So I missed out commenting on the last episode. And I'm glad I did. Because with episode 4 - all the siblings are accounted for.
We left off with Arnav reading Aman's letter - they're going to Lucknow by train.
Enter Akash - a jauntier, more jovial, bit of a smart-ass Akash. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say he's been "remodeling" himself on the characters he played after he left his bumbling, shy, blushing self in IPKKND. He's lost the glasses, his hair flops over - oh my! The makeover is complete. On top of that, he's a proud papa-to-be as well. Payal being heavily pregnant will not make an entry in this show.
He presents his gifts to Arnav, and then drops the b-bomb'. Baby. Yes, Akash insinuates that Khushi may have something to say about having/getting a baby. Arnav is shell-shocked. Baby?! What the- Khushi is barely a child herself, he says. Really? And just to disprove his ideas that she is a "baby" instead of a babe, we have some of the most iconic scenes as flashback.
Akash reflects on the suicide attempt. But perhaps the biggest laugh I got was hearing him say - kya bolun ab? Ritzy - you were right there in front of my mind. And I knew that the next episode would go through the romance track.
And then Anjali calls - someone we'd been praying she would turn into a btter person. A strong, confident, sexy Anjali. One who has risen past her tragedy, left her pujali - um.. puja ka thali - aside and has entered the world full on. The love she gave to Chotey now seems to be able to encompass the children she looks after. Come on, now, directors - would it be too much to expect a romance for her - with someone good, Let's wait and see.
The little children of the NGO have sent their Khushi didi and Chotey jiju!
We hear about NK babua who is also not making a comeback - but sends his wishes to the couple.
Then Di turns into a giggly sister who probes her brothers memories of romance - which took place away from everyone's eyes. The missed kiss at Diwali, the sharing of a bed on New Years' eve, Teri-meri and the kiss by the pool. The smack that resonated in every phangurl's tv - over and over again! It still gives me the goosebumps.
I had to wear my headphones while watching this episode, since I didn't want to disturb anyone. And I realized how good the acoustics in the original were. Clear as crystal the dhak-dhak of Khushi's and Arnav's heart - together in tandem. And the rabba-ve plays in the background, the deep bass notes holding the rhythm close to the ground, while the high notes of rabba-ve strung out our emotions.
And Arnav is lost in those romantic memories, while Di asks him annoyingly and he very coyly tells her, there's some things you cannot speak about.' Oh yes, Arnav-ji used to be quite good at holding his cards close to his chest.
He asks Anjali to do a favour for him, and Anjali didn't seem to like what he asked for. Wonder what it was?
The door bell goes, and he has another rabba ve moment. Khushi is home! Or is she?
Or is that a hello-hi-bye-bye I heard?
I love the way they've been handling the show. The material is barely there. It's held together by flashbacks and monologues. We know those flashbacks better than we know our selves. And yet, there is a freshness to watching it for the umpteenth time.
Arnav's monologues are a surprise - since as he says, he is the silent one in the relationship. The one who doesn't communicate much. Yet - we see things from his point of view.
Wonder what surprises we'll get along the way?
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
CID
422