So Khushi took her first step into Raizada Mansion - as always, guided by Anjali, who tells her, her first step must be with her right foot. It will always be Anjali who will be guiding Khushi towards her rightful place in the house.
Both Anjali and Naniji find her cute. Lakshmi has no problems with her. And Mamiji?
Mamiji, the self-professed bootiful lady, narcissistic, insecure, vicious and petty. Her anger at being regarded as a mere servant girl gives Khushi a name that will last her for the rest of her life. 'Phatti Sari'. It is Mamiji who tore the sari, and decided to give her the derisive nickname.
Mamiji's relationship with Nani is a complex one. Neither one seems able to stand each other. Nani - autocratic, haughty, and bitingly aware of her daughter-in-law's shortcomings. Yet, she never holds it against her son. Nor does she ever let it get down to petty bickering.
Both Nani and Anjali are totally entranced by Khushi. She is a force of nature. Innocent, bubbly, exuberant, naive and yet wise beyond her years. This is the first impression that both nani and Anjali have of Khushi, which is why the "betrayal" of the first marriage is so hard for them.
There is something so alive, so vibrant about Khushi. She is always looking for a solution. Always trying to make the solution work. She will try anything that seems to have the remotest chance of success. With the cancellation of the sari orders, she is ready to think of every option she can to salvage the situation.
Which brings me to Buaji's rather unfair criticism of her.
"Jo ladkhi apni bahan ki saadi tudwa sakti hai, woh kauno kaand kar sakath hai"
Why did Buaji make such a statement? Did she truly in her heart believe that Khushi was capable of breaking Payal's wedding deliberately? This is an extremely cynical thing to say - given that she sees how close these girls are to each other. Is it just the fact that Khushi is adopted, while Payal is her brother's only child?
But this only highlights the reason why Khushi ends up marrying Arnav Singh Raizada. To save her sister's marriage - at least, that is her reason. Unknowingly, she was trying to save his sister's marriage, too. A marriage that was sadly, already at the breaking point.
As Ruby pointed out, by this point in the story, Khushi is focused solely on Arnav. His name 'rings' in her ears. When she hears about the Arnav - Chotey - Chotu - that Nani talks about, one who has diabetes - she cannot help but think about Mr. Kadwa Karela!
And then she dreams about him.
Ah! Khushi's famous dreams! And all of them revolve around Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada! This time, she imagines herself tossing money at him. Lots and lots of money. She is blissfully happy thinking about that.
As Payal rightly says: "Matlab woh ab tumhare sapnon mein aa hi gaya"
To borrow a phrase from Ruby - please to Pause here.
How is it Payal never saw the slippery slope that Khushi was on? Was she also as naive as Khushi? When a sibling constantly brings every conversation back to the one person that she supposedly has an enmity with - and then declares to have dreams of them. The two sisters often talk about their dreams - of a prince who will come and take them away. Payal never suspected - that her sister had already met her prince.
But then we wouldn't have a story if things were so neatly wrapped up, now would we?
ps - Ruby - just a wee correction. I mentioned that both Shyam and Arnav try to destroy Khushi. Not that they destroyed her. They tried. Arnav tried to break her spirit. Shyam tried to break her spirituality. Neither succeeded. And you have explained why beautifully as usual
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Arjun
