Twiggy!
Kalyaani's works being the first that I had read on this forum, I have always been very eager to read your comments. You have always read between the lines and you seem to know what exactly made a chapter so different. And my! you can put that into words so well. I have always wondered when you would start writing because I'm sure you would be a great one and I'm happy you did. Polemic Jackanapes has offered something different from the word go, whether it was the entire premises or the very real characters. The characters are not larger than life, we can always connect with them and their dilemmas at any point in the story which is one of the main reason I loved the story.
Khushi's conviction to become a writer was so strong that she didn't pay heed to what she was missing while she was doing engineering. Its only when you open your mind you can learn to understand and widen our perspective. I always believe in making most out of any situation, whether I like it or not. And I'm glad she did the same too. Her acceptance in the end..I know where that comes from because I have gone through that myself. The loving, understanding person Arnav has grown to be is something he ought to pride himself in about. His goals reflect a man who deeply cherishes relations and knows how to keep them strong. Considering them "lesser" than others is wrong in every sense..you rarely find a man who is ready to invest so much in relations.
I don't know if I am the only one here who really, really liked Payal. For the absolutely straightforward and fearlessly outspoken woman that she is. Yes she has her own faults in not caring about others sentiments and having that ego about herself, but its people like these who make you really think about certain situations they have different opinions on. She did hurt Arnav when she told him that his happiness was too inclined towards her's and she was quite wrong but it did make him think and re-evaluate his happiness and Khushi's part in it. Its the difference in perspective that matters sometimes, not the sense of right or wrong. You need to choose whats right and wrong according to you. Akash is like any other guy- new in love and completely in awe of Payal. But I'm glad he isn't spineless like the serial has rendered his image in my head. He is responsible for all the members of his family and quite mature except this whole long-distance relationship issue with Payal. I feel it was no fault of hers that she got the fellowship and like she said she had applied for it before they had met. I liked how she is so fierce about her career and isn't bending around it for her relation with him. Infact both the Gupta girls are ambitious about their goals in life. Kudos to both Shashi and Garima for raising such wonderful humans. And they themselves are nothing else. I can understand Shashi's dilemma very well and I don't really know what to say on it. Its like your fear about the fates in life are bigger that your faith in your daughter's capabilities. He is like any other father- making sure everything goes down well their kids. And Garima definitely reminds me of my mother. Torn apart between whats right and what makes your kid happy. Their understanding is truly admirable. Is Anjali's situation like many women who get married to the men they love expecting them to change with time and they they are eventually disappointed? Or is it because she hasn't been vocal about her expectations from him? I'm glad she is taking up music again.
Your characterization is very well-defined and truly stands out and is definitely the backbone of the story. Though your story does not have any 180 degree character change or tragedies, its more satisfying to read how these different people connected to each other, influenced by each other go ahead in their journeys. I thank everyone who encouraged you to start this one, otherwise we would have truly missed a gem.
Eagerly waiting for the last one.
193