Originally posted by: sea.nymph
God Bless You Tants for giving us an insight into the life of Khushi - It was nice reading what you wrote from Khushi's angle... it makes a lot of sense... her world has really been brutally torn apart, and if this is her defense against it.. well, the below points speak out my thoughts...
I've been seriously wondering about Khushi's character. Like I said in my previous few posts, Arnav's character is shown to be gradually changing (and we see that yesterday too). And then there is Khushi.
To me, she hasn't changed, deep down she's still the same natkhat, cute, caring, prankster, fun-loving and thoughtful person that she has always been, though circumstances have added a few edges to her nature. Let's view her under two lens - The Natural Khushi , and the Circumstance Khushi.
THE NATURAL KHUSHI + THE CIRCUMSTANCE KHUSHI
I'll keep going into FB mode for Natural Khushi with a subsequent para of Circumstance Khushi connecting to it...
1. On rewinding my mind to the very first episode, Khushi comes across as a person who always prays to her Devi Maiyya before starting out on any task (big or small) - DM is her one constant support, friend and hope. She believes that DM will always help her, guide her, and bring light into her life. DM was constantly on her lips those days.
Now, after being blackmailed into the holy institution of marriage Khushi's dreams of her Prince who will envelop her in love and warmth, of a marriage with meaning, of the most happiest day of her life is shred to bits in one instant. For Khushi, marriage is a pure relationship, and to be part of a marriage that is soaked in betrayal, pain, hurt, and deceit, shakes the very foundations of her beliefs, values, faith and hopes. It is of no wonder then, that Khushi swears not to talk to DM after this marriage. The deity she worshipped so long, the one constant companion in her life, who she submitted all her fears, insecurities, sadness, happiness, wishes and hopes to didn't seem to be by her side anymore at this time. The fake marriage, the deceit has hurt her so much that she hardly talks to DM now. When she used to talk to DM, Khushi did maneuver her way out of difficult situations, but now, now that she rarely communicates with DM, we see her clutching at any straw to get out of the un-holy mess. (Her recent antics show that Khushi will use her own devices, or uses given hints about Arnav to get her way out of her circumstances).
2. Khushi has always been selfless, her actions always seek to bring happiness into other people's lives while disregarding her own happiness. She has always strived to keep other's happy (she is a bit of a people-pleaser, but she knows where to draw the line).
Yes, she did a mistake in not telling Arnav, Anjali about Shyam's truth, but she didn't only because she couldn't stand to hurt Arnav-Anjali-Payal. Khushi has never deliberately caused pain to everyone (not even Shyam till now!). Her true nature doesn't allow her to do that. She continues to do that even know- Anjali requuested her not to tell Arnav about her 'chakkar', and Khushi adheres to it - disregarding the thought of Arnav's anger upon her.
3. Khushi, is no doubt, a total idealistic person. She has always been lost in day-dreams, she's always full of ideas, plans, and has a bunch of innovative thinking that is stored in her mind. She wishes on a toota-taara, she dreams of stars twinkling, flower petals falling when she meets her Rajkumar, she sees her parents as stars in the sky and gives a whole freedom for her imagination to run anywhere it likes.
She still retains this powerhouse of ideas, innovation, and spirited imagination. It's just that they have been on the back-burner ever since her sudden marriage came about. When your ideals, hopes, wishes, dreams, beliefs and love are shattered with a cruel hand, it's perfectly human to repress your natural qualities in some deep recess where it's difficult for even you to reach out to. Khushi is currently in this stage - Her reserve of ideas pour out and are implemented - while she tries to annoy, and test Arnav's reaction to an overdose of love.
4. Optimistic - We all know how optimistic this girl is. She's been like this right from the start. She has never given up, she keeps pushing forward, she believes that there's a silver lining somewhere and she always endeavours to find it, and use it. A large part of her optimism had to do with conversing with DM. Everytime she would face a difficult situation a short 'Hey Devi Maiyya, hamara raksha karna' has always pulled her out of the stickiest muck she's got into.
