#arnav khushi ruined me for life

[onadaanparindey]

jag ne chheena mujhse, 

mujhe jo bhi laga pyaara;

sab jeeta kiye mujhse, 

mei har dum hi hara. 

tum haar ke dil apna, 

meri jeet amar kardo.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

ArShi SS: Cold Faith *complete*

CHAPTER ONE

Arnav stood in his room, unable to bear the throbbing of his head and the static noise around him. His heart hurt, hurt beyond what he could tolerate.

And once he’d been proud that nothing hurt him.

Yet one look at the woman before him and the hurt intensified. For the first time in days he realized he was tired of this love. As he had feared, love had just been that. It allowed Shyam to exploit his feelings. At least previously the man feared him enough to keep his ugliness under wraps for the fear of what would have happened if he got discovered.

Yet now Shyam enjoyed picking apart pieces of Arnav Singh Raizada because it involved the woman he loved. 

What Arnav should’ve done overnight, took months because the woman he was in love with was in question. 

His own actions didn’t escape him. Perhaps he will never be able to resent Khushi, nor will he ever be able to look at the stars above given his deeds. 

But oh boy didn’t he hate love at this moment. 

Khushi looked at him, waiting for answers, teary eyed at his anger.

“Do you even know the gravity of what you’ve done?” Arnav spoke after a moment, balling his fists to control his raging anger. 

“Shyam is her husband, he needs-”

“Do you know what Shyam told me? The night you two were on the terrace?” Khushi fell silent, the pride of ‘fixing’ Di’s life diminishing as bitter memories resurfaced - ones she refused to acknowledge even existed. 

“You’re his madness, his love, his everything. And Di is the only obstacle between you and him. He laughed at me upon my threat of exposing him. Because he knew how much Di loved him and knew we could never separate him. And you just proved him right.” Arnav seethed.

“But... Arnav ji... perhaps a miscarriage-”

“Are you even listening to yourself? How do you not know the extent of his demented mind? He sexually harassed you, tried to murder me, has been siphoning funds out of Di’s account... just what crime will it take for you to stop giving him a fucking chance! Because every time you have, he’s gotten worse!” Arnav yelled, baffled at the woman before him. 

"But Di needs-”

“He manipulated my goddamn will Khushi! My will! He fucking forged my signatures-” Arnav stopped, watching her face turn ashen and get overwhelmed with guilt. What was she hiding now?

“What is it now Khushi?” He asked, she began trembling like a leaf. He closed his eyes, reeled in his anger and held her. Perhaps it was his fault. It had not been long since he had told her she was responsible for ruining Anjali’s life. He never stopped to see how his words could affect people.

Perhaps he had broken Khushi, numbed her to an extent where she saw nothing apart from what made Anjali smile. Even if it ultimately harmed Anjali in the long process.

“What is it, Khushi?” He was softer now, holding her hands. They were cold, clammy.

“A-Arnav ji...” She began, gripping onto his fingers for her life. 

“He didn’t forge the signatures.” Arnav frowned. How could’ve Shyam gotten his signatures on the new will? Did he swap any papers? But he usually checks any papers his way unless Akash or Aman gives it to him. 

“I...” Arnav stiffened. Fear sat in his gut, he did not want to hear the rest of the sentence. 

“I sought Shyam’s help to tell you the truth... you wouldn’t believe me... and I swear I didn’t know those were your will papers. I had checked! But he had switched the papers in between-” Khushi sobbed but her voice was a blur for Arnav. 

"You?” he rasped.

Khushi held his hand and cried. It finally made sense to Arnav why Shyam was always so confident. He had Khushi at his fingertips. He didn’t need any hiding. Khushi would hide things for him. He didn’t need to worry about Arnav’s assets. Khushi would be manipulated enough to do it for him. He didn't bat an eyelid on being kicked out of the house. Khushi would bring him back - and she had just enough power to quieten Arnav. 

And that was the purpose of bringing Dadi into the house, someone with enough authority to overrule Arnav in case Khushi couldn’t convince him enough. 

"I forgive you Khushi,” Khushi stopped crying, staring at the man in front of her. He... forgave her? Despite everything? She rushing into his arms, crying her heart out. His hands remained by his sides.

“But I’m calling off the wedding.” Khushi froze, her world shattering into small pieces. She broke the hug, unsure if what she heard was true. 

The man before her wasn’t her Arnav ji.

It was Arnav Singh Raizada.

Cold eyes, unreadable face. 

What had she done!

“Arnav-ji, nahi, I did all this to save Di and-”

“I know Khushi, but everything has a limit, even goodness.” Arnav said, brushing away her tears with a pad of his thumb. Khushi clutched his shirt, her ground slipping away from her. 

Khushi couldn’t form words. Her mouth whispered ‘no’ repetitively, the punishment of her actions too severe to bear. 

“You know what’s my mistake Khushi, I was prepared for the world when I should’ve been aware of my family.” Arnav gave a mirthless chuckle.

“No Arnav-ji, please listen to me, you know I did this for Di.” Khushi tried to console him. She was there, for him! For his sister! For his family! 

“I think Shyam is a genius. He’s made every woman I care about his weapon, be it my Dadi, Di or my wife.” Arnav gritted. 

“Arnav-ji how can you even think like this? If Shyam wasn’t here today then Di would’ve died.” Khushi desperately tried to make him see reason. 

“When you can give him a chance after all this, it means you will keep giving him a chance regardless, and he’ll keep taking advantage of that.” Arnav stated.

“No Arnav ji, I swear this is the last-”

“You really do believe in good of the people, right?” Arnav sighed, the strings of his heart severing every second, unable to bear the brunt of a love that made him weak.

“Has it crossed your mind that he probably wanted Di’s miscarriage to come home?” Khushi blinked, the thought pouring over her as cold water.

“B-but,”

“Think Khushi, he brought back my grandmother with whom I’ve not been in contact with - someone who hates you even without knowing you because she’s been fed the story that you ruined this family.” Arnav said.

“And you’ve played right into his hands by doing everything to win her approval - which she would never give. Because when you’re working to do things she would like, you’re doing everything Shyam wants. He’s the one who had questions about our marriage - and so does Dadi. He wanted to come back home, so does Dadi. He thinks of himself as necessary to Di because he’s her pati, so does Dadi... and just think what all you’ve been telling me in the past five minutes.” Arnav clicked his tongue, the manipulations and workings of Shyam’s mind becoming clearer to him every minute.

Khushi is an inherent problem fixer, to have Dadi blare into her ears constantly that bringing back Shyam is necessary to rectify the misfortune Khushi has brought - at one point Khushi would firmly believe it herself and bring him back.

Khushi slumped on the chaise, Arnav’s words and her actions floating about. But she truly wanted the best for Di.

“It’s ok that you mistakenly changed my will Khushi. I didn’t believe you, I didn’t listen to you.” Arnav touched her chin, a calmness washing over him.

“But this time you’ve broken my trust. I’ve been fighting my sister, my grandmothers, my family, all because I know you had my back.” Arnav clenched his jaws as Khushi broke down into more tears, her hurt shining in her eyes.

“I broke your trust?” She questioned. Arnav nodded, the pain lodging in his throat.

“Now I can’t afford this love Khushi.”

“What do you mean?” Khushi panicked, clutching on her mangalsutra. She didn’t want to hear whatever he said next.

“Arnav-ji if in case Shyam does anything wrong then we’ll tackle him together. Trust me we-”

“There’s no us Khushi.”

Khushi broke into a sob and collapsed, she shut her ears, refusing to hear anymore. Arnav closed his eyes and steeled his heart. He held her shoulders and picked her up.

“There’s no us in this problem Khushi.”

“Arnav ji, nahi, I’m sorry, please don’t-” Khushi cried as Arnav let her cry into a hug.

“I’m sorry Khushi, but we can’t marry now. And if you ever loved me, then let things end now - for you and me-” Khushi stiffened, looking up at him. She agreed to not publicly fight him for the marriage and let it remain broken.

“I love you Arnav ji,” Khushi begged. Arnav nodded and turned away.

“I know you do Khushi and only your God know how much I love you. And I know you’ll always give everyone a chance. And that’s why...” Arnav sighed, sparing her from repeating the damned words again. 

And Khushi realized why death was mercy. 

-- -- -- --

CHAPTER TWO

A lifeless Khushi sat on the sofa, while her family and his argued with Arnav regarding the broken wedding. The Raizadas yelled at him for being insensitive but when Subhadra rejoiced Khushi going away from Arnav’s life - Arnav promptly showed her the door. She turned to her friend for advice, but considering how she had openly badmouthed Ratna’s weakness and inability to endure a simple affair - it was to no one’s surprise that Devyani had nothing to say at all. 

Shyam chose to remain quiet and retract his support to Dadi considering the way the tides had turned. Anjali sobbed, unable to see her family breaking apart. Why couldn’t anyone be happy for her and Shyam? She knew Arnav was breaking off the marriage because of her decisions.

“Chote please don’t do this-”

“Enough Di, enough.” 

After declaring his decision, he went off to his room, leading the Guptas to gently escort their broken daughter home. 

-- -- -- --

“Are you happy now Amma? To save my marriage you’ve permanently ruined Khushi’s! I begged you, implored you, warned you that they need to know the truth when it was necessary. See what it has all resulted into!” Payal stormed once they were back at the Gupta house. 

Buaji and Garima sat in guilt while Khushi stared at the wall. Payal shook Khushi’s shoulders, “And what is wrong with you? If only once you told me to talk to Arnav ji! And why the hell would you bring Shyam home?”

“Di needed him-”

“If Di was a drug addict you would’ve kept giving her drugs?” Payal demanded.

“Nahi Jiji, he’s her hus-”

“Wake up Khushi! I know... I know you’ve been unfairly tasked to mend every family cause no one realizes you’re the youngest here!” Payal shot a glare to her aunt and mother and then cupped her sister’s cheek, “but would you really would’ve wanted me to marry Abhishek?” Khushi nodded no.

“Sometimes I’m glad that my marriage broke because going by your mentality if I was married to him and beaten up for dowry, you all would’ve still wanted me to be in that house because he’s my husband,” Khushi gasped at Payal’s outburst, horrified by the implication. 

“Nahi Jiji!” 

“Then learn Khushi. Learn the right from the wrong. Tell me the truth...” Payal asked. Khushi broke down and hugged her sister, “I didn’t want anyone gets hurt because of me. Shyam was kicked out because of me and that killed Di. She went to get an abortion because of me. So I wanted to tell everyone I’m fine with him if he’s back... I didn't want Di to-”

“-be hurt because of you. I know. But Khushi, you’re not responsible for anything at all. This fear is what Shyam manipulates. Amma was afraid for my marriage getting broken and a new scandal and he exploited that. Di is indebted to Shyam because she thought she would never find love due to her disability and broken wedding. He exploited that. Shyam knew Arnav-ji couldn’t expose his deeds considering you were on the line. Arnav-ji just didn’t have the courage to find out the truth and he exploited his love for you.” Payal explained, consoling Khushi.

“So what do I do Jiji... how do I fix everything?”

“Khushi... that’s the point. Stop fixing things. Nobody, and I mean nobody is asking you for that. And you shouldn’t fix things in a place where no one is taking accountability.” Payal said. Garima and Madhumati looked away, the accusation hit them well. They had neither apologized for hiding Shyam’s truth, nor had they ever apologized for forcing Khushi to marry that man. 

Payal had faith in Arnav’s ruthlessness by the way he ousted Subhadra from the house. Khushi’s kindness, although essential, had no place when it came to kicking Shyam out nor in keeping him in check. 

Garima looked to Shashi for help but he wheeled away in anger, going to his two children who needed his support the most. 

Khushi collapsed by her Babuji’s side, howling for her broken wedding, her disastrous decisions and the weight of life on her. 

Payal walked out of the house, trying to hold back her tears and found Akash waiting by the gate. She ran into his arms, breaking down at her sister’s state. 

-- -- -- --

“Papad ka tukda hai,” Arnav noticed Anjali walking up to him with food. 

“Jab dekho ukda hai,” Anjali whispered, the tray hovering in her hand. She knew he had burnt all the bridges only for her. 

“Deta hai apni ko ansu mote mote, par hai woh humaara pyaare-” Anjali couldn’t find it in herself as her brother showed himself to her. Eyes empty, face haggard. The last time she had seen him age overnight was the night of his wedding. 

“Chote?” She asked, touching his cheek. For the past week he had been a blazing fire towards anyone his way. Without Khushi, Arnav had regressed to a far more destructive version than he had ever been. Shyam’s finances were invisible, any property in Anjali’s name was transferred to other family members in case of his death. Anjali’s heart broke as Arnav changed up his life insurances that had Anjali as a benefactor. Shyam made no fuss at all, he quietly stayed in his room and tended to Anjali, having a hurt smile when no one wanted to eat when he was at the table. 

