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Today's episode was so completely delicious, that I'm still savouring its taste as I write.
Rudra set the ball rolling by telling his father that Paro was his prisoner until she helped him convict the real criminals, and that 'Ranawat' was to guard her. A ludicrous thought that a man incapable of pouring himself a glass of water could watch over another being, but both Paro and 'Ranawat' bought it!
Paro promptly turned to the old man and hands folded, pleaded for mercy and freedom. To her shock, her plea was met with laughter. Rudra's father informed her that since his son hadn't let him go these many years, she might as well give up any thoughts of freedom. At this Paro wept. Discomfited, Ranawat passed the buck to his son, who explained Paro's distress away as "force of habit," expressing surprise that his old man should be affected by women and their tears.
The bracing words did the trick and Ranawat declared his inability to help Paro even though he felt for her. He limped away, refusing to answer his son unless addressed as father! And Paro the orphan was moved enough to once again label Rudra Jallad. Exit Rudra. slamming the door shut.
Left alone, Paro ran to the window and tugged at the drapes nailed to the frame, cutting her palm on one of the nails. Rudra returning with her dinner, and catching her red-handed rushed at her and eventually cornered her closer to the door. There, reprising a classic love-hate scene, PaRud shared a memorable moment as Rudra pinned Paro's wrists to the wall on either side of her head and fixed her with furious eyes. All that remained was for a bangle to break and cut Paro's palm. But Paro's palm was already torn.
Rudra's eyes fell on the wound, and his anger faded away. He released one wrist. Paro wouldn't give up the fight. "What will you do? Cuff me again like an animal?" In response, Rudra pulled her wounded hand down, prised open stubborn fingers and bandaged the cut before her stunned gaze. When had the Jallad become so compassionate?
Not meeting his reproachful eyes, Paro continued to rebel against his authority. She would not eat, she said, no matter what. So Rudra resorted to the 'khaana khao, ghar jao' tactic he'd learnt at the hospital. And as Paro eyed him in disbelief, he begged her forgiveness - he had no proof of her involvement in gun-running. Once more he thrust the plate at her. And as hope kindled anew he pronounced her sentence complete. Paro was free to go!
Released from imprisonment, Paro rediscovered her appetite and sat down to dinner. Except that her injured hand couldn't break the bread. She tried again, this time with her left hand. Seeing her struggle Rudra took the plate from her and broke off a bit, apologising for burning the roti, but that's how he made them. That's when Paro realised that Rudra had cooked her dinner. And now he was feeding it to her.
No wonder she choked on that first bite. Rudra proffered her a glass of water and an 'Ab theek hai?' laced with spurious concern. But Paro's brain had re-engaged, and she questioned the feasibility of her return to Birpur: "What about the other BSD officers?...Why are you doing this for me?"
This time Rudra reprised the prison-cell tactic - no explanation, just coolly-dangled carrot. "It's eleven. You'll be out of here in one hour for Birpur. Then you can decide whether to trust me or not."
Paro's eyes flew to the clock. She'd taken the bait. Rudra resumed feeding her, eyes trained on her mouth for the sake of efficiency. Paro never looked away from the clock and missed the triumph that lit his gaze followed by that darker emotion when he thought of how close he was to nabbing the Thakur.
Finally, it was midnight. As Paro followed Rudra Kunvarsa out of the haveli, her bangles disturbed the night and Kakisa's sleep. So Rudra grabbed both her wrists to muffle the noise, dragging her body back into his, so that they could walk out in concert. It must have been her new allergy to cuffs of any sort that caused so extreme a reaction.
Outside, he calmly bid her goodbye. Although, he called her back before she'd taken more than a few steps to throw a shawl over her shoulders and hand her the bus fare.
Once at the bus stand, ticket in hand, praying to the Lord to get her back home safely, Paro thought she glimpsed a rudraksh bracelet in the ticket window. But when next she looked it was gone. Still the unease followed her to Birpur, until stepping out into the streets of her childhood, and her recent abandonment, it was overwhelmed by stronger emotions.
Lovely episode today filled with intrigue, deception PaRud moments and hilarity. Clearly the CVs are using Kakisa & Co to give us lighter moments - for now. Kakisa gave us some fab caustic lines. My favourite one was when in response to Kakasa's joy at the return of the head of the family, Kakisa, trying to get comfortable in her make-shift bed in the mosquito-infested courtyard, told Sumer to snuff the light in the room much like how it'd died in his father's brain.😆
Acting-wise it was Sanaya's episode as she gave us an array of strong emotions and all the shades in between, going easily from tears to defiance, to vulnerability, fear, apprehension, anticipation, arousal, disbelief, grief...you name it. 👏👏👏 Ashish was excellent as the manipulative cool dude impeccably implementing his plan. And the actor who played Rudra's father was convincing as the soft guy with a tough shell and dry wit.
Thanks again to the CVs for the yummy PaRud moments, as also for reprising the love-hate classics with a new twist.😃
Waiting for Paro's return tomorrow.
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
