Ufff ... what an episode!! Am divided as to whether it was SP style, or whether it was exactly as the original story ordained ... and my feeling is for the latter ...
All the characters were true to themselves ... the Guptas have always used Khushi's adopted status as a whip ... whether it was Payal's first marriage - where Garima said the same thing - you're not my daughter, Buaji brought up ties of blood there as well as during the forced Shyam engagement ... it seems Khushi has lived with this all her life ever since she lost her parents - a loving family on the surface, but every single mistake she makes is not because she's a young girl, but because she is not their own ... and she's spent her life trying to BE their own, be a part of them ... but she never quite has belonged ... and never will. In spite of making all the sacrifices ... like she did again today.
Nani and Anjali were justified in being disappointed with Khushi - they have always given her love and respect, they always recognised that she had the courage and the power to challenge Arnav and stand up to him when no one else did, even them ... they always encouraged her when she did ... and they are disappointed deeply that in this most important event of Arnav's life, important for them as well as for him ... she apparently gave in to him ...
Mami was being Mami ... losing no opportunity to humiliate and insult ...
Arnav was being Arnav ... acting recklessly, thoughtlessly, in anger, and then running away from the consequences of his actions, leaving Khushi to face the mess ... AND deeming it his power, not his weakness ... he vowed he would destroy both Khushi and Shyam, he has started with Khushi, the softer target ... hello Arnav bitwa, be a man, and go after the real culprit instead of punishing the vulnerable innocent victim ... WHEN will his dimaag start working again?! Hopefully it will soon ... because he has always been the cause of her troubles, as well as the one to rescue her from them ... but his road to redemption is getting longer and longer ...
The marriage - Arnav has a long way to go yet ... true he realized the significance of the rituals and the mangal sutra and sindoor and gave Khushi that, in her Devi Maiya's temple, no less ... but has he truly understood the significance of marriage? That it's NOT just about those symbols and rituals, but the trust, the love and understanding and the true bond they signify. Marriages are said to be made in heaven and solemnized on earth ... marriage is a social contract, sanctified by God and certified by witnesses ... he gave her half of it, but not all ... the symbols, but without recognizing the true meaning ... the empty shell. Chalo, at least his journey has started there to bringing back his faith ... following the rituals because they were important to HER ...but this is only the first tentative baby step ...
Khushi has reached her nadir today ... abandoned by everyone - her adopted family, the Raizadas who took her to heart and now have abandoned her as well, and the man she fell in love with, who has now crushed her twice over ... thrice if we include the video tapes ... She has no way to go but upwards ... she will rise ... she has to ... from the ashes, the phoenix will rise again ... stronger than ever ... Sanaya was heartbreakingly awesome today, especially in the temple scene as her world just crashed to dust around her ears ... ðŸ˜