How could she explain it to Arnav? Today was a particularly hard day. It would’ve been his wedding day. However the choice between Shyam and Khushi was chosen. She waited for her Chote to yell at her, scream at her for ruining his life the way she had screamed at him to get Shyam back. It would give her some peace. 

Yet here he was, solemn only for his Di. 

“I am sorry,” Anjali cried. She couldn’t bear her brother’s sacrifice. She would give up Shyam a thousand times than steal Arnav’s youth. 

“That’s not the point Di, it’s not about sacrificing anyone.” Anjali looked up, surprised he had heard her thought. 

“I didn’t. You have a habit of speaking your thoughts out loud,” Arnav looked at her with fondness, “like-” Khushi... he cut off, swallowing hard.

“Khushi ji,” Anjali said aloud and Arnav stiffly nodded. 

He guided her to the chair and they sat, she put out a morsel for him but he kept quiet. He didn’t seem to eat off late. 

“Chote... either you eat or let me convince you to marry Khushi ji, again.” Anjali hid a small smile as he began eating quickly. Small mercies. 

“And now that you’re eating, let me feed you?” Arnav pushed the plate towards her, nodding slightly. 

“And now that you’re letting me feed you, can I talk to you?” Anjali asked, waiting between morsels. 

“I know you’re intelligent Chote. I know if you don’t trust Shyam-ji you have your reasons. I... I cannot not trust him Chote. He’s lived with me for so many years. I have never seen him slip up. To suddenly hear that the man who has fasted for me, cared for me, give me everything, is a lie... how do I accept it Chote?” Anjali asked, holding back her tears. 

“I have evidence Di... but it’s not that with love, is it? No matter what I show you, you’ll believe the opposite. You won’t believe it until he says it himself.” Arnav said.

And he was right, she was stuck in a situation of two sides of whatever Arnav said versus Shyam’s. Chote never lied, but neither did Shyam. And even though the financial transactions Arnav procured were enough to suggest that Shyam had no friend whose emergencies he spent on, rather all the money from Anjali went to himself - it proved nothing about the heinous crimes he committed. She had talked herself out of it several times. 

“So there’s no way I can keep Khushi and Shyam under the same roof, you have no idea what he’s done to her...” Arnav said.

“But I’ve also seen them Chote. Going to places together, feeding him kheer, tying him a necklace...” Anjali sighed. Arnav closed his eyes, he remembered NK telling him about the extent Khushi went to dig out information about Arnav. Definitely destiny was a thing, he couldn’t have written such terrible fates for themselves. Every version of truth sounded improbable. 

“But forget it Chote, bring Khushi ji back, I promise everything will be right.” Anjali vowed, hoping to truly get the happiness of the household back. 

"Nothing will ever be right Di,” Arnav stood up as Shyam came into the view. His eyes hardened. Shyam was an excellent actor. And he’d want Shyam to bask in his little victory. 

Overconfidence is the doom of all evil.

-- -- -- --

Khushi sank in her chair, unable to believe what she had just heard. Her father’s new nurse, an expert in aiding paralysis recovery had detected that for a time Shashi had been consuming spurious medication - he should’ve recovered months ago.

And from establishing new form of communication with Shashi through his ability to blink and point, the first sentence he wrote was - Shyam murdered me. 

This was the man Khushi forgave? 

She screamed her agony, her stupidity and fate. 

-- -- -- --

Anjali sat in front of the temple in her room, hoping for Devi Maiyya to guide her. Chote was right, there were instances where she had felt Shyam was duplicitous yet she couldn’t realize if she was projecting trauma or if Shyam was genuinely deceiving her. 

This year’s anniversary would be far from-

An old memory resurfaced in Anjali’s mind. Of her last year’s anniversary. Where Shyam had to suddenly rush away when she wanted to introduce Khushi to him. With one, several memories unlocked. Teej, Janmashtami, Diwali. Hari Prakash had even told that Shyam had willfully eaten the pineapples and given himself an allergic reaction. 

Her heart sank, the memories playing on loop until it plagued her mind. Was Shyam really avoiding Khushi? Or is it her thinking? 

Anjali looked at Shyam’s laptop, remembering he stored the anniversary pictures there. Definitely she’d find some clue. Arnav watched from the door, hoping for some strength for Anjali to discover what he just had a few hours ago. 

He had seen the locket USB as Shyam’s keychain, one Khushi and NK had desperately talked about in their failed expose on Shyam. Given the cold treatment that Akash-Arnav gave to Shyam, having Akash invite Shyam for a conversation startled him enough to not notice when the keychain was taken and the documents were copied.

NK joked that this reminded him of Khushi, and Arnav only felt the pang of separation further in his heart. Why had she ever thought to bring Shyam back was beyond him. But at least they weren’t under the same roof.

Anjali was surprised at the multiple files open on Shyam’s laptop. She was hoping to find some pictures of their and anniversary to get some answers. 

Except what she found was worse than that. 

A footage of Anjali’s miscarriage.

She watched herself fall with strange fascination, reliving the experience through a third person. The more videos she searched, the more she found. Some excessively shooting Khushi - sometimes her waist, her neck, her face, her legs. 

Anjali felt the bile rise up her throat. 

And then she found a video where a man in a blue bracelet put glass on the carpet.

-- -- -- --

CHAPTER THREE

Khushi stood in front of Devi Maiyya at the temple, thanking her for her grace as Shyam was finally jailed. It was ironic that out of all the evidences they couldn’t prove, it was his own evidence that put him to jail. She kept away from court until necessary and was surprised to see the guards around her house. 

A necessary measure, according to Payal.

Akash and NK often briefed her about all the revelation and how Anjali was dealing with it - as well as the legal proceedings. 

They did find a connection between the pharmacy dealer and Shyam to provide evidence that he did buy counterfeit medication on purpose. Apart from that under attempt to harm and murder Anjali, along with long stalking history of Khushi kept him in jail for a considerable amount of time. 

Khushi shivered to think what all could’ve happened if they had never found any videos and went ahead living in the same house as Shyam. What more tricks he would’ve pulled? 

Khushi no longer had the courage to go over to the Raizadas, her decisions weighing heavy on her, and she had no idea what to tell Arnav. Of course Payal had knocked sense into Khushi, giving her the much needed lecture that she simply cannot take the burden of Shyam’s actions on her shoulders. 

Yet her father and Arnav were right, she did give people too many chances and her goodness was her weakness. 

“Hey Devi Maiyya, please give me strength.” Khushi pleaded to her beloved goddess. Suddenly the air was charged, goosebumps broke on her skin and a calmness washed over her. It felt like after weeks... she could breathe. 

She turned, and there he was, outside the temple. Dressed in all black, of course. 

Was it her illusion or was he really there? Her heart soared in joy. Was it time? Was it distance? She had thought she had memorized every single aspect of Arnav’s face but it felt like she was seeing him for the first time. His stubble was a day old, hair had grown longer. 

Khushi found him watching her. There had never been a time when he was not looking. Even now. He removed his sunglasses, raking his eyes all over her as she gently walked down the stairs.

Time had been strange with Khushi, the rosiness had gone from her cheeks yet she looked divine in white. 

More than the idol behind her.

Arnav found himself walking up to her in a hypnotic pull. For Khushi the world was a blur, so was her vision as she blinked rapidly to understand what was happening. 

And when he came close enough she stopped. Unable to move, unable to speak.

Arnav took hesitant steps towards her, his heart breaking at her pale face. He felt so justified in keeping her away to be able to execute the harshest decisions in his life, yet here was regretting every second he was away from her. 

Belatedly he realized that if Khushi slaved herself to work for her family, he had reinforced it by making it evident she had no way to love him if not for keeping his family happy. 

According to a wise Akash, Arnav was only repeating his mistake - with more intensity. Akash never realized how far he had pushed Payal to cater to his family, without making a simple effort on his end, until it was nearly too late. 

And Arnav was lucky, he had a woman who always gave another chance. What dooms her against Shyam, makes their love victorious with Arnav. 

He stopped climbing the stairs and they stood in silence, taking each other in. They were unable to look away. 

The Guptas and Raizadas - despite having met frequently during the court proceedings - exchanged long hugs at the bottom of the temple, with Manorama abandoning the family to hide behind the pillar and watch what was happening. 

“I need your help,” Arnav broke the silence, pushing a gentle strand of her hair away. Khushi nodded.

“There’s a deal that I can’t quite crack. I probably self sabotage it.” Arnav stated, watching with humor as her eyebrows bunched in confusion for a second before realization settled on her.

“So I’m a deal.” 

“Of course you are, you’re the biggest deal of my life Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.” Arnav relished her full name, watching with fondness as the softest smile spread on her face.

“I could but I’m rather occupied.” Khushi claimed, mirth dancing in her eyes. Now it was Arnav’s turn to frown in confusion.

“I have to figure out the boon I have from Devi Maiyya. I don’t know if she has blessed me or punished me.” 

“So I’m a boon,” Arnav mused.

“Yes, the answer to every prayer I’ve ever had.” Khushi whispered, tears overwhelming her. Arnav took her into a fierce hug and she abandoned her thali to hug him back. 

“I’m sorry,” the both said at once, breaking into a smile. Khushi sighed in relief, finally coming home in the arms of the man she loved. Arnav took a deep breath, finally finding his heart back into his body. 

“Nahi Arnav-ji, I’m sorry. There were so many things I could’ve done on time and bringing that snake back at home was the absolute stupid-”

“-no Khushi. I broke your dream twice-”

“-nahi Arnav-ji, I’m sorry I should’ve been your companion. Rather I was an obstacle! I betrayed you-”

“-no Khushi, I’ve never let your confidence in me develop-”

“-nahi Arnav ji, despite constantly seeing the consequences of my actions I keep trusting my intentions-”

“-no Khushi, I told you to leave,”

“-nahi Arnav ji, I didn’t tell you-”

“-Khushi,” Arnav flared his nostrils.

“-Arnav ji” Khushi huffed.

“Well finally I know you both are from Lucknow,” Anjali quipped, her heart bursting in joy at the couple. 

“Di?” Khushi cried in joy, rushing to embrace her.

For the rest of the few minutes everyone hugged and sobbed at the temple steps - even Mami - and Hari Prakash complained about Lakshmi ji eating Arnav’s plants to an amused Khushi. 

Nani broke the family reunion and raised an important question. 

The Raizadas would like to send a proposal for Khushi. 

Everyone looked at the pair, waiting for their answer. 

Arnav took the opportunity and held her hand, the proposal bright in quiet words. 

He waited with bated breath.

“I’m sorry...” Khushi began, and Arnav’s face fell. Was it too soon? Khushi opened her palm which showed a small ‘A’ in the center.  

“I’m currently engaged to a particular Laad Governor so I’m not quite sure if I can accept the proposal.” Khushi bit her lip as Arnav raised an eyebrow, pulling her into a hug. Khushi’s million watt smile came back into place and the families laughed.

“So wait, Khushi ji is going to marry Nannav or what?” NK piped in.

“Of course I am! I have been waiting forever! Do you know I had to buy mehendi cone and put the A on myself to keep myself engaged? Do you know how cumbersome it is? Have you seen any bride put a letter on herself? Then do you know I’ve to make sure it doesn’t smear! And Laad Governor’s pyaar is so pheeka that my mehendi would  fade in two days and I’ve to reapply it again-” Khushi launched her rant towards an unsuspecting NK.

“Try putting an A for Arnav, it would last longer” Arnav cut in. 

“Oh no, no mehendi right now. We’ll do everything from the beginning! Hello Hi Bye Bye, I need to prepare for sangeetwa to defeat you all.” Mami butt in, giving her competitive glare to Buaji.

“Not happening. You guys are here, Khushi is here, mehendi is here and even the temple. We’re getting married now.” Arnav interrupted. It felt like their wedding was a television show - always incomplete and needing a rewind every few months. Khushi, on the other hand was excited at the prospect of dressing up again.

“How about a 2 day wedding with all the functions and with Khushi ji at our home as to we can celebrate it in private?” Akash suggested, saving his cousin from all the women and NK who protested against the temple wedding. 

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other and smiled. 

Finally, it was time to get married. 

-- -- --

The end! I actually didn’t expect to finish this little story so here it is! Also I rarely take Arnav’s POV so I had I gave him much justice. Needless to say which scene irritated me enough for me to get into an extended rant of sorts! 

Hope you enjoyed this story.

Best,

- Jalebi (also WATCH CHANNA MEREYA CAUSE VERY SATISFYING)

Tagging: @onadaanparindey, @laadgovernorandsankadevi, (basically you two cause you disappear from Tumblr time to time, lol) and @honeybellexox​ (cause you might miss it!)

[hi-this-is-permabanned]

Things I would "modify" if I were an IPKKND writer (Modified not changed)- part -4

Khushi does indeed leave for Lucknow.

