Part 12 Arnav coming up with the flimsiest reasons to take his wife out shopping is touching... the person who insisted on keeping emotions at bay and was a fervent advocate of sense over sensibility now clearly ignores the practicalities of Khushi's job... she already has a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes, yet he wants to gift her some more designer wear " salwar suits and sarees " ignoring the fact that she would be spending most of her time in a hot kitchen working with spices and other condiments. Arnav is trying to give her what he thinks she deserves, and her gentle reminder of the reality makes him smile at the humorous image her words conjure up. He knows she never covets material goods and accepts his gifts solely because they were given by him. What a sea change we see in Arnav: the man who would order things online or, better still, order Aman to buy things, is now on the mother of all shopping sprees just so his darling wife has everything she needs. He wants to spend whatever little time they have together, as a married couple, only with her and away from the distraction of their family. He is also trying to show her his love and support without their ever-present passion complicating and clouding the issue.
Part 13 The savings accounts , the fixed deposits, ATM card are Arnav's way of providing Khushi with the security and stability that has been missing from her life since they met at Sheesh Mahal, and maybe even since before. His emotional support is there for her always and now he wants to see that she is financially secure too, and that even if she decides not to come back to him, she would still have something to fall back on... that she wouldn't have to compromise her dignity and self-respect by being forced into situations she can't escape due to financial constraints [as she was often forced to do when with him]. His heart wept, but he took care not to reveal his pain to her... Arnav knows that Khushi will change her mind if she sees him in turmoil, going to the extent of giving up her dreams as she can't leave him when he is in pain... he wants to give her the freedom of living for herself and doesn't want her to make any more sacrifices for anyone, including himself. "You will need them when you return." Arnav doesn't want to dwell on the possibility that this is the last time they'll be together and that Khushi will never return to him... with her clothes in his wardrobe, the hope remains that she would find her way back to him... he is sure their love will finally win the day! He is banking on the fact that she now knows the depth of his love for her and that she would soon realise her own love for him and how strong the thread binding them together is... neither will be able to survive for long without the other. Yet seeing her pain and confusion he relents and doesn't dwell on the future. Understanding Khushi's pain at the thought of hurting his family with her unexplained departure and subsequent absence, he allays it with his gentle teasing: "You are my wife. I can take you anywhere." He flicked her cheek with his fingers, making the innocent words sound naughty. I am wondering what the reactions of both families is going to be when the overnight / two day trip will turn out to be a month long absence of Khushi, if not more! Arnav going with Khushi to Laxmi Nagar indicates that he is determined to be her bulwark and her emotional support in any trying situation. They spent their last night lying in each other's arms, both of them unable to sleep. If tears leaked out of Khushi's eyes and wet his arm, he asked no questions. He just hugged her tighter, and kissed her hair... a heart-wrenching, yet heart-warming image of Arnav's and Khushi's love for each other... that they are each other's weakness as well as strength is something Khushi has to realise herself, without any coercion or outside influences... looks like he's finally understood the true meaning of the marriage vows he took and he's willing to live up to them, irrespective how torturous it might be for him and for Khushi!
Part 14 Looks like both Khushi and Arnav imagined the school to be a small one, not the sprawling campus they were faced with... No wonder then that the thought of having to deal with strangers and making a life of her own, alone and without Arnav's strengthening presence, petrifies Khushi... she must have been scared of losing her way, literally and figuratively, in such a large area. Arnav understands her fears and immediately tries to lighten her mood by telling her how lovable she is... not only humans but animals too easily fall under her spell! Arnav constantly reminds her that he's always there for her, even when not physically present. "Not to mention your husband who loves you more than his own life," Arnav whispered... he no longer shies away from reminding her, both through speech and action, of the depth of his love for her... and he doesn't care who knows! I just loved your description of Girija's Devi's suspicions and utter bafflement when faced by the odd' couple. Girija Devi wanted to scratch her head in confusion... the mental image this conjures up " that of a well-respected and worldly-wise lady wondering what's going on " is hilarious! What was wrong with Arnav Singh Raizada, the owner of AR Designs, some international company that made skimpy clothes for underweight, malnourished models? What a description of his company and the models he hires! Girija Devi rushing to google ASR, and the questions that flood her mind, questions that seem more suited to the melodramas on T.V., create quite an endearing image of the lady... glad to know she's not the typical dragon that one expects Principals to be! Her cosy room must have set Arnav's and Khushi's minds at rest to some extent. He helping her unpack is a very intimate gesture... thanks to Khushi, all of Arnav's arrogance and ego seems to have disappeared: "Khushi, keep the phone with you at all times?" Arnav asked her... he is asking her, not telling her. When he hugged her, Khushi ran her hands over his back, trying to pull him closer into her hold, caressing him, breathing in the scent of his aftershave... it is almost as if she is trying to imbibe his strength, absorb his soul and imprint him on her body and mind! Arnav doesn't want Khushi to try to fight her battles all on her own... he wants her to know and to accept that she is no longer alone... he is there, not to run her life or to force his decisions on her, but to be there for her at the drop of a hat! He wants her to fight for her own happiness, and not to give in to despair, because she deserves to be happy. The strength of the Arnav-Khushi love is such that it is quickly seen by Girija Devi, laying to rest her suspicions. Why did she feel like a cruel King Akbar who had killed Anarkali for falling in love with Salim? She looked at her own reflection in the glass of the window. A very rotund King Akbar. She imagined herself with a turban and a rose in her hand. And shuddered. She would have to do something about this sad Arnav Singh Raizada and his weepy wife, Khushi... just love how you infuse humour into tense situations, without it seeming out of place! Anyway, Girija Devi is turning out to be quite a character... can't wait to see more of her, and to learn what her plan of action is going to be, with regard to the star-crossed lovers!
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