8/5 - Epi 247 ... Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned

Tuesday 8th May

I was actually holding my breath during the last bit ...
I'm not giving you any explanation because if you can think this about me, you don't deserve one. 
The cliff hanger today ... superb ... Why didn't you ask me for an explanation the night you forced me to get married?!

To go backwards ... the first scene ... the pace built slowly, very slowly ... was surprised that Khushi didn't blast off straightaway ... then saw the shock and sheer disbelief in her face ... time and again, she has looked for some softer feelings from this man, time and again she has been disappointed ... but somewhere that slender tendril of hope persisted ... today he killed it for good ...

Loved his flashbacks as he waits for her to return ... knowing that he has burst the dam ... finally remembering her Holi confession (Ayesha, that was one powerful shiddat!) ... and hoping in his turn that she will come back and lay to rest the demons that he has been living with the last three months ...

Loved the complete shock and disbelief in his face as she acts completely normal ... the Khushi mask firmly in place in front of her family ... I did NOT expect that one at all ...
Garima picks up on her slightly as she asks Khushi, aren't you chehkoing just a wee bit more than usual today?

And the last car scene ... superb ... SaRun rocked it ... after ages, Sanaya had the audience's sympathy, Khushi had the killer dialogues, and even with a sore throat, she nailed them ... as usual!

*edited*
 A firecracker of an episode! Yesterday I complained that the intensity wasn't given enough time to build up with too much attention given to the suicide comedy, but today the whole episode was power packed from start to finish.
So it starts with Arnav's anger at Khushi's suicide attempt, and her completely faulty conclusions as to the reason for their marriage finally getting the better of his need to keep quiet ...
It wasn't because of Lavanya ...!
Lies ...
I'm not lying!
Then if that's not the reason, what is? And if he keeps quiet, she will continue thinking that's the reason, which he can't let her believe ... his anger as to how she could even dare to think he loves someone else makes him spill the beans finally ...
Interesting - he's so furious that she could think he loves anyone other than her ...that it prompts him to tell her the truth ...
And she is so furious that he could think she could love anyone else, that makes her keep quiet ...

So the truth finally comes out ... and when it comes, the truth emerges, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth ... because Arnav Singh Raizada is incapable of hiding his feelings from Khushi for any length of time. He might not be able to put the softest of them in words, but he can't hide them ...
And it's almost like a relief for him to finally be able to unburden himself, to let loose and say every single thing that's been on his mind ... how hurt and devastated he was that night when he saw her with Shyam ...

I married you because I know about you and Shyam ...
I married you because I know you and Shyam are having an affair ... (I felt Khushi's expression should have changed here slightly, and the music should have changed here and given another dhamaka ... just his saying he knew about her and Shyam wasn't the main dhamaka, because there was a 'Khushi and Shyam' at one point, and she had wondered about it herself before dismissing the thought. But the real accusation was the second one - that he thought she was a willing participant).
I married you to save my Di's marriage ... so that you can't do anything to destroy it ...

And she is stunned into complete silence ... because her entire silence on the Shyam front has been for that very same reason ... to save Di's marriage ... and she can't even believe that he could think the way he is ... that she could ever think of destroying a marriage, any marriage ... purposely, wilfully.
No, he hasn't recognised her at all. He doesn't know her at all ...
And this is the man she loves, the man for whose happiness she was willing to give up her own life.

But he's not finished ... he goes on, unburdening himself of every single doubt and thought that has tormented him ever since he saw that terrace scene ...
For so many months, I've been wondering ... how can you fall so low. When I look at you, I ...

Silence ... he looks at her as though waiting for her to fight back, for her to respond ... but she is struck dumb ... this is what he has been thinking of her? For so many months? This is what he believes she is capable of doing? He really believes she can fall so low?!

He's not done ... you tried to trap a married man, one who's the Raizada family damaad, that Raizada family who's done so much for you ...

Can he really think she could do that with the Raizada family who has been so good to her?!

How could you dare to play with my sister's life?!

Can he really think that she would play with Di's life?

And he sees her tears, and this time they infuriate him ... them and her continued silence ...
I know your tears and your innocent face are just a facade! From inside you're a ... I would have told my Di the same night, the only thing that stopped me was her pregnancy ... but I didn't want her coming happiness to be ruined by you ...

The only thing that stopped her from telling Arnav about Shyam that night was the news of Anjali's pregnancy ... and the hope it would mend matters between them and give her back her happy married life ...

I can do anything for my sister ... even marry a girl like you ... and that's what I did ...

Umm, correction, Arnav, don't think you would have married any and every Jane, Anne or Mary your KJ fell for just to save your Di's marriage ... it was just Khushi ...

