees the mannat ki chhabi still in her bag. His words - 'don't think I was holding on to the payal because of you,' come back to her - she decides to return his key - she doesn't want a reminder of him either. But is it also an excuse she is giving herself to see him just once again? To see if he really meant what he said ... or whether what happened between them was as earth-shattering to him as it was to her?
So she goes to RM, still undecided whether she wants to see Arnav again or not. There Arnav, still angry over the events of the previous night, says hurtful words about her to Anjali, about not wanting her back ... which she overhears, and is hurt all over again. But then Anjali and Nani wonder why Arnav has been like a bear with a sore head the whole morning, she overhears him shouting at OP, and she wonders ... she knows his temper by now ... is he expressing his feelings in anger? Could his feelings actually be something other than anger, could they be the confusion she herself feels?
So she hesitates, but then eventually she goes to find out ... And Arnav is more restrained when he senses her there ... tells her to leave, she tries to return the key, but he doesn't want to listen to anything ... doesn't want to talk to her. And she gets annoyed as well, feeling that maybe she was mistaken, he does think that Diwali night was a mistake ... well then, she doesn't want to talk to him, she's just here to return his key, because she doesn't want any reminders either, thank you very much. And he loses it ... he holds her tight ... she searches his eyes ... why are you so angry, what is it you're hiding behind that anger?
And he can't meet her gaze ... he lets her go ... tells her 'just leave.'
And she does. After hurting herself as he releases her so strongly.

And he sees the key she left behind ... was she holding onto it all these days? The way he held on to her payal?
And she's hurt ... emotionally, he knows, he did that deliberately ... but physically also ... and that he didn't mean to do. So he rushes after her to the temple ... and confuses her all over again ... so gently and with so much authority he ties the bandage, but has no answers to why ... and it's those answers she needs.
Another war of words ... both fumbling with the new equation between them ... both not ready for the tumult of emotions tossing them around ... easier by far to fall back to the comfort zone of their usual fights and try to forget that Diwali night ever happened.

Which is what they're doing now ... trying to forget, trying to pretend that Diwali never happened, that they still hate each other, can never see eye to eye ... and it's better they don't try. And since they can't forget that Diwali night that always lies between them, maybe it's just better they don't talk to each other at all ... they don't have the right to think about Diwali, because both are committed elsewhere.

Fighting hasn't managed to keep them apart ... maybe not talking at all to each other will.

Will it?

Clashes galore

Maryada left me on edge today somehow ... dont know whether that's a good feeling or bad.

Adi now refuses to tell Priya about Gaurav - understandable, actually. Trying to convince himself that no, it's not true.

Chinu going crazy ... he can't really mean to tell Vidya? And what about asking Gaurav's permission first ... not Priya's. Priya doesn't even know the truth yet.

Priya also going crazy ... again understandable - her husband has disappeared and her brother has gone crazy!

Devyani - Uttara ... felt like giving one tight whack to Uttara ... yet again! What a selfish bi*** of a woman! Really wish Devyani would somehow gather the courage to call BJ's bluff ... and the courage to be ready to leave if it is not a bluff. Tough one, though.

15/11- Epi 120 ... Bleh

15th Nov Tues

Nothing happened ... and when I say nothing, I mean exactly that. Nothing. Total filler.
Shyam gets away yet again.
Anjali, La and Nani still plotting to keep Khushi in RM, God knows why - as their pet doll?
Khushi-Arnav 'mime because we're not talking' interaction - as silly as expected, although Sanaya performed with full verve even in such a silly scene, and Arnav's expressions were spot on and actually funny.
The best scene was Arnav-HP ... says a lot as to how silly the episode was.

This had better be leading up to the Shyam exposure - the ME has to be something really solid to make up for such a pathetic episode.

