Chapter Dating/Scandals! Let's take a look back!

I loved how even after seeing and realising Sameer distancing himself from her, she didn't sulk or anything but instead understood him. Gave him time to come out of it no matter how stupid he behaved. but once he was being super stupid, she took an extreme step.

- While Sameer was being a darpok, Naina became the opposite. Taking one step ahead from last week, Naina herself at Maheshwari's gave the glimpse of what it's going to be like in actuality to convince the Mami! Mama may give in before Mami. But at Maheshwari's Mami is going to be the last one to get convinced.

- She wrote their names together in his hand while he protected their names together closing his palm in which she wrote their names. One of mehendi's qualities is.. it deepens as the stain matures. The college dating track, Sameer-Naina's relationship surely deepened with them taking risks with every scandal. Risk was there but the lovers who have just met after a long judaai, Naina was ready to take that risk to go that extra mile for Sameer.

Track started with Naina making first day of college totally memorable for Sameer with her bold avatar and all the fun of trying to change his mood & with college, the bond of the gang also deepened slowly but surely. The subtle theme of the track so far is these kids growing up and maturing slowly. Emotions taking over, standing up for each other, having fun, mending relationships, assuring each other, etc.

Her flying kiss to Sameer was only start of her karnamein in love, with each scandal we saw her taking risks. This VO was clearly for the entire track of College Scandals!

Ragging: Glimpse of what Naina can do for Sameer! To what extent she can go for him.

While I wanted a more emotional milan, I think the point wasn't that, the point was it to introduce this mantra for college track. Ragging showed to what extent she can go for him, Sameer is ziddi and so is she. The whole shoes dilemma was done very well. As Sameer's VO said, the shoes were symbolising something else, that is, if she gave the shoes, she gave in to his stupidity and if he asked her for it, he gave in. While he didn't wanna give in to her, he didn't let her give him the shoes either. He somewhere didnt want her to give up on him and I love that. She gave him his shoes back coz he was in pain, and uska dard comes back to her 100 times. But ofcourse she wouldnt give up, so she did what he was doing.. a stupidity. She wanted to convey, if you can be stupid, so can I! She counter argued to his every point, from falling on stage to failing in exams, and with that she left.

Though the mantra being set was jo darte hai woh pyaar nai karte, the fear is what made him let go of his fear. One fear cut another fear. Naina going missing, plus Preeti giving him an earful did the trick. Having gone through judaai, all of sudden the fear of loosing her took over than anything else. Its one thing to stay away from her while she is right in front of him, than when she has disappeared. And that fear made his other fear disappear. "Pyaar hai!" aur hamesha rahega.

He let go of all the fears to be with his beloved and take things as they come to him. But was it the same case for Naina?

We always get a phone after every major sequence takes place and they are bliss. Be it post judaai, or after he realises his getting angry mistake. This was that! The eagerness to talk to each other was done so well! He was grateful that she didnt letgo of him and those two lines were enough to convey that. What I loved what the introduction of pregnancy between the two. Surely brings in the closeness. Whether its this, or the lil things like asking for measurements scene and him smirking at Naina, like I wont look at others, but I can look at yours right? Itna toh haq hai right? She just couldnt look back into his eyes while his gaze never left her. The thought was enough for her to feel him super close to her.

Pre-freshers: Her being super nervous and subtle introduction to her fears and insecurity (not just jealousy wise to Sunaina but this is actually bigger which only grew with the scandals track). And him trying all he can to make her calm whenever she lost herself and repeat her own mantra on her.. pyaar karnewale darte nahi.

Kamya-Hema growth: Them being new to the gang, their trust on the rest didnt happen overnight but grew with scandals track. They were the first ones to blame Pandit for lost cassette but as days passed, their trust grew. For example, post house party scene her waiting for SwaMun and Sameer-Pandit telling her to go home. Subtle scenes but good to show progression.

If anything the dating/scandals track clearly wanted to portray it was these kids growing up and learning and facing new things, one after the other.

Dream: Wiping off her face from chocolate. To me his dream showed me his desires of having lone time with her while they were constantly surrounded by the gang.

The entire sequence of him calling her over, was like stealing lil moment with her which happened throughout the scandals track, them trying to steal moments with each other. Be it, gaali-chhajja scene pre-freshers, or eating, hand holding and eyelocks during house party.

