Alone....

Lets start at the beginning...where it all began...the test of fire!! Fire...which is considered holy in so many religions, fire which is supposed to purify your soul, fire which has the power to destroy and also has the power to melt and recreate, fire that can liquidify the strongest of metals, forge stronger alloys and reshape it all...the test of fire...which surrounds us with warmth in heaven or heat in hell...the choice is always ours...Karma!!

And for her, he will not walk but run through fire!! The way he cups her face...so much of gentleness amidst so much of cruelty, so much of tenderness surrounded by so much of hate...what a soft contrast!! His heart in his eyes...he lifts her up and just wants to take away. Some scenes...heartstopping!! When the first time he hits the fire wall, Manik turns his back...all the while trying to protect his Nandu from the rage of towering flames. His observation that he will have to walk through fire if he wants her safe and sound. No hesitations, no pauses...he simply walks through it, with the most valuable, the most precious thing in his arms. The licking flames, the heat, the fury, Soha's vitriol...all irrelevant, everything senseless..meaningless all that mattered was the precious bundle in his arms. Kudos to Parth here...we are so used to seeing over dramatic, histrionics, subtlety it seems give us a wide berth. His eyes, his body language, were to die for. He was carrying her every so gently, so preciously, like she was made of glass and he was scared of harming her...awesome!! Even when he was going down the stairs with her...the careful way he carries her...😳!!

Loved it to the core..when Niyonika saw her head strong son carrying this girl in his arms...the icing on the cake..he orders her around initially, uses her car...his girl sprawling on the back seat, he cradling her head like it was the biggest treasure in the world and she forced to sit in the front seat with the chauffeur and call people to help...rofl!! See Niyonika Karma is a bitch!! 😆 This is just the beginning of your end, the girl in the back will eventually take over everything you possess...especially your gem of a son!! 😉 Again...the way he cradles her head...OMG!! His I can't take this nonsense from Niyonika...attitude. The dude didn't care about anything..anyone...it was all a waste of time..get my girl what she needs right now..the best medical attention...get her back to me safe and sound other than that the world can rot!!

For all who felt, his concern was not enough, I beg to differ. This is Manik...he is not like other heroes who make faces, frown, cry, look desperate when their most valued person is probably at death's door...nope he does not shatter or crumble. Not those heavy dialogues, prayers...sobs...cries of anguish...so not him!! So those who were looking for OTT histrionics..tears and tantrums...you were bound to be disappointed. This is Manik..he has issues talking even at the best of times...did you expect him to be good with expressive words when he was at his worst?? He does not know how to sit down and cry and break down...he only knows how to fight!! He only knows how to push back for what you want in life. Life has taught him a few precious lessons...never giving in or giving up for what you want..fight for it till the last breath...the world will always try to snatch away your happiness...only the toughest and the meanest survive...all this and much more is encoded in his DNA, engraved in his heart...and he knows what his girl needs right now...all his power, all his might. NOt for him the tears of the weak, not for him the luxury of whimpers, not for him the comfort of breaking down...even if he wanted to...he couldn't cause he doesn't even know how to. Remember the night Cabir was fighting for his life...and he lost Nandini...he was still rock solid. He did what he could do, pull strings...get mad..get royally mad at everyone around..especially his Nandu...how could she?? Why didn't she listen?? Why is she here...why is she suffering...why was she so stubborn as to put herself in harm's way. He was mad..so ..so mad...cause anger is the only outlet of emotion he has known all his life...aggression and music, his only two pressure valves...remember??

If they would have shown him being emotional at this stage...would have been sorely disappointed. This was perfect characterization of Manik, he couldn't have behaved any other way. Nandini was swept away in tears when he was in hospital, Manik was swamped with fury and rage when she is vulnerable...how apt. Kudos cvs for keeping in mind his character...Parth once again the turmoil was depicted beautifully. Even in desperate love...he was harsh..ruthless..controlled...contained...all Manik Monster Malhotra.

And he was alone...all alone...only with her memories...his only support..his only hope. What a lonely life it is when you realize that your mother, the rich powerful gorgeous woman the world sees, married your father, only for climbing the ladder. The woman who gave birth to you was nothing but a glorified and fancy gold digger, preying on an old man for all the wealth and power in the world. What kind of life do you live when you realize every minute of it that you were born out of greed and ambition and lust for power, and nothing else. How horrifying, how despicable and how lonely an existence...

