jalebi-weds-bluetooth

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi jalebi! Hope you are doing well. Before I dive into my query, I'd like you to know that the analysis of the characters and tracks in your blog are simply the BEST!!  

I am not a fan of the Sheetal and Mrs. India track for obvious reasons, yet I love watching those cute post-marriage arnav-khushi moments there. We know that sheetal track was abruptly cut short due to Barun's departure from the show. Several fanfics on this track are grossly out of character, villianizing almost everyone except Khushi, typical dailysoap plot twists like khushi & arnav ignoring each other over petty issues, khushi divorcing arnav, anjali forcing arnav to marry sheetal and accept aarav as his biological son and many other unrealistic depressing situations which are not actually  IPKKND was about. I find all these fanfics so upsetting that I need some clarity on the track and I am just glad that the show ended before the plot got out of hand.

So all I want is an insight from you about what did the creators intended to do with this track if the show had not been not cut short. Was Aarav supposed to be Arnav's biological son? Or Was the track leading to a brief seperation between arnav and khushi? 

(I mean I'm not expecting you to be in the creator's mind or anything just tell us what you know)

Oh Anon,

Hope this makes you feel better.

The Sheetal track did feel a bit uncomfortable because we've been with this pair and it felt like we barely got them together and now we got a villain that genuinely questioned if the pair had enough together?

For an eternal love story - that sucks.

The cancellation of the show changed the ending - not Barun's exit per se (I mean his exit led the fans' demand which led to cancellation so in a way, yes, his exit did lead to the plot changing).

But pre cancellation, with just Barun exiting, I've read that Arnav was supposed to die saving Khushi. Aarav was supposed to be Arnav's son so Khushi would have had a part of Arnav with her.

But I think they quickly got rid of Aarav being Arnav's son to preserve 'one true love' (they didn't know cancellation yet, this was probably fan reaction which is why Sheetal suddenly turned into a pure villain - I think they wanted her in a grey good character way who would have ultimately been happy to give her son a secure family? Idk what they wanted with Sheetal though) and then Arnav would've died saving Khushi (that is pretty pretty fixed).

(They didn't know the show was ending until the very end).

So... to think of it, the last good track for me was Shyam's revelation. That ended the show and we already got our pair living there happily ever after (that convo under the bed? where it's Arnav keeping a track that all rituals have happened - Khushi doesn't care at this point - and all Khushi wants is a small world with him).

Hope this answered your question.

Love,

Jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

IPKKND OS: Slip of Tongue

Sangeet was supposed to be a friendly family ritual.

A charming little dance competition between the bride's and groom's sides - a harmless pre-wedding tradition to bond, laugh, and mildly embarrass oneself on stage while attempting vaguely synchronized Bollywood moves.

Again, that's what it was supposed to be.

Until Arnav Singh Raizada decided to turn it into Dance India Dance: Apocalypse Edition over a mere challenge by Khushi Kumari Gupta.

Who now stood in the middle of Shantivan’s garden, lehenga flaring, bangles clinking with her hands on hips, chin jutted out and eyes ablaze with moral indignation.

"You are a cheater!" she yelled at his back.

Arnav Singh Raizada didn’t bother to look up from his phone.

“This is a family dance competition!” Khushi yelled again.

“Yeah, excuse me-,” Arnav signaled NK, "NK please tell her it's a competition and Khushi... try to keep up.”

Khushi gasped at his insult. Trust Arnav to find inventive ways of ridiculing her!

"Haan Nanheji, what else can a talentless man do?" Khushi smiled as Arnav stiffened, turned slowly toward her, arms folded, jaw sharp enough to slice through the tension.

Now, she had his attention.

"Excuse me?" he said, like her accusation had personally offended his entire bloodline.

The said bloodline had stopped whatever they were doing in the name of dancing and watched the battle that was yet to begin.

Khushi marched toward him, dupatta flying like a battle flag. "You’ve flown in professional choreographers and actors for Jiji's wedding?! Who does that? It’s a wedding, not Jhalak Dikhhla Ja!"

Arnav took a single step forward and stopped her march, his eyes zeroed straight on hers.

The intensity always, always, threw her off.

But it was not the time to think of those things. Her accusations had barely begun!

Regaining her composure she began her tirade, "So what’s next, backup dancers in silver jumpsuits? Fireworks? Smoke machines?!"

"You're overreacting," Arnav replied, going back to his phone for a message from Aman.

"Oh, am I?" she snatched his phone. "You are not even calling actors who are Jiji and Jijaji's favorite - no, no you're straight up calling Hrithik Roshan AND Shahid Kapoor to perform in OUR SANGEET FROM YOUR END. HOW DARE YOU! HEY DEVI MAIYYA THEY ARE NOT EVEN FAMILY."

"Do they remember it's our sangeet?" Akash whispered to Payal.

"Akash ji, I don't think they even remember this is our wedding." Payal replied, hoping Buaji isn't around to whack Khushi for yelling at Arnav.

Even if he deserved it.

"Khushi, just accept that you're afraid of losing." Arnav grabbed both her wrists with one hand, plucked his phone from her fingers and smirked at Khushi, who had turned red in rage.

Khushi scoffed, and freed her hands from his. "Oh it's not me who is afraid of losing. Because you wouldn’t need to ‘win’ so desperately by hiring others if you could actually dance. Admit it. You’ve got two left feet and a fragile ego."

He stepped closer, just enough to crowd her personal space - not that Khushi ever backed down.

"You think I can’t beat you on that stage?" he said, nostrils flaring at her insult.

"You?" She laughed. "Even Lakshmi ji can dance better than you-" on cue, the goat blared nearby. Arnav, for once, really craved a mutton biryani. Khushi gave Lakshmi a high five in the air.

Arnav's jaw twitched. "Khushi-"

"What?"

"On that stage, I could you eat you out in a sec-"

His mouth clamped shut a second too late.

Silence.

A pause.

Then, full stop.

Arnav’s breath caught.

His eyes widened fractionally.

Khushi blinked.

Arnav blinked.

They blinked at each other.

The world froze. Akash looked like he'd swallowed his own tongue. Payal had turned a curious shade of crimson. Anjali faintly murmured, “Not like this Chhote...” NK wheezed with barely-contained laughter.

Khushi's mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again like a dying fish.

Then - in what could only be described as a tactical retreat - Arnav turned on his heel and walked away.

-- -- --

Arnav didn’t sleep that night. He lay awake in his room, staring at the ceiling like it had wronged him.

He tried to be logical. Maybe she didn’t know what it meant.

Maybe she was just embarrassed because he’d shouted something vaguely weird in public.

Maybe—

No.

Khushi, had very briefly, looked at his lips before he left.

He had heard the slightest, softest gasp.

Which was worse - making an image lodge itself in his brain.

Khushi.

Under him.

Eyes dark.

Lips parted.

Calling his name. In soft, sweet, gasps.

He flung a pillow over his face.

This was torture.

-- -- --

The next morning, the rest of the family acted like nothing had happened - bless their collective denial.

But Khushi?

She acted like he was contagious.

If he stepped into the kitchen, she evaporated. If he glanced at her across the room, she snapped her head away like he was staring into her soul.

And while ignorance was bliss, a part of him felt like an apology was due. Even if that apology was like a thousand thorns on his tongue.

He wouldn't want to embarrass Khushi in public.

-- -- --

Khushi drowned herself in jalebis. Walked into a tree. Told Payal she was just “hot” when she was visibly sweating bullets.

“We need to talk,” Arnav said - having appeared from nowhere. How does he keep doing that?

Khushi spun, startled. "Talk?"

"About yesterday."

"What are you even talking about?" she said, too fast. Too fake. Arnav rolled his eyes at her terrible lie.

"Khushi, you know what I meant.”

Her eyes narrowed. Her cheeks flushed.

And then she exploded.

“Is that what you want?! A girl who doesn’t know anything? A clueless little thing you can shock and corrupt and then brag about? Is that your thing, Arnav Singh Raizada?!”

He took a sharp step back. “What the f—? No!”

“You want some poor naive girl who doesn’t even know what it means so you can-so you can teach her?! You disgusting, horrible, cocky, ALPHA MALE- no-flower-giving, no-dating, no-LOVE-having—"

“Khushi-”

“—Laad Governor with no heart and no shame and - what the hell kind of man are you?!”

"THE ONE WHO WANTS TO SAY SORRY."

That made her pause.

He took a slow breath, the kind that meant he was gearing up to be serious. “I shouldn’t have said that. Not like that. Not in public.”

“And I just needed you to know that,” he added, almost awkwardly.

Khushi didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “It's not that Arnav ji...”

That made him look up.

“What does make me want to hurl a chappal at your handsome face is that Arnav Singh Raizada doesn’t even know how to date someone!”

He blinked. “What?”

“To what extent must I analyze you? Where are the flowers? Where’s asking a girl out with words and not…LED screens and groin-level hip thrusts?”

“I didn’t hip-thrust at you.”

