20/9 DragonClub:Yash meets Halkat Jawaani:A/R Pg69 - Page 42

The flying flamingo flew back after taking the phone call for a ringside view of the big fight.

TBH, this episode annoyed me no end.

I felt that despite his famous last words about life and death, Yash was seriously having his doubts about going into the fight. All he was really looking for was some solid thrashing that would induce pain which would make him forget. And after Aarti's speech, he seemed to be trying to figure a way out, but Aarti with yet another instance of railroading didn't sense it and goaded him into it because her own examination was at stake. And she brought Ansh for back-up.

And really, Aarti has access to all his equipment 😉and has become a boxer's assistant. She grabs his hand to dress him up and insists that he can't stop her and so on. At one point, she even tells Ansh ... oh, yeh sab toh hota rahta hai. Whatever, it irritated me.

And the fight of course was milked for all it was worth. The CVs do have a funny bone when they name the opponent Tyson. And HIS wife is his assistant (*roll my eyes*). The way she was cheering him was supposed to be a contrast to Aarti's, who was supposedly silently cheering him on. And the way she went 'Uthiye, Yashji X infinity' was something I totally expected but I'm grateful she didn't yell it running around the ring. Or maybe, that's coming in the next episode. Fingers crossed.

Whatever be it, the image of an ultra-conservative family "cheering" at a boxing match with two terrified kids is not something I could digest easily. Each member of the family in turn, grimaced, closed their eyes, clutched their neighbors, had eyes shimming with tears, turned their faces away, making them the world's worst cheerleaders. Whither their cheerleading costumes and whither their pom-poms? Why weren't they going Y.A.S.H ... Yaaassshhh?

BTW, with the Bebo flashback, Yash is quite the arrogant chap. He seemed smug that he had back-up, but no apologies for messing up the first time?

And he grew a stubble in the course of getting knocked about? Botched up, CVs.

Episode One-Line Review: Annoying with the X-Ray shot of Yash's ribs being the highlight.

Today's episode starts with Ansh coming to help Yash get ready for the fight and wishing him best of luck. The interaction between Yash and Ansh is nice with Ansh telling him that Aarti said once he wins the fight he will be back to the joyful person they saw in Mumbai. He however tells Ansh that he never promised anything causing Aarti to ask him if he won't live a normal life if he wins the match since that would mean that Arpita has forgiven him. She then proceeds to prepare him for the match but he pulls away so she reminds him that this penance is not his alone as it is a test for both of them, which she does not want to fail. Her words seem to strike a chord within him as he tells Ansh that he cannot promise to win but he does promise to compete with full honesty and sincerity. He then looks directly at Aarti before promising to fulfil his penance wholeheartedly. Aarti responds by saying that for some mistakes in life there is no backup plan and I have a feeling that she said this to indirectly refer to her pregnancy and they way their lives will change when it does come out in the open.

Aarti's statement causes Yash to go into flashback mode where he remembers an event where Kareena Kapoor was the guest at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Before she could cut the ribbon though it falls and she calls for Yash, giving him ten seconds to fix the situation. He calmly has a backup in place which impresses her before she uses the same words Aarti echoed a few moments earlier. After coming out of this flashback all Yash can think about before going to the fight are the beautiful moments he spent with Aarti in Mumbai which is shows the progress he has made in life as Arpita no longer provides the solace he craves. Slowly, even though he doesn't want to admit it, Aarti has made a place for herself in his life and that is probably why he can't stop thinking of the good times he has had with her. It's as though she has become a breath of fresh air in his life and so before he heads to the fight he turns to get a last look at her and hear her reassurance that God will protect him and he will emerge a winner.

Throughout the match Aarti's strength as a woman and her faith in God was tested. While the rest of the family gets scared seeing Yash's opponent Aarti sits calmly clutching her mungalsutra praying for God's protection for Yash. There are points where he is badly beaten but her faith in God does not weaken as she urges him on from the sidelines, once again proving to be the perfect support system in his life. To further boost his confidence, Ansh cheers from the sidelines. I'm not too sure I agree with letting the kids be part of such a violent experience though as Payal looked really scared when Yash was getting beaten up.

Looking forward to tomorrow's episode and rooting for Yash to get back up and win the match.

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Yash wanting to get bashed up in the boxing ring - a logical twist.

So, what was the current event that triggered this self-destructive mode in Yash? Most likely it is a combination of factors - his breaking of the VACHAN that he gave Arpita; breaking of his vow to himself that he married Aarti solely for taking care of his kids; his growing closeness to Aarti; the discovery of Prashant's existence; realization of Aman and Aarti's jealousy trick; and discovery of diary. These factors coupled with G3's rule of discouraging him from expressing emotions particularly anger and sadness has precipitated Yash to resorting to the boxing ring.

Did Aarti do right by the way she confronted him? YES ' she did not focus too much on the self-harming behavior ' in fact she too tossed things around. This was her way to let Yash know she was more concerned with the underlying issue and helping him overcome it than the boxing theatrics. She over and over proclaimed her love and that she was no way Arpita thereby ensuring that she engaged with him in a concrete manner regarding his inner conflict. She offered him her support ' that she was there for him and that she was willing to help him resolve them. She gave him valid reasons (kids, family, etc) as to why he should consider quitting this habit of injuring himself.

Kareena ki jaadu bhari baatein (Kareena's magical words)

Two days ago I had written about Yash's self-destructive behavior personality trait (see above post) now combine this with stubbornness. Being stubborn comes with having OCD. So the more that people request Yash not to do something ' the more he will insist on doing it. He rationalizes his stubbornness with the argument that he never reconsiders a decision. (Sounds illogical? Nah - not to Yash.) This is the reason that Bua, Vidhi, Pankaj, and Pratiek's pleas do not deter Yash, instead they spur a determination in him to go ahead with the fight with the acceptance of an apparent death wish to meet Arpita.

I love you and I support you just the way you are because you're wonderful just the way you are. Your battle is my battle and I know you will be victorious because you cherish the love we have for each other and for our kids.

She says the above with one caveat - remember Yashji you have to fight to win because there is no back-up plan!

The magical words no back-up plan are Kareena's gift to AarYa.

The 'Herione' with her attitude but down to earth spirit had warned Yash that he would meet with FAILURE when he has no back-up plan! So when Aarti utters them - they sting Yash to reality. Yash in fact is so stunned by the deep realization of those words that he is oblivious to the lovable and cute support of his three kids. For the first time Yash is awakened to the certainty that in stubbornly going ahead with this fight - he is no martyr to Arpita, rather embracing FAILURE to his true love, Aarti. And in his mind's eye he has FBs of the precious moments he spent with her in Mumbai. In fact the blow landed by Aarti repeating Kareena's words are the adrenaline boost that has so far kept him going in the fight. Although beaten and down - I predict (and I know you join me) Yash will rise again and fight. He will fight to live for his beautiful wife Aarti and their adorable kids!!