After laughing for a few brief moments, luckily he caught sight of Khushi's expression and with contrition swiftly assailing his heart, he sobered immediately. Her face, like a clear shining mirror reflected the maelstrom of emotions swirling in her young unarmored heart. Raw embarrassment at having inadvertently said something ridiculous or stupid, hurt at being laughed at by someone whom you had always considered a friend. Bewilderment at not even knowing why. With her eyes filled with hurt and humiliation, she seemed perilously close to tears and Arnab's own eyes softened as he gazed at her innocent face... a beautiful depiction of their seesawing emotions that clearly bring out the difference in their ages and maturity... Arnab quickly stopping his laughter on seeing Khushi's bewilderment and hurt is a touching moment. At that moment, Arnab realized just how painfully uphill, her growing up was going to be, not just for her but for both of them... well put! One feels for Arnab as he struggles to come up with an explanation for his laughter that wouldn't add to Khushi's hurt and confusion: How was he even supposed to respond to her innocence that was startlingly coupled with a wish of 'sleeping' with him to have a baby? She is still a child and it behoves him to tread carefully! "Childhood lies in the state of your mind, not in numbers." So true! Arnab is uncovering interesting facets about his child-wife... that she is still a kid is amply proven by how swiftly he managed to divert her mind from that sticky topic. Khushi mystified and smitten by his indulgent smile is a heart-warming moment. A taxidermed Bengal Tiger was proudly displayed on one wall along with a sepia hued picture of Arnab's grandfather flaunting his masculinity by standing with one foot on the dead animal's head... what a joke! A sheer waste of a beautiful creation. Khushi's impatient questions, her curiosity, her momentary fear turning to delighted wonder and Arnab and Khushi sitting close to each other on the sofa create an image of soothing domesticity and warmth. Arnab is thoroughly enjoying his wife's excitement and pleasure in experiencing something new... he being able to share in that joy must be something new to him [for the time being he has forgotten the cares of the world]. When I imagine the two together, I picture two youngsters in the traditional Bengali clothes of the time [Satyajit Ray's films and costumes spring to mind]... lends that something extra to the story! "Songs are meant to be heard not read..." so true! Listening to the song together, Arnab noticed that her hand was still clutching his arm and sighed resignedly... indicative of her ease in his presence and her trust in him... Making no attempt to remove it because he didn't want her to feel rejected once again, Arnab suddenly realized just how important her happiness had become to him. I was bowled over by the poignancy of these lines: With her innocent eyes flickering with anxiety, they reflected a deep desire to be liked by him and a strong fear of being rejected again. Softly and almost inaudibly, she asked him once again. Asked him the question that he had always been reluctant to answer in the past. "Do you like me now?" Heart-breaking in the vulnerability, the innocence and the childlike yearning to be wanted that it reveals. It makes him realise that he has to think before he says something, even as a joke, because she takes whatever he says to heart! He liked this child, he liked this child a lot and he was looking forward to loving the woman, whose glimpses he caught in her from time to time. He was willing to wait for the woman in her to slowly awaken. It was just a matter of time... such men are rare who are willing to give their wives the love and understanding and the patience required to build a marriage. Looks like her brother-in-law is falling for her and is totally bewitched by her beauty... hope it won't add to Arnab's problems! By the way, why isn't Pranab married yet? Seems to be at just the right marriageable age for those times. Loved the contrast shown: Pranab on feeling the first stirrings of attraction, maybe even love, whereas Khushi still reacts like a typical kid, "The last one to reach the library is a donkey..."
Jenny, the teaser was heart-warming, especially Arnab's words about being too old to run after Khushi... eager to know what the quarrel is all about! She hiding behind the tree brought to mind the similar scene during the Nainital trip!
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