I really feel that keeping Khushi in Delhi and having her deliver sweets at Raizada residence is too desperate. Khushi had gone through too much and I would never want her to be in the same negativity again.

My version

Khushi leaves for Lucknow after shouting at Arnav that she will be gone. She returns to Amma Babuji. Spends some time there, gets to know about their crisis and tried for a job in Lucknow, but to no avail. She finally get an offer but at Delhi. And she returns to Delhi.

Who will deliver sweets to Raizada residence? What about anniversary maha episode?

Khushi gets a job offer at a sweet Shop in Delhi. So the sweet Shop actually takes order from the Raizadas.

2. Mami didn't spoil the sweets

Mami loves Anjali and cares about the Raizada family's reputation. Why in the world will she ruin her Niece's anniversary party? It's unfair.

I would omit this part. Khushi will give her best in the party and she would earn some money too. It will help the shop revival.

3. Shyam actually knew how he will manage his harem.

The thing that baffles me is that Shyam actually is very cunning and sharp. How can he possibly not have a plan?

My version

Shyam has managed to buy a separate apartment for himself and Khushi to live in after marriage. He will meticulously maintain his dual life by forging his documents. Creating fake ones to scam the Guptas. He will even go as far as planning his life with Khushi while finding ways to grab money from Anjali and have her killed somehow. Shyam is so obsessed that he will crochet a full fledged life plan with Khushi.

4. Shyam's way of life and his story.

Who is Shyam? How did he become so vile? What is his family history? What was he doing in Lucknow that day?

We need answers for this.

My version:

Shyam Manohar Jha, lived his childhood in a weak financial setting, he was from Bihar. Not having enough to fulfill his needs. His father was a responsible man he was a clerk in a govt. Office and did his job honestly, but honesty doesn't earn you enough to fulfill your dreams. His mother was toxic, she would constantly remind him, that not having enough money will always make one miserable for life. Money and power is everything. Shyam studied law and made a career out of this. He met Rani Sahiba saw an opportunity and sweeped her off her feet .

How did he meet her?

When he was fighting for a case, against the Raizadas. There was a dispute between a common man and AR designs. The common man was just a medium but the case was backed by a corrupt politician. Shyam found an opportunity and wormed his way in the Raizada khandan.

5. Khushi was not as poor as they showed in this show.

I hate it that the writers showed that Khushi's Family and her buaji. Didn't even have enough ration. It's really unforgivable to showcase our main character in such a terrible light. Especially when she is fighting everyday to make ends meet.

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 80 : Khushi sees the effect of her tears on Arnav

"You have gone too far from your limits, miss Khushi Kumari Gupta. Keep your marriage thoughts for yourself."

Thanks to Barun Sobti's incredible acting skills, you can sense the shift in Arnav's energy. He's dealing with something dark inside him! His parents death anniverssary is coming soon. He feels very vulnerable today.

"Who the hell are you that in order to talk to you, I have to go through all this?" I think he's very frustrated and angry because of what he thinks is, an imbalance in their emotional power dynamic !! This is a very important point to notice to be able to understand the way he's gonna badly behave in the future episodes ! He thinks she holds much more power on him than he holds on her, because he know loves her and but still believes she don't. She can ruin his mood whatever she wants, whatever she rejects him (her hanging up his phone call) but he (thinks he) doesn't have that same power on her ! Of course he's wrong, but he doesn't know that yet.

He never felt this much frustration before. He's about to explode. He only thinks of her, of what she might think of him. He loves her. But he also hates her for making him fall in love !

He wants her so bad, emotionally, physically and completely. The frustration is in his mind, his heart & his body. ENTIRELY!

But notce his reaction when she puts him in his place (the way he let go of his hand with subtle smile on his face). He loves it. It always impresses him and turn him on, what? Khushi's courage of course ! And this since the first time they met. 👀

"Marriage is the purest of all relationship in the world. When someone promises to live their whole life with their partner, when someone doesn't want to get detached even after death, when someone prays that all the problems in his partner's life become their, every pain become their and if needed they can give their own life to protect their partner … with this promise life gets complete." I have to say this was a beautiful speech about marriage. Khushi can articulate her point of view in such a thoughtfull way. Arnav knows how clever she is.

"You make relationship for your own benefit. And when your purpose is over? No responsability, no engagement, no promises. Nothing." She ain't lying. But her views on a live-in-relationship is definitely problematic. She's judging it as if all people must have the same ideals as her.

Khushi insulted him by saying he had a "loose" character, implying he uses women as a tool to enjoy himself and to then throw them away. That's what makes him lose his sh*t. It reminded him of his father, unintentionally, she compared him with his unfaithful father, responsible of his mother's death !

And therefore all the anger and frustration came back at once in a split of few secondes ! He feels too much in such a short time, that he can't think clearly anymore, blinded by his fears and desires.

This scene triggered me a lot. This is the third scene that disgusted me soo much (1st: the scene where he made a sexual thread, 2nd: when he held her arm too harshly, then the camera were zooming on the marks he left on her arms, YIKES) !

He knew how he almost traumatized her the 1st day they met with his nasty behavior. His body language is way to agressive. And here he is, doing the same thing. This was digusting adn triggering to watch!

This is the first time Khushi read Arnav's pain when he's realizing he's hurting her. She watches his anger disappear as he watches her cry.

This is the type of scene I was talking about in previous recaps. Tf is that?! Litteraly romantizing abusive behaviors. Why is her hand lingering on those marks?! I really hates these scenes!!

As I wrote earlier Arnav was definitely dealing with something very dark inside him. He was struggling to not break in tears all day thinking about his parents and how they d'ed. He let his impusilvity take the best of him once again because of how any insinuation about his parents trigger him.

Arnav at this point should've broke up with Lavanya. It's getting very umconfortable for me to see them exchanges intense stares while she's litteraly there in the same room !!!

The whole scene was about him getting worried about Khushi but honestly this scene happened way too soon after that "incident" in my opinion. I was so over it, we saw him earlier crossing a limit he should'n't have !

He insinuated to show her what it was to have a "loose" character, litteraly making another sex-al threat just like the first time they met ! And him feeling very terrible that day doesn't give him an excuse for that disgusting behavior toward her everytime he gets deeply triggered.

[phati-sari]

Hi PS ... How is Arnav attracted toward khushi ???I mean khushi was traditional girl, doesn't know to speak English , her dressing , talking, thinking style is typical town type girl ... How is this possible ???

Hi!

Okay so ... I have over ten variations of this question in my inbox and I'm not sure whether it's multiple people asking or just one (very eager) person. The messages range from this one -- which is probably the kindest -- to ones that call Khushi names and imply she wasn't worthy of even looking at Mr Arnav Singh Raizada's Hermès shoes, and to ones that compare Khushi unfavourably to Lavanya.

Firstly, Arnav isn't classist in the way these questions imply. He throws around the terms 'middle-class' and 'gold-digger' because he knows they hurt Khushi, not because he genuinely thinks that money makes him a better person. He thinks his money makes him a more powerful person, and power is what matters to the outside world, but he's aware that money isn't an indication of character.

Secondly, he has two examples of marriage that he looks up to: Mama and Mami, and Anjali and Shyam. Both are between people of different classes -- Anjali married a mere lawyer (as she mentions to Aakash in Episode 31, the family cared more about whether he was a good person than whether he was from money) and Mama eloped with a servant. There is absolutely no indication that Arnav sees these pairings through any sort of negative lens because of a class difference.

Thirdly, Arnav is not attracted to Khushi because of outwardly traits like the way she speaks or dresses. He falls in love with her innocence, with the way she approaches life, and with what she brings into his own life -- including hope, forgiveness and healing. On top of that, Khushi fits into his family without even trying, in part because of the very things you’ve cited: the way she dresses, thinks, and speaks. She understands why his work is so important in a way that even Anjali doesn’t. Khushi challenges him when he needs to be challenged, isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and is intelligent in her own right. Arnav has a healthy respect for her knowledge and skills.

Fourthly, although Arnav said that he didn’t believe in love, the truth was that he didn’t think he deserved love. He thought he was too broken and had little to offer besides his money and status. He couldn’t imagine someone loving him for him, someone accepting all the darkness inside him when he couldn’t accept it. Enter Khushi, someone who seems too selfless and innocent for this world (so much so that he first assumes it’s all an act). At first, she seems to disagree with the very foundations of his life, and he notably he ends up justifying and explaining himself to her at every turn. Once she understands him, however, she accepts Arnav as he is and in turn, makes him want to be a better man. For all that these questions are asking “what does Arnav see in Khushi” in various ways, one has to understand that from Arnav’s point of view, the question is “What does Khushi see in me?”. In his mind, she’s entirely forbidden because he’d ruin her light with his darkness.

Lastly, the whole and entire point of this love story was to show that true fulfilment isn’t necessarily when you find someone who is equal to you in terms of education, class, and ambition. Arnav’s life, despite having a loving family, a successful business, a girlfriend who matched him in all aspects, and more money than he could spend in a lifetime, was empty. As the world becomes more and more materialistic, people are finding solace in things that cannot be quantified, cannot be bought and sold and ticked off on a list. The intangible things that Khushi brings to Arnav’s life are exactly the point of their love story.

Thanks for asking :) Given that I received this question almost daily for a few weeks, I’d like to remind folks that I need time to think about, draft, and edit answers. Sending questions in repeatedly doesn’t generate more hours in my day, it only pisses me off.

[laadgovernorandsankadevi]

IPK Rewatch: EP 02; the dori breaks

and so it begins!! The first meeting, the divine stars have intervened. Devi Mayyian watched over as Khushi drove away on the stolen scooter and just as she pulled her dupatta feeling his gaze over her, she slips and falls in the arms of her rajkummar.

Every single interaction between them, it's Khushi who breaks away or walks away. Every single one. She is the one to break the bubble by stepping back or wanting to break away from his grip. He doesn't let her go right away as she squirms and him pulling her back into his arms for that brief second as he takes all of her in, makes her realise her hand on his collar which the moment she removes he pushes her off him. I think bitwa realised what happened to him. He was angry alright, but this girl stirred something the moment he saw her and her trying to break free away from him, a man who girls flock after; he is not going to take these feelings lightly. I think he realised what happened when snapped at her taking her hand off his collar.

Khushi stands scared. Whether any feelings in her have risen or not, she was scared and nervous to begin with and it's clear that the way this man stared at her was not how men should be looking at anyone for that matter. The guards take her away from the premises but not without her dupatta falling off and landing at his feet.

I always found the Khushi's dupatta a character of it's own. Dupatta means a lot to south asian women. Hell I would say that when I find myself wearing a 6ft fabric around me, the realisation of what this garment means symbolically and what it communicates about my character to style is not something that can be a joke. For a girl like Khushi, the dupatta is a symbol is respect and how funny and ironic it is that the man who in next few seconds will declare his control over her life will be the one to return/restore the respect he tried time and time again to disapprove about her to himself. The dupatta under his feet, falling by his feet is such a big deal. But also I feel this moment signifies that Devi Mayyian did sent Arnav as Khushi's protector. If Arnav has been provided with the power and ability to choose his interpretation of what her clutching her dupatta means, then he is also the only one whose treatment of her dupatta protects her image and reputation in eyes of others.

The dupatta and the collar are recurring motifs. And beautiful ones at that! There's something that happens to my brown ghairat at the utilisation of these motifs. Maybe internalised sexist rhetoric? 

Back at Gupta House, we get a glimpse of Bua ji's displeasure at Khushi's antics and everyone being worried about not being able to find the papers. Payal who had been hoping that Abhishek was unaware about the dowry, at finding out he's said nothing to defend the Guptas or his to-be wife, finds herself more upset. Meanwhile Garima figures out the connection between Khushi's absence and the mortgaged papers missing.

All while Khushi is being interrogated. In all honesty, I would be hella sus of Khushi being somewhere and ruining a major multi-million company's event. I tried listening multiple times but Barun really used to mumble a lot of dialogues on the beginning. He mumbles the name of a rival fashion house which the nosy person in me wanted to know!

When Arnav takes the first step forward, Khushi doesn't step back but it's from his second step forward that she starts taking a step back. A precedent is set between these two and the progression of their relationship with one taking a step forward, another taking a step back. Khushi doesn't willingly stop taking steps back until after Shyam's revelation. I think it also tracks Khushi's relationship with Arnav's anger. If Khushi's personality and actions give Arnav a reason to start falling for her or allow himself to trust his feelings for her, then none of anything that Arnav does ever allows Khushi to move past the confusion of having feelings for him. She is instead troubled at the aspect of liking someone she's doing her level best to hate.

In first 15 mins of the second episode, we get everything that's going to be the foundation. Arnav always being the one to catch Khushi, the collar, the dupatta, and the bubble which evolves into Rabba Ve, and the steps. I think this is the one of the reasons the initial episodes are beautiful and grip you. The show doesn't waste time in establishing the thesis of their relationship. We slowly start exploring their characters but the relationship, that's what all of this is about.