But then happens Heart-break. Nothing causes a greater destruction of optimism than a deadly, mirthless, jabbing, crushing heart-break. This girl with a sensitive heart has been severely wounded by the man of her dreams. The man she loves, even though she hasn't exactly acknowledged it yet. There she was, thinking that 'something' is happening between them, she no longer has control over her rapid heart-beats when he comes near, the utterance of his name, sends her floating into space, one look from him, one word from him and she's rendered speechless... and then the next moment he turns into the 'Rakshas' of her first encounters - the Arnav Singh Raizada - ASR, making marriage a 'deal', destroying her image of love, crashing those unvoiced feelings for him, ripping her faith in him.. where will optimism come from after all this?
5. Sensitive Khushi - she may be strong enough to fight mental battles, she may be clever enough to worm her way out of challenges, she may be courageous enough to face up to ASR, she may be witty enough to outwit him, she may be spunky enough to do as she likes - not bothered that she incurs his wrath, but she is sensitive to matters regarding her heart. One small prick to her heart and she breaks down - just imagine the extent of the pain in her heart when she was stabbed with the cold dagger dipped in anger, fury, and distrust!
When that very beating soul is broken apart so badly, by the one who your heart was beating for, it is extremely difficult to retain any semblance of sense or feeling. You may shed a fierce torrent of tears, but you soon realize that it's not going to change anything. The tears are repressed, the feelings are submerged, emotions are clutched in an iron hand, and all those touches of love, those memories - are tightly locked up. Khushi hardly exhibits her emotions these days (except for the B&B episode when she confesses that Arnav is her Shaitan and Rajkumar, and the momentary softness toward him as he sleeps), her enthusiasm and zest has been thawed - Anjali notices it too. As much as Arnav's feelings are being mocked at right now, Khushi's feelings too have been mocked at the day her sister's happiness was in jeopardy.
6. Khushi has always had a child-like attitude in life. Her instant connection with kids, her child-like behaviour, her naughtiness, her unending series of pranks, her outlook toward life in general, always enjoying the day. She has never held grudges for long, forgets her sorrows when she sees someone else unhappy, her constant efforts to cheer up people who are sad, Khushi is just like a child.
But children too grow up some day. I'm not saying that everyone outgrows 'childhood' - no one does. When life strikes you with a vicious blow, and you're lost in that maze, however much you try, and try, and try to get out and fail - there's a time when you decide to take a break. No amount of hitting your head against the maze seems to open up a new way - so you try anything and everything to bide your time - who knows, while doing this, you may find an escape route? Khushi retains her child-like antics, her innocence too hasn't ebbed away (thankfully), but her defenceless heart has been trampled upon so badly that she's lost somewhere in the maze all alone. She's been trying, trying desperately to find a way out - but not much is working her favour this time around. So, what does she do? She tries every trick she knows to escape the harsh events, and out where she'll be free - free to release her pent up emotions, her smothered dreams, her anguish, pain, distress, and let out those unshed tears that are carefully wrapped up within her.
I understand why Khushi is bent upon annoying Arnav: one reason is - to check if he really does out up a barrier when love and affection is showered on him, the second reason: she had pledged that she would make Arnav throw her out before the 6 months of their marriage was over.
I also understand that she's trying to do everything in her might to drive him to the edge of anger and annoyance so that she'll be successful in her mission (Arnav throwing her out of the house).
But what I do not understand is why should her character come across as so juvenile! The barging into the office was a bit too much for me at least! Till then, it was fine, she got him a new flowery wardrobe, called him 'Swami', behaved like a traditional 'patni', that is all still okay. Yes, she wanted to annoy the hell out of him, but seriously, which wife goes into a conference with dabba in hand?
Leaving that aside, I liked they way they've portrayed Arnav throughout yesterday and today. He is reaching his limits of patience with this girl, he's keeping a very good hold over his anger, and again - growth in his character.
