My observations on Jan 17/18: Zoya and Akdu-Aashiq

Oh what an episode. Zoya and Akdu Aashiq Khan. 😛

Zoya has screwed up (albeit well-meaningly) yet another time and Asad is shocked but not too shocked. He has gotten used to her and how. He springs into action and escapes on a bike with Zoya in tow. No questions, no explanations, just immediate support. They can fight how ever much they want but in front of the world they are one. (Why did Zoya throw the tray of petals? Why was Asad riding the bike so slow?) Loved how he holds her hand in the jungle and runs.

Then comes Mr. Thakur into the jail, threatening the duo. Asad, our sher, is already heaving and seething in anger. You'd think waves of anger bursting from his body might just rip his shirt apart- most of us wouldn't mind but araam se Asad baba. Then, Mr. Thakur dares to raise a finger and point it at Zoya. Oh no you didn't, Mr. Thakur. Instantly, Asad guides her away from them and shields her with himself. Mr. Thakur then threatens Zoya directly twice and each time Asad looks toward her, as if ensuring that she is ok and as if assuring her that he is with her. Sighhh. Sher ho to aisa.

Time-out for a comment on the Anarkali-Gunda (not sure how I came up with this title for him). You guys know the guy I'm talking about right? (ps-I don't have anything against the glbt or the cross-dressers and so on; I'm just questioning the consistency of this show QH). So we are in an orthodox village where runaway brides are buried alive but bollywood-type item girls dance their way around paraye mard and anarkali-gundas even dare to exist. Yeh baat kuch hazam nahi hui. CVs...please..consistency?

Back to all that is asyalicious. Right from the time they are handcuffed together, Zoya is very conscious of their proximity. Our bubbly, care-a-hoot Miss Farooqi is acutely aware of how close they now are. She freaks out at the mention of 'honeymoon', she freaks out when she sees a bed full of roses. Despite all this, she takes a moment to appreciate herself in the mirror but she freaks out again as Asad comes closer. It was rather endearing to see the woman in her rear her head. I wanna stuff my eyes with more such scenes. Nom nom nom.

The last scene was magical and reminiscent of my favorite Baatein Sufiana scene. First, let me take a moment to chide Asad Nayalak Khan. His abrupt, careless movement causes a laceration on her wrist and there was hardly any reaction from him-perhaps slight guilt and recognition of her pain but no response. Badtameez. I was expecting him to wipe that blood off with his stole but nope, no chance even while our dear Zoya winces in pain and becomes teary at his rough behavior just now and ruthless maa-baap-blaming session earlier in the day. She was so upset and lonely despite being chained to him. Ohhh how I felt for her. It doesn't help that she has been noticing the other couple romancing eachother with such tenderness and warmth. She looks at them with an unknown longing in her eyes and then she even glances back at Asad- as if she is putting to contrast Yash's warmth with Asad's coldness and Aarti's blooming life with children and a loving husband with her own lonely life. It didn't help that Akdu has been being quite mean to her since the ambulance day. She intended well for him and in return he gave her a load of meanness :(

((I think a major outburst from Zoya is on the way. She's been way too quiet in the last few days in dealing with Asad. It's like she's forgotten her fiesty self somewhere. Or perhaps it's a case of lovestruckism overtaking her regular self. Either way, I'm ready for an outburst from Zoya where she says everything she wants to say to him in a one-sided convo, perhaps even with Asad pinned to the wall. If that's not possible, given their difference in physical strength and size, she always has the option of barging in on an unclad Asad bathing in the bathroom. At that point, he wouldn't be able to do much except listen. :)))

Back to today. Akdu makes a rough movement again, yanking Zoya with him. Finally. Finally he becomes as aware of their proximity as Zoya has been. He fixes her dupatta while trying to look away but he can't help it. He can't help staring at her. He fixes her dupatta and then he fixes his intense, piercing gaze on her. Zoya is fully aware of his examination and looks away uncomfortably, shyly. He continues to stare- her discomfort be damned. The scene is just raw intensity. His gaze had every bit of simultaneous intensity and softness; it was a reflection of his inner comfort/sukoon at realizing (yet again) how beautiful and addictive this woman is-the same emotion he had at the dargah when he first beheld her. At this point, you simply know that this guy is going to love her with intensity unparalleled. They've never been aware of the man-woman possiblity between them for such an extended period of time. So, at this point-thinking of all the intense, passionate, deep love he is going to send her way in the coming weeks of realization - I partially forgive him for not tending to her bruised wrist. By partially, I mean fifteen percent.

Not sure how I came up with fifteen, are you? Me neither.