Sanaya literally looked like a goddess in this episode I swear. The make up is perfect, her face looks perfectly angelic and stands out in contrast to Barun's intense presence. the glowy backdrop of the make up room with mirrors and lights provides a perfect backdrop for who both of them are as people. Arnav being extraordinary and grandeur. Khushi being the source of light.

With Arnav narrating about aukat and wealth, Khushi's expression changes and she refers to caring about family members. She's here because of her sister. Eventually Khushi lands up in Shantivan because of his sister. If money is a motivator to regain the Malik's lost respect and turn them into Raizadas, the money is also something that Arnav equates with respect. He is after all still standing in Sheesh Mahal, and money along with respect was what he lost the day him and his sister were kicked out. He had to rely on Mami's assistance eventually to be able to build up a strong investment portfolio and a fashion house.

I also think Arnav used wealth and class as a reason to provoke Khushi. There are two types of people in middle class or lower classes. Those who take pride in their ability to not ask for help and earn their way through life, and those who would do anything for money. Funny how the damad of Malik's daughter is the one whose a gold digger.

But what is something poor girls have to prize more than their being? Their respect. And at the mention if his sister who Khushi made an assumption of existing, he is compelled to destroy everything about her.

badtamizi pe tou mein Abhi aya nahi hoon.

The way this show turned the dori and dupatta into a motif of what they actually are is beautiful to me. There's nothing romantic about preserving respect and dignity, but there is something powerful in someone's ability to be able to do so. Arnav ripping apart the pearls and having them scatter symbolises how his presence took the innocence away. From the release of this clip, there is no moment where Khushi's character doesn't come under question by either Arnav or Shyam. The pearl dori breaking also starts Arnav's journey of walking a path where he had to be apologise. He is going to be living with this guilt for at least the entirety of the year.

Back at Gupta House, everyone is concerned for Khushi except for Bua ji, who is definitely the one more concerned about appearances than Garima. Perhaps because for Garima, her husband is still present besides her. As much as I hate prioritising of appearances and the shame-based social approach of brown communities, it is something that unfortunately exists and our narratives exist within the existence of socially acceptable appearances.

Payal whose been asked concisely about Khushi doesn't budge but she decides to say something with her father returning. Perhaps because she also realises that the way she loves Khushi unconditionally and considers her as her closet confidant, Babuji also is accepting and understanding of Khushi's intentions even if they revert to a mistake. Payal's displeasure at Abhishek not speaking up for her also helps in being happy at Khushi's return and aiding Khushi afterwards as much as she could.

Shashi who had been apprehensive about dowry to begin with is relieved to see Khushi safe and sound, Garima who was adding by the norms of how girls family should behave was disappointed beyond words, and Bua ji was just straight up angry. I think Bua ji is the only character who despite loving Khushi, displays the bias in how she considers Payal to be perfect and Khushi to be imperfect.

While Khushi provides the explanation about going to meet the not-hone-wale jija ji, we do get an insight into why despite Manorama's objections and her own reservation on class issues, Payal agrees for Akash. Because Akash is honest about his feelings and about all that he hopes to provide. I have to say, the Gupta sisters have a really low bar for their men after having Shashi as a father. But honestly, don't we all just settle at crumbs half the time? It's truly a shame. -- Khushi admits her mistakes unless she's challenged or dared. and she doesn't hesitate in apologising except from Arnav. Khushi apologising is almost a norm for her character however Khushi apologising Arnav is not going to be one. I find that juxtaposition of how Khushi treats Arnav and him wanting apologies to be extremely hilarious! She forgives his gravers mistakes but not anything menial.

mat kaho humme amma!

oh, how it breaks Khushi's heart! Khushi is wholly accepted into her family even by Bua ji; so on the two occasions when she is reminded of her orphaned status, it crumbles her entire world. After all, she went to see Abhishek, Junior Engineer who wanted dowry for her step sister. She crosses over boundaries for those she loves and her family members are the people she repeatedly crosses these boundaries and social conventions for. Also in both the instances of Khushi being reminded about her orphaned status, Shashi and Payal are more understanding despite their disappointment or pain. They truly love Khushi whole-heartedly and perhaps unconditionally which is something that surprisingly Arnav does too even though the first marriage between the two was on the terms and conditions laid out by Arnav driven by his interpretation of Khushi’s betrayal.

The episode ends with Khushi opening up the sweet shop after being unable to sleep. I love the moonlight on both the girls face. It symbolises their inner turmoil and distress. With the divine clock on, the journey to rediscover themselves and them in love is going to rule the hearts of Gupta sisters.

[australian-desi]

Qurbaan Hua ~ Episode 5-9: Of IVF Being Horrible, Windchimes, Cunning Aunties and Disgusting Husbands

Gonna dive right in

Episode 5

Mans has gone from “me and Meera have been dating for 6 months” to screaming “I LOVE YOU MEERA” at the top of the mountain 

Time for another coincidance - it’s purnima so he’s going to go ask for a mannat and on this day different people from different faiths go to this certain place for their wishes and prayers - and we all know what that means

Also now that I’ve watched a few episodes, I have to say I really like the styling  for Chahat they’ve given her a mix of ethnic and western wear and the fancy clothes she wears are really pretty (so far) and I hope it stays this way

I am a complete slut for mannat scenes and this one was very pure

Why can’t these people say Saraswati, it isn’t that hard

Also it’s 2020, surely it’s time we understand just because a woman is pregnant doesn’t mean she’s disabled and needs to be carried everywhere

Also, Naveli (Anjali2.0 and Neil’s cousin) is superrr suss

SHE TAPED HIS FACE OMG IM MORE IMPRESSED BY HER BY EVERY MINUTE

And she’s given him meds to give to the people he interacts with coz he causes them headaches (and he’s held onto it the whole time coz Pehle Pyaar Ka Pehla Tohfa) 

Awww our OTP has ‘Bhags stamp of approval’ 

They’ve also touched her feet how cute

Episode 6

So Ghazala has ruined Chahat’s mum’s sharara and like this is what I mean they’ve written her horribly, like why would someone go out of their way to hurt a kid like that - her mother’s dead what more does she want

And daddy dearest has another pooja to attend so he’s said no to attending his daughter’s baby shower, something Neil is now salty about

For a doctor, Chahat’s dad is quite daft 

And for a pandit, Neil’s dad is quite mean

Nice touch by Ghazala by turning this whole thing on Chahat, and thankfully her dad believes her

Episode 7

So this Kamini wannabe of a mami has said that Saraswati’s baby is najayaz, and at this point I really have got to ask - how the fuck did she jump to that conclusion?????

Apparently coz she was barren for 8 years, so how can she be pregnant now, so something must be up 

The logic fails me here, IF SHE WAS BARREN/WAS UNABLE TO GET PREGNANT, HOW TF IS THE CHILD ILLEGITIMATE???

OMFLLLLLL SHE’S SAYING THAT COZ THE CHILD WAS CONCEIVED FROM IVF, THAT’S WHY IT’S ILLEGITIMATE 

I CANNOT

I’M SO CLOSE TO QUITTING 

DO THESE DUMBASS PEOPLE NOT REALISE THAT AN IVF BABY IS ALSO A BLESSING IN ITSELF, IT’S NOT 100% GUARANTEED TO GET YOU PREGNANT EITHER BUT IT HELPS 

By this logic they shouldn’t use annnnyyyy modern technology 

I understand Neil now, and why he’s so done with this bullshit

YAAASSS NEIL, GO FUCK THEM UP 

Look Chahat, I love you and all, but like listen to Neil when it comes to his crazy psychotic family

Also do not tell me like the Oberoi family, this whole family cannot have 1 smooth sailing function/party 

We love a sibling duo that had to raise each other because their parents were dead/useless 

I’m so fucking done, now not only does your doctor have to be of the same religion, he/she has to be from the same caste 

YEH DOCTOR DHOOND RAHE HAI KE RISHTA 

Neil’s trying to talk some sense to these people, but as usual, he gets shut down for talking sense 

OMG HE’S COME OUT WITH FACCSSSS AND HAS GIVEN HIS DAD AN ULTIMATUM - His daughter or his dharm 

Also by saying that if he’s so for modern technologies in other areas, why is he against iVF 

Omg daddy pandit finally got some sense - this was an exhausting feat

Poor tacky Kamini, unlike the og, this one’s plans always fall short 

Neil, take Saraswati and just get the fuck out of here, this dumbass mami has come with a plan and is not going to rest until one of these kids gets disowned 

Episode 8

So Vyasji in a twisted turn of events has accepted Neil’s gf, as long as their kundlis meet 

Let’s be real their stars ain’t aligning in this life 

Chahat is talking to her mother through this windchime she made with her mother’s jhumke (I guess its a coping mechanisms) about how she’s gotten a cake ordered and needs to pick it up

The windchime has told her that she needs to learn how to cook to get married 

Basically even if your Indian mother is dead, her ghost will still taunt you on your inability to get married even when you are a doctor 

She has decided she will marry a chef so that she doesnt need to learn how to cook 

The foreshadowing, the cluelessness

Omg Neil’s dad writes with ink and a peacock feather (why did I think this man would write with a pen like a normal person)

He’s literally whipped out a chart and started making Neil’s (ex)gf’s kundli RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS DAUGHTER’S BABY SHOWER BECAUSE #priorities 

Anjali2.0 is literally sitting there praying as if Vyasji is sitting there calculating her Year 12 results and not a kundli

And we’ve got an “asambhav”, but we all knew that - Neil’s literally smirking coz he knew no matter what, the stars won’t align 

Omlll he’s inherited the whole “I write my own destiny” from Arnav 

“Main uss ladko ko kabhi nahi apnaunga” “Toh kya faraq padta hai, main usse apna chuka hoon” Boisss I really like this dude 

I wish I had this confidence but alas, I do not

And Neil has decided to leave the chat, go to Delhi and get married there, while giving everyone a fuck you (except his sister ofcourse)

Little does he know he isn’t even gonna make it to the bloody bus stand before he ends back here 

Anjali2.0 is begging her dad to stop him, but he’s talking about the stars and shit 

And right on cue Chahat and Neil are walking on the same bridge, none of them paying attention, they crash and just like that, the cake has fallen into the deep sea, adding to the pollution 

OMGG THIS MAN TOLD HER HOW ALL DADS ARE USELESS AND SHE GOES “oh hello, tumhe bohot saare childhood issues hai, lekin mere baba aise nahi hai ... woh mere liye taare bhi tod sakte hai” 

THIS IS WHY WE NEEDED A FEMALE LEAD IN THE MEDICAL FIELD - SHE UNDERSTOOD WITHIN 2-3 MEETINGS HOW FUCKED UP OUR DUDE IS 

and now he’s sarcastically congratulating her on her father because “aur ek mere baba hai jo hamesha taaron mein uljhe rehte hai, aur vaise tumhe tumhaare taare todne waale baba, bohot, bohot, bohot hi ziada mubarak” 

LOLLL SHE’S PULLING AND DRAGGING HIM TO GET HER THE SAME CAKE AND HE TRIED TO GIVE HER MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE, AND SHE’S LIKE NOPE, THE BAKERY I GET THIS FROM IS CLOSED AND SO YOU WILL PROVIDE ME WITH A NEW CAKE 

Lolll I never knew he will be stuck here because of a cake 

AND NOW SHE’S TAKEN HIS BAG AS HOSTAGE AND HE’S LITERALLY SCREAMING THAT SHE’S LOST THE PLOT 

But personally, I feel she gained it 

Turns out the shop that she got the cake from, is his friend’s shop, and now he’s baking the cake himself because my man is also a pastry chef 

And he’s friend has left the chat because he doesnt want to get beaten up 

So it’s time for the kitchen romance.tm

Omg he told her he’s a chef and she’s so turned on 

OMGGGGGGG IM DEDDD 

But should’t she tie her hair #justsaying

Now back to the Neil’s crazy fam, where the only other person with sense, Anjali2.0 has also said to her dad, that Neil was always right about him 

Yesss gurlll, give it back to him

She’s telling him off how he forego his religious beliefs for her, but why can’t he do the same for Neil

I actually like her so much and the way she’s written

She’s also telling him how she tried to make sure that Neil never felt their mother’s absence (a responsibility she didn’t to take up), because her dad never let Neil feel loved 

OMG SIS SAID THAT BY BEING HEAD PRIEST, YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN YOUR DUTY AS A FATHER AND SHE DID NOT STUTTER 

Everyone is shook (including me)

I was not expecting her to give her father an ultimatum

So she said, that if he does not give Neil and Meera his blessing, he will see her dead 