“You THOUGHT about it.”

He looked genuinely offended. “What the f-no, I didn’t! What's wrong with you?”

“What's wrong with me is that you're not normal!” she cried. “You’re the kind of man who seduces women by glaring at them across rooms and then wonders why we’re all confused! What am I supposed to do, Laad Governor? Paint a signboard that says FLIRT WITH ME, YOU BRICK WALL?”

He stared at her. “You want me to flirt with you?”

“YOU’RE MISSING THE POINT.”

"You have a point?"

"I do! You can't even take me out and you're straight into eat-" Khushi clamped her hands over her mouth.

"Hey Devi Maiyya," she shrieked, and fled with her dignity on the floor.

Arnav stood in stunned silence.

And then slowly, a smile crept across his face.

Because she had just handed him the playbook.

-- -- --

That night, Khushi curled up under her blanket with a mountain of jalebis and a heart rate comparable to a dhol beat.

What had come over him? What had come over her?!

How had they gone from talking about a dance competition to... to whatever in the world these things are.

And he didn't have to apologize. They both were had foot in the mouth disorder.

She tried reading a romance novel.

Mistake.

The hero's name was Arman. And in Chapter 4, he was eating strawberries off the heroine’s-

She threw the book across the room. Then quickly rescued it and put it in her secret drawer. She would die before anyone got to know what she read.

Clutching her dupatta, she tried to screw her eyes shut to sleep.

She was in a red saree. The pallu floated like in the wind. A man stood by a rain-soaked window, transparent white shirt clinging to his chest in a way that would definitely get a sanskaar warning on Doordarshan. 'Teri Meri' swelled in the background. She ran into his arms. There was spinning. Wrist-grabbing. A full-blown neck kiss that would put SRK to shame. Wait... why did the man look familiar? And then, with one hand, Arnav... Arnav! reached behind and tugged at the dori of her blouse.

Khushi sat up in bed with a gasp.

“Hai Devi Maiyya!”

Hands over her mouth. Wide-eyed. Very, very awake.

And so incredibly flustered.

She couldn’t face him.

She wouldn’t face him.

-- -- --

Devi Maiyya disagreed.

Khushi and her friend had practiced 'Teri Meri' as a mockery. As to how Jijaji and Jiji didn't really have a conflict but created this dramatic love story out of nothingness.

But the funny commentary CD and her friend - were both delayed so she was left on the stage in her green saree and just the original soundtrack.

And Arnav showed up. Sans the actors and choreographers - who were apparently cancelled last minute.

Arnav and Khushi danced.

He made her feel the rhythm.

And Khushi's heart absolutely misbehaved.

Because he let her win in more ways than one.

-- -- --

Khushi ran into the guest room, clutching her heart and knocking over carpet into the bed where there were a few things.

A white rose, a box of jalebis, a long rectangular box that she suspected had bangles and a handwritten note that was impossible to decipher.

Blue Orchid, 8pm, Saturday?

She stared at the note for three solid minutes.

She squeaked. Then panicked. Then almost fainted. Then screamed into a pillow and promptly knocked over a stack of bangles.

And of course — at that exact moment — he walked in.

"Khushi."

"Ji Arnav ji," she panted, snapping back to poise like she hadn’t just done the Macarena of joy.

"Tum theek ho?" She nodded so hard at his question that her head could've nearly fallen off.

And then, he stepped in.

Arnav Singh Raizada, in all his devastating, smirking calm.

“Uh… someone left this,” she said, clutching the note like a weapon.

Arnav raised his eyebrow. So this is how she was going to play it.

"Someone?" He asked.

"Someone," Khushi shrugged, twisting the end her saree between her poor fingers.

"Khushi. Kumari. Gupta." Arnav punctuated each word with a step towards her, making her hit the wall behind her.

"N-not like this." Khushi whispered, closing her eyes.

"But Khushi... if not like this-" Arnav tucked her hair behind her ear, "then how will I tell you that-"

Khushi gripped his hands, hoping whatever Arnav was planning quickly got over-no-no-it lasted long enough for him to not change his mind!

Hey Devi Maiyya she was not ready for a kiss! She needed at least five more minutes to scream.

"T-tell me what A-Arnav ji?"

"That Di is calling you downstairs." Arnav stepped back and hid a smile at her obvious disappointment.

Khushi turned red - this time in anger - and picked up the rectangle box to fling it at him.

"Khushi! The bangles will break!" Arnav ducked.

"HA! YOU BOUGHT IT FOR ME!" Khushi cheered,

"I knew it! And who leaves notes without signing their name? What if it was for someone else? What if someone else wrote this? Must I assume everything written around me is by you? You and your God complex. And okay this is cute... but-but I don't know why you're doing this. Tell me why? You can buy these things for me but can you tell me-"

She stopped.

Because Arnav had leaned in and kissed her cheek. Quiet. Certain. Just once.

It was over before she could inhale.

"I hope that answers your questions," he murmured.

Khushi blinked. Brain buffering. And then, on impulse, she stood on tiptoe and planted a quick, nervous kiss on his cheek too.

Arnav - who had faced boardrooms, buyouts, and Buaji - actually looked startled.

"I-uh-okay so if we're doing this, then-then you can’t just show up in your car. Buaji will have a heart attack. And Happy ji’s garage is too crowded, also oil stains. No, no, maybe you stand near the paan stall and I 'coincidentally' come for... for tamarind-no, that’s not believable-OH DEVI MAIYYA."

Arnav folded his arms, watching her with quiet disbelief and far too much fondness.

"Khushi."

She looked up, mid-rant.

"It's not a heist. Just a dinner."

"It’s not just dinner! It’s our first proper-thing. And our families are nosy. And your face is too famous. And I panic around candlelight. And I don’t know what fork to use. And-"

"Khushi."

"Haan?!"

"We’ll go to dinner."

"That's what I’m trying to figure out!"

"In Delhi. Like adults. I’ll pick you up at 8. Ring the bell. Say hello to Buaji. Like a normal human man. She won't question me at all"

He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. Gently, not claiming. Just there.

She stared at their joined hands.

"...Okay, but if Buaji throws a chappal at you, I did warn you."

"I’ll bring a helmet."

Khushi laughed.

"Fine," she muttered, cheeks pink. "Come at 8. Ring the bell. Say you’re here to discuss… lights. Wedding lights. That’s believable, right?"

"Not even a little."

"Whatever, just bring jalebis. She’ll forgive anything. You're beginning to be her favorite anyway - ever since your advertisement for the steel factory. And if nothing else, praise the company or the fabric of the sarees she stiches." Khushi chuckled.

Only Arnav could defend the Guptas gift by citing the revenue of the company that made the steel thali.

He laughed under his breath. "Okay."

"And," she added, voice soft, "don’t forget to bring yourself."

"Khushi... I think that's the plan."

-- -- --

Khushi wore the bangles that night.

And the next day.

And to the mandap rehearsals and while eating laddoos and while yelling at NK about choreo counts. She wore them to sleep, even though Payal teased her about it.

One night, Arnav noticed.

He was helping her up after she tripped over yet another strategically misplaced rug in Shantivan.

"You're still wearing these?" he asked, catching her wrist.

Khushi shrugged. “They’re pretty. They go with everything.”

“You wear them all the time?” he asked casually, eyes flicking to the glass bangles.

Khushi looked down. “Haan. All the time.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Impossible.”

“Oh, it is very possible!” she huffed. “While eating, yelling, dancing, fighting - oh, remind me to tell you how Hari Prakash ji said jalebis can't be sugar-free, I mean who is the halwai's daughter here? Anyway, yes, fighting, sleeping, bathing-”

Arnav smirked and stepped closer. “Bathing?”

Khushi blinked.

Blushed.

Internally screamed.

The fairy lights blinked rapidly between them like scandalised chaperones.

"Sir, I need these files-" Aman, the savior (and sautan when he called right when Arnav and Khushi tried kissing, again), showed up in time and helped Khushi run away in mortification.

Because Arnav was right.

Apart from the fact that the chime of these bangles told her that everything was a reality, there was something else that Khushi felt too intensely in her heart when these were the only pieces of jewelry she wore in a bath, or clinked in between her very very unsanskaari dreams at night.

Now all she had to do was wait, wait for Jiji's marriage and tell the family about the latest development.

-- -- --

(": THE END :")

Tagging the usuals (pls mention if you’d like to be tagged - also this is a new list so if I’m forgetting anyone - sorry!)

@chutkiandchotte @dreaming-star @professor-cant-fuck @thedupattaknowswhatsup @bigfatreader @muttonthings @da-ka-ba @fresh-child-bouquet @hand-picked-star @fancydreamphilosopher @scorpio-smiles @thenainitaldisaster @titaliya @sankititaliya @sampigehoovu @jalebicheesecake @dnkkpi @nammy07

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

So someone here thought of a funny & flirty one shot…

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

This is my exhibit when people say that these two had nothing….

???