Now that the track is ending, I see this as him slowly getting ready to take on life challenges unknowingly. Freshers was just one of them. Real thing will start with this new phase which will unfold soon before us..

As VO mentioned, winning something was big for him but nothing more than Naina's smile. So there's nothing to prove his win, because he himself didnt feel like he won, because Naina didnt. I found it very sweet of him to steal the sash, click photos with his love, give her some unique moments to cherish for life and return it back.

Just loved this VO to bits! Being so close to him, made her feel all sorts of things.

And the pre-bike ride phone convo, was from Sameer's side:

I felt here he wanted to hug but couldnt say it out loud.

Her jealousy was just like her jealousy with Kamya in PVKM. This time its Sunaina. Another branch of her fears and insecurity. As Sameer got to know about it, he used it to go on bike ride with her. From what I gathered of the canteen scene was, if there's anything Naina wants she should ask him first hand and its her haq to do so! That say him directly, ki Sameer mujhe na tumhare saath bike par baith kar ghoomna hai! Also the canteen scene was the first time, we saw them converse as Boyfriend and Girlfriend face to face. The nok-jhok, getting angry, the haq.. everything! We saw glimpse of it post milan canteen scene or pre-freshers phone call but this was first face to face.

Naina's VO earlier had hinted the same, on risks and new found college freedom,

The bike ride was sooo well done! Their nervousness of being so close to each other, start of the physical proximity slowly decreasing between the two, and the growth in their trust in each other... everything. The kitabein kahin pe and ek ladka ek ladki verses of the title track were too apt + the VOs at key moments + that cricket commentary on key moments of the bike ride, too good! I also felt this was them taking 'udaan' as Naina's VO said it earlier.. in their love with Naina being carefree sitting behind him.

The masoom simple wishes of un dinon,

Sameer took her away from Rakesh, as if saying, jo karna hai karlo, yeh dulhaniya is mine. While he had let go of all his fears, as you can see, slowly Naina's fears are developing. At this stage it wasnt that evident tho.

This week introduced us to another part of Sameer's life.. the subtle hints to him getting involved in business and him following the footsteps of Nanu. Had loved the focus of camera on Nanu and Sameer together. Will Harshad Mehta's scam be the reason Sameer gets involved? Only the upcoming phase will tell..

Last week itself, gave us hints of Naina ignoring all this show-baazi but the moment Sameer saw it and the way he did, she became conscious.

The understanding of Sameer was very well portrayed and which surely sets him apart. Him understanding her dil ki baat without her saying it speaks volumes. Also, the first personal and private moment as mentioned by the VO was well done. There are things you share with your besties, but then there's line which you don't cross and this was surely one of them. Sameer knowing that line, showed his maturity. Him trying to buy wax for her or calling her to say he loves her the way she is was endearing, him trying to make her feel better in her own skin was needed but before that he himself fell into the trap of complex thanks to the rivals.

The whole period talk, either with Shefjun or Samaina was taking the social issue aspect of it and showing it to the audience. While with Shefjun it showed their growth by them openly talking about it and Arjun taking actions, with Samaina it showed another aspect of what ladies faced back then and even now.

This week I felt it was somewhat portraying them not being able to express certain emotions to each other. Them not being able to mouth what they feel exactly and hence I felt the growth of Sameer-Naina to be super slow, thanks to Shefjun and timings issue that week.. so much that I was really annoyed and frustrated and wanted Harshad Mehta to come in with his scam to see business finally haha. The waxing and period issue felt a drag surely.

With proxy, intro to SwaMun track! Finally! Have loved them since the start and always wanted to see their confession so this was a treat and done so well!

The phone call of Sameer-Naina discussing SwaMun was fab! They were putting each other's points across and trying to understand each other, which surely showed their progression as a couple. Naina understanding his silence on the mention of farewell and diverting the topic was well done.

Just this lil bit shows their love for each other. Sameer's love for Naina has been about fighting himself for her. During bet phase, he was fighting his own emotions as he questioned them and same during manhoos phase he was taken over by him own fears. As for Naina, she always fought with her family for Sameer. And her family is her duniya. During initial days, saying lies, fooling family.. or now hiding college fees, lying for bike ride.. everytime, she has crossed those barriers of her family for him.