But if you want to see his emotions..that one moment when he is told she is safe...should have seen his unfinished sentences..his haphazard hand movements...and his out of this world cupping her face, smoothing her hair..oh my god!! What utter love...what sheer adoration...he handles her so sweetly, so tenderly, so delicately...yes..Manik she is your most precious possession...a possession that possesses you now!! Beautiful...I have seen that scene umpteen times...what gentleness, what an expression of pure love!!

His vigil next to her bedside, his eyes won't leave her...he was so desolate. And then his friends...you would think they would be a comfort, but no...they only make him look more forlorn. Is there no limit to asking...demanding...what kind of life does this guy live..when all his near and dear ones are always wanting and asking from him and he is always giving in one or the other form. A lonely, lonely..man child!! Surrounded by all, yet isolated !! You have to remind yourself he is only 19, a teenager when you see those shoulders carry the burden of the whole world. The burden of his Nandu's accident, the burden of the mess he created for his friends, the burden of their disappointments...and they are still demanding answers, explanations and he is still giving..apologies, confidence...sheesh he so needs his Nandu!!

And when he gets her back...oh my god...his smile...the sheer radiance on his face...the joy in his eyes!! That's when you see him crumble, a sheen of moisture can be seen in Parth's eyes then...awesome performance!! Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, he is not alone any longer. He seems wrapped and cocooned in the silk of love..all cause of one tiny, frail, weak girl. Want to see an emotional breakdown in a moment...see when he lifts the pitcher and fills a glass of water...that now is a meltdown...one moment and it had it all...the agony, the pain, the fear, the terror and thankfulness and gratitude...one freaking moment. The way he crushes her, repeatedly...admonishing her, scaring her, threatening her...her adorable monster. He never never wants to go through this again, never wants to see her like this ever again..damn!! His hugs...he just can't hold her close enough, he wants to imprint her, brand her, soak her in his being so close no one can harm her or take her away from him ever again...wants to forge her with him. He weld her, held her...so tight, squeezing all the breath out of her...but dare anyone else touch her!!😆 His protectiveness with her chacha..the watchful brooding mother hen attitude was hilarious..especially when he was crushing the life out of his dainty doll just a few seconds back.

And the comfort of a simple scene...she was back ..normal...safe and sane..just talking on the phone..smiling...casually assuring...and the world was alright!! He could breathe..she was there..he assures himself again..yes, she was fine...his Nandu!! The world will see one more day..

P.S...a special note of appreciation for Parth...what a restrained performance. Its was so easy to take this sequence down the clichd path, lets just say, it was so fine, so nuanced and so subtle that some who are used to the obvious, just missed the pleasure.

For me the post ends here...what follows is the need of the hour:

About the Niyonika mess...oh come on..we all knew the day she came to know about MaNan all hell would break loose. We all so knew she would try to rip them apart...and she is a worthy opponent..always dangerous, cool and calm...she is Manik's mom in all respects...and like it or not...like mother...like son. So, her son is more than capable of handling her. On any given day he rules, and when he has Nandini by his side...Niyonika is dead!! We should be cheering them on, popping popcorn, getting candy, and rubbling our hands in glee. Yes, we would have hoped for a respite, for a break but the progression is logical. The fire did happen...the accident did occur...people were injured...inquiries would be made...questions asked...fingers pointed. And the vultures like Khurana and Niyonika...they will hunt and prey!! Take advantage of the situation..period!! In real life such a big incident cannot be brushed under the carpet...the cops would step in when such grave injuries happen and blames will be placed..arrests made..isn't it natural. The spill out is a natural consequence. A guy like Khurana would have been totally vindictive with Manilk, here they are letting Niyonika take over. We love our cvs for being real and the very same reality when it gets too hard to digest, is hated by us. Lets think...if something like this happens will this be the progression...you will get your answer!! And again worried about MaNan hate track...err MaNan...hate???!!!@#$%^&*@...🤣🤣...really??? Seriously...MaNan❤️😃!! Oh come on...don't insult love!!

About Alya and Fab 5...will have to make a separate post...anyways the likes of Sue always complain about the length...so will spare you guys for today..😆!!