Hear me out, the way he's looking at Lavanya here, omg, my heart can't handle it! They may not have been meant to be, but let's be real, they were totally an adorable couple <3

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

What If, ft. IPKKND #1

Always Sometimes I like to indulge in thoughts on where could the characters and stories have gone, with a slight twist.

What if... Shyam had the cameras installed during Akash & Payal's pre-wedding rituals

Shyam loves to keep control of the situations around him. And to add another layer, he loves to manipulate how things would go, according to his convenience.

And so far he's been absolutely accurate. He has the Raizadas eating straight out of his palms, the Guptas worshipping him, and his law circle and shady friends never overlap.

He manipulates people so well that even after his and Khushi's breakup, nobody in Lakshmi Nagar poses an actual problem to him.

His tracks are perfectly covered.

But the only person on whom nothing worked, was Shashi Gupta.

And the only person he ever misread was his daughter, Khushi Kumari Gupta.

He was convinced that Khushi was falling for him. That him being married was just as much as a heartbreak for her, as for any woman in love with a married man.

But no... with passing days it was evident... evident that she had nothing for him in the first place!

It was a thought that niggled in his mind, which he obviously vehemently rejected.

And to make it worse, there was Arnav.

That... came out of nowhere.

So to control the situation, Shyam installs cameras all over Shantivan.

Because he was increasingly heading to failure. He had to know what was going on at the mind of every Raizada family.

When were Arnav and Khushi meeting? Just... what consisted in those meetings?

What was Anjali and Dadi thinking? Beyond their irritating chatter of bringing the two together, was there anything more? Were there any official talks?

Cause if it's a marriage they want, they will not get that.

As long as he's alive, he will not let Arnav and Khushi get together. As long as he's alive, he will not let Arnav and Khushi marry each other.

And the camera continues to give great, great, great benefits!

Shyam was terrified when Arnav married Khushi out of nowhere!

But one quick look into their room and, of course, they were nowhere close to being married.

Arnav's cruelty and Khushi's helplessness was a pleasure to watch. (It was his favorite TV show)

He was worried though, that how much of the hatred was conveyed.

Did Khushi and Arnav talk about the Shyam situation? Did Arnav demand explanations from Khushi? Even in anger... if Khushi knew what 'version' of the truth Arnav believed, Khushi would raise hell.

And with Payal now being a bahu and beloved of the Raizadas, it wouldn't be too hard to believe the truth. At least Akash would definitely stick by his wife. And Arnav knew Akash was the least gullible. It's why Akash had the role in AR that he did.

So even though Shyam could find a way to dispel whatever Khushi says... things would get too ugly.

So Holi was a gift, because Arnav - out of whatever self preservation - didn't tell Khushi anything at all!

Ha!

So Shyam will always have a control over the main narrative for Arnav & Khushi.

And on tough days, he would rewatch his proposal to Khushi. One day, Khushi would say yes.

But Karma works differently, the same cameras would bite him.

Shyam at this point had lost. Despite trying every trick up his sleeve, Arnav and Khushi were in love, remarried and had united forces.

Right now, money was all that mattered.

But then, of course, there was this horrible idea to paint the house so he had to sit, burning, with his cameras gone.

And on his and Anjali's anniversary, they begin this random A/V of Akash's marriage and Anjali's pregnancy announcement. But something felt off about the video.

Especially when it featured scenes of him and Anjali, sneaking up and meeting each other.

No one had recorded that moment.

Except his own cam-

And then it shows up. The terrace, lit beautifully. Khushi, waiting bashfully. And then Shyam... on screen... proposing to Khushi. Then Shyam, orchestrating Anjali's miscarriage.

Someone had gotten access to Shyam's laptop.

Slapped, yelled and arrested, Shyam was thrown out of the house faster than he could blink.

Shyam's own weapon turned against him.

Bonus:

Arnav is unable to sleep, restless at how horrible he was to Khushi.

Nauseous over the harassment she faced - from both of them. And in shock, at how easily Shyam slipped through everyone's eyes.

But even before he can apologize to Khushi, she forgives him. And he's humbled, as always.

Let me know if you'd like to hear any of my other what ifs!

(The cameras have always been a fav what if world for me)

Tagging the usuals (pls mention if you'd like to be tagged - also this is a new list so if I'm forgetting anyone - sorry!):

@chutkiandchotte @dreaming-star @professor-cant-fuck @thedupattaknowswhatsup @bigfatreader @muttonthings @da-ka-ba @fresh-child-bouquet @hand-picked-star @fancydreamphilosopher @scorpio-smiles @thenainitaldisaster @titaliya @sankititaliya @sampigehoovu @jalebicheesecake @dnkkpi @nammy07

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

How do you think Arnav felt when Khushi kissed him on the cheek when she was kissing all his family members platonically? He looked more stunned than pleasantly surprised to me but how would you read it? What was he thinking?

Hi Anon,

I think Arnav was stunned too! It was a sudden event and that too in public!

And once he realizes what happened - he obviously catches up to her and corners her, demanding an explanation.

And resumes teasing her when it’s evident that she’s trying to fumble her way into having an upper hand in the situation.

Either way, getting kissed by Khushi does increase the butterflies in his stomach.

Best,

- jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Something I think of every other day…

how did we get something so amazing as ipkknd on itv and instead of building on that they reduced the whole show to the basic trope and decided to reuse that a million times and then add in the worst tropes ever like doppelgängers and the leads dying and stupid shit like that

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hello, Jalebi. When Khushi goes to confront Arnav after he yells at Lavenya about her Chamkili style dress and asks him if he realizes how much he is hurting those that love him by his words, do you think he may realize how much she is also talking about herself as well as Lavenya and his family?

Hello Anon,

I guess this is the scene that you're referring to?

To be very honest, I doubt if even Khushi realizes that she falls among the list of people who love Arnav, and who Arnav hurts and doesn't apologize to.

Best,

Jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Helllooooo Jalebi! How are you doing? I have a dark and kind of disturbing question for you, sorry about that. Well, the show itself can be dark and kind of disturbing at times! So the infamous dori tearing scene - I know from a Doylist (ie out of universe/writers) point of view, it was done to establish a male lead about as dark as one could make him on ITV thereby making the journey of him as a romantic lead, becoming a hero over time, more complex and interesting. I mean there was a big "lets shock and awe them" element to it so I accept that I might be over thinking things. But from a Watsonian (in universe/Arnav) point of view, was there, in your opinion, is Arnav a sexual harasser with a history of such behaviour? Like - is there any lust/desire involved in that action? Or was it purely motivated by rage, and a immediate need to make Khushi shut up, without any element of "I want to see her naked by force if I have to"? Idk if I am making sense, I'm not saying pure rage is better. But like for example when Arnav tears down the flowers around the bed on their first marriage night, when he breaks things in his room, when he starts destroying his plants, those are some moments of like, he's in an uncontrollable rage and he needs a physical outlet. That's a pattern, is this action a part of THAT pattern? Or is it a different kind of act? I know Arnav is capable of immense emotional cruelty. But still that's all on one side and being capable of sexual violence when in a rage is another level. And although dori-tearing is the start of the entire tale, I still cannot quite believe that Arnav is capable of sexual harassment ( despite him literally doing it twice, maybe even three times on screen). I can't reconcile it with the guy who we witnessed at Arshi's under the stars first time. It's one of two things - he's the kind of guy who uses sexual violence to punish women/becomes sexually violent when in a rage OR he never does that but Khushi specifically (his future wife!) brings it out in him and IDK which is more disturbing. Like in my head for a long time I was like, he didn't mean it like sexual harassment, it was just a moment of rage that was defused by Khushi's action of hiding herself with her hair. But IDK...do you think if his rage at that moment had not been defused by any interruption he would have continued to do something worse to Khushi? I'm sorry for such a long and rambling question that too on such a topic. I swear I'm not an Arnav hater, I sound like one, I just, find Arnav's psychology fascinating and I think his actual worst action/pattern of behaviour in the entire show is treated almost like an abstract concept than a real thing he did, as opposed to less disturbing much more understandable actions like blackmailing Khushi, calling her biggest mistake, etc. Anyway thanks for listening to my ramble and would love to hear your thoughts. Bye :)

This is so interesting.

Thank you for introducting Doylist & Watsonian ideologies <3

Gosh I wish this was a phone call!

Okay, so before I answer any of this please do note that my answer is within my understanding of media literacy and psychology - which is obviously always limited - so the answer will veer towards what is right to me and is always, always open to more interpretation.

And listen, the guy who snaps the dori does not become the guy who shows stars. This journey is fictional. So don't worry about sounding an Arnav hater - please, in reality all women are. But he's fictional - that's where nothing of this exists so I'm really glad your sense of sense prevails!

*deep breathe* let's get crackin'

This is a very complex scene. It's uncomfortable. It's sexual harassment. It's abuse. It's traumatic.