As VO said, with the start of the college, she felt her level of himmat to take risks had increased. She felt like she perhaps wanted to break all the rules and get some sort of degree in it. Lady Jitendra taking yet another risk by calling over the boys. Sameer was worried but she went by the no fear mantra and he gave in too.

This was pure bliss! While Sameer-Naina were mouthing lines for SwaMun but the emotions were portrayed for each other instead. Sameer not only meant Munna giving saath to Swati but also him to Naina. Them not talking face to face much until house party track surely made viewers uneasy, and them finally talking about their relationship struggles gave a closure. Naina assuring Sameer that she is with him was too good! Their eyelocks are sheer magic!

And with that stealing love moments continues.. handholds, eating, eyelocks, all had progression as they got a lil more intense than last itme. Scandals track started with gang filled scenes to surely portray a point. Them wanting lone time too, just like us viewers wanted. The house party felt like the gang chilling on a Sunday at Maheshwaris and catching up on life. I loved how the subtle moments between the gang showed their growth as a gang. Also her hesitation to call him boyfriend during PVKM days to now, her openly calling him her boyfriend showed major growth in Naina.

During the entire house party scandal, one thing was really being made to stand out, that is, Sameer assuring Naina time and again and her calming down right after. Be it after they got saved from Arjun, Rakesh, or something as lil as chair breaking. He is her comfort zone.

Naina finally telling him that it was love at first sight for her is something that I have been waiting since forever!! Naina saying that things given to her by him as anmol melted Sameer right there and then! This leading to future talks was well done. White Naina mentioned she wants to study more and do something in life, on the other hand Sameer too felt now is not the time for them to get married. Yet as Naina mentioned that she wanted to know if their love is Shaadi wala, he didnt wait a moment to reassure her and propose and promise her right there and then to make her his wife one fine day! And this also makes eagerly wait for the comeback of Shaadi wala card. I feel it will comeback at a crucial point, especially with the upcoming track unfolding, with Naina's fears completely taken over her with Shefjun's khulasa.. it should be making its way!

The focus came from gang to the two couples.

SwaMun being caught brought a big fear in Naina. She was already scared by Agarwals coming back at an earlier time. This just increased her fears. Yet, she was ready to risk again for Sameer. Fears growing.. scared but the lady jitendra in him stayed somewhere.

I think this really summed up their relationship up until that point really really well. While for houseparty it was Naina saying the no fear mantra, this time it was Sameer who repeated it. Since Naina's fears were already growing seeing SwaMun caught. Him manaoing her so much for movie, made her give in to his happiness and desires. She can do anything when it comes to his happiness. Once again we saw him assuring her, while she was completly scared of being caught.. by the pune only! Just imagine her fear for being caught by her family. Lil things like these or the episode which showed her dilemma over saying yes or not for the movie portrayed her emotions nicely.. all these were piling up for something big later on.. (upcoming track) also that.. with each scandal, their eyelocks and handholds are only getting intense and passionate somewhat.

And here she was ready to take yet another risk for Sameer's happiness. And he fell for her all over again. I felt this VO first time, hinted towards maybe some financial & business problems coming into scenario later on.. "..uske saath rehte pet khali ho ya na ho,mera dil zaroor, hamesha pyar se bhara rahega" Naina's love & support will help him sail through it all!

There's one more thing which was developing amidst all this.. Sameer's desires to be with Naina and also him getting a glimpse of her problems she is facing while she is risking every single time to be with him. From freshers chocolate dream, to his hesitancy over not being able to say his emotions (pre-bikeride call) to expressing he wants a hug to wanting to go for a movie with her to him wanting to spend time even after being caught by Chachi to him being desparate to take her out of town for her birthday! His life just revolves around Naina. There's no one he lives for but her!