OMGGG WHYYYAYFOIHFBEI THE ANXIETY 

Episode 9

We’ve begun with some cuteness regarding her rubbing flour all over face 

And like the idiot he is, he’s told her that her face is completely clean 

OMGGG HE’S GUIDING HER HANDS 

HOLY SHIT SISSS IS ALREADY IMAGINING HERSELF BEING MARRIED TO HIM 

Like same, but I also cannot 

Also I’m lolling at the fact she’s imagining their Nikaah, like his family won’t kill him for that

OMG THIS DICKHEAD HAS GIVEN THE CAKE HE MADE FOR HER DAD TO THE GAREEB CHILDREN LIKE SHE GAVE HIS SANGORIA TO THE GAREEB CHILDREN 

Awww I spoke too soon, she left the cake at the shop and he was just messing with her 

Guysss I really love their chemistry

He said that he won’t sit behind her, coz he doesn’t sit behind girls *rolls eyes*, but she’s not having it and reminded him that she beat him in a motorcycle race so he should suck it up

And they’ve had their first ‘accidental’ pressed up on each other fall 

A trope I do love with all my heart  

NOW HE’S COVERING HIS CHEST LIKE HIS IZZAT HAS BEEN LOOTED 

I’m hoping that Shyam1.5 isn’t as bad as his predecessors, but I do realise that is wishful thinking coz the couple scene where he talks to Saraswati was quite sweet

OMG THERE’S AN INTRUDER IN THEIR HOUSE AND I REALLY DON’T WANT SARASWATI TO GO CHECK, AND I’M FREAKING OUT 

She’s found Naveli’s earrings on the ground, Shyam1.5 and her are having an affair aren’t they

I FUCKING KNEW THAT NAVELI WAS SUSS AND SO WAS THIS HARAMKHOR SHYAM1.5 

I AM SO GROSSED OUT RN, WHAT IS SHE 10 YEARS OR MORE YOUNGER THAN HIM 

OMG HE’S ACTUALLY YUCK, LIKE SHYAM WAS YUCK BUT AT LEAST KHUSHI WASN’T HIS SAALI

AND WHAT TYPE OF COUSIN DOES THAT 

Saraswati please go fuck him up 

OMG OMG OMG YEH PADA THAPPAD!!!!!!! 

Well that’s another week done

[rabba-ve]

Ch 6: Raat Ko Ek Din Dhalna Hi Hai

Newest chapter of Tu Safar Mera!

Read on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/753062598-tu-safar-mera-ch-6-raat-ko-ek-din-dhalna-hi-hai

Or below the cut. Enjoy!

"Bhai, ready to go?" Akash asked.

Arnav exchanged a look with Khushi.

"Nahi, main aaj office nahi jaa raha hoon. Aur tum bhi nahi jaa rahe ho," [I am not going to the office today and neither are you.] he replied. Turning to the rest of the family, he said, "Mujhe aur Khushi ko aap sab se kuch zaroori baat karni hai." [Khushi and I need to say something important to all of you.]

Everyone was wary and on guard due to Arnav's tone. "Kaa hua Arnav bitwa?" [What happened Arnav?] Nani asked to break the tense silence.

Not wanting to reply just yet, Arnav herded everyone to the living room. Khushi kneeled in front of Anjali and held her hands. She and Arnav had decided early this morning that their priority would be to make sure that Anjali made it through this. She needed to remember that they were here to support her and had her best interests at heart.

"Di, hame maaf kar dijiye hame yeh baat apse chupani nahi chahiye thi. Hum nahi chahte the ki hamari wajah se aapki zindagi barbaad ho." [Di, I am sorry. I shouldn't have hidden this from you. I didn't want to ruin your life.] Khushi said.

Shyam looked increasingly distressed. Arnav walked over to stand behind the sofa he was sitting on. Mami couldn't handle the tension.

"Kahe itna strecthiya karat ho? Jaldi jaldi batao ki kaa baat hai. Hamka beauty parlor jaeka padi. Hurry peleej!"

[Why are you stretching this? Tell us quickly. I have to go to the beauty parlor. Hurry please!]

Khushi looked at Arnav. He nodded at her to begin.

Khushi began from the day Shyam rescued her from the goons. The truth was long and difficult but Khushi left out no details, eyes on Anjali the whole time.

"Aapko yaad hai, satyanaryan ki puja ke din, aapne pehli baar hame apne pati se milwaya tha? Uss hi din humne unse saare rishte tod diye aur Buaji ke ghar se bahar nikaal diya. Hum agle din hi aapko sab sach sach batane aaye the par aapka mangalsutra toot gaya. Aap itne ghabraye hue the ki hum darr gaye. Aapko uss halat mein dekh kar hame laga ke yeh sadma aap bardasht nahi kar paoge. Aur hum aapko aisa dukh kaise de sakte the?"

[Do you remember, you introduced me to your husband on the day of satyanarayan puja. The same day we broke all ties with him and threw him out of Buaji's house. The next day, I had come to tell you the truth but your mangalsutra broke. Seeing you panic at that scared me. I didn't think you will be able to handle this shock. How could I hurt you this way?]

Shyam fidgeted in his seat. Arnav laid a firm hand on his shoulder, preventing any ideas of escape. Anjali looked at them, the two men she trusted with her life. But she couldn't find anything to say.

Increasingly uncomfortbale by her silence, Shyam said, "Hame aise gande mazaak bilkul pasand nahi, Khushiji."

[Khushiji, I hate such sick jokes.]

Khushi stood up, eyes blazing. "Yeh mazaak nahi hai! Hum sab sach keh rahe hai. Di, iss aadmi ne aapko dhoka diya hai."

[This is not a joke! I am telling you the truth. Di, this man has deceived you.]

Shyam rushed at Khushi, shaking her by the shoulders. "Khushiji aap itna kaise gir sakti ho?" [Khushiji, how could you be so cheap?] Arnav was fuming. But he was beaten to the punch (perhaps literally) by Payal.

"Bas!" [Enough!] she shouted, pushing Shyam away. She put herself between him and Khushi. "Bahut keh liya aapne aur bahut sun liya humne! Khushi jhooth nahi bol rahi hai. Giri hui voh nahi, gire hue aap hai. Aap yeh bhool rahe hai ki aapki sachai hum bhi jante hai. Jab Di ki pregnancy ki khabar aai toh hame laga ki aap sudhar jayenge, ya Khushi ki shaadi ke baad use akela chod denge par aap toh kutte ki dum hai! Hamari behen ne aapki vajah se bahut kuch sehen kiya hai par aur nahi.

[You've said enough and we've heard enough! Khushi isn't lying. You are the cheap one, not her! Don't forget that I also know your true colours. When we heard the news of Di's pregnancy, we thought you would change or that you might leave Khushi alone after her marriage but a leopard never changes its spots! My sister has suffered a lot because of you but no more.]

Akash looked at his wife in surprise. "Tumne yeh baat hame pehle kyun nahi batayi? Mujhe batana zaroori nahi samjha?" [Why didn't you tell us this earlier? Didn't you think I deserved to know?] Before Payal could defend herself, Shyam spoke up.

"Kyunki yeh manghadan kahaani hai! Rani sahiba," [Because this is a made up story! Rani Sahiba,] He kneeled in front of Anjali, just as Khushi had earlier.

"Aap inn pe bilkul vishwas mat karna. Dono behne hame barbaad karne pe tuli hui hai. Hum jaante bhi nahi kyun." [Don't believe them. These sisters want to destroy me. I don't even know why.]

He turned back to look at the sisters. "Hamne kya bigaada hai aapka? Hamesha izzat se pesh aate hai, aur aap humpe aise ghatiya ilzaam laga rahe hain!?" [What have I ever done to you? I have always treated you with respect and you are accusing me of such terrible things.]

"Di, please inn ki baat mat suniye. Khushi aur hum sach keh rahe hai." [Di, please don't listen to him. Khushi and I are telling the truth.] Payal said.

Shyam ignored Payal and continued:

"Hum aapko sach batate hai. Hum iss ghar ki izzat ke khatir, saale sahab ki khatir chup rahe. Par ab hamare paas koi chaara nahi hai. Pehle din se hi Khushiji humpe dore daal rahi thi. Apni maryada ko bhoolke. Aap choti hai, Khushiji. Aapki umar mein man kachcha hota hai. Isilye humne zyaada kuch kaha nahi. Magar jab humne badhava nahi diya, inhone saale sahab ko phasaya. Yeh bahut hi giri hui aur badchalan ladki—"

[I am going to tell you the truth now. For the sake of this family and Arnav, I didn't reveal this earlier. But now I don't have any other choice. Khushi has been eyeing me since day one, disregarding her boundaries. You are young Khushiji. At this age, your mind gives in to temptation so I didn't say much. But after I brushed her off, she trapped Arnav. She is a cheap and characterless—]

Arnav grabbed Shyam's collar and slapped him (A well-deserved and long overdue slap). "Yeh meri Di ko dhoka dene ke liye." [This is for cheating on my Di.] Another slap echoed through the house. "And this is for tormenting my wife."

Khushi was moved at seeing Arnav come to her defense.

"Yeh dono insaan mere zindagi main sabse zyaada important hai, aur tumne inn dono ko dukh pohachane ka gunah kiya hai."

[They are the two most important people in my life and you have committed the crime of hurting both of them.]

He addressed Anjali: "Mein iski ghatiya harkaton ke baare mein pehle se jaanta tha, Di. Mujhe bhi Akash aur Payal ki shaadi ke din pata chala. Main chup tha kyunki main nahi chahta tha ki iss baat se aap par ya aapke hone wale bache pe bura asar ho. Itna hi nahi, iske intentions pehle se hi galat the. Aur woh achha damaad banna sab dikhawa tha. He only married you for the money. Uss ne dhoke se meri will badal di aur hamari puri property apne naam karne ki koshish ki. Mere private investigator ne saare saboot bhej diye hai. Akash, call the police. Mujhe yeh aadmi hamare ghar se bahar chaiye!"

[I already knew about his despicable deeds, Di. I learned about it on the day of Akash and Payal's wedding. I didn't say anything because I didn't want it to negatively affect you or the baby. His intentions were always bad. Even his perfect son-in-law act was just for show. He only married you for the money. He even tried to change my will and takeover our property. The private investigator has sent me the proof. Akash, call the police. I want this man out of our house!]

Akash and NK dragged Shyam to hand him over to the security at the door.

"Ek minute." [One minute.] Anjali stopped them. "Aaj ke bad agar aap phir hamare ya hamare parivaar ke paas aye toh humse bura koi nahi hoga." [If I see you anywhere near me or my family ever again, I won't spare you.] She broke her mangalsutra and threw it at Shyam's feet; the metallic clack of the gold on the marble tiles filled the room as the black beads scattered on the floor. She pushed him out and slammed the door.

In the next moment, she found herself engulfed in a hug from her entire family. Arnav was closest and she let him support her. She still had this. A wonderful brother. A loving family. They would give her the strength she needed to rebuild her life.

"Ab damadji ko bye bye to godbharai ko no hello hi?" [Bye bye to son-in-law so no hello hi to baby shower?] Mami asked in an attempt to lighten the mood. Only Anjali smiled.

"Godbharai hogi, Mami. Hum uss insaan ke liye aansu nahi bahayenge."

[Baby shower will happen Mami. I am not going to waste tears on him.]

"Are you sure, Di?" Arnav asked.

"Hum theek hai, Chhote," [I am fine, Chhote.] she replied. Her family had seen enough pain. It was time for celebrations.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hey Jalebi, Do you think Arnav's reaction for Khushi's suicide is right? Because it doesn't make sense does it, A woman who is ready to sacrifice her life so her better half can have a better life with the one she think he loves can possibly carry THE Affair? She was so selfless and crazy and innocent dint arnav see that when she's trying to jump off the cliff? And overall when he revealed truth dint he for a second thought that would make her jump off for real time? Honestly I would have a pushed him off the cliff 😂 after uttering such disgusting things. What would arnav fo if Khushi really jumped off seeing no hope in her marriage 🤷.

Hey Anon,

One of the things I've consistently said in this blog is that I never understood how they came to write the suicide scene. In fact I don't understand why Khushi's emotions post marriage had no importance. When Anjali attempts self-harm, we see the trauma and extent of that moment. When Khushi tries to kill herself... it's comedy?

Why? (This is not to pit the two women, it's just that I never understood the motivations behind writing such a daft scene).

The only sense this could be is Arnav believing Khushi is orchestrating an act and in fact if they were leaning on it they should've showed Arnav being triggered by it and raging on to how that how dare she lie about wanting to kill herself. You just cannot insert comedy here at all.

In fact they could've leaned to dark comedy with Khushi getting so exhausted by Arnav being so kind and so cruel at once that Khushi decides it's easy to say goodbye to the world. It could've been solid dark comedy with Khushi being like she cannot wait for his pain because it increases in each flow. Cause every time he's nice, it's met with even more pain. And this time, after their horrid marriage, she won't be able to bear it so might as well do it herself.