So my view on Arnav's viewpoint is what makes me continue to watch the show without skipping this scene. And I mention that because for a show like Madhubala, no matter how well the first 200 episodes are written - I can never actually watch the scene where Rishab intentionally nearly kills Madhu's father. I have to, kind of, write that scene away.

So intentionality, for me, matters.

And that is what paints this scene for me in a slightly different light for fictional purpose.

is Arnav a sexual harasser with a history of such behaviour?

No, I don't think so. Like you, I do believe this was motivated by anger.

But is Arnav capable of sexual harassment? Absolutely.

Has he? No.

And the reason why I say this is because I believe Shyam is completely capable of sexual harassment because of the continuous insinuation of him to the Guptas that "I was a guy, living the house with two girls, and I chose to not be indecent to them."

He operates from preventing himself from sexually harassing Khushi as (a) need to establish he's a nice person, (b) this is the reward of being truly in love, (c) Khushi is an innocent person who needs gentleness.

And the minute those conditions stop existing for Shyam - the more he harasses. As you can see repeatedly in the show for as long as Shyam had to keep up his need to be a nice person - he apologizes for all the lines he has crossed with Khushi (but he's slipping).

And the minute he no longer needs to maintain that, he gets more lecherous and enjoys Khushi's struggle to get free.

She chose a more violent man, so Shyam gets to be truly who he is.

Obviously, sexual harassers don't just have one type of behavior, but the reason I compare Arnav to Shyam is that for this universe it becomes easier for me to put forth my points.

Arnav is operating from a misogynistic viewpoint. This random girl has no character to begin with. So no snapping of a dori nor having her images floated around as a woman trying to trap a man will hurt her. He finds her attempts at decency a mockery.

He is even amused for half a second that Khushi has a complaint with him for doing so.

The image of this entirely changes around the guesthouse incident - and either way Arnav is very very wrong for thinking character matters if only a person is a good person.

And it's to establish that Arnav has very little moral grounding.

was it purely motivated by rage, and a immediate need to make Khushi shut up, without any element of "I want to see her naked by force if I have to"?

No, I don't think he was interested in undressing Khushi. She accused him of being indecent.

While in his head, it is he is the better person between them.

So, yes, it was rage. From a Watsonian point of view, Arnav exactly knew what kind of a woman this was. A pretty, corporate spy set to sabotage his event.

Also, the fact she pulls up his sister's name and the pained history blinds him in rage - and his anger is something that Anjali warns him about.

It is his weakness.

He uses it to mask his vulnerability. Anger replaces almost any and every sad/hurt/vulnerable emotion Arnav has. Even his confession or care, does not come out with a "hey, I love you, I care for you."

No, it's always accompanied by anger as its shield because I guess that's his perceived sense of safety.

He'd rather be feared than have people see his fears.

I think he's able to feel safe with his emotions and opens up to Khushi is the night he says sorry to her and apologizes for everything he's ever done. After that moment, telling Khushi he loves her or sharing anything emotional/vulnerable, is no longer accompanied by rage.

I think Dadi actually helped him heal in many ways. He gains a new perspective and actually tries being better. His anger permanently reduces because of having dealt with things.

So going back to the dori scene it goes exactly like this:

Khushi - what would you do if someone would insult your sister the way you did mine?

For Arnav, it's not Khushi calling out how horribly he's treating her. It's almost close to I can say the exact things about your sister - and I wouldn't be too wrong.

We can assume that not very pleasant things were told about Anjali when she was abandoned at the altar. That too because her parents committed suicide out of her father's adultery.

It's something the show never, ever, touches on but I definitely think there were comments on Anjali's character.

do you think if his rage at that moment had not been defused by any interruption he would have continued to do something worse to Khushi?

No. Cause I don't think he was intending to sexually assault her.

For Khushi though - yes this is a space where she can sexually assaulted.

So for Arnav, if Khushi's a spy, she has done her homework.

He stops her from leaving her after her piece - and lethally wounding him and triggering trauma.

He humiliates her.

And just physically pushes her away cause she disgusts him and he has no intention of being close to her.

His gaze here - is focused on her. Not her exposed back. And that only shifts when she pushes her hair to cover her back. And he stays rooted to his spot.

He wanted to have his last word - and he did.

Ugh I hate saying this line but 'the hair' will not stop an abuser from wanting to do what he wants to.

Arnav was done speaking/done acting at that point. The character, here, would not go beyond it because he's done with his piece.

Also what's important to note is IPK was written from a problematic POV so I might be stepping into places where I'm putting explanations where it might not even exist, originally.

There's many things about Arnav - even in the next few episodes that show he isn't an assaulter.

However, if there's an episode where fully intended to - and perhaps would've and did - is when Khushi calls him characterless.

See what I don't love about this show is that many a times Arnav's aggression is written as a reaction to Khushi's transgressions and it's always more than what Khushi did in the first place.

And Khushi, here, was WAY out of line. To call a person characterless, question his dead parents' upbringing just because he doesn't want to marry? C'mon *whack* what's wrong with you Khushi?

But Arnav's reaction... there's this glazed look in his eyes that's frightening.

And he, intentionally, presses himself up to her. And it's when he has this Shyam-esque thinking of exactly knowing what being characterless is, but he's not behaving like one but he can. Unlike Shyam, Arnav is not holding himself back to have a nice man image. But Arnav is threatening Khushi that she does not know the gravity of what she's saying because he knows he's not a characterless man (unlike his father) and if she needs a physical understanding of it - here it is.

So yeah, this scene is where it went even darker for me than the dori sequence because what if Khushi continued to challenge? What if Arnav isn't satisfied by the guilt and realization of what Khushi said? (Cause he lets her go when he sees her crying, a little ashamed)

But what if, that wasn't enough?

when Arnav tears down the flowers around the bed on their first marriage night, when he breaks things in his room, when he starts destroying his plants, those are some moments of like, he's in an uncontrollable rage and he needs a physical outlet. That's a pattern, is this action a part of THAT pattern? Or is it a different kind of act?

That scene, I actually interpret differently. Because it was very significant of broken/shattered dreams.

Arnav was very sure loving Khushi means marrying Khushi. This was going to be a reality - the marriage, having a wife, in love, being happy... this was something he didn't believe in but he was starting to believe in it because he was in love.

And that moment it felt like the wedding bed, the rituals were mocking him. He should've trusted his cynicism but he didn't and now his world was in tatters.

So he wanted that pain out. His life wasn't perfect. Forget perfect, it was barely livable.

It's the pain that we saw him collapse after the terrace scene. Mourning the loss of love. The loss of a dream. This tearing the flowers apart is a part of that. It's literally him ripping his own heart into pieces.

Because he's been holding it all in for the sake of his family. And he just cannot hold any longer.

But I think you sum up writing Arnav very well with this statement -his actual worst action/pattern of behaviour in the entire show is treated almost like an abstract concept than a real thing he did.

That is very very true. Arnav is difficult to explain in reality cause certain patterns and behavior does not explain the happily ever after - but hey that's what fiction is for!

So to be completely in Arnav's head and talk about his actions - he suffers from anger management issues and when threatened he chooses lashing out. Sometimes some of the actions and words are beyond his control - sometimes they're not.

The anger is a pattern, the sexual violence is not.

And mostly the anger is when his family/upbringing is talked about:

Mool Rajani mentions Arnav's mother, like not even her specifically but a very Delhi "tu, teri mummy" and gets whacked. I keep on laughing a little that Arnav slapped Mool a second time just because he could - it's not even instinctive unlike the first (lol Akash isn't even surprised, he's just like... I didn't wanna waste a penny on this idiot).

Khushi mentions his sister and given the situation and what he thinks of her, he snaps the dori - interesting to note is when Khushi again brings up family in the guesthouse, Arnav doesn't get angry. Rather he's ashamed because Khushi is bringing up a similar argument like she did in the dori scene, but this time he has better context of her and he does dehumanize her.

Nani talks about Arnav being like his father - Arnav decides to walk out of the house. Arnav's arguments with Nani is often tempered out of age, and that he truly never feels threatened by her.

Anjali pressurizes Arnav to bring Khushi back - he snaps at her that the house isn't hers. And obviously, regrets instantly.

Of course Arnav has been angry many a more times - but in those situations he's intending to hurt as opposed to sudden lash outs. And then intentional anger is someone who affects him, means a lot, threatens him or who he hates.

Khushi, for the longest time, is someone who is literally all of the above for Arnav.

And I think we can hold our peace on the fact that Arnav gets better - not as a result of Khushi - but just as a person he gets better. Otherwise his reaction to knowing his wife doesn't trust him and gets him secretly DNA tested is very very mild, compared to how his anger was written.

Or the HUGE amount of different when Khushi wants to walk out (post kidnapping, during Aarav) - tells us that Arnav has gotten better, psychologically, over time.

So he needed help, and I think he gets it with having most of his abandonment, family issues being sorted out.

