The battle lines are drawn

The episode was a very interesting one. I was losing patience with it for obvious reasons while following the live updates, but the precap was a relief for me as it helped me keep my cool to watch the entire episode at one go. It was painful to watch Khushi being repeatedly insulted and ousted by dadi, with no one (except NK) even making an attempt to stand by her.

While Khushi was contentedly gardening, unknowing of the bombshell that was waiting for her at the doorstep, mami was panic stricken with the very thought that dadi might just land up in Shantivan. It was sad and funny at the same time to see mami in such a condition. Sad because a lady who is never fearful of her own mother-in-law is now suddenly terrified of the arrival of a guest. Funny because mami has always had a caustic tongue for Khushi and Payal and she has always kept Payal on her toes and shown her authority as the MIL. Now it's her turn to be in Payal's shoes.😃

It was lovely to see Khushi tending ASR's garden in his absence. Many episodes ago, ASR told NK that there were no roses in his garden. Red roses are a symbol for love, the buds represent new life and the full blown roses are a symbol of youth and the peak of life. His garden has always been a part of his private world, a world which was lifeless in many ways and the blooming roses signifies that his world in longer lifeless and is now filled with love and Khushi is the one who is nurturing his world. 😊

When a carefree and slightly disheveled Khushi panicked and dropped the bowl after seeing a lizard on the door, dadi walked in stood in front her with her imposing presence. Dadi is a stern and superstitious lady who still appears to believe in the age-old caste system and refuses to even stand in close proximity with a servant let alone touch or be touched. Khushi's disheveled state gave her the impression that she is a servant as a family member would appear more prim and proper.

One thing that caught might attention is that although ASR's aukaad lectures may sound similar to dadi's aukaad, there is a startling difference. He may have inherited the arrogance from the dadi but earlier he looked down on people for strictly their lower economic status. He has looked down on Khushi in the past but he never considered her as someone he can't touch. What made him despise people coming from lower economic background?

On the other hand, dadi's attitude towards the servants stems from the idea of considering them as untouchables. She does not even want them stepping into the mandir. But then how and why did she accept Manorama?

In the kitchen, the sisters talked about their surprise of seeing dadi as they had no idea of her existence before and Khushi had a little self talk about how little she knows about the man she loves.

Dadi repeatedly kept addressing Khushi as the servant and mami did not dare to challenge her, afraid of the questions she won't be able to answer. Payal's silence was expected and the only one who attempted raise voice was NK, a friend in its truest sense.😊 But even he was shushed by dadi.

When Anjali came home she noticed the hurt and dejection in Khushi's eyes but that was soon forgotten as shock took over her at hearing dadi's voice after so many years. With the sight of dadi, came the flashes of the dark past.

Anjali hurriedly walked towards dadi to embrace her, dadi hugged her back and she burst into tears as happiness along with sadness engulfed her. Dadi noticed that Anjali is expecting and she enquired about damadji, a topic which is now a prick for the Raizadas. The discomfort was visible in Khushi and Payal's face. It was visible in Anjali's face too but it also had shades of pain and disbelief.

When Arnav and nani entered the mansion, they came face to face with dadi.

What caught my attention in that particular scene was the way each members of the family stood. Arnav and nani were standing side by side and Arnav held her by the shoulders comforting her. Anjali was at the opposite end with dadi and dadi held Anjali by the arms, supporting her. The rest of the family, Khushi, Payal, mami and NK were standing on the sideline, witnessing like spectators.The battle lines are drawn and these invisible lines defined their positions.

It's quite evident the dadi will be instrumental in bringing Shyam back at the RM. She being a lady who firmly believes in age old traditions will not have the damad of the house exiled, the man who is not only the husband of her granddaughter, but also the father of her unborn child. She also seems to have a good image of him on her mind unlike Khushi who is yet to enter her good books.

Anjali never believed allegations made towards Shyam but she never dared to speak out in front of the family as they never showed an ounce of interest in discussing Shyam. Dadi might just give her the courage to speak up and support her. She being dadi, who has also witnessed Anjali's baraat going away, will not allow Anjali's dreams to be shattered again.

Nani on the other hand is a righteous lady who is traditional but she makes rational decisions and she judges people by their qualities and not there status. She knows the truth about Shyam because she is the only one ASR has confided in. She knows better not to fall into the traps and she also dotes on Khushi. Anjali did mention to nani once that she wants her baby to be like her father and nani was full of disgust at that thought. Nani may be forced to accept Shyam for Anjali but chances are she may not accept him back. Either way hopefully she will be on the side of the truth.

The precap gives hope that ASR will stand by Khushi. He has certainly come a full circle and he is now standing by the girl he himself once insulted by bringing up her status.

Dadi has arrived with the baggage of the Malik's ominous past. The shadows of the past will soon overcome the present.

What effect will it have on ASR and Khushi's blossoming relationship?

Anjali's words to Khushi in Friday's episode were a sign of things to come. The dark past will overshadow the present. Moments before Anjali said those words to Khushi, Khushi gifted her roses she picked from the garden. Will Khushi be able counter the darkness, or will be the darkness suck the life out once again from the blooming roses.

Anjali seems to have no idea where dadi was staying all this time. Nani and ASR knew but they kept it a secret. But then shouldn't Anjali be surprised after hearing about damadji from dadi's mouth? Am I missing something here? The dialogues seemed a bit confusing.

Dadi and Nani are childhood friends but it startling how the two of them get along with such different ideals. How far will be nani be able to influence dadi?

Dadi's way of thinking was a bit too much to digest though. I hope you will show dadi slowly changing her way of thinking and treating people as people and respecting not just Khushi but Hari Prakash too. 😳

There is one other thing which I can't get out from my head. The curious case of the missing baby bump. 😕 How did dadi realize Anjali is pregnant? 😲😆

Agree or disagree, feel free to share your views.