14/11 - Epi 119 ... Fighting back

14th Nov Mon

Khushi recovers her equilibrium and her fight. Yes, she has an unexplainable soft corner for Laad Governer ... God knows why, because he leaves no stone unturned to insult and humiliate her at every opportunity. Yes, she even seems to have a death wish or an unrecognised masochistic streak in her - why she can't keep away from him ... or from Raizada House, where she has been humiliated time and again ... but where she has also received so much affection and apnapan ... where a strict matriarch like Nani gives her love and blessings, where a sweet Anjali showers her with affection and gifts, and tries to stand up for her against her khadoos brother and annoying Mami, where a dumb but sweet La can't seem to do without her ... and where HE lives - her Laad Governer, and sometimes her Arnavji ... the man who hates her, yet seems to be there every time she is in trouble, with bitter harsh words, but also with the solution to her problems. He gave her a job when she desperately needed it, he paid her salary promptly when she needed it, he paid the hospital bills when she was running short ... he bashed up a few goons because they pushed her, he took care of her when she was sick, yes, he was the one responsible for her sickness, but his responsibility could have been met by calling a doctor ... and he ran to bandage the smallest of cuts in her finger after telling her he never wanted to see her again.

And again he's back with harsh words ... after saving her from falling ... okay, so he seems to have forgotten everything that happened between them on Diwali, he told her it meant nothing, didn't he? Why is she agonising over it then? If they are back to square one, so be it ... she, Khushi Kumari Gupta is no pushover either! And she is not working there for money, thank you very much, Laad Governer ... she came because Anjali and La wanted her, needed her ... she's doing  them a favour ... so just stuff it!

So I liked Khushi in the first scene ... if he can forget about Diwali, so can she ... if he can be back to his rude self, well, she's not going to take it lying down either ...
Dialogues were much better today in their confrontation ... Khushi fiesty, determined to give it back to him, if only he would let her talk ... as she tells him too ... if you don't want to listen to the answers, why do you ask the questions ... and again you're back to the money?
Anjali intervenes, with more stubbornness and annoyance at her Chotey than ever before, ticks him off, which Khushi being the well brought up girl that she is, doesn't join in ... she will fight all she likes with Arnav in private, but not in front of anyone else ... she respects Anjali too much.
And Arnav is actually taken aback that Khushi is not back for the money this time ... and ashamed ... he did it again, didn't he? Misunderstand her ... wilfully, purposely ... because he needs a reason to stay angry with her, and he's fast running out of them. And I liked Sanaya's expressions as Anjali explained sternly that Khushi was not back this time for a job ... Khushi was defiant, still angry, unforgiving this time ... no, she was not going to cry, she was not hurt, because it's Arnav who hurts her ... Laad Governer only makes her angry and fiesty.

Khushi not back for a job this time accomplished another goal ... she is no longer their employee, neither Anjali's, not Arnav's ... the boot is on the other foot, she is doing them a favour, giving them some of her precious time, which is already overloaded as it is. So along with the money and gold-digger angle, the naukar and aukat crap is also thrown out of the equation.

So what can he fight with her about now? Nothing, really ... it's better that they just don't talk to each other at all. She agrees.
 Somehow that scene touched me ... the way Arnav says stop, I want to talk to you ... and this time Khushi doesn't walk away or even get angry again, she stops, ready to listen. Maybe she's still hoping to hear something she wants to hear, maybe she's hoping to see a glimpse of that Arnavji back ... but again she's disappointed. He says every time they talk, the same thing happens, they end up arguing ... his tone was almost defeated, regretful, as though he knows things are all wrong ... but then he can't stop fighting her, because he has to stay away from her ... so back to harshness - 'we won't talk.'

And that does hurt ... so he's still pushing her away ... well, all right ... she closes her eyes, fighting her  disappointment, then opens them with renewed determination ... she can do that too ... 'fine, we won't talk.'

Anjali, La and Nani wanting Khushi to stay on is a bit illogical and silly ... why, when Arnav has been voicing his disapproval so loudly, when he is so obviously unhappy at having her back, and what is she actually accomplishing?
Anyway, this also did establish one more thing - that Khushi did want to leave RM, she didn't want to come back, Anjali, La and Nani had to twist her arm into agreeing. 
Makes me wonder more and more - how is La going to react?