We see him reach a point of comfort with himself, his family and relationships. Yes, Khushi was a victim of his healing - but perhaps the bigger gratitude Arnav shows for Khushi is that he wouldn't have wanted to be healed if there wasn't a love this great.

He never thanks her for bearing his anger, he's grateful he met her and knows what love is. It's a subtle difference but it's important cause Arnav's story, for me, is NEVER a 'stick around with your angry husband and he'll come to love you one day' - no, it's just about a love that happens in the most impossible circumstances with the most impossible of people.

Arnav, character wise, remains a LOT like who he is even with Khushi.

He's still non vegetarian, still an atheist, still arrogant - but just more calm because he's less in pain. Like a lion without a constant tear of a nail on his skin - and he's the only person who could've unpinned the nail from himself.

You know it's what Anjali says in the first episode - let go of your past. Holding back to the past made Arnav successful, but also caustic.

Now that his success is permanent, it's time to let go of the past because finally there's something better to look forward to.

And that's love.

Best,

Jalebi

Gosh, this was a LONG LONG LONG answer - I hope you liked it! Tagging all my favs cause this was one really took a lot of time to draft and I hope to hear your thoughts. Phew, haven't thought about this guy in a LONG time.

Fictionally, love him.

Tagging (lemme know if you want to be added)

@chutkiandchotte@dreaming-star@professor-cant-fuck@thedupattaknowswhatsup@bigfatreader@muttonthings@da-ka-ba@fresh-child-bouquet@hand-picked-star

@fancydreamphilosopher@scorpio-smiles@thenainitaldisaster@titaliya@sankititaliya@sampigehoovu@jalebicheesecake@dnkkpi @nammy07

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi Jalebi,

I've recently got back to my old love for IPKKND and discovered yours and @phati-sari's blogs among many others which are feeding my nostalgia and love for IPK and have reminded me of why I loved the show so much. I had never really been drawn to read fics based on the show before because of how attached I felt to the story when I first watched it (especially IPK was an escape for me during a bad time) and my worry that fan interpretations would veer off what I interpreted from IPK but I came across Farak on your page while scrolling through the IPK tags and WOW!

It drew me in instantly, was written consistent with character canon and had changes in all the right ways to be considered better canon than the show. Once I started, I was desperate to finish then couldn't believe there wasn't any more to read. I've read it 2 or 3 times since then. I'm still very wary of diving into fics especially as I know there are many that are inconsistent with character canon but Farak opened the way for me to continue to enjoy new interpretations of the show that would do justice to what the writers' didn't.

My question is after seeing how beautiful some fan interpretations are of what the show could have been, is it hard to do rewatches and cringe at what the plot ended up being? If you still rewatch the show then how do you enjoy it without it being overshadowed by the frustrations of where the writing went wrong?

Sorry if this is too long a question. Thanks in advance x

Gosh... what do I do with so much love?

@phati-sari - I love her. The way she sees the way - a lot more for what it is as opposed to me who fixes and changes everything just to suit my mind, lol is special.

And she does it in a way while balancing the reality and fancy, what is ethically right and morally wrong 🤌🤌🤌

Thank you for loving Farak - that one was really close to my heart. I was binge watching the show (and the show is so not meant to be binge watched) and I desperately wanted a release for Khushi's pain and Farak was pretty much born out of that. And in a way that justified every character as well - at least to a certain extent.

Now coming to your AMAZING QUESTIONS

is it hard to do rewatches and cringe at what the plot ended up being?

Yes but for what has really changed over the years.

And it's in a few categories of things. Hehe.

#1 Certain behaviors/characteristics of some characters just are difficult to watch.

Khushi's infantilism dressed as cutesy is just impossible to watch. Why does she spin if she's lost (thus increase her chance at being in the wrong place?)? Why, after having set Lavanya as a bride on the bed, does she hide in bathroom and peak outside? Just what was she trying to look at? Does she have no sense of privacy? What is her damn rationale behind Swami track? Arnav is proven violent, proven powerful. How does annoying him get her anywhere? So yeah - a lot of Khushi's OTT childish behavior and idiot'ism' doesn't fly by at all.

And similarly I just eyeroll at the 24 hour track so much cause Arnav's confidence and gall to get back after breaking her heart in the worst way possible seems... ridiculous and tone deaf. I don't get it. It nearly makes me not ship them. I LOVE THOSE SCENES IN ISOLATION. But in context. C'mon dude - you twisted yourself over four times over not being able to say sorry for a fact you didn't know. You hurt the hell out of her. How does emotionally/financially blackmailing her work more? It's the most unlikeable he comes across to me.

#2 There were certain things that could've very easily be done differently.

I just can't watch any of these tracks - the suicide track, the 'I-might-get-murdered-by-my-husband' track, the swami track, the must-bathe-arnav-publicly... just a lot of these post marriage tracks.

I loved the first half of kidnapping. I firmly believe nothing else could've brought these two together if not for something this horrible.

But the whole Mami Bond? I loved them trying to make Khushi dupe Shyam - but everything else didn't make sense. Even Lavanya becoming 'Desi' or Khushi forcing marriage on La... sigh... I just skip these scenes.

#3 And the LOST opportunities.

Shashi was RIGHT THERE. Akash could've been so WELL used. Payal as well! Why is everyone only fighting with Shyam for Anjali's child (I mean yes, kill the guy for that) but what about the way he assaulted and harassed Khushi for nearly a year at this point? NK WAS ROAMING AROUND WITH A CAMERA THROUGHOUT THE WEDDING!

WHERE WAS THE PAYOFF FOR THE MU?

If you still rewatch the show then how do you enjoy it without it being overshadowed by the frustrations of where the writing went wrong?

So two things actually - I just go around watching my favorite scenes. And because I edit... I kinda re-edited parts of the show so I can chill and watch it, hehe.

And true, I haven't rewatched it in a long time. Not even me post editing it. Hehe.

Maybe I should?

Love,

Jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

hi jalebi ji! I know what I'm gonna say provokes lot of hate but I'm gonna say it anyway I started watching ipk as I was enchanted with Arnav's presence, lot of people find khushi's character vital but to me Arnav's expressions, body language,acting spoke louder than Khushi rants. Besides ipk tu mera Sunday was good watch loved his flamboyant personality but apart from them I have never found that gripping screen play, acting of barun's in any other show- tv/series again. His face looked like fluffy ball and his acting is downright boring! His face held lot of expressions specially his eyes in past and now he looks like drunk man trying to act half of the time Asur,great dysfunctional family, raat baki h,kohraa were mediocre to me! So what acc to you are barun's best works!? Ps:Halal,court movie are in my bucket list yet. I don't mean to offend any fans but want to know your opinion!

Hey Anon,

True.

My take is Barun has a specific type of roles that he likes to choose - romance isn't one of them - and I think the scripts he chooses are getting better day by day.

IPK just shines brightest because it is a show which ran because of the leads acting and chemistry.

Barun, himself, mattered.

Like in Asur, it's really the kid who is stealing the show!

Yes, IPK had better writing than contemporary shows, but also after a point it was just the leads. They were magnetic, intense and would keep you HOOKED on screen.

Arnav is the more non cliche ITV hero (back then), so definitely just more room for an actor to shine in. Barun definitely peaked in a romantic role there.

Khushi is very very classic ITV heroine. As an actor I've preferred Sanaya in Rangrasiya any day - she also had so much more to work on!

For me, some of Barun's best works are (in no order): IPKKND, Halahal, Tu Hai Mera Sunday & Kohrra.

Have a good day,

Jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hello, jwb 👋🏻 I had a question about Akash and Arnav's dynamic. Akash i think really loves Arnav and idolizes him. He accepts everything about Arnav without question, and is very open about his feelings.

Arnav also loves him obviously and it was evident in how quickly he took responsibility for fixing Akash and Payal's marriage. After Khushi's birthday, there's a scene where he asks Akash how his relationship with Payal is being affected by everything. So obviously he cares for him.

I was just curious what akash's reaction would be if he ever found out his bhai had apparently threatened breaking up his marriage to blackmail Khushi. Even though he most likely wouldn't have done that, it could still be heartbreaking for Akash. When manorma opposed their marriage, Akash was quite confident that Arnav would always support him.

How would that reveal affect their relationship? Or would Akash understand that it was an empty threat, that bhai wouldn't ~actually~ do something to hurt him like that?

Hello Hello Anon,

Thank you for asking about this equation because it was genuinely underrated with a lot of potential.

Akash was the perfect foil to Arnav. And Arnav deeply cared about Akash - you know Akash wasn't hired just because he's the brother, it's because Arnav truly sees the best in Akash.

And it comes from a place of brotherly love.

So let's breakdown and answer this line by line.

He accepts everything about Arnav without question,

I don't think that's the case. Akash is a very rational man and I think apart from his own mom - he's doesn't quite love anyone without a reason.

And of course, Payal (but she is a lovely woman).

The blind trust that Arnav has, of Akash's, is very much earned.

Akash does not love/respect/obey his brother out of kinship. He has seen how his cousin has gone through the worst and stood out the strongest.

