The Week That Was 11th to 15th June
The Week in a Nutshell – Getting Ready for Battle
Monday 11th June – The Two Armies
On one side - Shyam with his motley band of goons and his 'shatir dimaag'.
On the other side – Devi Maiyya – oh yes, she's heading this army for sure, and the moment her favourite daughter comes back into the fold, Devi Maiyya gets into action.
So Shyam – his chief weapon is his 'shatir dimaag', as shown in the flashbacks of careful planning ever since his funds were cut off, and he schemed to see the will. He saw the will, blackmailed Khushi to get Arnav's signature, stymied momentarily by Khushi's refusal to hand over the papers, rescued by Lakshmi, go-ahead with the kidnap plan, ready to kill … and stumped by the discovery of the codicil in place – if death in unnatural circumstances, ASR's will stands revoked and all money goes to a trust. So finally we get the reason for Shyam's inaction – he cannot afford to kill Arnav.
The words of a song come to mind … 'maar diya jaaye, ya chhod diya jaaye, bol tere saath kya sulup kiya jaaye'.
And then his discovery of Khushi's detective efforts, she actually met Arnav and knows he has been kidnapped. Don't capture her, because if she goes missing, the alarm will definitely be raised. Let her go, but threaten her to stop her detective work and to keep quiet, or Arnav dies. Followed up with an attack in broad daylight to show he means it. But Khushi is still Shyam's Achilles heel – he tells his goons not to hurt her.
The other side – Devi Maiyya. As soon as her errant daughter returns to her, Devi Maiyya steps into action. 👏
Beautiful scene as Khushi goes back to the temple and to her Divine Mother … 'I left you because of Arnav, and I'm back because of Arnav … don't punish him for my fault. Show me the way to find him, I can't do it without you.' 😳👏👏
Devi Maiyya's conch blows, ready for battle, the temple bells toll, the mantras fill the air, the chunri and prasad are DM's blessings …let's go, my daughter. We have a villain to take care of here.
And DM is wasting no time … Khushi returns home, offers prasad to Anjali, then to Shyam, … before he can take it, DM's chunri flies off the thaali to his feet, Khushi bends to pic it up and stares at his shoe, while DM smiles encouragingly at her from behind … that's right, my daughter, I dropped the chunri, take a good look at his shoe and tell me what you see … not sure? Look carefully, child … ah, here we go!
12th June – Recruiting the forces
Khushi's suspicion back on Shyam for the first time since that abortive night attempt … 'blood on the shoe? Was it blood? Was it Shyam's blood? But he wasn't hurt. Could it be Arnav's blood? DM, is this your sign?'
Yes, it is … so Khushi needs to follow up.
Hey bhagwan, itna logicwa?
First step – check with lab how to collect sample.
Second step - collect sample. Easily done, as Arnav's blood has inexplicably not clotted for so long (okay, logicwa take back seat momentarily 😆).
Third step – confirm that it is blood and not red paint.
Fourth step – check blood group.
Fifth step – check Shyam's and Arnav's blood group – through a little sweet talk with Anjali. Who notices that Khushi is becoming like Arnav and Shyam. 😛
And Khushi jumps to conclusion that it has to be Arnav's blood, because it's not Shyam's, so Shyam is responsible for Arnav's kidnapping.
Slow down, girl! Although the conclusion is correct, the logic is a bit faulty – there are a few hundred million other people in the world with O negative blood group 😆 However it is a rare group, and chances of Shyam having the blood of one of those random hundred million on his shoe are admittedly less than having the blood of the one he does know, and has an enmity with. Besides, her conclusion was supported by all the flashbacks – Shyam's suddenly increased boldness in approaching her, his talking about taking Arnav's place, his assurance that Arnav will not be calling her in the near future …
Khushi is so sure, she doesn't stop to think things through … she runs to confront Shyam.
I felt that was a bit out of place for the new thinking Khushi, it seemed to have been put in to bring NK into the picture quickly, a sign they are speeding up the track. Also because she would not have involved anyone else in Shyam's truth knowingly, now that she knows Arnav also knows the truth, it is his responsibility to tell his family, and if he has kept quiet till now, so must she. So it had to be done by accident.
She ends up accusing NK instead of Shyam, he is understandably flummoxed and demands an explanation. So Khushi has to tell him … Arnav has been kidnapped, Mami knows everything but not her latest suspicion about Shyam. NK can't believe it … well, okay, he can believe the kidnapped part, but Jijaji? No way! He's a great guy!
