Anjali and Arnav had to witness, in their mid to late teens, the violent end to their parent(s)'s lives. This tragedy struck them at an age when they were on the verge of losing the innocence of childhood but not yet ready to assume the responsibility of adulthood. Being forced to grow up before their time, each of them had his/her own way of coping with the loss. While Anjali has made a little make-believe world for herself where everything and everyone are perfect, Arnav moved to the other extreme and shut out everyone save his sister (who has been his companion in pain), believing in no one but himself. Thus, one tragedy has shaped two lives so differently.
From the letter that their mother had written to her would-be daughter-in-law, it is clear that Arnav had always been short-tempered but he had a tender heart which was capable of giving immense love to his nearest and dearest. The tragedy had frozen that tender heart and the only girl who can thaw that ice is the one he is desperately trying to get away from. She is the only one who can withstand the intensity of his anger till it is forced to melt and expose the tenderness within.
Having gone through a similar tragedy of her own, Khushi has learnt to cope with it better than the brother-sister duo. Living true to her name she has always spread happiness around her, no matter how hard life has been for her. One distinct advantage she has over Anjali-Arnav is that she did not have to witness the gory death of her parents. She was too young to understand their loss and was protected from the truth of their demise till she was old enough to withstand the pain.
Since both Arnav and Anjali are equally messed up they cannot offer support to each other. Khushi, on the other hand, can help both of them because she can look at it more objectively. We saw a glimpse of this in yesterday's episode. While discussing about their mother, Anjali took Arnav back in time, engulfing him in pain and sorrow as he longed to feel his mother presence. She couldn't ease his pain or satisfy his longing because she herself was experiencing the same. Khushi, on the other hand, could give him the comfort he so wanted by just being there for him.
Arnav betrayed his longing to see and feel his mother around him when, forgetting his own vow to never speak with Khushi, he asks her whether it was true that their parents had turned into stars. A man who had not so long ago rubbished such superstitions was now desperate to believe in them, only to ease his pain. The vulnerable boy in him emerged in that moment as he wore his heart on his sleeve for her to see. If she had wanted to, Khushi could have just trampled over it and scored a moral victory by passing some scathing or sarcastic comment about how a sceptic like him was asking about things he will, in any case, not accept or believe in, but the kind hearted soul that she is, she did not do so. Instead she tells him truthfully that it is not a question of true or false but a question of belief. If you believe that your parents have turned into stars to watch over you, then they have. That he believed what she said was evident when he asked her back if their parents were happy to see them and when she turns to check his expression, he asks her more specifically whether his mother was happy with him.
Earlier in his room when Anjali had read out their mother's letter to his would-be wife, he was reminded of how much he had changed. He wondered whether his mother would like this hardened man that he had turned into. There is an awkward moment of silence between Arnav and Khushi when he looks at her with moist eyes and is suddenly embarrassed at having revealed more of himself than he wanted to. Unable to answer him, Khushi quickly excuses herself and leaves, but not before checking with him if he was alright. When he indicated that he was, with a brief nod of head, she goes up carrying the plate of chillies she had come for.
The scenes at Arnav's bedroom and at the pool were emotionally charged and splendidly executed. I felt there was some symbolism in the scene where Anjali asks Khushi to take the kangan to Nani and Khushi instead volunteers to remove the chillies from the poolside. To me this scene showed that Khushi will always be there for the Raizada siblings, removing their hardships (as indicated by the chillies) whenever they are threatened by the storms of life. Their wealth (as indicated by the gold bangles) is not something that will interest or impress her. She cares for the two human beings and their emotions more than their material belongings. Another way to look at this scene is that in declining to hand over the bangles (which are meant for Arnav's bride) to Nani who, in turn, would be giving it to La, she has indirectly declined to hand over Arnav to La. Those bangles are meant to be given to her, not given by her to someone else.It is only a question of time when they will find their rightful owner.
Another thing that struck me about yesterday's episode was the fact that it was Arnav who broke his vow to never speak with Khushi and not the other way around. Khushi respected his wish to be left alone and did not intrude on him even though she was disturbed to see his pained expression. She was all set to quietly leave with the chillies till he broke their silence. I think that in future when he cuts himself off her, she will move away and wait for him to come back to her. All he needs to do is take a teeny tiny step towards her and she will envelop him in all her love and care. He will take that step when his pain becomes unbearable. Until then we may witness these two head strong individuals hold their fort.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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