Arnav just hasn't survived a trauma, he has ensured that no one in the rest of his family, for unto 3 generations, do not face the economical helplessness that Arnav did.

The world was not kind to Arnav, so Akash can make peace with his brother not being the sweetest best. He cares for his family and for Akash he's just a good enough man - and that's more than everything for him.

Akash does know, and believe, that Arnav might take cruel decisions to prevent worse things incoming.

How would that reveal affect their relationship? Or would Akash understand that it was an empty threat, that bhai wouldn't ~actually~ do something to hurt him like that?

I think it depends on when Akash learns the truth and how. If it's within the early days of the marriage, Akash would want to know reason.

And it's very interesting to note what he tells Payal. Because that's the rationale he puts to this marriage.

Every story has another side (Akash, imo, knows that not everything can be said always, at all times)

He knows Arnav. With regards to Khushi, yes, Arnav has been unpredictable - which initially amused Akash. But for a decision this big? Akash trusts Arnav's instinct here. Because he's almost always right.

Arnav does not do anything without reason.

So two things would matter here for Akash. One, being reduced to a bargaining chip. Two, knowing Arnav crossed all lines of civility by forcing a marriage.

I think he'd call out Arnav's bullshit. He just wasn't stopping Khushi and Shyam from being together. He wants Khushi. Loves her. What he did was act born out of betrayal of love and the crime he presumed Khushi committed.

Above all, Arnav could have told him the truth. Because if Payal was the sister of the woman who ruined Anjali's life - Akash would have no interest in marrying her. Period.

So I do think for sometime things would be tough between the two brothers because Akash would've hated being put in the dark, not being trusted, and then being used as a bargaining chip.

Hope this answers your question!

Best,

JWB

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

IPKKND OS: Unworthy

Word Count: 2,315. Genre: Angst Pairing: Arnav x Khushi

Khushi swayed on her knees, trying to get a grip on her life. Every time she tried to do something good, it spun into something worse.

The sky was clear, stars shining bright. Perhaps her parents were giving her some guidance. But tonight, she couldn’t look up.

Anjali's screams, her ability to kill her child out of shame, the monster that Shyam turned out to, the sham Khushi's marriage ended up being...

Because the only thing that made this marriage work was him. It was beyond her hands from the first day.

Her arms wrapped around herself tightly, not from the night chill - but to hold in the ache, the fury, the wreckage.

She was so angry on herself.

"Hey Devi Maiyya, I hope I don't regret this."

Khushi had known, known so deeply that she would come to regret not telling everyone about Shyam but she had feared. What if Anjali, upon knowing the truth on the day - killed herself?

Ever since Shyam entered their lives, she know any decision she would take would result in the worst outcome.

She had tried to take one that would hurt the less.

And now, after it all, she was lost in confusion.

The worst part wasn’t the kidnapping. Not the bruises on her arms or the long, sleepless nights that followed.

The worst part was Arnav’s eyes when he spoke. Before he turned away, before he left her.

It showed the truth. The truth he believed.

“Yes you are. You are responsible for everything.”

She didn’t cry. There was no need. His words had already etched deep enough to draw blood.

"You are the biggest mistake of my life."

She curled by the poolside, knees drawn to her chest. She could still smell his cologne in the air. The scent of him lingered like a memory that refused to fade - cruel and familiar. Her breath hitched once, twice - and then she slept.

She never heard Arnav return, regret heavy on his footsteps.

She did not hear him crouch by her, hands hovering mid air, hesitating before placing a blanket over her.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll talk to her.

But when he woke the next morning, she was gone.

And she wasn't the only one missing - Anjali was gone too.

Arnav had no time to check in on his throbbing headache, dipping sugar levels or the multiple bruises on his body.

He was going to lose his sister, again.

The house was in disarray. None of the Prakashes had seen her. Nani hadn’t either.

It was Manorama who stirred the storm,

“I saw phati sari near Anjali’s room before sunrise. Maybe she said something again. This is why these girls bring so much tension-”

Arnav didn’t wait to hear the rest. Panic rising, he went room to room, calling for both of them, checking the garden, the kitchen, the driveway.

Then he remembered - the temple.

He found them there, both wearing red sarees. Where Khushi found the strength to deck up two days after family trauma - was beyond him.

Anjali stood nearby, holding a diya, trying to light it with trembling fingers. Khushi reached out gently to help. When Anjali lifted the sindoor, Khushi’s hand caught her wrist - a silent, desperate plea.

And then Anjali, without a word, threw the sindoor pot away.

It shattered on the steps. Red powder splattered like blood.

The crowd gasped.

That was enough.

“What the hell are you doing here, Khushi?” he thundered.

She flinched but didn’t move.

She didn’t look up.

“I asked you something,” he growled again.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the thali. Her jaw set. But still, she said nothing.

He marched toward her, grabbed her arm, forced her to stand. She burned in humiliation as the priest stopped chanting and eyes turned toward her.

“I asked you something!” he roared again.

She didn’t respond. She didn’t look up. Her hands just gently pressed the thali to the stone, like it was her last anchor.

He gripped her arms, tight enough to leave a bruise as he demanded answers. Khushi fought to keep her tears at bay.

Her marriage was an open secret, but she felt the last shreds of dignity fade as everyone saw the marriage for what it was.

“Don’t you get it? You’ve been told a thousand times — stay the hell away from my sister!”

“Enough, Chhote.”

Anjali’s voice was soft but sharp as a blade. Her palm came to rest on his shoulder, steadying him - or maybe herself.

"Arnav ji, I-"

He silenced her with a glare.

Khushi’s eyes dropped to the temple floor, shame closing in like a noose.

He growled, “Why are you both here?”

Anjali met his gaze this time. Unwavering.

"It's Teej Chhote,"

He blinked.

She glanced back at Khushi, then met his eyes.

“We’re here for our husbands.”

She let the words settle like dust before adding, with devastating calm-

“For our unworthy husbands.”

Arnav went still.

Anjali let the diya fall into the tray and stepped down the temple steps. She paused beside Khushi, brushing a hand across her cheek - a gesture of forgiveness, of understanding. Then she walked past him, letting Mohan guide her back to her car.

When Anjali had watched Khushi, earlier that morning - whispering a prayer and apologies to Devi Maiyya, she knew.

She had seen Khushi fast in silence, fight her own hunger, her own hurt - not because of some tradition, but because love refused to die even when dignity did.

“Khushi, I-” Arnav turned to her but Khushi was already gone. Her steps light, her presence even lighter, as she disappeared into the morning crowd and into the nearest auto

Arnav stood among marigolds and burning incense, surrounded by prayers he never believed in - and wondered how a woman he had accused of ruining lives could still wish for his to be long.

Just how many more times could he make the same mistake?

Later that evening, Shantivan was tense.

Arnav came home to silence. No one said anything. Even Anjali had retreated into her room with her thaal and mangalsutra left by the temple.

"Anjali bitiya has accepted the truth," Nani started and brushed Arnav's hair, "now you accept it too, because if you cannot - you won't be able to forgive me either."

"What do you mean Nani?" Arnav asked, holding her frail hands.

"I am responsible for your mother's death." Nani whispered.

The minute Devyani knew of the affair, she knew she had to tell her daughter. With her mother by her side, Ratna wouldn't go and kill herself, right? She would have taken the support and love of her children to stay strong! And a man like Arvind couldn't be trusted when he begged Devyani to not tell Ratna about the affair!

But as one who was always fair, she decided to go and tell her daughter the truth!

"And we all know what happened after that. So I understand, I just know what Khushi and Payal bitiya mean when they say they kept it in to save the families. Yes, they could have been more right about it but there's no knowing, is there?" Devyani brushed away her grandson's tears.

She didn't realize how much him breaking down would break her old spirit.

Arnav hugged her, letting tears stream away.

It was too much.

After a moment her broke away, grimacing a little as his tear stung a wound. He signaled Hari Prakash to bring some tea.

"Anyways, uh... where's Akash?"

“Akash bitwa? He's at Payaliya's” she said. “She is keeping her fast too.”

Arnav blinked. “He went?”

Devyani nodded, sipping tea. “Quietly. Out of custom. And guilt." Arnav nodded.

"He'll come around Chhote, he always does. But will you?" Arnav looked up, surprised.

"Nani... I-"

"Chhote, I knew a man who promised to love a woman like none other. But he couldn't control his vices." Devyani sighed, "and you, can't control your anger. So either you act, or leave her."

"Na-"

"Please." Devyani held her grandson's hand, hoping there was some of her daughter in him.

Arnav left without another word.

-- -- --

The Gupta house was dimly lit. He stood outside the gate for longer than necessary, unsure if he deserved to enter.

Inside, Madhumati sat silently while Payal applied balm to Khushi’s forehead. Akash had left, promising to come back tomorrow.

Khushi hadn’t spoken much since she returned. Just asked to stay alone. But she refused to eat. She didn’t want the fast broken.