And then the death knell to all her hopes and dreams ... I'm just waiting for these six months to be over, for my sister and her baby to be safe, and I'll can throw you out of my life for ever ... because I hate you ... and now you know the reason for that hate ... because you don't have a character ...

And he throws the stars she left for him ... the symbol of her dead parents ... the stars that give her hope, that guide her life ...
And leaves ... with one last backward glance ... 

रब्बा वे रब्बा वे ... रब्बा वे रब्बा वे 

क्यूँ ख्वाबों पे तेरे साए हैं 

दिल क्यूँ है तनहा मेरा 

क्यूँ खामोसी है जुबां मेरी 

अश्कों से कह पाऊं ना 

क्यूँ दर्द है इतना तेरे इश्क में 

रब्बा वे रब्बा वे ... रब्बा वे रब्बा वे रब्बा वे 

And Khushi slowly backs to the wall, her own words resounding in her ears ... and his ...
Tell me the reason for this marriage ... 
Because I know you're having an affair with Shyam ... you tried to trap a married man ...you played with my sister's life ...
You have to marry me ... for six months
I hate you ...
you don't have a character ...

And she sinks to the floor, broken all over again ... her stars, her parents lying scattered in front of her as mute witnesses to her heartbreak ... yet again, at the hands of this man ...
On Diwali night, he broke her heart by telling her she was trying to trap him, a rich man ... she was a gold digger ...
Today he did it again ...
And now she has no hope left, her dreams are shattered completely ... he wants to throw her out of his life when the six months are over ... he only married her for his sister's safety ... no other reason. None at all. 

AT RM, Shyam looking with satisfaction at Arnav's will ... this one on stamp paper ;) ... did someone read our legal eagle discussions? And sweet talks Anjali again and asks when Arnav and Khushi will be back ... he has a plan ...
And Anjali still doesn't have a baby bump ... that is one malnourished baby.

Back at GH, Arnav waiting for Khushi to come back ... Now that he's said what he had to say, got it all of his chest, unburdened himself and voiced his deepest fears ... now he can allow himself to think ... to hope ... to remember ...

when her friends said she was remembering her own wedding, the sadness in her face ... hiding behind her smile ...

Holi ... her heart beats went faster every time she was near him ...

She does feel something for him, she does ...

But the terrace scene always intrudes ... Khushi in Shyam's arms, he loves her, then her words, why doesn't he leave Anjali, break his marriage ... 

No, she doesn't, he was right, she is having an affair with Shyam, she is everything he has accused her of being ...

And never in his life has Arnav wanted to be wrong so much ... all he wants is for her to come back and talk to him ... wants to hear from her that no, he was wrong, he was mistaken ... there is some explanation for that terrace scene ...but those words won't stop haunting him ... she told Shyam to leave Anjali ...
(Loved his expressions here, full of torment, anguish, pain ... bang on!!! And he looked good with it!)

And Khushi returns ... mask firmly glued back in place ...
Reminded me completely of Diwali night when Arnav goes after her in the car, and she starts talking brightly about how happy she is about their engagement ... the same false brittle happy smiles, the same empty chatter to fill all the gaps and holes that silence would create ...
What are you doing? aren't you getting ready? We're leaving for RM today, remember?
And he is shocked, baffled and completely stunned ... how can she behave so normally after that mind-numbing denouement on the terrace? Did his accusations have no effect at all? Isn't she feeling guilty at least? Or upset - if his accusations were false? Isn't she feeling anything at all?

More chatter ... nonstop, with smile firmly pinned in place ... let me get my clothes ... or are you planning to buy me new ones? Buaji and Amma have given us so much food ... there are too many boxes ... the neighbours have sent gifts ... hope this new car is all right and won't break down on the way ... or you'll blame my neighbors ...

किस मिटटी की बनी है यह?

What is this girl made of?

Think, Bitwa, think ... think back to Diwali, think to the cocktail party when she danced the night away for her sister ... think the smiling conversation she had with her mother just a day or two back, where you actually saw her mask slip and then be pulled back ... then you might start to realise that when she is the chirpiest and smiliest, that's when she's hurting the most inside ...

But he still hasn't realised that like he wears a mask of indifference and cynicism, she wears one of smiles and laughter. And hers is the more painful one to keep pinned on.

BG making 'pashta' ... Khushi laughs cheerfully at their efforts, she wants her besan laddoos, and Arnav can't believe her ... She even manages to tease Arnav about his toiletries, earning her a reprimand from BG ... G senses something is wrong again, asks if Arnav is all right, but doesn't ask the same about Khushi ... and Khushi laughs it off ... he will miss you all ... smile firmly pinned on, not reaching her eyes at all ...

Arnav finishes his packing, Khushi's cheerful carefree attitude is getting to him now ... he sees her stars, brought back from the terrace by Khushi ... and his irritation is building ... how can she be so normal? But when he asks her, she plays clueless ... except that she's in a hurry to leave ...