Hehe ... Shyam losing it now ... why is Khushi still established at RM? He's actually got a point, when Arnav gets so mad to see Khushi, then why keep calling her back? But for the first time, Anjali doesn't give way ... that's Arnav's fault and his problem ... why does everyone (read Arnav and Shyam) have such a problem with Khushi?
Duh, cos they're both in love with her and both trying to hide it *rofl*

Cute scene - Khushi with Barun ;-) and kids ... Chota Package, and she doesn't want another Laad Governer in the making ... one on the face of this earth is enough, thank you very much!

Reporter recalls Lucknow girl falling in Arnav's arms ... bringing back more memories for Arnav ... La comes in just as her engagement is announced and is delighted ... thanks to Chamkili ... Arnav angry again! Why does the whole world conspire to never let him forget her!

Shyam tries to dictate terms to Khushi - she is NOT having it ... Bravo, Khushi!!! Love you!!! She as good as told him she will do what she pleases, and he can stuff it!
Another good thing - she equates him with LG, as far as he knows, Khushi still hates LG, so he backtracks quickly ... but established again ... Khushi-Arnav relationship is completely private between them. Shyam is not going to get any hint either. And in that sense, it's good that Anjali doesn't suspect anything either, because she will blurt it out to her hubby. Which could get dangerous for Khushi.

So Shyam got it from both ends ... Anjali and Khushi ... both are annoyed with him, and he is getting more and more frustrated. Will he make a mistake now? High time!!!

And Khushi was on fire today ... ticked off both Arnav and Shyam for different reasons ... go, girl!!!

Very sweet Payal Khushi scene ... Payal as good as tells Khushi to take her time and not get intimidated by Buaji's browbeating ... methinks Payal does not care over much for Shyam either. And it does establish that Payal will stand by Khushi, no matter what.

So slowly all the different players are taking up their position on the chess board ... defense, offense, attack ... will it be check by Shyam ... and checkmate by Khushi/Arnav?

11/11/11 - Epi 118 ... Hilarious

11.11.11
Had to write the date this way ;-)

Will come back to edit, but the Raizada ladies scene was utterly hilarious ... cracked me up totally ... especially Mami's expressions all through, and the way she started when Nani said "even Manorama knows the granths!" ... like, "who, ME?!"
And Nani biting her tongue at her slip was adorable!

*edit*
Starts with Arnav dreaming about Khushi, wakes up with her name on his lips ... third time this has happened. Every time he thought she had left his life - first when she said she was leaving for Lucknow, then in Nainital and now ...
Anjali wakes him up - I love the teasing Arnav-Anjali relationship, especially Arnav's lines, reminds me so much of my own brother! Rasmon ke bahane release your own frustrations :p. His Nirupa Roy line is still my favourite, though!
But omigosh, Anjali, one more rasam here too? She can write a whole new book on traditions and rituals - for once, can you leave tradition and ritual out of it, and just tease your brother because you want to?!

Bhai Dooj in the Raizada house ... as Anjali does 'teeka' for Arnav, the lines of the song ... poignant and pertinant, am sure intentionally so ...
"muskura kar jab tu mujhe pyar se samjhaati hai,
tere chehre mein us pal mujhko Maa nazar aati hai ..."
And the way Arnav looks at Anjali during the ritual with those lines going on in the background, make me feel the words of the song even more relevant ... Anjali reminds him of his mother, the mother he still misses ...  
"teri duaa har uljhan mein jeena sikhati hai ...
tera ehsaan hai, mera armaan hai
tujhpe kurbaan dil ho jaaye ..."
Anjali's words, her wishes, her prayers guide his actions ...
And he will sacrifice his wishes, his life, his desires for her ...

If this was intentional, it's a pretty clear indicator of the track ahead ...

Shyam reminds Arnav that he's already given Anjali her biggest gift - his engagement to La ... La simpers, Arnav glowers ...
Mami does hilarious imitation of Arnav ... again her words seem to indicate what lies ahead ... "aapki khushi ke liye, main apni khushi kurbaan kar sakta hun, aapki life mein koi problem na aaye, uske liye kisi bhi had tak jaa sakta hun ..."
He's said this before ... but combined with Khushi's words about 'tab hum nahin honge ...", and the ME coming up, I am thinking more and more about an Arnav Khushi separation ... just let it not be due to Khushi Shyam marriage, that's all - that will be totally yuckkk! But then, Arnav wants to preserve his sister's happiness ... and sacrifice his own ... so hopefully no, not Khushi Shyam marriage, but maybe not Khushi Arnav marriage either ... their separation ...
I had thought vaguely earlier about a separation track, and a mini leap of a year or so ... really wonder what lies ahead ...

