The Bride With A Doll...Removed/ A/N on Pg 42 :) - Page 59

Loved it a lot... Arnav is so much trying to understand her point of view... Wanting her to live her childhood and promising to take away her woes…

That entry Arnav makes in his diary to get a handle on his confused thoughts is truly moving especially the line: Revulsion at the thought that men can actually delude themselves into believing that they see a woman in a child… as long as men get their way, what does it matter to them if a girl's dreams are shattered? Glad to learn that Khushi is not as demure as she pretended to be… the loss of her family has left its mark on her but she hasn't lost her ebullience! A poignant question: "But so many people are dying everyday. What if the sky runs out of space? "Will they stop dying?" she asked hopefully… death isn't something a child can come to terms with. Thank god she has got the love and support of Thami… that would mean a lot to her as she comes to terms with her new surroundings and the new family she is a part of now. The fight between friends over the 'insult' to Arnav was very realistic as was Khushi's eagerness to see Arnav and her subsequent heartbreak at his brusque manner… her fear of being sent back to her village and left all alone is heart-wrenching… at least having overheard Khushi's fears, hope Arnav will be more circumspect in how he treats her… the emotional distance between them is to be expected given the difference in their ages… also Arnav is taken up with the serious issues affecting the country while Khushi is still a child, stealing time from her daily chores in playing hopscotch or with her doll. Arnav's mom is the typical mother-in-law who expects to mould the child to her wishes… why don't they understand that showing understanding and explaining things patiently makes kids amenable… threats only scare them or make them rebellious… "She is the only one who's left from my house. The rest of them are stars in the sky," she said with her voice breaking… Khushi's fear of losing the only connection with her family touched my heart… Arnav already seems to be deferring to his 'wife' when he asks her to tell him what she wants him to do! the hanky and nose blowing scene took me straight back to that epic one in the show when Khushi apologises to Arnav after having scalded him with tea. In returning her doll back to her, he will be taking up the responsibility of keeping her childhood safe... "From himself"… nice sentiments… hope he'll succeed in his endeavour. A beautiful update that touches one's heart.