I really liked the NK-Khushi scene ... NK's expressions were bang on, as were his reactions – the initial disbelief, slowly turning to accepting that Khushi is telling the truth, her plan to prove that Shyam is involved, especially the last expression as he stares at Khushi, and a hint of determination enters his face ...okay, let's go, let's do this ... And Sanaya was bang on as always ... the desperation, the worry, the panic almost reaching a point of hysteria ... she has to convince NK at all costs ... she needs help in this ... and she can't have him telling Shyam of her suspicions.
13th June – Devi Maiyya's Army
I felt Khushi's scenes today were in order of length with the members of her army.
Khushi – the chief warrior – Arjun
NK – the lieutenant, or the saarthi – Krishna, her guide in this battle, more level-headed and calmer, to rein in her impetuosity and emotions.
Mami – the wise general, commanding her forces from the back, keeping an eye on the big picture – all right, you and NK get on with the detective work, and keep me informed all the time. Has she already done her bit, or will she be involved in the remainder of the track?
Payal – the rear guard, keep the home base covered
Khushi-NK ... set up drama of returning shoes, finding stain, offering to clean, brusquely refused, and peep in to see Shyam frantically cleaning stain himself ... hence first step proved, Shyam does seem to have a secret to hide. NK is convinced, recruited, and takes up his position.Loved the way he scolded Khushi - what did you think, you would barge in and accuse him and he would accept it? And Khushi distraught again, I didn't think, I can't think, it's about Arnav ... NK sees, as the rest of the family has seen - the love, worry and care of Khushi for Arnav ...
Khushi-Mami ... was missing Mami the last two days, she made welcome reappearance, with a logical reason for her absence, and very annoyed about it too ... don't think I'm retired hurt, I'm very much part of the investigation ... you gotta love Mami!
Nani informs Khushi and NK about the Raksha havan which Anjali has organized – on top of her list for raksha is Arnav. Although Anjali tells Shyam it's for their daughter. So Anjali is not above manipulating her dearest husband to get him to do what she wants.
And according to the positions at the havan – Mami at the front, Khushi and NK behind her – interestingly Masala Mama is on Mami's side. Does he actually have a role to play here?
Anjali and Shyam together … for the moment.
Akash Payal – also together – they will fall into line in DM's army – Akash will listen to his mother and Arnav, Payal will side with Khushi, as already determined.
Nani was not shown – but she is already in position – Bhishma Pitamah … her heart and blessings with the righteous, but forced by duty and family ties to side with her granddaughter and her unrighteous husband.
And Khushi in constant communication with Devi Maiyya, as she hunts for the key, so it's clear that Shyam will not interrupt, and Khushi will succeed in her mission. Khushi thanks Devi Maiyya for being with her, Devi Maiyya smiles happily and presents her with the key … yes, my daughter, I'm with you, here you go … the key.
Devi Maiyya's Army – ready for war.
14th June – The First Battle starts
Final proof, and conclusive proof this time … Shyam has Arnav's passport and boarding card/ticket with him. Arnav, who is supposed to be in Scotland. This is conclusive – Khushi wants to accuse Shyam and tell everybody immediately. NK tells her to wait – BS's movie shoot is still not over, they have to wait till he gets back. 😆
And Khushi is angry … furious … as Shyam plays the pious loving Damaad to the hilt, while she knows what nefarious activities he is actually up to … DM's angry Shakti mode entering😡, as Khushi readies for the final battle, ready to do anything and everything it takes … 👏👏
Anything and everything starts with returning the papers to make sure Shyam stays unsuspicious … and thus starts the game of Chhal, Sheh and Maat ... or, if you prefer … Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed … or even better, Keep your Friends Close and your Enemies Closer.
Trick Shyam … they need to return the papers, so NK goes upstairs, while Khushi makes sure Shyam stays downstairs for long enough for NK to complete his task … even if it means accepting Shyam's offer of help. Payal gets her memory back, and refuses to let a fuming Shyam close to Khushi.
And Khushi remembers that she is still one of Shyam's weaknesses … and this time, she plans to use that weakness to her advantage.
NK and Khushi debate and discuss Shyam's plan … what exactly does he want? There has still not been any ransom demand yet. So they need to find out what exactly Shyam is planning … for which they need to use – Shyam.
Khushi puts the first phase into action… asks Anjali for two lakh rupees, in Shyam's hearing, with an excuse Shyam knows is fabricated.
15th June – Into the Chakravyuh … or the First Move?
Abhimanyu entered the Chakravyuh without knowing his way out. Is Khushi doing the same thing? Or is she playing her first move in the game of chess? The penultimate move is Sheh, the final move is Maat … we are some distance away yet.
