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Today was all about ruses and revenge that worked or failed resulting in heightened emotions with many characters, some literally, seeing red.
Rudra saw red when he realised that Laila had lied to him and not only about the aarti. Her story about escaping from Tejawat's men was also no doubt a ploy. He'd been taken in as easily as a raw recruit. So he rose from the dining table on a wave of anger and ordered her out.
But Laila was not so easily dismissed. Wits as sharp as her trusted knife, she confessed her sin and then gave him more truth than he'd bargained for, or was comfortable with before his family. He'd trusted her blindly when she'd put her life on the line to get him information. Then why didn't he believe her now? And seeing Rudra's eyes slide away from hers as her barb found its mark, she fired another. She'd noticed his discomfort around her ever since she'd stepped into the haveli. Why was that? And Rudra, unable to meet her eyes, or shut up her dangerous revelations, was silenced. Although still unconvinced.
It was Paro, whose pure heart melted at Laila's tears, who saved Laila from sure eviction. And refusing to let Rudra reveal to the family that Laila had tried to kill her, she interceded for Laila. Because surely, just like her, Laila too deserved a second chance. Paro didn't back down even in the face of Rudra's second temper surge of the morning as he stalked from the table without having eaten a bite.
Laila had Kakisa to thank for for her continued stay in the haveli. Because it was only Kakisa waving the red rag of Sumer in front of her already steaming husband that prevented him from stomping off to persuade Dilsher to let Laila go - because in his books, anybody causing a rift between Rudra and Paro had outlived their welcome.
But Laila was too out of control to think of anything other vengeance. One moment Kakisa was walking down the corridor thinking of her (and Laila's) lucky escape, and the next she was pinned against a pillar by that nautch-girl in a choke-hold. But it was Laila whose chest heaved and eyes flashed as she tried to subdue Kakisa's meddling in her affairs on pain of death, unsuccessfully. Kakisa was just about amused.
It was because Rudra left in a huff without eating on his first day back to work that Paro rigged up an elaborate ruse to make up to him. And shrugged off Rudra's predictable reaction to the phone-for-tea exchange offer. Sure enough, her husband thought better of his tantrum after a few moments and retraced his steps to gulp down the tea. But that was only one part of the plan.
There was no way Paro was going to let Rudra leave for work without the Tilak. And she managed to make him stand still for it. But nothing could bend Rudra's right hand to his will. So, eyes stinging with Rudra's pain, but undimmed, Paro helped raise his hand to his head and held it in place while she stroked the Tilak onto his forehead and wished him victory in every battle in his life; wished that he raise her head even higher with pride.
And Rudra, looking at eyes so clear, so bright, that they held all the answers, the victories, the honour he could ever hope for, was unable to look away. Or let go of the hand that had clasped his.
Until she tacked on the wish that he not be angry with her. And that of course broke the spell and reminded him of why he'd been angry in the first place. Brought back Laila. And Paro's defiance of his wishes. Nothing that he should let pass so soon, whether he was angry or not. And so of course he strode away without looking back.
If he had, he'd have seen Paro clinging onto the pillar, waiting with bated breath for the merest hint of forgiveness. But it was Laila who dashed Paro's hopes. Rudra was a rock, insensitive to anything or anyone once he'd donned his uniform. He would not look back, she told Paro.
So when he did turn, hand shielding his eyes from the glare, Paro, swamped in misery, mouth drooping, eyes downcast, missed it...nearly. That special connection between them nudged her. And she looked back, and to her disbelief found herself staring into her MajorSa's eyes. Felt her disappointment fade, her hopes rise, and, smile flashing out bright as the sunbeam that made him pause on the threshold, waved madly at him, prompting an answering smile from Rudra, who was unable to resist her sheer, unadulterated joy. And walked off shaking his head at her antics.
Leaving behind a wife who could not repress the elation bubbling out of her, and a former mistress who could not control her fury, jealousy or pain. Rudra had felt something for his wife and Paro had witnessed it. She would have to pay. So, while Paro danced with happiness, Laila stirred red chilli powder into a pot of red dye. And then persuaded Sunehri and Mythili to throw it at the dancing girl, jogging the vessel at the last moment so that the toxic brew splashed Paro right between the eyes. And Paro literally saw red, as the red dye streamed from eyes burning up in pain.
Today the CVs gave us a fast moving episode as plans backfired or worked. Kakisa, Laila, Rudra and Paro today coasted close to danger, veering on the verge of destruction almost, before being pulled back to safety. And it was Kakisa who started it all by trying to keep Laila on her toes, just enough to control her. But the slip of paper only made Laila threaten Kakisa with death, and Rudra with exposure, and snowballed into a series of events that ended with Paro paying the price, for now that is. Tomorrow, no doubt Laila will find that her revenge has backfired as Rudra gets a chance to show his concern for Paro.
However, in the midst of today's crimson tide, we got some magical PaRud moments. None as sweet as when Rudra saw Paro feel his pain, and be proud for him, or when he turned back to look at Paro.
A fast-moving episode today with plenty of action and some lovely dancing. Acting honours are divided equally between Ashish, Sanaya, Ankita and Ananya for compelling performances including the dance. 👏👏👏 to them, the choreographer for the dance, GH for the screenplay, and the rest of the cast and crew for a sharp episode that's no doubt set the tone for the week.
Can't wait for Rudra's reaction to Paro's injury!