- '.. sochengi na yaar, ladkiyaan hai woh log'

- His VO on Naina taking another risk for him for the movie

- Hearing Naina-Chachi's convo over the phone call. '..tere liye badnaami ka karan ban sakta tha'

Since his unofficial proposal, this has been a constant with Sameer, that he doesn't want to marry early at any cost. Since then, we have had various types of Shaadi convos or lines with Shaadi in it or even something as simple as seeing Sameer with a kid in the movie hall. Or them dreaming or planning their future together. Him pondering over Naina's dilemma and struggles + the contrast of shaadi talks is definitely connected. In order to take away Naina's struggles, would this be the reason of him finally changing his decision of marrying at 24 to marrying as he gets legal to marry at 21? Only the upcoming track will tell.. as its hinted life doesn't go as planned.

As for business, the calculations VO or this convo or Sameer's VO on Naina's love filling his heart even if stomach is empty.. hints perhaps there will surely be financial problems coming into scenario.. when how what, Harshad Mehta scam or not, whether Sameer will have to do job or not.. only the upcoming will tell.. also if anything the scandals track (not full track) but the exams episode showed, it showed Sameer's carelessness towards himself. Almost as if taking it for granted (and I don't mean this in a bad way at all. Sameer is very sorted with what he wants in his life but life doesn't go as planned always right?). Life is gonna give it back to him real soon..

- 'Movie dekhte hue apne girlfriend pe apna haath rakhne ki feeling kuch aur hi hoti hai.. udhar screen pe film chal rahi thi aur idhar mere mann mein khalbali. Kyunki ab tab Naina ka haath kai baar pakad lene ke baad bhi mujhe aisa lag raha tha ki Cinema hall mein main haath pakadne ki koshish nai balki jung lad raha hoon, woh bhi panipat ki. Aur soch raha tha ki iss jung mein, main jeetunga ya Naina mujhpar thappad ka yalgar kar degi'

- Him stopping himself before applying cake on her, while Naina did it without any hesitation.

- Naina gave him the towel to wipe her off, while he was wiping it himself, his eyes portrayed that he too wanted Naina to wipe him off (Here his dream of chocolate became a reality, aka closing loop with ending of track!!) and while she wiped him, I could see happiness in his eyes!

- His hesitation on keeping his hands on her shoulder.

- His response to her back hug, his eyes portrayed that he wanted to hug her back I felt.

There are times Sameer becomes a kid and wants all the attention of Naina but when they are alone, he hesitates to get close. I have noticed he only hesitates when they are closer or alone. With the gang, we have seen him express love, hold hands, stealing moments.. but once they are alone, its almost like he gets conscious unknowingly! Is that just me who thinks this? As for Naina from not putting her hands on his shoulder to putting cake on him to nodding yes to letting him also apply cake on her face, we came a long way! Naina is reserved but when needed she doesnt back off in showing gratitude, love or assuring! It comes naturally to her. She is only conscious when she thinks too much imo, because when she doesn't its pretty natural, unlike Sameer.

While she can do anything for Sameer, time and again she goes against her family to be with him. Sometimes she is able to keep her sanskars, sometimes not. She is able to balance it at times but when she can't she feels guilty. Being caught by Chachi surely made her feel so. It wasn't that she wasn't serious with her studies or herself, she was, but amidst the new found freedom of college, and taking risks somewhere she got carried away! Its natural, nothing bad in it. And once again, for her birthday, as VO had already hinted hota toh wahi hai jisse hona hota hai.. she was ready to take another risk by saying yes to go out with Sameer!

We saw how desparate he got to spend time with Naina as the track progressed. Him being a total kid and ziddi for movie or birthday showed a yearning for Naina! She is only one he has got who is completely his whole heartedly. In the upcoming when Naina's fears will be completly over her, he is not gonna letgo! He will make sure she doesnt back off and give in to her fears. We started the track with Sameer's fears and we are ending the track with Naina's fears! Like I mentioned at the start of this post, while Sameer literally took the no fear mantra and stuck to it, it wasn't the case for Naina. With every scandal, her fears only grew! Its time to close loop, its time for Sameer to take her out of her fears and he will! And while we all wanted that milan to be emotional and intense, I feel this so called milan or Naina letting go of her fears will be lil intense or emotional. Because we have seen Sameer's yearning for Naina during Judaai (him running to her letters as if his life depended on it) to now being together and wanting to spend lone time! And now when she backs off because of family, he will let go? No way! He may get sad inititally, but will come back determined to make her come out of it! And we will see more of his madness maybe to convince Naina! I always felt his love is more passionate since he has got only her while for Naina its only him, but her family becomes a barrier. I am not comparing their love, but thats how it is.. going back to.. 'apne aap se zyada / duniya se zyada'.

