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EPISODE 197
The episode begins with Ansh running toward Aarti. One can see that this little act of his is hurting on the inside, and what follows next hurts even more. If I'm understanding correctly, Ansh asks Aarti why is he at the hospital, after all he already had an injection. From this particular moment, I realised that once again Aarti pulled an "if I don't think about maybe it won't exist" thought while actually thinking about it. That is quite the ability to compartmentalise I must say, for I believe that she was hoping for something to take the decision away from her, ergo she hoped that she wouldn't have to prep Ansh. This left our little sweetheart in uncertainty and fear just before a very big moment for any child. Perhaps feeling the guilt (for lying to her husband), and treacherous (for betraying her son's innocence), Aarti drops to her knees and frantically covers Ansh's face in kisses (something which reminded me of the obsessive Aarti). In that moment, rather than being the "reassuree", she became the one needing to be reassured, something that the sensitive Ansh picked up on subconsciously. Since she could probably not think of anything to justify the visit, Aarti asks Ansh if he's willing to help mumma save "friend- uncle" (atleast I think that's what the gist of the sentence was). Ansh, already recognising that she was the one needing reassurance, proceeded to praise his "friend-uncle". He tells her that "friend-uncle is really nice, and that he likes "friend-uncle" alot. "Friend-uncle mera bestfriend hai!" came the enthusiastic lines. He reminds her that papa taught him that he should help those in need, so of course he would be willing to help his "friend- uncle" get better. I found that moment very interesting for the reason I already mentioned (Ansh reassuring Aarti), and for the fact that it emphasised how precocious the child is. He is quick to listen, quick to learn, and even faster to put into practice (perfect example him lying to Aarti to protect "friend-uncle" and bade papa). Therefore, the boy is well equipped to be the little man that Aarti needs. Upon hearing the glowing words, I felt that a little part of Aarti was hurt, for she looked down and took a really deep breath. Of course in the background, Shobha was smiling benignly, for once again Aarti was her beloved beti, doing all in her power to please her. Aarti hugs Ansh, places on last kiss on Ansh, which he takes stoically, and watches as he heads off with the nurse. The door slams shut in her face, and in that moment she looks as if her heart is breaking apart for sending her son off into something she knows so little about.
The scene shifts to the new Cafe Delight where Satyendra and Yash are having their clandestine meeting. Satyendra who has no balls is as usual all talk and no go. He beats around the mulberry bush stating that nothing is fine and just keeps saying "Ansh", and "Ansh ke". I'm assuming he would have finished with an "Ansh ke papa" had is phone not rung. Shobha, now completely reassured that her son will be saved, finally tells Satyendra not to tell Yash anything, for Aarti came through for them. The camera did pan on a very despondent looking Aarti. Frankly, she looked as if she had died internally in that moment. In saving Prashant's life, she killed herself by ignoring her instincts. That second tear drop said so much in that scene. The relived Satyendra (who probably doesn't actually want to ruin Aarti's life), leaves Yash, citing "important work" as the reason. He rushes off, leaving an extremely perplexed Yash. Yash then states in his self thoughts that he must tell Aarti ji, since it appears that his (new found🤔) babu ji needs help (not sure of my translation, but I think that was the gist of it).
The episode switches back to the hospital where Aarti and SHobha are sitting side by side. In fact that image was fascinating because they mirrored each other in body language exactly- bowed head, slumped shoulders, knees together and pointing to the right, hands crossed in the lap. What actually fascinated was the fact that Aarti is turned away from Shobha, this is not like in the olden days when they would have been clasping hands together and crying. In fact, subconsciously Aarti realises that things have changed so much that when Shobha grasps her fingers she looked shocked and a bit expectant...as if she was asking what next?Another request for payment for Shobha's "unconditional" love? Another "favour"? Another underhanded comment? Shobha holds Aarti's hand close to her face, and just like Aarti did with Ansh, she covers it in kisses. Shobha asks Aarti to forgive her (summarising everything). The old Aarti would have pulled Shobha into her embrace, and wiped her tears away. In fact, she would have stopped her before the word "maaf" had even been completed. Instead we find that two interact on equal footing, a conversation that was more mother to mother than child to mother. Aarti has definitely begun to subconsciously change in response to the Dubeys' behaviour. Shortly after, the doctor appears, saving us from any further sacrificially toned speeches, and announces that Prashant is stabilised. Satyendra's exuberance is palpable, in fact he is overwhelmed (well-done by the actor). Shobha squeezes Aarti's hand tightly, and then drags her into the room. Now since I'm going to ignore the fact that Shobha dragged her daughter (who has a pregnancy rife with complications), I'll instead focus on the fact that once again Shobha was unable to understand Aarti. Aarti clearly did not want to go into that room, but Shobha wanted everything to be the "same". I was rather upset that not once did the Dubeys mention Ansh...neither did they thank Aarti...but I'll blame it on their joy.😳 In the room, Aarti is stuck there as the lone wolf. She is neither a part of the family nor is she even recognised. I observed irritatedly as Shobha kissed Prashant's hand in much the same way that she kissed Aarti's, which must have hurt Aarti in some way. The three Dubeys formed such a tightly knit circle of love and khoon, that I felt so sorry for Aarti for she has lost so much in giving them what they needed. Prashant, recognising that for the second time he had taken his parents away from Aarti included her in the circle (an act reminiscent of their marriage) by thanking her. Sparing us the awkward tension, the nurse arrives with Ansh. Aarti latches onto him with hugs and kisses. It made me think that she was subconsciously reassuring herself that there was still one person who she belonged to, still one person who would always belong to her, and of course, there was the motherly concern, but that was not the first impression I noticed. Ansh for his part quickly allays his mother's fears by reminding her that he is resilient and strong, just like his "strong-papa". It warms the hearts of everyone in the room, and the sweet moment is spoiled by Ansh heading over to his friend-uncle. There the child cutely tells his friend-uncle that since he's better they can play football now. Prashant's dirty paws are all over Ansh and he addresses him as "beta", which obviously made Aarti uncomfortable, but perhaps that's just me.
