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Originally posted by: Nandalala
"Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you."
~C. Joy Bell CPic Credit: Creations GalleryWe've talked immensely about relationships and ties all this week. Today, family ties were showcased front and center. Under the auspicious framework of Raksha Bandhan, we saw a family come together. A brother stepping out of his comfort zone only to bring a smile on his sister's face. A sister-in-law putting aside her own pain to give joy to someone else...Everyone else planning, plotting in an effort to put the past behind them, yet finding a way to bring back the familiar. A disjointed episode, it worked in its basic intent.The raksha dhaaga scene held the most significance for me because it essentially highlighted the sheer contrast in Anjali's relationship with Khushi, and in her relationship with her Chotey. Gone is the bond that Anjali and Khushi once shared. The knots in their relationship will have to unravel before they can go any further. Anjali rejecting Khushi's attempt to tie the dhaaga defined her state of mind. She has only one protector, One constant: her brother. She was polite enough with Khushi, but her words: "Hum kya kuch zyaada maang rahein hai?" spelled out her insecurity and her void. It is very obvious that Anjali has made her grief only about herself. She is not able or willing to empathize with anybody else at this point. Arnav's time, her only need. Not once did she even mention Khushi or Khushi's role in Arnav's life. Gone is the Anjali who set-up a Bali in Dilli honeymoon for her brother so that he could spend some time alone with his wife. But I wouldn't say this is selfish on her part. To some extent, she is finding solace in thinking about that time when it was only her Chotey and herself. When a life, though with hardships- was just about the two of them. No spouses. No additional grief, only Arnav and Anjali. Yes, now we have a regressive Anjali, reverting to the familiar in her grieving.As I watched the actual rakhi tying scene unfold with that beautiful song in the background...it took me back to all their conversations together. His head in her lap, which is really his only "home". That poignant reference to the mother who is no more..."Ma hoti toh"..."Aap ho, na, Di..." he cuts in and abruptly changes the subject. Ah, the past will come ahaunting...There has only been one person who has ever filled that role in the way that it matters. And it is her pain, her sadness, and everything else she carries which is his burden, too. Haar khushi aur gham tujhse...zindagi pe karam tujhse...Mujhko Ma nazaar aati haain. That is the bhandan here. He would move heaven and earth to make her feel better because he knows the depth of her grief, he understands it completely. Which is why the man who never believed in rituals, who would never step out of his comfort zone--still "pata nahi"...not sure"-- did just that today. Her papad ka tukda wanted his "surprise" to be her own gift (wonderful play on words by the CVs right there...👍🏼) A quick thought here: Not only does he come full circle in her "gifting", but he is essentially "giving" her a "new" Arnav. In the past year, he protected her from her own husband, and in the process, was transformed himself. Speaking of rituals I also thought this change was significant for what else is on the horizon...the re-marriage!. Today was a stepping stone into upholding tradition for ASR--a clean, new start into that realm, too!Other Thoughts:~Rant:1) OK, total disconnect from Wednesday, CVs!!! After the emotionally charged 10 minutes we witnessed in the previous epi, I felt like I had crash landed onto another planet. There was no chemistry between ArHi today. They interacted like strangers until she said Nanheji ka...that was the only time Arnav even looked at her, and knowingly, too.2) Timeline & Aftermath: So ArHi spent the night together after the showdown, and then came to RM for RB the next day? And in the interim, Arnav forgot he is desperately attracted to his wife? Isn't this the same man who stroked that neck just the day before? Isn't this the same man who cannot keep his eyes off of her when she is so delectably draped in a sari?Ughh, CVs, you couldn't even afford him more than a passing glance? That was a total FAIL for me in this episode. Arnav and Khushi cannot be placed in a vacuum container while we focus on Arnav and Anjali...wake up, CVs!!~Hopelessly poor editing: Coming up scenes/precap all become the same...No flow between the scene where Khushi goes to Anjali's room, and then is seen outside...Who was directing this? Where is Wednesday's team?😕 Why such inconsistencies? Did the Rakhsha Bhandhan track just get thrown together at the last minute?~Wait, wasn't Babuji at the hospital, too? So wouldn't Naani have seen him, as well?😕~Rakesh Bandhan: Yeah, if we had any doubts about Teej and if its gonna happen, today the first clue...Rakesh--a name for lord Shiva--bandhan...ArHi together...need I say more?~Kurtagate: A bit much for me...I much prefer his white linen shirt from Holi--some Kurta-fied version of that would have worked...Just my POV...please no aandes and tamatars...😆~Anjali doesn't comment on her "changed" Chotey--now with sense of humor and smiles galore--Itna bura lag raha hoon...ki aap rone lagayi..Sablok mujhe hi kyun dekh rahein ho, yaar?😆~Khushi's velvet and cream outfit...coordinated with her husband's duds!!! Wah, wah, after the showdown at GH, KKGSR taking her wifely responsibilities very seriously.~HP asking ASR to change!🤣🤣 And, ASR's face!🤣🤣🤣~Mr. Monotone and Ms. Constipated: Cringed at PaYash today...just the thought of them is a no-go for me.🤢~Mamiji and her entertainment bhavishyavaani...yep, picture is incomplete...the bilaak buster sherprise is on the horizon for sure! Ah, Payal should plan a trip to GH?~NK--ah, ever the Kanha...Loved him and his play on words.PRECAP--I only wish Arnav was with Khushi...*sigh*...do we need the Khushi-Anjali drama now??? I am so not ready for it!😒Sobti was awesome today...really in character; loved his voice modulation throughout! No real scope for Sanaya other than in the dhaaga scene. Daljeet needs to brush up on her emoting, too!Finally, hope everyone celebrating the festival enjoyed Raksha Bandhan yesterday!😃Sorry for my thakela post...Couldn't sleep, so thought I would pen some thoughts!😳
Hey Anjali, Fab post dear & loved all ur rants 😃 Yes the kurta is definitely a bit too much as far as ASR is concerned. I hope we have seen the last of Indian wear on ASR, a big no no for me even during the remarriage rituals.
Absolutely bang on abt the continuity. It seemed a very last time minute thing to include Rakhi on that very day in the calendar. IPK has never bothered to celebrate any festival on the actual date so why now 
Luved how u wrote abt Anjali finding solace thinking that her Chotey is there for her always, how they have been there for each other thru thick & thin.
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