Garima looked aghast and ashamed. Neither girl spoke to their mother. Madhumati had cloth tied around her head to fend off another pending headache.

She knew Garima had pushed the girls into taking the wrong step. Except, post the Shyam fiasco, Madhumati lost confidence in her own decision making.

If only she had stood ground and told the family the truth they deserved to know.

And with Arnav not having showed up-

The door creaked.

Arnav stepped in.

Madhumati stared at him with the weight of a woman who had watched too much go wrong.

“She hasn’t eaten,” she said simply.

He didn’t look at her. He looked at Khushi - frail, pale, yet somehow glowing in the moonlight filtering through the window.

He knelt beside her. She looked at him, concerned, pleading, as the rest of her family peaked at them.

She knew what they were thinking. They were worried how Arnav would react. They knew he knew, and they knew he wasn't one to forgive. Would he forgive the Guptas? Would he take the anger out on Khushi? Why did Arnav marry her so quickly if he had known-had he?

"I'm sorry Buaji for arriving late, I must have you all worried-"

"Babua, we're so sorry, Khushi actually wanted-" Madhumati began, hoping for the best.

"Buaji please. I understand. I really do. If you don't mind, can I be here tonight?"

A weight lifted off Madhumati's shoulders. She rushed towards Arnav, hugging him tightly.

"Babua this is your home. Never ask ever, again. I'll set the table for both of you." Madhumati lightly kissed Khushi's head and left, giving the couple privacy.

"Thank you," Khushi whispered.

"I'm sorry," Arnav said, taking the balm from the side table and pressing it on her forehead.

"Arnav ji, they're gone-"

"I'm not doing this for appearances, I'm sorry." He worked his fingers on her temples. Khushi held his hand and pushed it aside, gently.

"Arn-"

“I didn’t come to break your fast,” he said quietly.

Her eyes shifted, barely meeting his. “Then why are you here?”

He swallowed. “Because... I don’t want to be the man you pray in spite of. I want to be someone you pray for.”

She looked away.

“I said things I can’t unsay.”

“I heard things I can’t unhear.”

The silence between them tightened, thick with every misstep they’d ever made. And his, always, outweighed hers.

"Khushi, I don't know where to begin-"

"Then don't." Khushi curled into the sofa, hiding her face in her dupatta.

And then she whispered: “Why does this feel like punishment?”

He shook his head, voice breaking. “Because we don’t know what to do with it. Because I don't know what to do with it.”

There was nothing grand about this confession. Just a man, tired of hurting the only person who made him feel human.

“Babua, here’s dinner.” Madhumati placed two plates on the table and quietly returned to her room, giving them space.

Khushi sat without moving. Her hands were folded in her lap, eyes on the rice that steamed gently in the thali.

“Khushi?” Arnav’s voice was soft now, almost careful. He reached toward the plate and gave her a spoon. She gingerly took a bite, and then took the plate and headed for the courtyard.

-- -- --

Later, when the house was still and the moon had shifted to its deepest silver, she came to find him by other side of the house. He was seated cross-legged on a bench, fingers turning something over slowly in his lap.

It was his thali.

Filled with food she hadn’t seen him eat.

Her breath caught.

“You… you didn’t eat?”

Arnav looked away.

“Why?”

He gave a dry, broken chuckle. “Because what’s the point of living long if I have to do it without you?”

Her throat tightened. "You don't believe in this..."

“You do. And maybe, if I can’t be a man worthy of love yet, I can be one who learns from it.”

He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. Set it gently on the table between them.

Divorce papers.

Signed.

Tears pricked her eyes.

“I told my lawyer to send these weeks ago,” he said. “I didn’t want to give them to you in anger.”

Khushi stared at the papers, then at him.

“I know someone,” he continued, voice low, “who apparently loved the woman he killed. I am ending up becoming like him, regardless. So you’re free, Khushi. Truly free.”

Arnav waited with bated breath, watching her take the papers in her hand, read its contents and place it back on the bench.

She looked down, slowly tearing a piece of roti from the plate beside her. She dipped it in the dal, hands trembling slightly, and lifted it to his mouth.

He didn’t resist.

He opened his mouth. Took it in.

And something shifted.

“I hope I live long enough,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper, “to argue with you.”

He blinked, startled. A small sound escaped him - something between a laugh and a choked breath.

“Because there are many, many things I still need to say to you.”

He looked at her like the world was giving him a second chance.

She reached for another bite.

And this time, her hands weren’t shaking.

--- --- --- ---

A/N: This is a request of @pakki-ya-nahin that I'm fulfilling after five years. God & PyN - forgive me if you can darlin'. Tagging: @chutkiandchotte @dreaming-star @professor-cant-fuck @thedupattaknowswhatsup @bigfatreader @muttonthings @da-ka-ba @fresh-child-bouquet @hand-picked-star @fancydreamphilosopher @scorpio-smiles @thenainitaldisaster @titaliya @sankititaliya @sampigehoovu @jalebicheesecake @dnkkpi @nammy07

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

For years, I've been salty about rocky ruining what could have been an airport reunion for arshi, but you've now offered me a totally new perspective of him actually being the cupid. As someone who's obsessed with ipkknd and analyses every frame with a magnifying lens, I am ashamed of being shortsighted and misunderstanding rocky 😔

It's ok child, we all take time to understand the reality and the blessings that people play in others lives...

This was the truth. Rocky is-

Cupid <3

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Your recent analysis made me realize one thing, at the airport, arnav was fully ready to drop everything and go back to kushi, he has a moment where he briefly ponders, smiles to himself and turns back, only for our favorite rocky to rain on our parade. *sobs*

Tagging: @chutkiandchotte @dreaming-star @professor-cant-fuck @thedupattaknowswhatsup @bigfatreader @muttonthings @da-ka-ba @fresh-child-bouquet @hand-picked-star @fancydreamphilosopher @scorpio-smiles @thenainitaldisaster @titaliya @sankititaliya @sampigehoovu @jalebicheesecake @dnkkpi @nammy07

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hey jalebi! How are you? So I came across one of your answers yesterday about how Arnav considers wasting 10 mins for lavanya is a sign he considers her as equal to family and I know this is gonna sound completely out of place but how could lavanya possibly want to date someone who gets cranky for wasting 10 mins for his girlfriend? Someone who wants his way or high way, Lavanya doesn't come from bg where she have to fit,adjust or compromise but she does everything and yet he doesn't even make 10% effort as her, I feel he is Walking Red flag and women are color-blind, Arnav's attitude towards lavanya feels so mechanical to me but post breakup he really wanted to make her feel comfortable and yes he was guilty at that point but yeah my question remains same that how could lavanya possibly want to have future with someone who calculates everything / emotionally not available? She wanted more and he knew it! He have shown her illusion while hiding from his own feelings.And she knew it he doesn't feel the same as her bringing the impending breakup!

Hey Anon,

Doing good - a lil tired.

"Arnav considers wasting 10 mins for lavanya is a sign he considers her as equal to family"

No that's not what I meant. What I mean is he talks to Lavanya the way he talks to his family. He points out to his Di, often, that as an atheist he is doing many things only for her.

Arnav is... cranky, lol.

Lavanya loves Arnav, all his cranky self, and sometimes love is like that.

She's an adult, she made a conscious choice to date Arnav - being well aware of who he is. Yes, he wasn't the best boyfriend and should have done more. Absolutely.

But when Lavanya and Arnav started the relationship - she and Arnav were not looking for something more serious.

And when Lavanya's feelings and wants grew - she got seriously misaligned with Arnav and eventually broke up with him.

Arnav was not a good boyfriend - that is absolutely given. In fact Arnav is a terrible partner to begin with.

But it isn't ridiculous for Lavanya to want him. Or love him. Or accept that she did mean something serious for Arnav. He wouldn't have felt comfortable bringing Lavanya to his home if that wasn't the case.

My previous answers were to highlight that Lavanya wasn't just an arm candy for Arnav. It was a serious relationship for him.

"how could lavanya possibly want to have future with someone who calculates everything / emotionally not available?"

The absolute same could be asked to Khushi. Love is, unfortunately, irrational.

This is some of the uglier sides of being in love.

Best,

Jalebi

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

This made me cry a little because it’s so SO DAMN GOOD.

“Because Khushi Kumari Gupta IS the kind of girl who would stupidly, delusionally, throw away every moral, social and self preservation consideration for the sake of a grand romantic love.”

And the fact that love is him, all along…

So @jalebi-weds-bluetooth is back with her thoughtful & interesting IPKKND analysis and immediately sparking thoughts and conversations and in this case, long ass speculation posts. This is inspired by this post where she analyzes how Arnav's belief in Khushi's innocence shifted not all at once but in phases, with the dramatic First Shyam Expose marking the completion of the process. It inspired me to re-watch some scenes from Buaji's house terrace scene till Shyam's reveal at Shantivan and I wanted to make a post to try and untangle Arnav's thoughts in this confusing (and painful) period!