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We're now in the Scindia haveli where everyone is preparing for the Divali celebrations. Gayatri overjoyed with the current turn of events, excitedly blasts the naukar (If that's RD breaking up with Bhua was the best thing that ever happened to him...He's aged...backwards...). She then mutters to herself that this is "her Aarti's first Divali" in the house. The ever present Bhua sensing an opportunity to create more strife, points out that it's Paridhi's first Divali also. Gayatri just smiles and basically says it's all the same, and she meant her too. Bhua doesn't let the opportunity slip by though, she quickly segue-ways into Aarti's absence. The nuisance is now getting started when Aarti and Ansh appears. Seeing the shopping bags makes Bhua gleeful for she finally has something to use against Aarti. Ansh quickly bursts the bubble by telling her that Aarti bought nothing for herself. These were gifts for everyone in the family, including Ram Dulare😉...perhaps he will become the Scindia parivaar ke damaad again😆. Aarti has tiny smile that disappears almost as quickly as it appeared, but it reminded me that there is an inner gunda that enjoys putting people like Bhua in their place. So even I smiled in the end. Bhua quickly shuts her mouth, but she becomes even more silent (if that's possible) when Ansh takes out her gift and hands it to her. If you watched the video closely, you'll note that for about 5 seconds, Aarti and Bhua share an extremely work glance at each other. It was quite endearing. It gave me the feeling that Bhua probably does not get anything much from the family and some part of her bitter heart was touched. Then the bitterness returns and the two go back to immensely disliking each other. Just then Prateek pops in with gifts for Ansh (I'm sure Ria almost broke her screen right about then🤗. AsSammy said earlier, sibling rivalry is surely on its way.)
Gayatri, who was silent during the exchange, asks Aarti to head to the room where Yash had just returned to. There we see Yash pacing up and down because he feels guilty for lying to Aarti. He was really quite upset over the matter. Aarti appears just about then, thinks some more thoughts about her lies, and then she and Yash end up facing each other. Yash tells her that he needs to confess something to her. He says that there is a lie that he needs to ask her forgiveness for. I thought that Aarti looked slightly troubled as he continues on to say that it wasn't actually a client that called on the phone (almost as if she might have felt a Prashant memory at the back of her mind), but it was his (new found) babu ji. He explains that the rendezvous didn't yield many details but he has a feeling that "ma" and "babu ji" have some problem that they want to share with them. This puts the idea in Aarti's head that perhaps the Dubeys need money. She flashes back to the pharmacist's mention of the cost of the medication(...but somehow doesn't remember her missing kangans... ) Yash asks her what was it that she wanted to say, but before she can even move her tongue, her conscience stops her from confessing about the BMT. She tells Yash that it's not important. 😳Anyhoot, skip to the next day where she vows to pretend to be happy for Yash's sake. The yummy husband who was up on a ladder decorating the room for his peacefully sleeping Yash. Obviously she has no intention of revealing the truth until the BMT process is over, and she intends to wear a happy facade in the meanwhile.
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EDIT: Can't believe I left this out. When I saw that momentary warmth between Bhua and Aarti I realised that if Aarti gives Bhua what she really needs (love, respect, affection, attention, acceptance, inclusion, and a husband), those two will become inseparable. I look forward to the day that Aarti realises this as well.
Re-writing is a pain in the asphalt, but I did it!!!!!!!🥳🥳🥳 Happy Pre- Thanksgiving my fellow non-Americans and Americans😆
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