Woh toh kisi shaitaan se bhi na darre | Beyhadh x2.

Today's post is specifically dedicated to the last scene; Maya and her father's first onscreen meet.

I was right in judging Maya's body language in the precap and it proved to be the case in today's episode. What we saw wasn't a spiteful, vengeful or a betrayed Maya. Instead, we saw a Maya who was completely paralysed with fear and sense of danger. She started panicking the moment lights went flickering off suggesting she's afraid of darkness and what it brings along. She could sense her father's footsteps, just the sound of the boots and sweat starts dripping her forehead, eyes start to brim with tears and she's paralysed by fear to an extent that she loses complete control over her body and its movements. You could see she's desperately trying to reach for help, every fibre of hers literally screaming for help, for escape, for safety.

To me, that not in any way seems like a daughter/person who is traumatised by the absence of a father in her life. In fact, it's his presence that's traumatised Maya. I think this particular scene was enough to suggest that Maya had been abused in her past, in ways that are both mental and physical.

Noticed how Maya jerks away when he approaches to touch her? She feels threatened, by his touch, by him, by his very existence. An abusive past could mean anything, extreme physical or mental torture to discipline her, harsh and cruel upbringing to make her obey his commands/will, strict rules to shape her into a person he wanted Maya to become or worse case scenario, molestation or sexual abuse. Even in the latest promo, when Arjun comes into close physical proximity with her, she just stiffens. Her senses go on alert/panic mode and red flags are out for a moment which again suggests bad experience with regards to physical proximity, especially by the person of opposite gender.

God knows what had transpired in Maya's past but from the looks of it, it seems horrifying. Not that I'd support Maya's ideals and principles but the girl definitely has my empathy.

What didn't make sense to me was the way Maya's mother behaved in yesterday's episode and in today's. At first, she seemed like a lost, deluded and mentally disturbed wife but today she came to Maya's rescue and seemed completely sane, in her full senses. It does look like she's aware about how Maya's father's presence causes Maya absolute panic and probably knows the entire case history too. But then if Maya's father is indeed a horrible man and a horrible father, why would Maya's mother need him so desperately in her life? Out love, for love? So much love that she'd turn a blind eye to the kind of man Maya's father is/could be? Perhaps.

Special mention to Jennifer though, she switched from being the poised, calm yet cold Maya to an absolute panic-stricken Maya with such an ease. Brilliant transition and acting there! 👏