Yesterday saw the Arnav Singh Raizada staring at a Past that dared to question his Present and his Future.
Today that same Past had to take a lesson from her Future.
Yesterday Arnav Singh Raizada staked his claim as the master of his Destiny. He stepped away from the Past, moving past his Present, Khushi, only to come back and take her hand and pull her away from his Past, Dadi.
Arnav Singh Raizada has just served the amuse bouche.
Meantime, Nani asks the question to which we all want the answer. What is wrong with Khushi that you treat her so? Yes, really Dadi - Tell us already! Why are you so judgemental? Is it that you see something from your own past in her? Or is it that a certain someone-that-shall-not-be-named has already burned your ears with their forked tongue?
But Arnav couldn't sleep. His Past was still as haunting as ever before. He wakes up from his nightmare and she wakes up right alongside him. She realizes that something is eating at him. She is his wife and his girlfriend and his lover all rolled into one as she tries to make him smile in the only way she knows how. She plays a song to soothe him, tell him that she is there for him, wanted to share his pain with him. I watched with a lump in my throat as she played with him. Throwing her arms around him, being mischievous with him - all the aspects of her that drew him to her. That made him fall in love with her. This was the moment Khushi became a lover. She offers him the only thing she can, the comfort of a loving heart. This is the first time, she puts her arms around him, consciously - wanting him to take the consolation they offered.
But all to no avail. He turns away.
Then she speaks to him. Fast. As if, if she spoke any slower she might not get the words out. She wanted to help take away some of his pain. She knows he doesn't share his pain with everyone. She didn't mean to pry into his past. And as if somehow that got through, Arnav finally opens his mouth to tell her the shocking truth. His mother committed suicide. Fourteen years ago, as a teenager, his mother abandoned him, forever.
There is a finality to suicide. There is no going back, no forgiveness, no asking for one, there is a nothingness, and a sense of helplessness. There is also a guilt that lingers in the minds of those who are left behind - especially those who loved that person. Was there something I could have done? What did I miss? Why did I not see the signs? Why? There are no answers, ever.
Now we know why Arnav was so frantic when Khushi wanted to commit suicide. Why that was the day of all days that he chose to tell her about his knowledge of her and Shyam. Because on their wedding night - he thought he'd lost her forever, too.
Now we know what was the driving emotion behind his 'I will get Khushi back' - not just because he loves her, because he is frightened that it will be as final as his mother's going away. She is the breath of his life. The one thing in his life now that is as beloved as his mother was to him.
She wraps her arms around him, tears in her eyes, a hug that he needed fourteen years ago, a hug that comes too late. Or does it? He hugs her back. Finally, he has someone that will not let him go. Finally Arnav Singh Raizada has a shoulder to cry on.
The next day starts with a cute morning after. Khushi vows to never leave his side when he needs her.
Downstairs the household is in full swing preparing for Janmashthami. Anjali seems to be getting better and better and more 'normal'. She wants her mother's conch shell and HP can't find it. Khushi overhears the conversation and offers to go search for it. With her new-found knowledge of Di's past, she impulsively gives her a hug. Anjali is taken aback, but then returns the hug. It seems like their relationship has righted its course and is moving back to the way it was. Perhaps Anjali is finally getting her wish - everything as it was before. But ... there is a caveat to that wish!
For Arnav looking on from the staircase, it is a joyful moment. His two favourite women are finally accepting each other. He has seen who has initiated the hug. He has seen it returned. His day is made! There is proud, happy and contented look on his face. You can see him think - What did I do to deserve this woman, this beautiful, glorious woman in my life? As she comes up the stairs, he blocks her way. A little light flirting early in the morning goes a long way to make the day a pleasant one - hopefully! His smile is back. Their payoff is back. They both look back at each other - almost as if they were courting again - except this time they know the outcome. There are no questions about their relationship. It is on course.
Khushi searches in the store room and finds the box with the shell and other things used for the puja. Just as she is about to put it back, out falls an album. Things are coming out of closets and musty corners. The album has photos of Arnav, Anjali and their parents. She smiles at some. Must have loved seeing those baby pictures. Just then, Dadi comes in. She is infuriated that Khushi would go through the personal effects of her parents-in-law!
Back in the main theatre - I mean, living area - Dadi starts a game of Uproar. Devyani! Do you know this girl was going through our children's effects? That she was trying to take your daughter's conch shell. Surprisingly, it is Anjali who comes to the rescue. She tells Dadi she had sent her to look for the shell. Dadi is not pacified. Does she have a right to look at family photos ? (HUH?!! So F**ing WHAT?)
And the appetizer is served.
Arnav walks in with a 'So What? She is the daugher-in-law of this house. She can go where she wants, touch what she wants, looks at what she wants'. Dadi makes one last ditch attempt to exercise her authority. 'I am the grandma of this house.' And he respectfully agrees and then underlines his words 'I said it before and I am saying this again. Khushi is my wife. She can do whatever she wants in this house.'
Nani looks proud and happy.
Anjali looks on, something like a satisfied look on her face. She seems proud of her brother's stand on his wife's behalf.
Mami is stunned. The status quo has shifted. Phatti sari has now been elevated to the ranks of the Queen of this house.
Payal is emotional, her sister has finally got her Rajkumar and he is making his family give her the respect that is due.
I would have loved Akash to have been in this scene. Once before I said it - Akash take a leaf out of Big Bro's book on 'How to Make People Respect Your Wife!' To bad he missed an important lesson today.
Khushi - ah! Khushi, love - your Beast truly turned into a Prince today!
Arnav walks away. He has issued the dictum. This is my house. This is my wife. If you want to play with me, you have to play by my rules. Respect me, respect my wife. She has the same authority in this house as I do. There is nothing, absolutely nothing and no one that will take that away from her. He once again has folded a dupatta around her - the dupatta of honor, respect and dignity before the eyes of his family. He will be her dupatta always.
Dadi does not like the taste of the appetizer either. She looked like her Past has hit her in the face. A touch of Malik senior perhaps?
A tip of the hat to...
The Music Directors: This serial has probably the best and most appropriate music in any serial. But today, they outdid themselves.
Aaja Piya - Oh what a song choice, so perfect! And the arrangement was outstanding - modern and thematic, but with the innocent sweetness of Lataji's voice - brilliant.
Love Dadiji's BG music though!! Its superb!!
Reunions in the making:
Both HP and OP make an 'appearance' in this episode. Did anyone notice? Someone called for Om Prakash! And Anjali, and Payal both referred to HP. So the Prakash brothers are also reuniting now - as are the Maliks? Hmmm.. Perhaps Lakshmiji will soon make her re-appearance as well?
milgaya arnav ji... 😳
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