Written Update April 9, 2009

Radhika goes with Dev in ghoonghat for the puja. Chachu insists that Dev will not reach on time and asks Arjun and Deepika to get ready for the puja. Shastriji searches for Vishakha at the rly station but narrowly misses her. Dev puts the mangalsutra on Radhika before stepping into the house. They reach just in time for the puja

My comments - I have changed the style of writing since most of it is conversation. And today's episode was wonderful 😊

Part I

Radhika: I am ready to go with you in place of Vishakha.

Dev: I hope you are not taking this decision under pressure.

Radhika: No, I know what I am saying and am ready to go.

Dev: You don't really have to do this. I am ready to face the situation because it is caused by my wife.

Radhika cries silently, Shastriji also is in tears and Devki looks ashamed.

Radhika: Before being your wife, she was the daughter of this house and my sister. And I have some duty towards my sister.

Dev: You are taking pity on me. We all are under the influence of this sorrowful situation.

Radhika: No, I am not. It is my duty to help Vishakha.

Amma steps in and says: Now don't think too much as there is not much time left. Dev babu, nothing will happen if Radhika goes in Vishakha's place.

Dev: Ok, please dress her up in Vishakha's clothes.

Amma: Good that I have everything ready. I will help her get ready. Dev babu, you too go and get ready for the puja. Lalla, you go now and try to find Vishakha. She then asks Radhika to come and get ready.

They all leave, Radhika continues to stand there and silently cry. Dev has mixed feelings on his face.

Part II

Purohit Bhavan and everyone is tense. Dadi: Vaishali, be brave. God is testing us on the day of this puja to see how deep is our faith.

Vaishali: I know Maaji, but I can't help feeling scared.

Dadi looks sternly at Chacha and says: My Dev is not one to run away. If he has taken a responsibility, he will honor it.

Mrinalini: Sorry Dadi, we all know what Dev can and cannot do. I think Chacha is right and we should ask Arjun to do the puja.

Chacha: What is the use in your saying all this? Everyone thinks that I am always wrong.

The priest comes and says there is only half an hour left for the muhurat. Chacha tells him they will be here, please carry on with the preparation. And he tells Arjun and Deepika to go and get ready. He then tells Dadi that there is no other way now. Let us atleast try to honor my dear brother's last decision. Dadi, Vaishali, Birju all are upset.Arjun and Deepika leave.

Dharamshala, and Radhika is standing in a corner lost in thought. Choti Bahu theme song plays in the background. She looks at her burnt palm.

Amma to Radhika: Where is the sari? Come and change.

Dev is getting ready in the other room and also is lost in thought. Devki is dressing up Radhika as a bride and Radhika is thinking of the night after the wedding when Devki was removing the wedding garb. A drop of tear falls on Devki's hand and she looks up pitifully at Radhika.

Part III

Amma to Devki: Bahuriya, what is this? Is she not yet ready. Here, let me help her with the anklets. And they both put the ornaments on her. She asks Radhika angrily, now why are you crying?

At the railway station, Vishakha to Purab : Purab, nothing happens on time in my life (😆) See even the train is late today.

Purab: Don't worry, have patience.

Vishakha: All this patience is what has landed me here. If I had not returned back for the wedding, I would not be here, instead I would be a big heroine now.

Purab: Trust me now I am there to make things right.

Vishakha: But what did you do for me till now? Somehow I managed to get out of that well and now?

Purab: Now you are going to the ocean. I mean to Mumbai.

Vishakha: Yes, Mumbai ! The city of my dreams.

In Dharamshala, Dev is thinking that always Radhika has supported me when I needed by talking to me. Now I will see her for the first time today. Radhika prays to Kanha to give her strength and to help Babuji find Vishakha so that the real Choti Bahu can take the place in this puja. She comes and stands behind Dev who has his back turned to her. Amma suddenly calls her and puts the ghoonghat on her (drat !!! 😡) and by the time he turns she is in ghoonghat. Amma tells them to hurry as they must all be waiting for them.

In Purohit Bhavan priest tells Chacha that there is very little time left to start the puja. Chacha tells him that Arjun and Deepika are getting ready to do the puja. Mrinalini says something vile and then they watch Arjun and Deepika come down the stairs dressed for the puja. Vaishali starts crying.

Dev is in the car with Radhika and tells her: Thanks for coming. Only a dear one will help in this needy hour. She remains silent.

Purab and Vishakha get into the train which is about to leave. Shastriji comes there and starts looking for her. He looks through all the windows too but fails to spot them.

Dev and Radhika reach the Purohit Bhavan and he tells her: Don't worry, I am with you and together we will face this difficult situation. She looks through the ghoonghat at the Purohit Bhavan. Dev comes and helps her out of the car and ask they start walking towards the house, he stops her and says I forgot a very important thing. He then takes out the mangalsutra and ties it around her neck. She is very happy (God !! it was a lovely scene) and the Choti Bahu song adhi adhi mili sari khushi plays in the background.

Precap

Arjun and Deepika are about to sit for the puja when Birju says that Dev bhayya is here. Everyone looks at the door.