Originally posted by: mistofshadows
Before moving on analysis I will tell you what I feel first. I think the writers messed up on the characterization here.
They wanted to make a Virat but one that has a background with more angst and trauma. The initial Armaan was like that; the one that would be always left behind; the one who learnt from Abhira to cry under the blanket. But then, that soft version won't be this aggressive and so they put on their blind glasses & backtracked a bit to the Ghum source material & decoded to make Armaan a bit less softer & a lot more aggressive. But then, he had to have something that separated him from Virat. So end goal, he becomes less stern than Virat was about drawing boundaries & more like Ishaan from Ghum 2 who kept falling weak at times for his ex.
Now coming to what the narrative tells us.
First, Ruhi is his only friend. Armaan never really had close friendship and this kind of companionship is valued by anyone. She is the only person who knows his entire truth this becoming the only person he can unburden himself with. Because of anyone finds out about his past with Ruhi, Armaan is finished.
So Ruhi is by far his only confidant.
Second, Ruhi prioritizes him. That has become abundantly clear to him. No one else does that fully. Even Abhira whom he thought was always in his side, hides stuff from him & left him easily; returning only after a deal with his Dadi. That is a pill hard to swallow. And we all know the rest of his family has other priorities. Ruhi is the only one that keeps tagging along with him, enquiring about his happiness, & being a listener to him. Of course we as viewers know the dirty games she is playing; but for Armaan who is absolutely lonely (distant from his family & also kept away from Abhira by his secret past) sees her as a godsend.
Third, is his massive guilt regarding the shit show that is Ruhi-Rohit. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knows he is responsible. But Rohit is presumed dead by now. So only one he owes is Ruhi and Armaan has this character trait that he does everything to ensure a debt owed. This makes him agree to many things Ruhi wants.
Fourth is his own affection for Ruhi. We, as viewers, cannot forget that Armaan has feelings for Ruhi & wanted to marry her. For an emotionally repressed person like him to actually want to marry someone and choosing someone for the first time in his life is a big deal. Ruhi holds that first mover's advantage there and Armaan again falls weak.
Fifth is his lack of certainty in his marriage. Armaan is deeply insecure though he rarely shows it. People end up abandoning him. The fact that Abhira keeps on repeating that she would leave after the year is over doesn't help matters. This uncertainty pushes him into a feeling of loss; a vacuum that he forsees and wants to subconsciously fill up. Ruhi is actually the best possible option, which with Rohit out of the equation would lessen his guilt towards Ruhi as well as give him a support system after Abhira leaves. Abhira thereby is not an option. She is there already. But Ruhi is the option if Abhira leaves. It's pretty disgusting in a way but Armaan is a human and humans are all flawed in their own ways.
Sixth is his attraction to Abhira which is simmering. While there is no more attraction for Ruhi visible (unlike that one scene long back when they were stuck in a hut), the narrative has slowly started hinting of his attraction to Abhira. In a way this has given him a whiplash due to which he is probably denying it. It has slowly crept onto him and can be read in his handsy manner with her. He keeps on reaching out to her, setting her dress properly, making her wear jewellery, clutching her to him and of course his obsession with her smell.
Now the famous Shiv-Shakti scene is related to this. Just before that track of Ruhi coming to the resort and taking him away was that accidental kiss he had with Abhira. That rattled him. All that deeply repressed attraction and want roared up in him & he kept on repeating that what was happening to him. He brought denial to the forefront of his mind to avoid thinking about it. Then of course came his sense of suppressed guilt when he saw Ruhi next day because he believes he forced the woman who loved him to a sad life while he is feeling content and attraction to his contractual wife. She brings divorce papers which is a jarring reality that he hides, deeply apprehensive that Abhira should see it and distance herself. His guilt, fear, insecurity and of course overall escapism pushes him to agree to Ruhi. Even there is mind is with Abhira. Logically Abhira will leave him and Ruhi-Armaan are perfect since Rohit is gone. He knows he can propose the entire matter in a way to keep his perfect Mask on and still get to marry Ruhi without much drama. And so what if he does that ritual. Abhira is his contractual wife; not real is what he tells himself.
But something in him revolts.
That revolt is portrayed through his hesitation and repetitive asking to God for hints. The colour falls and Ruhi goes to get another. Immediately he reads it as a hint (because that's what he wants) to not proceed and then he sees Abhira and we all know what happened.
Seventh, Armaan is coward coded. He doesn't want to make a hullabaloo of anything. His very introduction was like that; someone with a calm head in distress. He likes clean breaks not messy affairs. So it is obvious that he seeks to manage Ruhi's distress and of course potentially messy outbreak by being her close companion. Of course he is feeding into her delusions but that is not his concern. He is trying short term management here; not even bothering to see long term consequences.
Eighth, Armaan's guilt and Paranoia. Interestingly he appears emotionally involved with Ruhi. He should feel guilty with Abhira. But he doesn't. Instead it is the reverse. He feels guilty with Ruhi. The reason is actually very simple. He is leading Ruhi in with no end at sight and even he knows that. He cannot in reality envision her as his partner anymore; no matter how fitting it might be at some moment. Deep inside he has started to feel for Abhira which in a way amounts to cheating the promise he gave Ruhi to always prioritise Abhira. When both were kidnapped, he took a deep breath; analysed his thoughts and tried to run to Abhira. He has already subconsciously made his choice. Only Abhira made him return to Ruhi first. So there is no wonder that he suffers from guilt and this guilt also births paranoia because what is there to stop Ruhi from blurting the truth of she suspects his new emotions. As a result he does what he does best - suppress and pretend it is not there.
Abhira being possessive about being his wife actually shielded him from many things. This divorce not only takes away all his excuses but also that fragile balance he has maintained with Ruhi. He is grateful to her but he is also trying to hint by calling her his best friend.
He thinks thay may be he will be able to balance but we all know what best friendship did to Virat's life. So yeah.... poor Armaan. He has made a mess of his life and we are going to watch it happen. And I don't dislike him as much as I hated Virat because this guy has been emotionally abused to become what he is.
If he heals it will be a wonderful track and character arc.
If not, we will see a Virat that is worse, forgets his own actions and confuses the hell out of all audience.
So yeah.... that's what I think.
I hope that answers your question @Pinecone.
Also I may be wrong. This is just me analysing the narrative.
- Niki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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