Shyam's words again pertinant ... saale sahib will do everything, am I here only to hold the gifts?
At a wedding, the bride and groom are center stage, the relatives do the work ...
Anjali going into her Mahaan devi mode really bugs me! :-)

Gupta house - Buaji says the nerve of the ring finger goes to the heart, Khushi remembers Arnav again ... Buaji tells Khushi Shyam now has some rights over her ... yuckkk again :-(
She murmurs distractedly ... I don't have to go to work ... her heart sinking too ... she won't see him again ...
in spite of the bitter parting, she is already missing him, missing the RM, her safe haven, her getaway, where she can forget the turmoil and chaos happening in her own life.

RM - La makes some silly remark, Mami says, ask Khushi ... La says excitedly, yes she will, then her face falls ... but Chamkili is not going to be coming any more.
Arnav's face ...
Anjali agrees, Khushi has become a habit, Nani adds, a good habit, which she doesn't want to break ... Anjali adds more ... and Arnav can't stand it any more ... He's missing her the most, and he can't even say it, doesn't even want to acknowledge it ...
So he loses it again ... Anjali this time fires back ... stop being rude to Khushi ... you never know when you will meet them again ... and after they have gone, you realise how wrong you were ...
And Arnav freezes ... yes, he sent her away, and she said the same thing, didn't she ... that she won't be there ...

Again all pointing to a separation ... am more and more sure ...

All the women show their displeasure at Arnav's words by leaving ... leaving him remembering her yet again ... and his words ... leave my life ... 
Memories of the mandir ... parallel paths on opposite sides of the platform ... as they walk ... together, yet apart ... does this mean Khushi will mature slowly and rise to his level during the separation?
And this happened after the 'engagement' ... so will the separation happen after a hasty marriage?

Gupta house - Payal and Khushi - the girls seem to be the ones with the brains, as Buaji's have gone to the drycleaners' ... how is the house to run? Khushi, resourceful and forward-looking as ever, has already decided to take tuitions ... her sunny smile back, they will manage ...

And the phone rings ... is Anjali one roop of Devi maiiyya? She just can't let Khushi stay away from RM for any length of time ... for now, that is. She tells Khushi distractedly to come soon, there's big trouble here ... and rings off.
Khushi caught in conundrum ... head telling her she shouldn't go, but her heart is too big, how can she turn down Anjaliji's request?
(I do wish I didn't know it was a plan ... this part was fun!)
Nautanki by the Raizada ladies ... the most hilarious parts were Manorama's expressions, as she obviously wasn't in the plan ... and the way she jerked with complete astonishment when nani said - 'Even Manorama knows the granths!' ... "Who, me?! I do?!"

Payash scene somewhere in the middle of the Raizada nautanki ...

Khushi starts her lessons again, but makes it clear it's a one off. And she's happy that Arnav is not around ... but is she really?

Two stubbornly proud people, neither willing to give an inch, to admit they can't do without the other, that their attraction is mutual ...
Arnav enters ... and the wind blows again ... actually, I wrong the cv's ... no wind this time, just sensing each other's presence ... now that I really don't have a problem with. It happens - it really does!

Random thoughts ... the episode was good, held interest throughout - shows that Arshi don't HAVE to be in the episode together if it is well-written, and their separation track will work as long as the rest of the characters are properly written. All are decent actors, they can carry the show ...
And the episode definitely had quite a few indicators of an upcoming separation ...

So I'm guessing - and hoping - this coming Arshi scene is random, just to prolong things till the ME, which hopefully will be a proper ME, and really show some milestone or turning point. The last one didn't.