She could've lost her wits and sense of rationale because she was in such an abusive marriage to begin with.

And even if Khushi didn't want to kill herself - the ideation that she believes her husband might kill her, her constant fear of the man she literally sleeps next to, her easily wondering about her death are all grave signs of mental health issues. Just because she doesn't jump off the terrance nor intended to doesn't reduce the gravity in this matter.

And just how does Arnav not get triggered to his past is BEYOND me. They somehow wanted him to get angry on Khushi, be justified in his anger, and be justified that he does not believe her.

Arnav needs to be presented as right, and Khushi needs to keep crying.

Like... it doesn't make sense. Their whole argument as well doesn't make sense. Nothing in this scene ever made sense to me.

The show stopped making sense post Holi when Khushi thought the best thing to do to a man who has complete control over Payal's marital life is to annoy him enough to get him to kick her out of his life when, if annoyed enough, he can ruin Payal's life?

Like literally Akash-Payal's marriage exists with Arnav's approval. Nobody shuts up Mami better than Arnav and thus Khushi annoys him?

What the-

(For me the show made sense again when Khushi sensed Arnav's panic and then when Khushi fell off the cliff and he saved her)

And if Khushi died for real, Arnav would've been devastated.

Also, to be honest, I don't blame him a lot. Because he keeps asking valid questions - WHY would Khushi be quiet about Shyam? WHY would Khushi not tell anyone about this disgusting truth? WHY would Khushi want Anjali to stay married to such a man? The show does such a good job of cementing Arnav's mistrust on Khushi that they give Khushi nothing at all to create a defense or even be logical.

So yeah, that's all I can comment about this and you can read more about this on the following links;

“Suicide” Revelation

The suicide track analysis started by @honeybellexox

Why didn’t Arnav believe Khushi post the suicide revelation?

Shouldn’t have Arnav thought again about what Khushi said on Shyam?

What Arnav would have done if the misunderstanding had not been cleared in the 6 month period. Would he have allowed Khushi to go? And would Khushi stay back?

Khushi’s Imagination of Arnav Murdering Her, & The Suicide

Khushi’s Behavior Post Truth Revelation

Best,

Jalebi

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 45 recap : Telepathic bond

Arnav is about to get in a live-in relationship with Lavanya. His sister is happier than ever since her husband is back. Arnav is getting back to a routine he had before Khushi.

He has every reason to feel content. But he feels empty instead. Just like that day when he took back sheesh mahal, the home of his parents. It was supposed to be a moment of huge satisfaction. But he felt nothing special, he felt empty.

Just like that night, he close his eyes, secretly wishing to be able to be happy in his life. And just like before, Khushi arrives.

This time he can sense she is near him. This time Khushi could feel him near too.

This is the first time we see them both having their "magical awarness" (they can feel each other presence). But I actually believe the first time they met is when that magical awarness appeared ! When Arnav and Khushi' eyes were opening and closing at the same time, it was them unconsciously calling each other. "Someone please come to my life and save me" and then, they saw each other.

"What is she doing here?" Didn't she leave me? Is she back? did she come to talk to me?" Is she willing to accept my challenge?" Arnav is suprised to see her in his office once again. He already thought of the possibility to not see ever again. He tries to understand what's going on.

Arnav is looking at Khushi has a treasure he thought he lost. But here is she, in front of him ! Khushi is shocked seeing him there.

But he hears her tell the employee that she came to take her stuff back. The moment is started to have hope again, here is she crashing it by saying she's has no intention to stay. As I wrote before, Arnav is far more sensitive that people think. Therefore, he gets irritated. "Oh, so you just gonna leave like that? Leave me without even trying to fix our relationship?"

The employee tell Khushi that Arnav ordered her stuff to be sent to her house. She gets irritated.

She, somehow, also feels disappointed that he already ask her stuff to be out of his office. She thinks he was already making room in his life, throwing her out. "Oh, you must be in such a hurry to make everything that reminds you of me out of your sight, don't you?! Intead of trying to fix our relationship?"

And maybe Arnav could sense her irritation, fearing another misunderstanding between them, he calls her name for the 2nd time (with a muche more gentle and prudent voice), trying to speak with her. "Khushi. Come to my cabin. I need to talk to you."

She thinks he's giving her an order and therefore still placing a hierarchic distance between them. But that's not it. Arnav doesn't know how to ask a favor to a stranger. He doesn't how to speak to her yet.

But Khushi terribly wants him to talk to her with respect, cause she wants him to think of her as an equal, as someone worthy. She doesn't realize he already does, and since day one.

"Khushi can we talk, please?" I think she would've stop and speak to him if he had use these words instead.

Arnav thinks she turned around as a way to probably challenge him again. But it wasn't the case, she was actually already kinda sad to not being able to talk to him ever again, she ignored him cause she felt disrespected of him giving her an order after everything that happened, him risking her life (the way she looked at him while turning around betrayed her bittersweet sentiments)!

Khushi, as always, first runs away from him then slow down, then consciously and unconsciously wait for him to stops her !!

> A need to touch :

When they touch, they can lost themselves in each other eyes and savor their physical proximity (attraction). They crave that proximity. Khushi lets him get this close. She never lets anyone else this close to her. She isn't pushing him away. (She also noticed how he protected her statue) She wants him as much as he wants her. But she doesn't trust him. That's why she refuses to take his hand.

Arnav is lowkey so annoyed their moment has been ruined by that phone ring haha ! That's probably why he's gonna throw it away her phone, cause it always ruins their interactions. 😅😬 (even in the future, he will make sure to stops her from giving her phone call more attention to him lmao)

"Is she talking to another dude? Why can't she talk to me like this too?" He's jealous. He refuses to go even when she ignored him. He wants her to stop misunderstanding him. He never wanted to hurt her. He never wanted her to leave him. What's even more interesting is that Khushi doesn't want him to know she's talking to a guy. She doesn't want him to misunderstands her having any type of relationship with another dude. interesting, right? hehe 👀

He hates the idea of Khushi ignoring him. Notice her reaction when he stopped her. She's not angry. It's only when he closes the door that she gets scared.

"Do you know anything else except running away? Normally your mouth never gets shut. Why is it shut now?" Arnav knew that her cold behavior was her not trying anymore to interact with him, to not be somehow in his life like she used to try to do unconsciously before !

In misterious way, Arnav always understood how her silence was most of the time a very very bad sign, as if he could already sense how her denial is the way she chose to protect herself.

"Do you know anything else except ruinning away? Normally your mouth never shut. Why is it shut like that now? You made me fall for you because of your big mouth, because of you daring to argue with me. And now, why do you keep punishing me with your silence. Talk to me. Don't keep that cold distance between us, Khushi please !"

He did pushed her too her limits tho, which created a misunderstanding : she thinks he doesn't want her in his life. But on the contrary, he very much does. But Arnav also can sense she's also feeling the attraction, that she is ruining away from it, from them.

"That day also I was telling you something and you left without listening." He's talking about when he challenged her to make a move on him. He thinks she wasn't attentive enough to understand what he was insinuating. She did catch the insinuation but couldn't believe he would ask her that.

But while screaming talking, Arnav realized something : Khushi is scared of being alone with him. She doesn't trust him. She still remember his digusting behavior and threat the first day they met "I haven't started to misbehaving".

It never crossed his mind she would react that way to his proximity in a closed space. He always saw her daring him and arguing with him. But now he understands she misunderstood him for a man who could cross dangerous limits. She doesn't think he's a good man yet.

(Khushi has every right to misundertand him for being one of those trashes, since the first time they met, he threatened her, yes he didn't actually meant to do anything to her, but it was a disgusting move! I'm so mad at the writers for having write that scene. But in the other hand, it also make sense, i mean by that, Asr was created by Arnav to be seen as a ruthless and dangerous man)

He moves away, respecting her space, trying to show her he now gets it, that he now understands she's scared of him. He'll from now on try his best not to indulge in anything that might makes her feel unsafe. He never actually meant his word that day, that's why he completely forgot. He's shocked seing her tremble because of her fear of him, shocked and ashamed.

When her dupitta fall, he looks away and give it back to her while keeping a certain deistance, letting her know he indeed respects her modesty. Khushi notices the change, I think she understood his intentions. She understands the meaning of him giving her space. She knows he's trying to not makes her feel uncomfortable.

Soon, he'll understand Khushi's behavior around him better. She doesn't hate him, a part of her is still scared of him, I would even say terrified, while he never really think she was.

As I previously wrote, Arnav has this misconception of Khushi, thinking she's a super strong and brave girl, he forgot she also can be vulnerable and afraid as any other women.

Arnav knew khushi was brave. But he thought her courage was coming from an unfearful predisposition. And that's not the case. She really challenged herself to confront him after his disgusting threat he made. She gather all her strenght to challenge her fear of him ! Being brave doesn't always mean being fearless indeed.

I think Arnav quickly understand that now. And once more, can't help himself for not feeling impressed by Khushi. He hates himself for having make her feel this fear of him. He can bear her hate but not her fear. He wants to comfort her, but he doesn't know how. This is the only way he found at the moment.

Apologizing is not something he knows how to do. And yet again, there is a psychological reason behind that unability. Let me try to explain briefly (i'll explain more later):

Arnav's self-esteem is not as high as most people think. Arnav actually doesn't believe he's worth to be loved. His parents not only betrayed him but also abandonned him. His personality disorder helped him coped with that tragedy indeed but also help him cope with his own negative feelings he had for his parents especially his mother for abandonning him, i'll elaborate about this much later through my recaps.

Therefore his self-worth as Arnav is very fragile. Asr is successful and desired by a lot of women, envied by many, yes but because of his professional achievements not because of who Arnav really is as a human being, when he's not having to prove his worth through professional exploits.

I don't know if I making myself understandable enough lol cause that duality is not always easy to explain, especially in english since i'm not fully bilingual.

Apologizing is something too hard for him to do because it would affect that persona he wants people to see him as, someone who is unable to break nor to be in the wrong, Asr.

☆From Ep 45 Khushi/Arnav similiarities : -They both crave each other touch. -Both dreams of each other -Neither actually wants to leave one another, "they always leave the door open"

Khushi/Arnav differences : -Arnav is very impulsive. Khushi is very prideful. -Khushi distances herself from Arnav by avoiding him or staying silent. Arnav disances himself from her by reminded her of their social status gap.

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB!!

How are you doing? I haven't been around much lately but everytime I catch up on stugf on Tumblr you are having some amazing discussions. You are simply awesome 🤩🤩👌👌♥️

Hope you are having a great and healthy year and wishing you a Happy Valentine's a day in advance because you bring so much love, light and happiness to my life.

I have been meaning to ask this for a long time. Have you seen "Asshiqana" its a series by Gul Khan on Hotstar. Its very soap operatic and is a love story set in backdrop of crime and conspiracy. Though it has many problematic tropes and sometimes too many twists and turns which require healthy suspension of disbelief the treatment of certain sequences is beautiful. The lead pair are beautiful and have great chemistry which makes it good to watch but the way the FL breaks stereotypes and calls out patriarchy is something I haven't seen in a long time. It does get preachy at times but overall its something that was needed. Could have been handled better but its start and I love it. The FL and the brother of the ML are two awesome characters. He worships his elder brother but what is beautiful is that he shows him the mirror each time and higliights his 1940 ki thinking brilliantly. Also while the ML is chauvinistic he knows it and slowly is coming to terms with falling for a girl who is against everything he believes in. So thats refreshing.

Anyhow, I just wanted to know what you think about it.

Cheers

Hey!

I'm doing better love <3 How're you? Haha thanks for the love. Thank you and happy belated Valentine's to you too <3 You're honestly super sweet.

I'm aware of Aashiquana. I am glad you are enjoying the show. One thing that I often dislike about 4Lions shows nowadays is that they talk about feminism while showing patriarchy. The female leads will have big "dialogues" but I determine liberalism by seeing what happens with the female lead herself. Is she subjected to sexism and patriarchy by the elders? Misogyny and misguided rage by the hero? Is her character always assassinated, do her career dreams ever come true?

Thus her shows end up being preachy and cringey instead of revolutionary.

I've captured little bits of it and it seems interesting. As you've mentioned above the heroine and the hero's brother look delightful. But the whole concept of a chauvinistic man becoming better because of the woman he loves is dated and far from reality.

If a chauvinistic man is 'better' to the woman he loves or that he needs a woman in his concern to be affected by patriarchy to understand how terrible chauvinism is, then that is not changing. And that is not improvement.

So I'm turned off Aashiquana for the male lead and his terrible Amma/grandmaa/bua (I have no idea who that woman is but she lives in 1930s).

Like I don't think I could've liked IPK if Dadi (Subhadra) was a character from the beginning. And Arnav wasn't ever a "women shouldn't do this". His issues with Khushi wasn't ever gender based. He was more like "let me live, let everyone live, and for fuck's sake stop obsessing with marriage cause it's no use ruining two lives"

Which he was right about...

