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It was to be a restless night for a lot of the Ranawats and some of those close to them.
For Laila, dismissed by Rudra's "I'll phone you later for the clothes," and "the veg was too salty," anger and betrayal would be a stomach-roiling nightcap.
Sleep also eluded the Thakurainsa, not quite convinced by her husband's explanation, clinging on to her newborn hope that Paro may have miraculously emerged unscathed from the blast. Thakurainsa's remedy was at hand: the man who would bring her proof that Paro was alive. It was only once money and promises changed hands, that Thakurainsa's thoughts could return to sleep.
Any thoughts of a good night's sleep that Samrat and Mythili might have entertained frayed the moment Mythili mentioned the impending havan in the morning. The unpleasant scene that followed as Samrat railed against yet another effort to placate the Lord and his mother for the sake of her yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren reduced Mythili to tears after he'd stormed out of the room.
His brother, Sumer, was too busy wheeling and dealing about selling the haveli in six months to waste time sleeping. His restless mind was already planning how to get hold of the haveli's documents before they fell into Rudra's hands.
Their sister, Sunehri's, late-night ramble into Rudra's room in search of a midnight snack was to prove unsettling both for her and for Paro whose sleep she shattered when she tripped over her still form in the darkness. Screams rent the night as both girls shrank from their nocturnal visitations. Sunehri's visitation would coalesce into the form her long-lost Rudra bhaisa. Rudra - a forbidding brother who turfed her out of his room double quick, demanding to know the reason for her break-in, and who would not be pacified by her attempts at hilarity. It was only the return of her murabba and her father's bedtime tale that would lull her to sleep.
Rudra's relaxing after-dinner stroll had turned tense the moment he'd realised the security of his room had been breached and Paro was at risk. It was a remarkable tautness that did not diminish even after Sunehri had been dealt with. Nor ease at the quick glimpse of Paro, floundering in his over-large clothes, or at the brusquely-dismissed sound of her soft concern for Sunehri. On the contrary, it tightened its hold over him as he lay tossing and turning in his bed, ignoring her presence. It was inevitable that his gaze would intersect hers between some twist and some turn. A coincidence that sleep descended then, swiftly.
Paro, wide awake as a result of all the excitement, found it just as difficult to fall asleep. She might as well have been wearing her scratchy red lehenga or sleeping on the cold floor for all the comfort she derived from her changed situation. But then what else could come of sharing her room with the Jallad, even though they were separated by a good few feet and half-a-wall? It was a testament to the strength of her will that even though her eyes stumbled into his piercing ones, she was able to close them for the night.
But morning would bring no relief for PaRud. Sitting up, Rudra found his errant gaze drawn irresistibly to Paro's face, sweet in slumber. She turned and, spell broken, Rudra expelled his exasperation on a breath as he strode out of the room.
Paro, awakened by the sound of the door slamming, was folding her covers, when she caught sight of her bridal outfit stuck in the cupboard door. And when she went to release it her overblown sleeve got caught on a nail.
It was thus that Rudra caught Paro, as he thought, rummaging in the cupboard amongst his possessions. His suspicion-filled "what are you doing?" was met only with a guilty look. He advanced on the girl, who retreated dragging the door wide open. Temper riled, he barked at her to "move away", and she came nearer, pulling the door with her, gesturing incoherently at something he couldn't be bothered to decode. Fed-up, he grabbed the top of the door and slammed it to.
Except that it was Paro who slammed into him, the unexpected contact stealing their breath. They stayed frozen, hearts beating in sync, for just a few moments. And then she stepped away to raise wide eyes to his. He might've been shocked immobile, but his narrowed, intent eyes chased every change of her expression - shock turning into reproach becoming something else that made her draw in quick breaths between trembling lips. The same something that dried his mouth and made it difficult to swallow.
Her eyes were darkening with distress when he caught sight of the nail pinning her sleeve to the door, even as she pointed it out to him. He moved decisively to release her, them. But his push was too harsh. The delicate material ripped, laying bare her upper arm to his gaze. There was shock in her eyes as she scooped up the ragged edges in her fist. Strangely disturbed, Rudra opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come. Then it was too late. The moment had passed...
What an episode! 😳 The room-sharing delivered its promised chemistry, and then some. 👏👏👏 to the CVs, Screenplay visualizer, director and, of course, to Sanaya and Ashish for gifting us this magnificent, intense moment, which for me has overshadowed the rest of the episode! Honourable mention, though, of the room-mates' attempt to get to sleep, which was sweet.
On a cooler note, today marked the entry of bumbling, good-natured Sunehri, who promises light relief from the intensity (should we want it😆) and completes the TRP family. Interesting, that the Thakurain is racing against the Thakur to find Paro. Who, I wonder, will be first. And equally important, what else might the Thakurain learn from her private investigator? Clandestine plans are also afoot at the Ranawat haveli as Sumer tries to smoke out the house documents from Rudra's room tomorrow. Samrat and Mythili might do better to run away for a holiday from Kakisa & Co.
Waiting for tomorrow's (fake) wedding announcement! May the repercussions only add to the chemistry.😆
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