Play acting being normal in front of her family is getting to her too ... 

BG bid farewell tearfully, Khushi cheerfully ... a sweet farewell between BG and Arnav ... Arnav has truly learned to value his new family and their unconditional love ... loved his dialogue ...

आप लोगों से जो प्यार मिला, उसके बाद जगह छोटी हो या बड़ी, उससे कोई फरक नहीं पड़ता ...

And Khushi's expressions at the farewells ... she has managed to keep Arnav's goodness intact in front of her family ... so they won't worry for her ... 

Khushi pipes up again, and Garima is perceptive enough to see that she's chattering a bit too much ... as they leave, Khushi looks back with a last wistful look ...

And in the car, alone at last ... Arnav is spoiling for a fight ... he wants it badly!!! Now that's he's started unburdening himself, he can't seem to stop ... and now he doesn't have to hold back ... he has to know why she's behaving this way ... does it not make any difference to her what he thinks of her? Isn't she going to say anything at all to defend herself?

Di calls, Khushi answers gaily, then chatters about how happy she is about meeting everyone again ... Di, Nani, Jiji, Jijaji ...

He can't stop himself ... 'aur Shyam?' through gritted teeth ...

The smile falters again, but only slightly. She ignores him, carries on with more forced brightness 'Mamaji, Bubbly, Laxmi ... I want everyone to see this picture of both of us ...'

He's had enough ... (I thought he'd say Get Out ... but apparently his need for answers was greater)

Picture thrown on the road to shatter ... pull Khushi out of the car ... 

Enough!!! Enough of your play-acting! You seem to have forgotten everything ... it doesn't matter to you ... you don't even seem to feel the need to explain anything to me!   

And that's what eating at him ... why isn't she saying anything? Why isn't she defending herself? She's not the silent suffering kind ... he knows that, none better ... why is she quiet about that huge accusation he threw at her? Why isn't she denying it ... when he so desperately wants her to?!

And her expressions say it all, as he continues to rage at her ... silent angry defiance ... her face set ... no, she will not explain anything ... when she asked, begged, cried, pleaded for explanations, she got none ... she was tried, judged, condemned and sentenced without a single chance ... and now he wants her to explain?!

And her silence infuriates him further ... he has to break it, he has to make her talk, say something ... so he pushes her harder and harder with harsher and harsher words ... you're guilty, that's why you're quiet ... you have nothing to say ... you're wrong and you know it ... and you're an expert at hiding your faults ...

An angry incredulous look at him ... he still believes it? And more defiant silence ... believe what you like, you've anyway condemned me already, if I say anything, will it even make a difference?

He pushes her harder ... touching her weak points ... your family and mine love you so much, and you don't deserve that love ...

Her face sets harder ... 

And then the most painful jab of all, going for broke ... it's good your parents are dead and can't see you now ...

And that does break her silence ... don't say a word about my parents ...

And slight victory flashes on his face ... he got her to break her silence ... but he wants more, he wants her to talk, so he pushes again at that wound which he just exposed ...

Why? Why shouldn't I say anything? You say your parents have become stars ... how can you even bear to look at them now?

And she cracks ... I said, don't say anything about my parents!

But sterner stuff ... she recovers herself ... no, she won't break ...

In a more normal tone, her eyes, the set of her jaw showing her defiance ... We need to go home ... unspoken, and that's all I'm going to say.

And adds ... Di will be waiting.

But he's had it.

We are not leaving from here, till I get some answers to my questions. Till you tell me why, in spite of your good upbringing, you could do something like this. How you could deceive me and my family like this. and today, now that the truth is out, how can you behave so normally as though nothing has even happened at all!

His ultimate fury and frustration ... how can she keep quiet and not say anything in her own defence?! When he is dying to hear it!

And he sees her face, still averted in silent defiance ... but silent misery too, in her eyes ... that last hope makes him reach out in despair ... Khushi ... didn't you feel the need to give me any explanation?

And where his anger didn't breach her silence, his raw pain does ... explanation? When that's what she has been begging for, for so many months? 

You want an explanation for why I'm behaving as though nothing has happened? You want to know why I'm quiet, why I haven't tried to defend myself? Then listen ... if you can think such a vile thing about me, then I don't think you even deserve any explanation ... if you can think that I can have any illicit relationship with Shyam, then you're welcome to your thoughts ... you will get nothing but silence from me!

And as he start to fire again at her, she silences him completely ... why didn't you ask me for this explanation earlier? Why didn't you ask me on the night you forced me to marry you?! And that too ... for six months?!

Fabulous comeback of Khushi the tigress!!! 

Thoughts later ;)