And honestly I am tired of women playing roles where they've to 'correct' the men. It exhausted me in Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahaani (non 4 Lions show) and every other telly show.

Also wtf is the female leads names? What happened to Zoya, Anika, Gauri, Meera and all?

But I do like Aashiqana's heroines dialogues. Probably that's it. However, don't let my rant ruin your viewing experience - if you're enjoying it, please keep enjoying it!

Love,

Jalebi

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 34 recap : Already missing each other

Arnav is so hurt, almost in the verge of crying (barun's eyes are literally wet in this sene) while he cut that flower. He cuts this flower thinking about how their relationship was cut so abruptly the day before. He cuts it because as always when he's hurt, he lets anger take control.

He's getting emotional not because Khushi decided to leave . Arnav is much more sensitive than he really lets us notice.

I think he was getting so emotional because this event made him even more aware that he is still very broken, that he is still unable to apologize, that he has let his fears and his trauma ruining a relationship that might have been a good thing in his life.

They could have been in a much friendlier relationship and not been stuck in this mess. Arnav is probably ashamed to realize how incapable he is of evolving when it comes to dealing with his emotions when he feels triggered, how he behaves because of his trauma, how his trauma still has control over him !

There is no way he would've stopped her even if he wanted to. He just couldn't do it.

"I have never felt the importance of giving explanations to anyone" But he did to Khushi and since the second time they met. He lied here, when Arnav is blatantly lying he can't look you directly in the eye.

He already gave her explanations. He explained her why he doesn't believe in god, why he cares so much for money etc soooo hmm it's actually very telling of how fast he fell for her !!

Neither of them are feeling happy not seeing each other. They can feel they lost something important.

At this point, we know Arnav has deep feelings for Khushi, he knows that he already started to fall in love.

I used to think Khushi was just aware of that random special bond with him and how she is attracted to him (the rainy scene) but now it's clear that she already started developing deep feelings for him. But she still don't know.

And the flashbacks they both had when Khushi was leaving is proving my observation.

He remembered that red-sari scene because he realized he was starting to fall in love during that scene and Khushi remembered the rainy-scene, cause this is when she also realized her feelings, that she denied the very next moment.

I'll even dare to believe that she developed them unconsciously before he did? Yeap cause, i already wrote it before, Khushi is a person who lives her life in denial ! She couldn't stop talking about him and even start dreaming of him ! Her finding the key again, must be a hint to let us know the process to free herself from that denial is starting.

He's the one who understood he fell in love first, and he will be the first to fall deep, but she's started to catch feelings first, but by denying her emotions, she was kept in the dark for quite some time.

Saying goodbye to him hurted her more than she was expecting. Why? This man treated her as if she was her worst ennemy, so why? Why would she feel sad to leave him? Because she indeed caught feelings for that pretentious, arrogant, distant man !

She is one step from actually falling in love. And seeing Arnav being himself will be the event that will make her fall irrevocably.

"Thoughts of Arnav Singh Raizada is repeatedly crossing my mind … I'm feeling like I want to meet him again" YES KHUSHI WE KNOW haha ! And he's waiting for you !!

"She doesn't mean anything to me." "I don't need to go to that office again, no need to meet that Arnav Sign Raizada! You should be happy about it Khushi."

One is hiding his feelings while the other denies them !

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 71 : Arnav's dissociative identity disorder

"Who told you that today's work is over for today?" Not Lavanya treating Khushi as her slave ... I really dislike that side of her personality. The way she treats her based on her status is disgusting.

But involuntarily she created an occasion for Arnav and Khushi to share another moment that will help their progression.

I know it seems like Arnav accepted to drive Khushi at her home because he wanted to ask her explanation about her overstepping his boundaries but I think it was just an excuse. Why? Look at him in the car, he wanted to ask her but he stopped himself. He's not angry. He's very much aware how rare it is for them to be alone. It's as if he's recluant to break that moment.

It's only when he sees her once again trying to push her beliefs on him that he starts to argue. "How dare you make a plan?"

"How dare you thinking you can manipulate me? Because I have feelings for you, you think you can treat me like a toy? You think I'll let you do whatever you want? The audacity !"

Notice the way he listens attentively to what she says. He wants to know everything she thinks and believes in ! It's as if he's taking note for the future, for him to understand her better and maybe to find a way to compromise with her if they were about to be in romantic relationship soon. Yes, he's tasting the water ! "How can we get closer? How do we break the wall between us?"

"What will you do? You'll tell my sister and grandma? You'll complain about me?" I think a part of him is jealous of the fact that she's already close to them in a way she's not with him, in a way he thinks she doesn't allow him to be. And it hurts him. So he hides it with anger.

Khushi will never dare to say anything bad about him to Anjali ever. She can't bear Arnav feeling again the risk to be abandoned by his sister. She knows how that pain breaks her heart too. She almost wanted to k'll herself when it happened to her (when she involuntarily ruined her sister's wedding). They have that dark thought in common. I think both, even Arnav could consider suic*de if the most important person of their life decides to abandon them.

Arnav is fighting with himself as always when he thinks of Khushi. There is a part of himself (Asr, his mind) that tries his best to push her away, and he'll use every way possible, even cruel ones. Why? Because she's a threat to him. She will make him weak.

Arnav knows that sincerely falling in love and loving someone means opening up fully to that person. And he doesn't want that. I think maybe he wishes he wasn't that much in love, so the whole situation wouldn't trigger him this much.

When he was just very attract to her, he was less tense (before she start working in his office). He could think of maybe dating her casually. But now he thinks he's fuc*ed cause she now can control his heart and his emotions. That's too much power ! He can't let this happen. Falling in love never was part of Asr's plan.

But there is also the other part of himself (Arnav, his heart) that can't bear to part from her, to be responsible of her pain and tears. It k*lls him from the inside. He can't bear her silence, her walking away from him, not being able to talk to her, to enter her world. That's why sometimes you can sense him lingering to her even when he tries to be mean.

Asr is not just a mask or a shield. It's a part of his real personality, a part of himself. But to deal with his trauma, and to survive from the world and his pain, he created a mask that inflated/exaggerate every aspect of that part of him (the Asr part) to be able to hid Arnav. And I think it's precisely a dissociative identity disorder.

Ipkknd isn't just a story about two people falling in love despite their different social positon and beliefs. It also holds a very fascinating psychological aspect that's rarely done as well as it is in this series!

"Until you don't listen to me completely, don't understand completely and don't answer me, you can't get out of this car!" "Talk to me Khushi ! Don't stay silent. Don't maintain that distance between us."

This is Arnav who is begging while Asr is pushing her away with cruel words. "Don't trust Asr words. Listen fully and see me, see Arnav, don't get fooled by Asr, Khushi !"

See, he hates when she stays silent. Her, daring to treat him as an equal is one of the reason he fell in love with her.

Khushi is confused by his contradicting behavior "what does he want?". But she's a clever girl, she can sense his push & pull actions. She just doesn't know why he does it. She still thinks he hates her.

Notice the way he looks at her, full of intensity. Don't get fooled by his words. He feels so alive when she's near him. He uses anger to not let Khushi sees it. Here, he listens carefully to what she says. "Oh so that what she thinks of me? Is this why she doesn't like me? Let me explain to her why I do and thinks this way. I'm not a bad person Khushi, see me as I am please."

Arnav uses the opportunity to be alone with her to ask everything he had in mind ! They both somehow miss being able to talk to each other, even if it's more an argument than a conversation lol. Everytime they do, they learn more about each other. Thats's why he insists for her to answer and tell him what she thinks!

"-You made a condition to not see my face?! Who are you? How dare you? -How dare you make a plan to call me for Aarti? -Why you planned to call me for Aarti? -So have you taken the contract to do this?" What he's really asking here is if she did accept the contract to train Lavanya or HIM loool !!!

"Whatever you want to say. Say it in front of me ! When I'm talking to you, look at me and talk to me ! " He even hates when she would rather whisper her thoughts of him to herself instead of saying it to his face haha ! "Khushi share your thoughts with me please ! Don't be selfish, let me try to understand you. Let us try to understand each other !"

And again don't get fooled by Khushi's behavior. For the past two days, she was craving for a moment like this to happen so bad, to engage with him. She could've stay silent. But she didn't.

"I don't believe in marriage" Not Arnav giving Khushi hints of what she can expect from him and his love for her hahahahaha !! 😏😂

"-And Lavanya? -Who are you to talk to her behalf?!" "Tf are you bringing up her name for when I'm talking about US damn it !!" 🤭😂 Him being surprised she bought her Lavanya's name clearly indicated he was thinking of his possible romantic relationship with khushi and not with Lavanaya. (Barun Sobti's micro expressions are spot on, his acting is brillant!)

"If I would've such a person in my life who wants to make a relationship with me but doesn't want to give name to that relationship, there is nothing more insulting than this!" Arnav be like : "Oh wait she hates the idea of a live-in-relationship this much? But that's the maximum I can give tho? What are we gonna do? She'll only get involved with me if I promise marriage, damn it !" Look at him freaking out lmao !! 😏😂

Of course Khushi isn't insinuating anything with him, she still thinks he absolutely hates her. She's just showing off her irrirating-self- righteous side to annoy him loooool !!

He gets angry cause of the sudden realization. Not only he has to make her fall for him (and he has no idea how) but he would've to give her a promise of marriage (which he doesn't feel ready at all even if i think he already falling in love. He doesn't trust her yet, he doesn't know her completely). It's a huge obstacle he didn't see coming in his plan (Arnav's plan that Asr tries to destroy lol).

But he also got triggered when she mentioned his parents. That's why he orders her suddenly to "GET OUT". "If you're want to add another obstacle to our love, to our possible relationship, get out, get out of my heart and my mind !"

He got scared, and therefore got very vulnerable, while she's so close right now to him in the car. So Asr takes over, since Arnva is getting very triggered. Arnav's psychological defense mechanisms (post trauma) are much more obvious than Khushi's. He hides himself while Kushi denies herself.

When he's about to drive away, the thought of him risking her safety made Arnav arise from Asr's take-over. His pain is too brutal to deny, he needs to protect Khushi. He knows he got too impulsive, he let Asr go to far.

"First say sorry for your behavior!" "Arnav that's enough, say the word ! I won't read through your actions. Enough is enough ! How dare you humiliating this much and expect me to not be hurt ! I'm human too !!" Arnav offering his hand after humiliated her is his way to say sorry. Yeap, I know, it's completely toxic but his inability to apologize is linked to the tragical childhood he had.

But Khushi had enough of his contradictory behavior, rightfully so, and refuse to take his hand. "Say sorry first."

"I'm Arnav Singh Raizada. He returned back to save a dumb girl like you. You think I'll say sorry to you? I've told you before, know your limits." "I fought against Asr (my savior, the one who saves me from feeling the pain) for you. I accepted to let go of my mask to give you my hand. I'm already vulnerable but now you want me to be completely n-ked? How dare you?!"

"Until you say sorry, I won't get in your car." I think Khushi can sense his vulnerability but she can't ignore this umpteenth humiliation. She has to regain her self respect. She gave him too much power over her, forgetting he also needs her if he doesn't want Anjali to be mad at him.

Khushi saw he could apologize when he went and begged for Anjali's forgiveness. That's why she is insisting for him to apologize to her. She knows he can do it. But she doesn't realize he only did it to Anjali in few occasions.

But it's not just a matter of self respect, she is giving him a chance to open her heart to him.

Khushi doesn't understand yet that to be able to say sorry to someone, he has to be himself "unshielded", he needs also to have a certain form of trust toward that person . But she thinks he refuses to because he sees her as unworthy of him, and it's absolutely not the case.

This is the first time we've seen Arnav's dissociative identity disorder this obvious and this triggering. You could almost think he's crazy lol, this episode and his own behavior was the best way in my opinion to understand the war inside himself, and how toxic and unhealthy his mind became because of his traumas.

[phati-sari]

Arshi FF: Tere Bin - Chapter 8

Read from the beginning | Chapter 7

Chapter 8: Ranjha (listen while reading)

Khushi

“What was he doing here?”

Khushi answered without turning, her head resting on the window sill as she studied the moon. “I don’t know.”

It’d taken a long time to escape to the room she shared with her sister after they’d first stepped through the doors. First, Amma had asked about the hospital visit, making Khushi recite everything the Doctor Sahib had said while Bua-ji interrupted often to ask questions. Babu-ji had soon taken over, asking to see the paperwork Khushi had collected and asking a few questions of his own. Still full from the gol gappe, Khushi had nibbled on some puri under Jiji’s watchful gaze while the family considered the payment plan the clinic had laid out.

Luckily, no one had asked exactly how she’d gotten home.

“You were in his car, Khushi.” Jiji came to stand next to her, her tone coloured with disapproval.

