I kept thinking it was a ruse on the Awasthis' part to have the ladki-wale beg them to go through with the marriage, but strangely enough Raja backs out on the question of "principles" of not wishing to make an alliance into a family that has connections with their "killer bahu." The mother also backs Raja to sing this new tune. What has happened to the Awasthi's desperation for this wedding? They even advanced the marriage, and have been continually harping on the necessity of this wedding without which they apparently do not have any money to even buy earthenware (despite their heavy jewelry and brand new silk and gold saris). Now, suddenly, they wish to back out. I wonder why, and I wonder if there is more than what meets the eye. Perhaps they feel that their game is up and therefore it is best to leave from Benaras with whatever scrap of dignity they have left, or else they are waiting to emotionally blackmail the Tripathis and lay down the condition that Raja will marry Shalu only if Viplav will not defend her in court. What do you all think?