I am rewatching old episodes and since I was not part of forum when these episodes aired, I wanted to relive and discuss some scenes that hooked me to the show.
The first scene between Arylie that really makes my heart go all mush is not even remotely romantic. It's the episode after Imlie gets the divorce papers from Aditya on her wedding anniversary. She climbs on the wall of a deserted bridge and Aryan comes there after worrying about her. He drags her from the edge and berates her for trying to end her life. Imlie replies she would never be such a coward. She further goes on and says she cannot cry in front of her enemies or her family. They cannot see her getting weak, but for this one night she wants to give herself permission to be weak in peace. She wants to cry, therefore, she wants to be alone.
Aryan wordlessly, helps her sit in a bench. Walks away to another bench with his back to her. Silently keeps watch on her, all the while giving her the privacy to break down. Not a muscle moving. It must be hard to not react to seeing a woman break down like that. Not react for a man like Aryan. But he held back his impulses because she needed to break herself in pieces to rebuild herself tomorrow. It was so powerful to watch. Also, Imlie mentioned her enemies and family but never a friend. People can break down in front of friends but she never had just a friend, did she? Every other relationship is a double relationship for her husband/mentor, MIl/Maa, Sauten/sister..no one is just a friend or an equal. Aryan was that to her that night. Just a friend. Now only half the actors on ITv could emote so much while being stone faced or wooden faced.
Unfortunately, this scene was aired when ASR was new and Adilie ship was strong. I went through some episode update threads and read the comments. This powerful scene was buried under the histrionics that was unfolding in the T house..because GASP precious Adi was so hurt and GM was so "cute while crying". Argh!!!!