Once again hinting the same! Naina wanted to convey they are thinking on opposite ends but he wanted to convey the opposite and that to not get scared but just listen to him and everything will be fine! Though Sameer was being total kid in convincing her, we always know that when one falls weak the other matures him/herself to balance the other. And I will take this seq. as that!

Sameer-Naina the names echoing together, really reminded me of "Hum do insaan nai, hum toh kabke ek ho chuke hai." And also that when Naina distances herself in upcoming, this just shows she won't be able to let go of him that easily, especially after being with him physically. It was her wish to hear their names together. She wasn't even able to take him gone for 2 seconds for cake! How will she back off now?! How long can she hold herself? For Sameer fear's to take over I still felt that was the only time he would let his emotions get better of him because he was alone. But now, Naina isn't.. theres gang, and moreover Sameer himself. They are one already! Its gonna be a big dillemma/turmoil for her to distance herself from Sameer.

- Car coming in front, Naina balancing the car's steering with Sameer

Adulthood coming into scenario, with each scandal they have taken risk, being completely reckless, taken advantage or their college freedom and done a lot 'in love'. Though aware of the surroundings, yet being in love. Love makes you do things and its natural. But its time for things to get real! Its time for them to face reality! Be it for shaadi to convince families, conquering their their fears, standing up for their love or facing financial problems. Things will now get real! Raasta aasan toh nai hoga, there will be hurdles, tedhe-medhe raaste, par woh saath zaroor honge, aur agar woh saath honge to phir kya darr?

- Holding hands to start yet another chapter

- Saving from car

- 'lekin tab toh mandir jaana aur apne badon se aashirwad, aur gift ya rupaye mil jaana yehi bohot tha, lekin uss saal mein nahi jaanti thi ki mera 18th birthday yaadgar hone wala tha'

And as Sameer's VO mentioned his yaadgar din about first day of college made by Naina, here scandals track is ending with Sameer making a yaadgar din for her!

Mami met Chachi-Taiji. The entire Pooja-Bittu was only done to connect Agarwals and Maheshwaris and to bring in the 'tashan' of Mami vs Taiji later on. Other than Rakesh being a tedhi kheer, Taiji & Mami will be a hurdle in approving Sameer-Naina shaadi. While this isn't about right or wrong, but when compared, Bittu and Mami were on the wrong side. And the way they portrayed Mami was like she is doing some ehsaan by forgiving Pooja. Mami has status ego! This did one good, Chachi not givng in to Taiji. For example, at home when everybody is waiting for Naina, Taiji is questioning her absence every single time but Chachi doesnt let her doubts increase or let her question her. Chacha-Chachi always standing up for Naina and understanding her, makes me believe they will be the first ones to know about Samaina from Naina's side and they will be super supportive to their relationship as well. No matter who opposes, they will be the understanding ones. Yes, they trust her a lot, while many thing their trust will be broken, I dont think so. I think once convinced that their relationship is pure and loyal, they will be the ones to guide them, especially Chachaji. Chacha-Chachi-Naina-Sameer scenes will be pure bliss!

Not gonna be more than 10-15eps before Naina conquers her fears imo, as I mentioned thats how long CVs keep the transition phase. Let's see how this unfolds. I have predicted a lot based on what was shown to us so far.. but the new phase is still a mystery. The BTS is super exciting, confusing, new looks, saree looks, more of Agarwals and Maheshwaris, rivals comeback, etc etc.

I feel it will comeback at a crucial and turning point, when perhaps Sameer has decided to marry Naina early at 21, or thats when Naina lets go of her fears or when they decide to convince their families.. lets see!

IMO she will comeback at a crucial point too.. perhaps when Sameer decides to tell her about it. Like Chacha-Chachi will be supportive of Samaina from Naina's side. Maa will be supportive from Sameer's side. And Maa-Sameer-Naina scenes will be pure bliss too!

Naina wanting to name for herself before marriage and now with adulthood and life getting all real phase, maybe this will come into play too? I hope so!