There's two parts of the Misunderstanding -

1) the what happened and

2) the what was Khushi thinking/feeling about it.

The former is actually easily proved via investigation and deductive reasoning. Its an outrageous story tbh but thats another conversation. I think when Arnav heard her sequence of events - that Shyam cheated her, lied to her family, that she ended it when she found out the truth, that she hates him - he knew there's a good chance its true because it's too big of a lie to risk telling him. The essential fact of Shyam's fraud is easily provable or disprovable so why would she lie about that.

But.......so what?

Khushi isn't exactly blameless even in the true sequence of events. She chose to hide the truth, a mistake Arnav cannot understand or sympathize with at all. When he asks her if Shyam is the villain and she the victim, then why did she lie, she takes a looong moment to answer because she isn't quite being honest even with herself about her motives for that lie.

The long silence (I think she's honestly thinking about the answer, for the first time) followed by her (not entirely truthful) answer that it was all for his Di...further sets off Arnav's suspicions about her motives through it all.

His essential (and pretty accurate) belief that Khushi isn't averse to lying, frequently lies to herself even, and can delude herself into doing wrong things for the "right" reasons stands against her in this moment. And moreover...it had become kind of irrelevant to Arnav what happened in terms of Shyam's sins. None of it would convince him of what had become much MUCH more critical - and what Khushi cannot manage to convince him of - did Khushi really love Shyam or Arnav? Who was in her heart back then and who was in her heart now? Could he forgive her for betraying him in the past? (Sidebar for the last part: I think there's a huge part of him that fantasized that after he told her the reason for marrying her she would confess, repent and express her desire to be with him and not Shyam and then they could be together somehow although in the unlikely event this happened, they would have been super toxic bc he'd never truly trust her fully even if he wanted her around desperately).

-----------------------------

So now we come to part 2) of the Misunderstanding - the "Fault in My Intentions" aka what was Khushi thinking/feeling part - and thats really not...provable with facts in any way.

That has to be taken on faith because the fact of Khushi hiding Shyam's truth for so long is too damning in his eyes. She says she hates Shyam, she STRONGLY hints she loves Arnav. He's desperate to believe her but he cannot precisely because he is that desperate and his Di's life is at risk here. He is doubling down on the following his head not heart path because he's so terrified of being cheated again, that he'll believe her unlikely story simply because of his strong feelings and the consequences of making an emotional decision that would destroy his and his Di's life. And unfortunately, from his point of view, there is no evidence to prove her love or innocence. Even if she WAS engaged to and then dumped a lying scheming Shyam...it doesn't automatically disprove Shyam's claim (backed by the unshakable memory of the terrace moment) that Khushi loves/loved him.

In this version of events, Khushi DID have feelings for her fiance Shyam, POSSIBLY even knew he was married when they were engaged, broke up with him due to either her belief in marriage + not wanting to be a mistress OR her family finding out and making her break up with him; but crucially, continued to harbour feelings for Shyam, led Arnav on while secretly longing for a married man, and planned/hoped to marry him after he was divorced, as late as Payash's wedding, now was regretting her choices and instead of taking accountability...was trying to cover them up.

All of that is consistent and possible with this new reveal of Shyam being her ex-fiance. All of that is consistent and possible with his knowledge of Khushi's character (check end of post for what I mean by this). The only thing that changes is that Shyam is an even bigger scoundrel than he previously thought but he truly does not care about that. Because it doesn't discount the possibility of Khushi being in love with Shyam all along and even now, lying to cover up. Her culpability could be either manipulative scheming home-wrecker as he initially believed or entrapped young girl fighting her feelings for an immoral married man (and refusing to admit to them due to shame). He isn't clear on that. Either way, Arnav's heart is still broken. Do you see? Its not about the 1) what happened. Its about the 2) what was she thinking/feeling? does Khushi love me like I love her? can i trust her not to hurt me or my family?

-----------------------------

So how can she prove what she was feeling? How can she prove she didn't love Shyam all along? Arnav has no real answers for this and neither does Khushi (expecting Shyam to defend her to Arnav was...dumb as fuck). She is desperate to prove, he is desperate to be convinced with proof, and increasingly angered by her bad attempts at it. It's a losing battle because the matter does not admit of proof.

So in this phase, the seeds of which are laid through the contract marriage, Arnav's Heart of course is 100% tortured by his love and longing for Khushi, by his pain witnessing her pain etc. But his Head is Confused AF, haunted by memories of contradicting moments of truth & lies regarding Khushi. He doesn't really believe she is a gold digger - he only says it to hurt her - if he really believed that, he wouldn't, for example, sign any damn thing she gave him to sign. Worst case scenario - she still loves Shyam, she's still playing games and acting for reasons beyond his comprehension. Best case scenario - she repents now her follies of youth etc; she has some attraction to him (he remembers Holi for the first time EVER at Buaji's house), and that combined with her strong sense of duty towards her married life & husband, and her natural tendency to want to be the Good Girl in her own head (he's pointed that out before about her) - results in her desperation to prove herself innocent in his eyes and explain away Shyam. It is not enough. Per his ASR ego and specific childhood trauma, even in the best case scenario, what she did is unforgivable and the dutiful loyalty and weak explanations she is offering are too pathetic to accept, especially considering his own intensity of feelings. It's his mother's death anniversary , further reinforcing the potency of the terrace memory in his head. This is in contention with the part of him which longs to forgive and move on, accepting whatever she has to offer to him now, lies and all, and live as real husband and wife. His heart is locked in conflict and he needs distance from it all to cope.

But then he turns around at the airport.

-----------------------------

His turning at the airport to come back to Khushi was the shift to his next attitude. He's much more firmly in this phase - "I'm still unclear about what happened in the past, but I don't care. What matters is that Khushi said she finds Shyam disgusting now. What matters is she said farq padta hai cuz its you."

Then being kidnapped and alone with his thoughts and feelings with no scope of running away, forces further honest self reflection, and he accepts that whatever he feels for Khushi is beyond logic and he will never be happy away from her. He admits he actually does not care what happened in the past. The only thing that matters is what they feel for each other now. Basically the pay off for Holi, for his Heer Ranjha speech which he remembers just before turning around. He's ready to love her and (if he miraculously survives being kidnapped) be with her despite still kiiiiiind of believing she WAS his didi ki saut at one point. His love is so powerful the rest doesn't matter to him. Which is twistedly romantic I guess.

Even after this I Love You, Arnav's heartbreak from the terrace moment has still not quite healed. He still believes that at that moment, he was madly deeply in love with Khushi, ready to fight all his demons to be with her, while she on the other hand was having merely tepid feelings for him, and conflicted feelings between two men, one of them being his sister's husband. That he loves her more than she loves him. This heartbreak is soothed a whole lot when Khushi clearly proves that whatever happened in the past, in present time, she DOES love him madly and truly - by risking her own life to save him multiple times. I don't know that anything less would have ever convinced him that the madness is truly mutual.

Arnav is now fully on board Team Never Talk About the Past, Focus on the Future. It doesn't matter she lied and played games, it doesn't matter he hurt and tortured her. What matters is their love. By the way, their stay in Buaji's house was the prelude to this conclusion - he was already contemplating fully accepting Khushi as his wife and treating her with the respect and care that position deserved, though nowhere being close to accept her as his love back then.

However all through Buaji's house, kidnap, even post rescue, he is still thinking of Shyam more as Khushi's ex, not her harasser. He still thinks she DID have feelings for Shyam at one point and maybe acted inappropriately due to that, albeit now she's over it and firmly in love with Arnav.

But then Shyam's utterly believable storytelling (it WAS, Shyam is an excellent liar) about Khushi being this immoral hussy etc - ironically opens his eyes. He realizes that his entire belief about Khushi's past feelings is based on Shyam's powerful storytelling. Till that very moment, he never unbelieved the story Shyam fed him about Khushi passionately loving Shyam at one point in her past. He only changed what he felt about it - from anger to avoidance to acceptance. It had become a core trauma re-inforced belief for the last 6 months, implacable thru all the questioning and doubts. He realizes finally that Shyam is NOT Khushi ka scandalous ex-love, her embarrassing mistake she's trying to hide and forget, her moment of weakness she needs forgiveness for, but rather her harasser and stalker.

They had a missed opportunity here to use flashbacks and show Arnav evaluating past events in light of fresh knowledge. He has an excellent memory especially regarding all things Khushi - as he admitted himself. Arnav should have recalled how Khushi was unhappy every minute of her engagement. How she showed her feelings for Arnav, to Arnav, long long before it was socially or morally acceptable to do so. And every other instance of proof that while he was right in judging her character he was wrong is judging her heart.

Because Khushi Kumari Gupta IS the kind of girl who would stupidly, delusionally, throw away every moral, social and self preservation consideration for the sake of a grand romantic love.

But the only man she has ever done all that for and will ever do that for - is Arnav Singh Raizada.