Tangles and more tangles

Where is Gaurav?! Who has kidnapped him? Karan?! Or Karan's bf? Or Roshnee Devi?

And don't tell me Priya actually thinks that Chinu could have anything to do with it?!

Gaurav's truth will be out to Priya and Adi next, for sure.

Brahmanand and Roshnee Devi's confrontations are always a treat to watch. And Brahmanand was actually sweet to Devyani - was it genuine or part of his master plan?
Uttara is really an insecure selfish bi* ... grudging even that little bit of attention that BJ gives Devyani?

*Edit* As I thought ... Gaurav's truth will be out to Adi in ME. Maryada ME's are really good, the last one ended with Vidya shooting. Need to catch this one for sure. 

10/11 - Epi 117 ... Sarvam Amangalam ...

10th Nov Thurs

In complete and stark contrast to the engagement of the day before, comes the 'amangal' engagement today ...

Wrong person, wrong time, wrong reasons ...

Slimeball Shyam has his pawn firmly within his grasp, and he uses her well. Gullible Buaji ... does she have NO brains at all?!
Khushi's hesitation, her flashbacks, her obvious unwillingness, her tears ... none had any effect on the man who supposedly 'loves' her ... neither on the aunt she has been trying so hard to support. The only two who were happy with the engagement were the Evil Knave and his Pawn ...

Khushi's father does nothing but shed tears which everyone is blind to ... can't the man make any sound at all?
Khushi's mother has lost her brains and any gumption she ever had.
Khushi's sister never had any gumption anyway ... she depended on Khushi, and now Khushi stamds defeated, Payal can do nothing except cry silently for her ... when it was her turn, Khushi braved so much to sort out her life, but Payal can't return the favour ...
Khushi is defeated ... as much by her debt to her beloved Babuji as by her memories and her discovery of her love ... a love as unexpected as it is hopeless ... But maybe somewhere some hope still flickers, because she is so hesitant to make this initial commitment ... till buaji physically lifts her hand to force her.

The sham engagement was painful to watch, redeemed only by Khushi's hesitation, her last silent defiance, and her flashbacks.

Arnav's torment starts ... and the way it was portrayed at reaching it peak just as Shyam puts the ring on Khushi's finger was well done ... as though he senses there is something wrong with his ladylove ...
His helplessness at his own feelings, his frustration as he rubs at the imaginary drop of blood ... try as he might, he can't scrub out her memories, her touch, her feel ...

Loved the way Khushi didn't give Shyam the time of day ... her silent accusation at his perfidy - they had agreed, she thought, to NOT get married, and here he betrayed her completely ... I think slowly Khushi's trust in Shyam will start to ebb. It already has, seen in her extreme discomfort in his presence, her silence, her refusal to speak to him ... Shyam may have won over her aunt with his smooth talk, but Khushi is far from won over ...
I hope she doesn't tell him of her love, neither does he come to find out ... because Shyam can be a very ugly customer ... he will try to take her by force, if he feels all his carefully laid plans are coming to nothing.

And loved the part where Khushi stares at both her hands ... one with the bandage, the other with the ring ... and her feelings start to crystallise.

Not very happy with Khushi going back to RM ... hope the cv's don't throw in random romantic scenes for the trp's, though from San's interview, it seems those are definitely on the way ...
Like with SG - we never wanted random romance, we wanted distance ... again same feeling here ... we need distance between Arnav and Khushi ... time for their feelings to crystallise ... hers already are, but his too ...

Thankfully the ME is on Nov 20th, so that is the next milestone ... Shyam is getting so much screen time, it has to be leading up to something big.

9/11 - Epi 116 ... Sarva Mangal Maangalye

9th Nov Wed

And the engagement is solemnised ... to the sound of mandir bells, conch shells and the aarthi ... right on the auspicious time.
While Slimeball Shyamoo grits his teeth in anger and releases his frustration on a mute Shashi babu yet again ... honestly, those scenes are too painful to watch now.