“The auto broke down. He was driving past.”

“He, of all the people in Lucknow and Delhi, just happened to be driving by? At the exact moment your auto broke down?”

An odd defensiveness flared in her chest, words popping out of her mouth before she’d thought them through.

“What can I say, Jiji? My phone’s battery was dead, it was dark. He offered to drop me home.”

Jiji reached out to touch her shoulder. “Did he fight with you again?”

No, he bought me gol gappe.

“No more than usual,” Khushi tried to smile at her sister. “I’m fine. Really. He drove me home. That’s all.”

Though she looked unconvinced, Jiji stepped away with a nod to ready herself for bed. Khushi waited until she was alone to snatch her bag from where it hung on a hook. Her searching fingers found the business card he’d offered.

“Well, it’s just that you like arguing so much, and we argue so often … I think we should keep in touch.”

At the time, she’d been so startled that she’d simply taken the card and slid from the car without answering. Jiji, fortunately, had been too busy scowling at him through the windows to notice as she’d slipped it into her bag.

The card was thick, the surface almost velvety to the touch. It sported a bright red logo in the top corner and announced his name in crisp black letters — ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA. Khushi shook her head to clear the unbidden memory of correcting his name on hundreds of letters.

The writing on the card included a number she recognised for the reception desk at the head offices and an email address that his managers monitored. But he’d scrawled another number untidily along one side with a black pen.

His personal number, Khushi realised with a jolt.

It felt strangely intimate, though logic reminded her that she’d had the same number saved in her phone before he’d broken it on the storeroom floor.

Why is he still in Lucknow?

On the heels of this thought came another: Why should I care?!

Her mind was suddenly awhirl with memories — raised voices and shouted words, a fall from his window, the broken door to the storeroom. His airs about money and power. The terror of the guesthouse.

Khushi ripped the business card in half, her breath coming in rapid pants, and then tore it into even smaller pieces. Tears stung in her eyes. She scrunched the pieces into her palm as Jiji returned to the room.

“Make sure you wake up early tomorrow,” her sister draped her towel near the window. “We’re going to the temple.”

“Okay.”

Waiting until Jiji was occupied with something in the cupboard, Khushi returned the ruined card to her bag. In the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed her face before studying her reflection. Her pulse was a chaotic drumbeat in her body, her thoughts a wild tangle. And underneath it all was something that thrilled and scared her at the same time, something that had followed her to Lucknow.

                                    #####

“Everything leads back to him,” Jiji had groaned, rolling on her side on the bed they shared. “Just go to sleep quietly.”

It had been a week since they’d returned to Lucknow, and Khushi had been comparing the price of potatoes between Lucknow and Delhi. Or at least, that was how the conversation had started. She couldn’t remember how they’d gotten to talking about that Laad Governor.

“You’re right Jiji. We’re in Lucknow now and we’ll soon forget that we ever went to Delhi. Or that we met such cruel, haughty people. Although … Anjali-ji had such sweetness in her. It’s a shame that we had to leave without saying goodbye to her. At least we met one nice person in Delhi. Oh … and Nani-ji. Maybe two nice people. And Aakash-ji, I suppose, though —”

“— Khushi! Are you going to count out every member of his family? Your mind is like a compass that’s always stuck on him!”

“And why wouldn’t it be?” Khushi had asked hotly. “He sent me there to do some meaningless task, knowing the place was about to collapse.”

“I know. You’ll never have to see him again, Khushi. You resigned from that awful job, you gave him an earful, and now you’re here and he’s there.”

The words should have elated her, but they only left her feeling strangely hollow.

                                    #####

That hollowness sat heavily inside her as Khushi joined her sister in their bed a few minutes later, sliding between the covers with a sigh.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jiji’s voice was soft in the dimness.

“Yes.”

“You barely ate dinner.”

“I’m not hungry.”

A short silence, in which Khushi’s mind unhelpfully replayed the way she’d fallen into his arms yet again.

Oh Devi Maiyya, couldn’t you find another place to make me slip? You mustn’t have liked the offering I left you this morning.

“I’m glad we came back to Babu-ji,” Jiji said softly. “I can’t imagine being away from home at a time like this.”

“The doctors said that as long as he rests properly and takes his medicines, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“He isn’t resting nearly enough, even with both of us at the shop.”

Khushi nodded her agreement, “He’s worried about the bills.”

“Bua-ji and Amma are talking about selling some jewellery. I thought I’d give them my bangles.”

“I have bangles we can sell too.”

It took a while for Jiji’s breathing to fall into the deep, slow rhythm of sleep. Khushi lay awake, her thoughts chasing each other in ever-tightening spirals.

The night of the photoshoot. The softness of her pallu as it slipped. The scorch of his gaze as it roved over her body and left her feeling singed. The electricity between them on Teej, every touch a bolt of lightning. The weight of him pressing into her in the storeroom.

She flushed, skin prickling and warmth blooming in secret places.

Stop it, Khushi. A handful of gol gappe is all it takes for you to forget his cruelty?

She turned onto her side with a huff. Sometimes it felt as though her life had been split into Before and After, as though falling at the fashion show had created an entirely new Khushi Kumari Gupta. A Khushi who was strangely compelled towards him, a Khushi who’d come dangerously close to swooning in his arms today. A Khushi who wanted something she had no name for.

“I didn’t know the situation at the guesthouse was that bad!”

“Do you really think I would’ve sent you there if I’d known? Is that what you think of me?”

For the first time, she allowed herself to entertain the idea that he hadn’t sent her there on purpose.

So what if he hadn’t? I was still trapped there for an entire day. He was wrong.

But the thought was impossible to dislodge now that it’d wormed into her mind. Having assumed he’d wanted to argue every time he’d approached her, she now considered whether he might have been trying to explain. She saw their interactions in a new light. The sweets, the cheque.

Did he feel guilty? Was he trying to say sorry?

She eventually fell into an uneasy sleep, tormented in her dreams by his eyes, his voice, the memory of his touch. She woke just before dawn, breathless and damp with sweat, the sheets tangled with her legs. Flinging them off, Khushi sat up in bed. Her sister made a questioning noise.

“Sleep, Jiji. It’s not time to wake up yet.”

A nameless storm raged in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She squeezed her eyes shut.

I should hate him.

A lurch in her tummy.

But I don’t.

Padding slowly over to her bag, she fished out the pieces of the business card one by one. There was a roll of tape amongst the paper and pens scattered on the table in the corner. Khushi glanced back at her sister as she sat. It took a few minutes to line up the jagged edges, to press the tape along them with trembling fingers until she could read his name again.

He’d set down a challenge. She wouldn’t back down.

    ********

Thanks for reading :) I know some of you may be disappointed with the level of introspection in this chapter and where I chose to end it. Tere Bin is Arnav’s story, one where he has to work out what he wants and how to get it while Khushi is in Lucknow. While I intend to dip into Khushi’s point of view where the story demands it (and I feel that her presence greatly improved Chapters 6 and 7), it will focus heavily on Arnav. I am not intentionally writing something to annoy or disappoint readers. I’m trying to do something very specific with this story, and like all experiments, I’m learning as I go :) 

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hellooooo! How are you doing? Today I wanted to ask you about one of the most irritating moments on the show for me i.e. that moment when Arnav tells Anjali that he only started loving Khushi after marriage. He married Khushi in that way for Anjali's sake; this much is true. But how can he say that when he married Khushi he didn't love her. The way this scene is acted and shot, it seemed to be a sincere declaration but how could it be? It makes no sense, because clearly we had a "I love Khushi" realization (the night Arnav thought Khushi was in an accident) and a "I have to declare my feelings" moment (the day of Payash wedding, after Anjali's accident). And the contract marriage period was clearly him struggling with not being able to erase his already existing feelings despite his best efforts NOT grappling with brand new feelings he couldn't control. So he's clearly lying but my question is, who is he lying to? Only to Anjali, to pacify her, or also to himself? Does he really think he didn't love Khushi when he married her? Ugh I hate the delivery of that line because Arnav is bad at lying but he looked straight into Anjali's eyes and said it so idk what they wanted us to take away from that dialogue. Maybe I'm overeacting and the writers just didn't think all that deeply about that scene as I am but honestly this is SUCH a crucial plot point involving the very crux of the show, how could they leave any ambiguity around it? Sorry lol went on a mini rant in your inbox. Love your blog, thank you for taking the time to entertain our asks :)

Hello Anon!

I'm doing well, thanks for asking!

Arnav was telling the truth to Anjali - that he loved Khushi - but only lied about when he fell for her. I think Arnav was trying to tell Anjali that he isn't choosing Khushi's version of the truth because he loved her - he didn't love Khushi when they married.

I think he's telling Anjali that he went through hating Khushi, being suspicious of her and all, but her words and actions over the months compelled him to fall for her. He has gone through misunderstanding Khushi, and he has chosen Anjali above Khushi.

Anjali significantly softens and is happy for Arnav. He found the love she dreamed for her brother.

This whole track was a bit of a mess to be honest. The dialogues over here was extremely confusing because I do not see how it helped anyone or anything? In fact I feel sadder for Anjali because no one tells her the truth of everything and here Arnav is like "Di I married her for you and now I love her and she's saying the truth" so Anjali tries to be more civil to Khushi.

Then it brings me to the question that what was that scene? It's a beautiful scene... but really makes no sense to me either. Like on one hand Arnav is confessing his love to Anjali, on the other he has "NO" idea why Khushi is behaving stiffly with him as if he didn't ruin her birthday and call her the biggest mistake of his life 72 hours ago.

Was Arnav confessing for the audience? Was this to assure the public that hey, Anjali is pro ArShi and is happy learning her brother is in love and so please stop hating her?

There's way too many plot holes in that situation. I don't see why Anjali would be happy to hear Arnav is in 'love'. I don't see how it fixes her insecurities. Anjali knew her brother was in love days before the wedding. And whatever Arnav does with Khushi in the following days is weird. A man in love doesn't use his wife's phobia to win a challenge. It's all over the place. The acting is A+, but logic and narrative is really out of the window. I think they were really rushing through this because a lot of people were hating Anjali and this track so they presented:

LOOK HERE ARNAV IS IN LOVE WITH KHUSHI OK. YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GET THEIR LOVE. ALSO LOOK ANJALI IS HAPPY THAT ARNAV LOVES KHUSHI. SEE.

And then makes it almost look like Khushi is unreasonable for holding a grudge against Arnav because the audience has seen him confessing his love? I don't know at this point to be honest. It's just too problematic and off sync on various levels!

No no don't apologize - I went into a little rant myself too!!!

Much love,

- JWB P.S: Hope you caught this week's Sunday Samachaar

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB!! I love reading your analysis posts!! I was wondering if anything has been discussed about the heer/ranjha scene? What are your thoughts on it? And why do you think arnav got so emotional? Thanks!! Side note: Sanaya looked gorgeous in that scene <3

Hey Anon!

Thank for compliment <3

Oh there were so many things happening there.

I was a little cringed out by the thought of a millionaire's family in this crazy fancy dress competition... but hey, the elite class are pretty weird in general #bollywoodwifezshit

And the over dramatic bg score kinda ruined the scene... however, I feel that this was, once again, a beautiful moment that the show wasted.

There were some poignant moments here.

How Arnav and Khushi are teaming up because they get it that their family is pushing them to perform together - so despite all the storm - this a moment of little truce.

And I think the emotion comes from when Khushi, so tired from hurt, smiles and tells him "now it's going to be the best day of your life, I'm gonna die"

That killed him.

Khushi is so convinced with his hatred, and the extent of it, that he's taken aback. And Arnav could see what the audience wasn't - half of the lines Khushi was saying were just her own feelings and desire.

What if Khushi was just a naive girl who wanted to be loved passionately? Heer's dreams of love and marriage reflected Khushi's. This was not Heer, just Khushi.

I did find half of Arnav's dialogues a tad bit dramatic - and that being on public just.. as an introvert I'd die if such a thing happened to me.

But perhaps knowing that what he was saying was in the guise of a character and not himself, it was easier for Arnav to say everything that mattered.

And halfway Khushi realises that Arnav is not some inborn actor who gets every talent before coming on stage - he's genuinely confessing things she hadn't expect.

Hence she tears up.

Arnav, of course, closes up immediately when he realised he was swayed in the moment and said more than he should've. Cause he reacted on that one moment of care, love and believed the woman on stage.

After all this, she's still the woman breaking his sister's life.

So he clamps up, and it's unfortunate they had to put that Shyam scene and just take all the development here and throw it down the drain.

It is one of the few scenes that show that both, Arnav and Khushi, are getting tired playing this 6 months marriage.

It could've been a great starting point for any one of them doing anything to delve further into the marriage - but alas, those are just my thoughts.

Best,

- JWB

P.S: Sanaya would look good even in a garbage bag... that woman is ethereal. #foreverlove