I know it looked like a throw-away episode and one that was created around Barun's and Sanaya's very busy schedules. And the "Rabba Ve" itself was one that was interlaced with flash-backs. A bone for the audience? Cheating by the editors?
I don't think so. In fact to me it was one of the most significant Rabba Ve's to date. I actually felt this one in my gut.
For all the emotional turmoil of this past three weeks and for all the "hate/comedy" of this week, this Rabba Ve was a palate cleanser for me. A bit of sherbet before the main Holi course coming next week.
First of all, loved the way the scene was set in the bedroom and the way that Khushi once again firmly closed the double doors. Ultimately they were dealing with the private business of their marriage. The emphasis is on the private and the fact that both want to think that it is just business. And ostensibly business it is for Arnav Singh Raizada, who looked like he was waiting for her and knew she would come. He casually appears to be reading the fake divorce papers. The files of papers are on the surface what draws her into the room, the fishing line that was able to land her. He has the confident smirk and is all set to to gloat at her defeat. There is a easy suavity here and this is a mask ASR wears many a times. Easier than anger, craziness and hate, this one slips on because it smacks of indifference. Perhaps this is all to hide how much it means to him that he has gotten Khushi to return not only to his house, but to their bedroom and therefore to the very heart of the matter.
Khushi acquiesces rather gracefully that he is the winner. She is also on the surface concentrated on the deal. Then of course there is Khushi's cute trademark childishness that overturns the power relationship that ASR has just set up so carefully. ASR is reduced to chasing her around the room. This is of course an apt metaphor for his running around town for her all week. Is this the final lap? Is he closing in? No, this girl will be one he runs for all his life. Just more proof that Khushi can make this man drop everything and put her front and center of his life. She can tear off the mask of indifference, allow his sarcastic humor to surface, enrage him, arouse him and bring him to her. The pillow toss, the pool jokes all lighten the moment and both appear to enjoy this level of bickering. No matter the distance and horror of what lies between them, symbolized today by the pool, is really not that deep and can be traversed. How deep is it? A mere three feet.
Despite ASR knowing full well he can get the papers printed again, he will chase her, he will catch her, both will enjoy it and hate that they do so enjoy it. And we have closed the loop with the water imagery. Earlier he poured a bucket of water on her, but in reality he will never let her fall. Her very empty and silly threat of her harming herself by drowning, reaches that side of ASR that cannot bear the thought of separation even as a joke.
And that Rabba Ve' the papers went flying, the music was slow'and it was one of the most intense and physically close Rabba Ve's to date. Heated bodies touching, papers flying and we have the soul of this relationship. She is there simply because he wants her there. Arnav married Khushi to keep her near him no matter how much it hurts him. He cannot bear her to be outside of his home/heart. The deal is nothing as signified by the soggy papers. And she wants to know that he wants her there for him, and it is not just a deal.Thus her searching eyes and memories of their moments.
The passion and force between them appears a wonderful harbinger, come what may magnetism will drive these opposites together. The flashbacks are a reminder that there is a knowledge that defies what is seen and heard. Despite his recent boorishness, and her "crime," the "something" that is between them lives and breathes and will survive at any cost. The feeling they have when they are so close supercedes hate, jealousy, anger and betrayal
And they are both energized by the Rabba Ve moment. She gets back her charming confidence. Oh yes, she will fight again. She is coming back to fight another day. He tries to say he is in "control." Yeah right? The lines are drawn, the war is on and bring on next week!
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