The old ASR didn't care two hoots about the people present when he used to blast Khushi. He would demean her, insult her, humiliate her, and hurl his wrath on her without caring where exactly, or who was there around them.
This time, he takes her by the hand (angrily, who wouldn't be), takes her to his cabin, notices that the staff can still see them, and so, takes her to the corner and then admonishes her.
I applaud him for the restraint, the patience (that is reaching its limits rapidly), the mindfulness of other people around, the decency (to talk to her privately) and the barely concealed frustration (it's going to burst anytime if she pushes it too far). Barun was fascinating to watch throughout the episode!!
On an off hand: I felt the episode was probably the way it was becuase of the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
SCENE REVIEW
For now, the main impact of the day was of course the 'Teeka Scene'. I was seriously as lost in it as Arnav and Khushi were... now I feel like an intruder into their private space.. sheesh what am I talking!!
Coming back to my senses - the Teeka scene held a particular meaning/s - I really don't want to take away the romantic touch to this scene, par kya kare, jab point hai toh likhna hoga...
THE SCENE IN SHORT:
So, we know that till now, Anjali is the only one who is allowed to put Teeka for ASR (he doesn't allow anyone else), and here we have our mata devi (in her attempt to annoy him) taking over Anjali's duty - Khushi is well aware of the fact that Arnav won't allow her within a mile if she tries using the normal way (her hands/fingers) to put the Teeka. so what does she do? She gives a shot at the unconventional way (copied from the movie Judaai, but still, unconventional, na) - she decides that taking him by surprise is the best way to apply the Teeka and so tilts his head upward and places her forehead on his to transfer the Teeka (reminded me of the spiderman kiss for a moment). Mission accomplished... well, not nearly... both are taken aback by what's happened, the blush (rouge) on Khushi's cheeks and both their expressions transferred a million electrifying, sizzling sparks both ways (and our way too) 😆 ... but to what effect? Arnav rubs away the teeka as he storms out clearly exasperated with this woman.
Now for what I felt about the scene, a lot of questions bombarded me here...
THE SCENE ANALYZED (ATTEMPTED ANALYSIS):
1. When Khushi joined their heads as one, I felt that Khushi will take the initiative to think as one, to join their minds, and their knowledge as one in order to clear away the MU.
2. By transferring her Teeka to his head, it can be that she will pass on some information to Arnav, so that he can use it to clear the MU. Will the information be concerning her feelings? her justification? her side of the story? the truth about Shyam?
3. I am aware that the 'Teeka' holds a sacred/holy meaning, so, will the information be something that will help remove the veil of lies? Tch.. such confusion in my mind!!
4. The scene also reminded me of the show's tagline 'Nafrat paas aane na de, Mohabbat door jaane na de' - with them joining their heads from opposite directions, it seems like these two see as one only when they are facing/seeing things from their own perspectives. They see each other clearly, their feelings reach a height only when they see each other in a different light/when their roles are reversed/when they see the 'other' side of each other... (this is a bit sketchy... need to work upon it).
5. In a weird sense, it brought to mind the zodiac sign of Pisces - the fish that swim in opposite directions, but both in an attempt to reach the same goal.
6. Arnav rubbing away Khushi's given Teeka signified that he still holds Anjali highest in his regard. Khushi (due to the MU) doesn't even figure in his regard. But, what also caught my attention was that he rubbed it only 'after' turning away from Khushi, he didn't do it in front of her... it could be that he accepts the knowledge, the information given to him by Khushi, but disregards it, casts it away once he goes away from her (lack of trust?).
We'll have to wait and watch to see how the MU clears... this new entrant Miss B. didn't create much of an impact - will need to see her in further episodes to see how things pan out (felt that she didn't warm up to Payal much...)
Waiting to see what happens in today's episode, Arnav faints (pretend or really?) - please let it be a good episode!!
Anupamaa
Real Estate