So Khushi meets random man, gives him two lakhs and tells him she wants Arnav's false signature, by hook or by crook. He will get the rest of his money after the job is done. Shaym overhears, as he is meant to … and Khushi's performance starts.
Shyam-Khushi showdown at home … the rest of the family has conveniently gone for a pooja. And Khushi, after some major defiance, threats and show of fury, finally 'accidentally' lets it out that she wants his signature because she wants to destroy Arnav … she wants everything, his money, his property, his house, each and every piece of it.
IF this was true, it is a darned good twist … and truly never seen before on Indian television!!! 👏😆😆
Okay, okay, I'm just saying … and Sanaya made it bloody believable too! Sidney Sheldon's Rage of Angels, anyone?
But would the cv's dare to do something like this?! 😲
And Khushi goes on with the perfect truth, in every detail … Arnav destroyed her, robbed her of everything, insulted her time and again, never believed in her, forced her into marriage and made her pay for a fault which was not even hers … she swallowed all the insults, the pain … but she was getting all set for taking revenge. And he spoiled it all by going and getting himself kidnapped … a darned inconvenient timing it was for her too … just as her plans were going along nicely. 😆
Shyam is so shocked he almost forgets that he's not supposed to know that Arnav has been kidnapped … recovers just in time … Kidnapped? How? What? When?
Khushi doesn't know, but she wants Arnav back, so that she can complete her plan.
Shyam thought he was the only man she hated. She reassures him, she still hates him, and she hates Arnav equally too. 😛
Shyam is rather happy with this turn of events, but being Shyam, he doesn't believe her word, and decides to check her story out. So he puts Khushi to the test.
If only Arnav had so much brains! 😕
So Arnav is allowed one call, he calls Khushi as Shyam expected him to do (does Shyam know that the love is two way now?) and being Arnav, doesn't allow Khushi to have her say first, what he wants to say is more important. Turns out all he wants to say is 'Sorry' … sorry he hurt her, because if he hadn't, the goons would have hurt her more … he wants her to forgive him, but he can't forgive himself …
After this, Khushi can have no doubt about his feelings …😳
The sound of a train recalls her to her senses, and to more important things … where are you?! He doesn't know, but he can hear trains and temple bells …
Who the heck said Arnav has a 'shatir dimaag?!' 😕
Okay, she'll try to sort that one out, but before then, She needs to tell him the most important thing, Shyam is the one responsible for his kidnapping, and she has the proof, blood stained shoes, Arnav's passport with Shyam … as he tends to ask her for proof for everything …
But of course, at the most crucial time, Arnav doesn't hear her again … YAMU cometh? And Khushi thinks she has told him everything, he's heard it all … which he hasn't … 😕
Shyam's next test … ask via a fake 'Mr Roy' with a fake moustache, for Khushi's signature on some papers which will transfer property into her name. Will she put that first, or will finding Arnav come first?
Thoughts: I am assuming that Khushi and NK are working together on this one, and Mami will be included in the bare details, but not about Shyam's involvement till the very end. So Khushi will keep distance from NK, so as not to alert Shyam … however she knows that Shyam knows about Mami's involvement, so she can give Mami messages in Shyam's presence. I also assume that she has a clue to Shyam's motive, from the way she has switched tracks to 'paisa, paisa, paisa.' Did she and NK finally take a look at the photo in her phone? Or did the absence of a ransom demand give them a hint?
Not involving anyone else or the police … because of the death threat and the plank attack. But NK is not under observation, so hopefully he might do the needful … or maybe not, too much logic and realism for a tv show! 😆
Shyam now expects Khushi to tell him about the phone call. Logically speaking, why should she? She was perfectly happy playing a lone hand … and he hasn't promised to help her find Arnav yet. Also, he still has placed the condition of finding the papers, before he tells Arnav the truth. So even 'badla' seeking Khushi has no reason yet to ask for his help. He needs to win her trust further, which he probably will after the precap scene on Monday. And then I think she will tell him that Arnav called her, but he couldn't tell her where he was. Shyam will tell her he will help her to find him, and then a version of the precap scene will come.
My last kwostin … how many abandoned warehouses does Shyam have?
Note – YAMU = Yet Another MisUnderstanding. 😛
Beyond this point, I am not bothering to speculate ... would rather wait and enjoy the track unfold. So far the cv's have done a stellar job in keeping the suspense intact, and the interest in the show alive. And for that, kudos to them, and to the cast, with a HUGE shout out to Sanaya, who is bearing the lions' share of the load. Well done, Sanaya ... I am truly proud to be your fan! 👏👏👏
Udne Ki Aasha
