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After backing Mohini into a corner (like the rat she is) in the last two episodes, it was Rudra today who had nowhere to run. Wherever he turned the CVs shone the light on his feelings for Paro. There was nowhere he could hide from that truth today.
The reminders came from everywhere. A nudge, a wink, a line or two or three. Relentlessly. Everywhere he turned someone was telling him about Paro. What a good girl she was, trying to cover up his deficiencies without putting his nose out of joint. Asking about her well-being. Ordering him to look after her.
Telling him that they'd figured out how he'd made the journey from treating her as his prisoner in the back-seat of the jeep, the enemy even, to his wife. Figured out when Rudra came-to in the hospital and drew breath on her name. That first vital breath, when more unconscious than conscious he finally whispered the truth - Shouted out loud what he really felt for Paro and how much she meant to him.
And when he'd called Ranawat, just like that, to ensure she'd reached home safe, Ranawat turned the spotlight on his concern. Finally her beautiful face had touched his heart, because otherwise why would he call to enquire about her well-being. His excuse was given the treatment it deserved. 'Just like that', Ranawat told him, was just a step away from forming a habit from sliding into addiction from becoming love. And advised him to let go the burdens of the past and to give himself a chance at happiness.
Ranawat's words were still ringing in his ears when he walked into his room to see the doll propped up on the dressing table. The doll she gave to him wearing the bangles he'd gifted her. Hers, his, theirs. Just as she'd pointed out at the award ceremony: "What was hers he'd accepted long ago, and she, she'd been running from what was hers." No more running, she'd said, as she accepted him. His smile was as tender as the fingers that touched the doll's arm covered in bangles.
The face that stared back at him out of the mirror was happy, smiling, inviting his touch to unfurl the memories of still more happiness. Her happy face smiling, laughing, teasing him in Jaipur in that red saree. Even more beautiful in red. Ranawat's words came unbidden: A beautiful face had touched his heart. And made him touch his lips to hers, almost.
Had she really touched his heart? He turned away from the mirror, eyes troubled. Was that why he'd insisted on Mehendi inspite of her wishes? Why the sindoor she'd held out to him at the awards ceremony had evoked such a violent reaction - such a strong denial, why he'd had to marry her, wanted to comfort her when she'd run into his arms clad only in a towelling robe in front of all those many people, danced out his passion lost only in her without a thought for their audience, carried her up to bed.
And what had Aman said? That he'd taken her name in the hospital the moment he'd regained consciousness. The name of that person who mattered the most to him. "Paroooh!" He shuttered his eyes from the truth. His forehead furrowed in lines of denial. And as if his whisper had summoned her, he felt her touch on his shoulder, and opened his eyes to see her before him.
At first he denied that anything was wrong, that he was in pain, that his world had turned upside-down. He turned his face away. And then when her concerned eyes went to his trembling right hand, he gratefully seized at the excuse and offered up the hand in place of his heart for her sympathy, her attention. Anything to hide the quake in his heart. And then she said "Take my hand. Keep trying. Don't let it defeat you." Words that flicked him on the raw, made him think she'd read his mind and his heart. So he whipped out his rejection: "Stop talking nonsense. Go from here."
But Paro was not so easily shaken off. She placed his hand on her arm and urged him to grip it with all his might as he'd hold on to an enemy trying to cross the border. But try as he might, Rudra could not comply. Still she squeezed her eyes shut, making him ask her if it hurt. A smile and the shake of her head were all the answer he got. He must think of someone else he hated, she urged. But switched tactics at his anguish and lack of response. He could think of her, of holding on to her and not letting her go - not just today but forever, Paro told him. Told him even as the light died out her eyes, the storm built in his, and he held on finally as though he'd never let her go.
A fantastic episode today. The CVs packed in event after event and layered in the meanings. Kakisa laying the blame on Sumer for the attempts on her in-laws' lives. Dilsher's re-entry. Sumer banished from the haveli, temporarily. Dilsher playing cupid, as usual. Paro's trove of memories. Rudra softening, and finally accepting that Paro has touched his heart.
Today's was a sweet episode with plenty to relish, especially PaRud's smiles. A glimpse of true love when the going is smooth. But, of course, the next speedbreaker is just around the corner as Rudra returns to duty and Laila arrives tomorrow.
Acting today was superb across the board. Ashish was captivating at every turn, as was Sanaya in her delight and distress. Kali Prasad Ji was in form, as were Ananya and the supporting cast. 👏👏👏👏 to the cast and crew for a memorable episode that I've already rewatched many times.
Looking forward to some sizzle tomorrow as Rudra turns to Paro. 😃
P.S. I am likely to be more erratic with my RReviews for the next few months as deadlines approach.
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