Originally posted by: Samanalyse
Some really interesting discussions, everyone, and congratulations on crossing 100 pages! 🥳
Again, I think the Mishti-Kuhu backstory wasn't necessarily spelled out but it's quite easy to infer. Given that they were friends before Mishti came to live with the Maheshwaris, Kuhu probably had expectations about how their relationship was going to be once they were living together. Kuhu probably thought their friendship would continue the same way -- for Kuhu that meant confiding in each other and having each other's backs over the rest of the family. What she didn't account for were Mishti's abandonment issues which would make her feel obliged to BM and BP.
Mishti,in order to maintain their image of her, has always prioritised her relationships with BM and BP and following their example, she took on a patronising elder sister role for Kuhu where she expected Kuhu to come to her with all of her problems, mind her solutions without a whimper, but didn't share anything in return or take Kuhu seriously as an ally or confidant. This is visible right from the first episode where she usurped the performance they were supposed to do together to now where she hid the NishMish plan and batted Kuhu away despite Kuhu asking her multiple times. What made it inifinitely worse is that Mishti invariably got credit for this behaviour instead of being called out on it.
It's really hard to form a genuine connection with someone who acts like you're not worthy of their confidence and the thing is, Mishti's impulsive philanthropy sometimes worked out for others but it has proven detrimental to Kuhu on almost every occasion. What Kuhu really wants from her is anything real -- that is how I read her outbursts -- retaliate and show me your anger, Mishti but at least let it be something other than this holier-than-thou facade. And Mishti does retaliate predictably when she gets angry -- she throws all her "help" in Kuhu's face, and calls Kuhu ungrateful, revealing how she expects this relationship to be.
The rare occasions when they have made a connection are the moments when Mishti has been truly vulnerable with Kuhu, when Kuhu could see her pain and be there for her in a real way. She is not interested in being Mishti's sidekick, but she has always been open to, and craved a more truthful bond.