So a sad Khushi leaves the RM slowly, escorted by a sympathetic La, and watched by an upset Arnav ... he wanted her to leave, didn't he? Then why is he feeling so torn? As though he is losing something very precious?
He turns away, and then sees something lying on the table ... a key? What key? Why did she leave it behind? He doesn't want anything she left behind, least of all something so meaningless as a single key - he picks it up to throw it and realises ... it's his mannat ki chaabi ... which he threw at the dargah, she picked it up and came running after him to return it ... their first war of words.
She kept his key all this while?!
And he sees ... a few drops of blood ... he remembers pushing her, she stumbled onto the table ... the broken glass ... she's hurt???!!!
Again because of him ...
And he rushes to find her ... not stopping to think for a second that he just told her to leave, that he said he never wanted to see her face again ...

Khushi begs Devi maiyya ... she wants to forget him, she has to start her new life now ... Devi maiyya give her strength ...
Devi maiyya gives her Arnav instead.
A war of words ... fiery Khushi is back ... he said he didn't want to see her, well, she doesn't want to see him either ..
He tells her to stop, he wants to talk to her ...
Why? She doesn't have to talk to him ... she doesn't work for him any more ...
He grabs her shoulders yet again ... listen to me ...
And she gets embarrassed, self-conscious at the stares of the passers by ... but he drops his hand from her shoulder to her hand, takes hold of it and unwraps the dupatta to see the scratch ...
A small scratch ... a few drops of blood ... and it made him come running here ...
She tries to take her hand away again, he's not having it ... slowly he wipes the blood with his hanky, then binds it ...

Just as the temple aarti starts at the shubh mahurat, the conch shells blow and the wedding mantras start in the background ... these two are destined to be together, no one else can come between them ... Devi Maiyya has willed it so.

All through the bandage tying, his eyes were fixed on her hand, his concentration completely there, and hers were on his face ... seeking, wondering ... slowly she is beginning to understand this man ... very slowly ... his anger, his fury ... his gentleness, his softness ...

I told you not to do that, then why ...?
He is silent.

What do you want from me? she bursts out ... You blow hot, you blow cold, you tell me to go away, then you come after me, you hurt me, then you heal the hurt ...

A complex man, a battered man ... devi maiyya give her the strength to understand him, because she's not doing so well right now.

The panditji offers the aarthi thali before he can reply, she takes the aarti, he doesn't, and she scolds him again ... you insult God in her own temple?
Yes, of course, you don't believe in God, do you? You write your own destiny. But believe that as you will, the fact is that when you write, Devi Maiyya holds your hand to trace the words ...

He is stung ... No, she doesn't. I am master of my fate.

She says ... you only think you are. And you will realise that one day ... and I won't be there to see it.
He is furious ... You won't be there that day? You won't be there from right now. Get out of my life. I never want to see you again, talk to you again.
She retorts - neither do I.

And they part ... both strong-willed, hot-tempered proud individuals, neither ready to give an inch. Neither ready to acknowledge that attraction, that pull, that binds them together so strongly, that try as they might, they can never stay apart, however much they try.  And never come close, however much they want to.

Sanaya reminded me why I became her fan in the first place ... again the controlled fury, the suppressed rage, her eyes spitting fire, her voice low, controlled, yet full of emotion ... and then the softness, the confusion ... and back to firmness ... Khushi will not bow down ...
Love the way Sanaya brings out the myriads of emotions in Khushi.
Barun was wonderful ... a man of few words, action means more to him ... and he runs from emotion. But she is his, to have and to hold, to protect and to take care of ... even if he doesn't understand or acknowledge why.
Barun's eyes were fabulous, and loved the symbolic way he removed his shades when he started to speak to Khushi, and then put them back on when he turned to leave the temple. As in the scene with the little girl, the shades hide him from the world ... he bared his inner self to that child ... and today to Khushi.

Rest of the episode was about Slimeball Shyamoo getting frustrated about his slipped engagement, and making sure gullible Buaji gets his engagement done today itself.

Will someone, anyone in the brainless Gupta household figure out that Shashi babu's relapses all occur when Shyam is alone with him, and at least start putting two and two together?

Looks like this is going to drag till the ME and culminate with high drama at the wedding mandap :((( Really cv's???!!! NO originality whatsoever!!! Disappointing!