Let's back up a little at this point. Yesterday, I was mighty jealous for Zoya. Did you all see how Asad was impressed by the girl in red (sauce-wala red, like you guys say) tending to his needs. Then he also gives a subtle expression of approval and softness when her dupatta gets stuck and he releases her. I thanked god that the girl happened to be Zoya. What if she was someone else? Goodness. Akdu, please don't go around getting impressed by random people. On the other hand, what this can be thought to mean is that on an unconscious level, he likes her (if not loves her, already) but as soon as his mind recognizes the name or face of Zoya, the pretend-hate washes over.

Scenes that could have been better:
-the feeding scene. It was abrupt and Zoya shows no hesitation before taking a bite. They could have made it so much better.
-yesterday's unveil-Zoya scene followed by the one-sided convo. I was shocked that Akdu didn't mention anything about her dancing in front of paraye mard. That was so not him. Also, there was no change in his angry expressions when she starts dancing. I mean, he didn't get angrier. Come on, CVs, more attention character consistency please.

Things that are bothering me:
-how are they gonna use the bathroom? Did I just ruin the romance for you all? Sowwie
-Asad's gonna realize whose chahat? His for her or hers for him? Please speculate. 😳

i want to know too.his chahat or hers

narrator said zoya ki himmat na dilya Asad ko usi chahat ka aihsaas. So Asad will realize

Beautiful post, loved ur analysis. I did not realise she got that cut coz of his abrupt movement,. poor Zoya . so, there you go thats ur reply to his character being not consistent.,he has not shown any sign of softness towards her yet apart from that intense gaze at the end..which does not tell us much at this stage.

Interesting observations. Glad you liked the last scene...it really dragged for me. Yep, I noticed how he didn't tend her hand. However, I never read too much into it. They both looked tired and frustrated. It was just awkward for them to be in such close proximity and to be seen by others as a couple. This was too intimate for them and it was not something they were enjoying.

Originally posted by: avonii

narrator said zoya ki himmat na dilya Asad ko usi chahat ka aihsaas. So Asad will realize

Lovely post!

But you know... Of all the things said, I couldn't agree more with the one where you're pondering over bathroom usage! Cracked me up! 😊

Nice post :)
I think asad will realize his love for zoya.

Originally posted by: numi12

Beautiful post, loved ur analysis. I did not realise she got that cut coz of his abrupt movement,. poor Zoya . so, there you go thats ur reply to his character being not consistent.,he has not shown any sign of softness towards her yet apart from that intense gaze at the end..which does not tell us much at this stage.

Yeah. There are a few things we know about Asad's feelings towards Zoya. One is that there are moments when he is physically attracted to her such as the last scene in the MS episode. We also know that he has started tolerating her and become used to how she is. We also know that he has subconsciously accepted that she belongs in his house and that he exerts his rights on her because he thinks of himself as her guardian now since she is his guest (he has become very comfortable in grabbing her by the arm!).

On the other hand, he thinks she is stupid and immature. He does not respect her life choices. He does not think high of her, in general. He would never go to her for advice, comfort etc, as of now. He thinks he is better than her. We are a long ways away but the truth on Monday may pave way for some changes in his attitude and thinking towards Zoya.

Originally posted by: Laila2009

Interesting observations. Glad you liked the last scene...it really dragged for me. Yep, I noticed how he didn't tend her hand. However, I never read too much into it. They both looked tired and frustrated. It was just awkward for them to be in such close proximity and to be seen by others as a couple. This was too intimate for them and it was not something they were enjoying.

I didn't read a lot at all into this scene. Asad still does not care for Zoya as a person. If he did, he would have noted her cut and he just ignored it.

I was very disappointed that the writers never cleared up so many bloopers like why didn't Asad's uncle help them? Who was chasing them, the groom's family? Why didn't Zoya tell him the truth.

And yes, HOW do these two go to the bathroom - do they have supersonic bladders.

I found it strange Zoya never hesitated to take food from Asad. That's a very strange situation and the scene was rushed. The jail scene, the time in the storeroom were all rushed and very choppy - needed more smoothing out.

I definitely loved the last scene. It revealed a whole lot about how much Zoya longs for love. It showed us that Asad sometimes finds himself attracted to her. His neglect of her laceration and her sadness in response foreshadows the future, I think. His inhibitions, complexity etc etc is going to end up causing Zoya tremendous pain in the future.

He definitely cares for her because she is his guest and also he has somehow assumed the role of her guardian and gotten used to her presence. He now has this 'you belong in my house' attitude. But yeah, I do think he does not care for or respect her, her ideas, her ways. There's a lot to overcome. Monday may change that partially.

I agree with the rest. Especially the food scene. What a wasted opportunity to show hesitation and sexual tension. A close-up would have been awesome- or Zoya taking the food from his hand the second time around would have been good too. Zoya should have been looking at him and hesitating for a moment before eating what he offered.

You should watch a scene from North and South where Margaret serves Thornton tea and their fingers touch just barely. That scene is merely seconds long but oh my is it electric and captures sexual tension/hesitation so well. 😳