Originally posted by: kavsy
Good Analysis. I remember Arjun telling Saanjh from the beginning of the show that he wants to achieve this building by any means, go to many countries, etc. So it clearly means that he was ambitious. He was admiring Maya's beauty, brains, & class. Maya had initially hated Arjun & never wanted to look at his face. She was initially very cold towards him for breaking the company rules & his unprofessional behavior. He got to know Maya is afraid of darkness when he had trapped her in the lift for certain time say about 20 minutes, after having been punished.
Whenever Maya fired him from his job, he has been making an excuse to take him back and Maya didn't have any option but to do that. The hatred went on till Arjun saved her from Ashwin. Slowly and gradually they became friends. After the hospital scene, Jhanvi told Maya to give a chance to herself and tell about her feelings to Arjun to which she initially refused but eventually, she proposed to him in a hot air balloon. Arjun didn't know how to react. This was unusual as Arjun has been thinking of setting a Mayajaal for her before their friendship. However, after proposing to her, it seemed that he genuinely loved her but after Maya gave her company to him to protect herself from Ashwin, his truth came out when he got drunk at the bachelor's party. After all, a person cannot lie when they are drunk. He told Ayaan and his friends that to become rich, woo a rich girl like Maya and enjoy all the comforts. This was a shortcut. He further said that he loves Maya and whatever belongs to her, belongs to him and vice versa. He had said that Maya will be under his control and dance to his tunes. The wedding took place against Vandana's wishes. Thanks to Ashwin who has successfully injected this venom in her mind followed by her superstitious beliefs. He has done his job before dying. Maya's efforts to become a good DIL went in vain as Vandana has been too resilient, cruel and inhuman towards her.
Arjun never had any natural affection towards her. It was indirectly through Maya who made him realize the family's importance. He had given the credit to Maya for his drastic change. However, the same hatred came out once again which again it was because of Vandana's prejudice.
Maya called Vandana as mom whereas Arjun called Jhanvi as aunt instead of mom as she is his MIL. That is something very doubtful now. Jhanvi overheard Arjun's conversation with his friend who had disguised as a tantrik to make her write her confession that she had murdered Ashwin.
Now, anyone in that position would think that he is scheeming. In this angle, can anyone even call him a Duffer? I partly agree with that as he is not a complete Duffer. He is not able to read anyone's gestures or facial expressions. However, more than brains, one needs to be deeply connected to the person with their heart to the other person. True love teaches everything. If he had truly loved Maya, he would never fail to understand her gestures or expressions. After they shifted to Jhanvi's place after the accident, Arjun said that his long-term dreams have been fulfilled and he is staying in the place where he wanted. Jhanvi's eyeballs have been rotating whenever she sees him. It really wanted to say something which Maya could not understand. Maya did give him freedom but he misused it. Maya has always felt that Jhanvi has giving leniency to Ashwin, that is why he has been going to Shipra. This made her believe that controlling your loved ones is the way. Yes, every spouse does keep a track of their partners to some extent. If they are let loose, they will take you for granted.
In Ramayan, Laxman had put the lines telling Sita not to cross the line for her safety before leaving. Sita was safe as long as she was within her boundaries. When she crossed the boundary, she was kidnapped and had to face the humiliation from the society even after she was rescued.
Maya was giving him freedom as long as Arjun was within his limits & he was also happy. But he had to face Maya's other side after that incident.
In the current phase, he had cut off with everyone, manipulation, or not. It was ultimately his decision to get rid of the 2-BHK and stay in the place where he can get the luxuries. It is hard to believe that the person who was profusely crying for Maya when she was in the hospital and fought with the family for her could himself hate her to the extent of manhandling her.
In these 3 years, a lot would have happened. Both Arjun & Maya are equally responsible for their unhappy married life. Arjun was never connected to Maya with all his heart so as to understand the things that are not verbally told to him. So either he might not have loved her truly or even if he did love her, it was before his bachelor's party.