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Ashish lives a double life for 11 years. He, out of his own choice, does not reveal this truth to his mother. He agrees to marry Neela - he does not inform his mistress of 11 years that he is marrying another. Life is good, he has a 10 year old daughter, a mistress who has no desire to be wife, the mistress's mother who needs money to maintain her drinking habit, and another kid is on its way.
Suddenly, as if out of the blue, his 10 year old demands a normal family life. He has never taken a serious fatherly interest in her and his non-wife has been a borderline mom. The two parents have been consumed with their romance and sex - this is their first reality call. The daughter is adamant.
So Ashish reveals his double life to his mom. However, he continues to lie to Neela when she asks him whether he loves her and wants to go ahead with their engagement. Neela has correctly intuited that something is not right between them and repeats her question again and again. But Ashish continues to lie.
Ashish's mom finds herself caught in a socially unacceptable situation. As she was unaware of Ashish's double life she had thought he was single and uncommitted - and had agreed to Hemant Bhai re: Neela's rishta. Her personal obligation to Hemant Bhai are one too many and her social image is one of 'jaan jaaye par vachhan na jaaye'. In addition, her self-blame over failing to protect her younger son from rioters in order to save Ashish - has got her to set higher expectations from him (that is, Ashish). To top it all, Hemant Bhai has a few months to live and Dayaben (when ignorant of Ashish's double life) has promised to get Ashish married to Neela within the time frame given to him by the doctor.
Ashish's mom resorts to emotional blackmail to get out of the situation she finds herself in. Ashish agrees to marry Neela. But Ashish's daughter demands of Ashish her right for a father. So, Ashish turns the table on his mom and responds tit-for-tat, that is he too ends up emotionally blackmailing his mother. He threatens to commit suicide (just as his mother did) if his mother does not permit him to continue living a double life while continuing to be betrothed and married to Neela.
His mom is shocked and speechless at his betrayal - this shock is of two kinds: one that he is so callous with her and the other that she was totally in the dark about this side of his personality. For now, she does not know how to tackle him. Neela is surprised at the change in Ashish's behavior and his interest in her. And, Ashish's younger brother knows something is not right between Ashish and his mom. His younger brother does not trust Ashish any more - the betrayal has been too deep.
Ashish lived a life of pretense for 11 years - he wants to continue doing so but Dayaben has never lived a life of pretense. Will she play along with Ashish? If so how long? Ashish, obviously, has no respect for women - otherwise he would not suggest marriage with Neela while maintaining a mistress. He had two choices: tell Neela the truth openly in front of his mother (just as he took his mother to the house where his mistress lives - he could have taken his mom to Neela's place and informed Neela of his mistress and kid in his mother's presence); or he could have walked out of his mother's mansion and married his mistress. But instead he chooses a 3rd option - that of emotionally blackmailing his mother!
Neither Ashish nor Dayaben, are thinking of Neela and Hemant Bhai. Neela deserves the truth - she has informed Ashish that she is quite capable of facing the truth - no matter how harsh it may be. Hemant Bhai deserves to know the truth - he would not want his daughter's happiness sacrificed because his death is imminent. Shared secrets are the currency of close relationships and the key to love itself. Neela will never have a healthy married life with Ashish. Ashish has no respect for Neela - she is the means by which he can lead a double with the knowledge of his mother. By marrying her - he regains his power and control over his mother. His secret double life was his power - but then he told his mother. Now Neela will let him get control, again. Neela is just a pawn for Ashish.
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
