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Today, the CVs gifted us some magical moments in a feel-good episode, in which many occupants of the Ranawat haveli tried to bring Rudra round to their points of view - with different rates of success.
First in line was Paro. Paro, eyes aglow with divine belief, was sure that she could convince Rudra of her love for him. And that they were destined to be together. Just as Parvati had convinced Lord Shiva of her love for Him. Parvati had renounced the world and devoted herself to worship and serve Lord Shiva, until Shiva had surrendered and accepted her.
But Rudra was unconvinced. Didn't want to be convinced. He was human. Just an ordinary man. And just wanted to be left alone, without Paro on his back. He'd be perfectly happy if Paro'd just stay there, away from him, until he came to get her. And no more talk. He drove back Paro's enthusiastic onslaught - if she did as he said would he believe in her love? - with a forefinger that shook with his fraying patience. Then gave up the fight when she pressed on undeterred: she'd even stand on one foot like Parvati, if he liked. Fed up, he told her to do as she pleased and strode away as fast as he could from her exasperating presence. He was not to know that Paro had taken his throwaway comment as an order.
There were more surprises in store for Rudra. Sumer, looking for rescue from loan-shark-infested waters, saw a cruise-liner in Rudra. He was soon to be disabused of his misapprehension. It was only the novelty of Sumer pleading with him for the money he'd been promised for marrying Paro that even kept Rudra listening. That and Sumer's whinging that held just enough truth to capture Rudra's attention - that it was not his fault that Paro preferred Rudra's BSD-Mahal to his own Taj Mahal; he hadn't asked her to fall for Rudra and break the marriage. The warmth of that last statement more than made up for having to bear with Sumer's unwelcome presence.
But the moment Sumer's arguments degenerated into pleas, was the moment he lost his audience. And a grossed-out Rudra had no compunctions in throwing his cousin back to the sharks with adjurations to grow up and be a man. Unfortunately for Rudra, Sumer was another one who'd put his own interpretation on Rudra's advice.
Rudra received his best surprise, his gift of the week, as he tended to Bapusa, while trying to convince Kakusa that it wasn't his fault that people were talking about him and Paro. He hadn't asked her to turn up at the awards ceremony with sindoor pot in hand. She'd come of her own free will. So, how could he be held responsible for her craziness? An explanation, which, while he empathised with Rudra, did nothing to address Kakusa's concerns. Concerns that despite Kakusa's best efforts fell on deaf ears.
Unlike Paro's chants to Lord Shiva as she felt her determination falter. The Lord heard her prayers and convinced of the purity of her dedication, answered His disciple via Dilsher. By awakening Dilsher from his slumber.
Rudra, head bowed over Bapusa's hand, did not note the changes in Dilsher - the flickering fingers, the restless head, the twitching toes. It was Kakusa who pointed them out to him. Who dragged the mask off his brother's face when he coughed. Leaving Rudra shocked, shaken and too terrified to hope. So that when Dilsher finally spoke, Rudra's legs gave out with relief and he slumped against the dresser. And remained leaning on it, eyes burning with the release of emotions held in for too long, while the rest of the family paid their respects.
But the moment father and son were alone, was the moment Dilsher, whose searching eyes had noted the absence of his darling daughter, mounted a campaign on his stubborn son to bring Parvati to him. Hammered away at Rudra's resolve to ignore his demand. Tried to convince him that Paro was a naive, innocent child, incapable of murder. Tried, without success, to bend Rudra to his will.
Until Rudra went to draw the curtains on the storm and the lightning that raged outside. And pulled them back just as quickly at the sight that met his eyes. At the vision of Paro, a drenched, frail Paro, head bowed over white-clasped hands, shoulders hunched against the vicious rain, swaying on one leg. Still.
And eyes wide with horror, mouth closing on her name, Rudra took to his heels. Dashed out into the deluge and raced to a halt before Paro. "Have you gone mad?" he panted, he who'd been trained to exert much more without even breathing hard. And Paro opened her eyes and only smiled. "What is this craziness Paro?" He was still unnerved. But Paro's smile lit up the night. "You came." Was all she said. "Yes but you... like this... in the rain... why?" Rudra's mind grappled with the reality. The explanation was simple, Paro said, he'd asked her to stay there, and if this made him believe in her love then...
But Rudra was beyond argument. Beyond conceding. He just needed her to put her foot down. Now. So Paro slowly eased her foot down and was gripped by painful cramps. And Rudra, who'd wanted to be spared the sight of Paro's face just a few hours earlier, could only stand and stare helplessly at Paro's agony. Until she straightened. And fainted. Then he caught her, wrapped his arms around her and held her close to his heart.
Tonight's episode was fast-moving in addition to being heart-warming. There were many developments of note - Dilsher regained consciousness, Rudra was the closest he's come to being convinced of Paro's love for him, and Sumer has set the ball rolling on his revenge, and unknowingly, on PaRud's marriage.
The CVs gave us many memorable moments: the entire Dilsher-Rudra scene, for that matter, was deeply moving. The last PaRud scene was a classic - a rain-hug so filled with honest emotion and chemistry that it instantly makes it to my Top 10 PaRud moments. And the Sumer-Rudra scene was delicious in a lighter vein.
Acting was top-notch without exception. Ashish's range was breath-taking, spanning exasperation, irritation, disgust, joy, fear, relief, horror, shock - many, many shades sometimes all at once. Innocence and purity shone out of Sanaya today along with her undimmed joy at Dilsher's recovery and at convincing Rudra. And the actor who plays Sumer was delicious in his leg-grabbing, desperation and convincing in his vengeance. đđđ to all cast and crew for a fabulous episode!
The precap has me already craving for tomorrow!! đ
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
