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Today's was a surprisingly good episode, bearing in mind that it followed yesterday's packed, explosive episode. I have an early-start and a long day tomorrow, so picking a few scenes that struck a chord.
The rain scenes were a standout for me. The opening scene of the Thakurain and Kakasa rain-chat gave us some of the Thakurain's story. Her need to meet her son; that Dilsher stopped her from taking Rudra with her; that he'd left with Rudra when she returned for her son a month later; her futile search for the pair these past fifteen years; and her never-ending wait.
Clearly, the Thakurain blames Dilsher for the estrangement with her son, and thinks that a hug, a few tears and a chat will bridge the years. She has no clue that her son is no longer the boy she left behind, but an embittered, distrustful, half-savage man, for whom forgiveness is an alien impulse. And even less idea of the reception that awaits her. So perhaps it was for the best that she agreed to wait until the wedding was over, leaving a kada for Paro. Will Paro recognise it?
For me, the only jarring note in the scene was Sadiya's dialogue delivery, the calm, understated tones at odds with lines that seeped pain and a mother's longing.
The second rain scene where Rudra catches a glimpse of his mother was even better executed and much more powerful. The suspense building for us from the moment Aman spotted Tejawat's car and alerted Rudra to the Thakurain's presence. So we watched with bated breath the unknowing mother and son separated just by glass and the weeping skies, waiting for either barrier to melt away and bring them face-to-face with one another - in spite of knowing that it wasn't yet time for that reveal. And after a few feints - Aman's body blocking Rudra's view of his mother, the bonnet, and the rain preventing the Thakurain from seeing Rudra - the CVs gifted us an oh-so-brief meeting.
As the Thakurain rolled down her window just enough to ask the moustachioed young officer if they could go, Rudra, senses already hyper-alert for a reason he couldn't admit, met her eyes finally. And even through the pixelated screen of the rain, Rudra saw enough to stop, be held captive, as a fifteen-year-long search stuttered to a standstill...for a blink of suddenly frozen eyelids. And then his rudraksha-ed hand rose to wave them on, and the search resumed.
What a powerful, poignant moment!! And beautifully played by Ashish, who looked haunted by his sudden vision. Everything in this scene worked for me: the trench-coats, the line of cars, the simmering suspense, the surprise reveal, and the soul connect, before mother and child headed off yet again - in different directions.
After the rain came the steam: I'm referring, of course, to the beautiful PaRud meeting that was drenched in sensuality
A soaked Rudra raised an arm to squeeze out the water from his hair, unconsciously mirroring Paro's raised elbows as she fiddled with the necklace clasp. The opportunity seized to play with her. They would do everything in tandem from then on. She'd match him step-for-step as he slow danced her back to a pillar. Then the music of her name on his lips, unbearable, so that she forbade it, to match the sweet melody on hers when she called him 'Jallad'.
His hand curving as if to cup the graceful line of her neck left bare, but for the chain. Her face tilting away... his angling in, slotting perfectly into the vulnerable wedge just below her earlobe. His nostrils filling with her essence; her skin soft under his fingertips as he worked the clasp. The puffs of his breath feathering over her hair; his heat enveloping her body; overpowering her senses. Until she scrunched up her eyes to suppress the tumult.
And then, fraction by nerve-tingling fraction, he dragged the necklace from around her neck, lingering for a moment at the base of her throat, before it brushed a trail of fire all the way down her body beneath the fall of her hair. She'd wanted to undo the clasp, he said, holding the necklace out to her.
But when she snatched it, ready to flee, he caught her arm and held her back. He had a gift for his fiancee - red bangles. They were the right size, he was sure - his fingers had measured her wrist often enough. She could see that, she fought back against the drag of his fingers on the tender skin inside her wrist, and nodded to the weals blazing red from his savage grip. For a moment his eyes narrowed and his face closed. Then relaxed into pure seduction as he quelled her efforts to break free with a gentle admonishment. His hold on hers tender as he eased the bangles over her hand one-by-one.
What a truly scorching scene!! Some great screenplay here, matched by outstanding acting that brought alive the love-hate chemistry, the relentless seduction and the unwilling attraction of Paro and Rudra. Ashish, Sanaya and Team RR take a bow for this memorable Scene of the Day. 👏👏👏
The aftereffects? Rudra may have won this altercation with Paro, but it only put her back up. So that against his wishes, she will go for a walk-about tomorrow to meet the women of the village. And no doubt, while they're flirting with danger, we'll get an equally dangerous PaRud moment.
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