Crooner 1.23 : Misty Reflections - UPDATED

In yesterday's crooner, Priya talked about the dichotomous nature of our society where it takes almost nothing to stigmatize a woman for the same mistake a man goes unquestioned. And if that woman comes from low income background, it's treated as 'character fault'. Today we saw another naked display of similar prejudice in IPK. An episode I forced myself to watch the 1^st half before I sat down to write this. It was disturbing to watch an apparent 'khandaani' woman tear to shreds the character of her grandson's beloved. It was disturbing to watch a mother slap her adult child. Were all these needed? I don't know. The IPK team is pretty creative...I understand the need to create intense drama for garnering TRP audience. But at what cost? Regressive dialogs are not something I expected in this serial. In the past context maybe, but not in the present day scenario; not in a channel which is the flag bearer of Nayee Soch. It is 'soch' alright they have missed the 'nayee' boat big time in the episode.

Only saving grace is Arnav Singh Raizada. He gives me hope beyond hope. A man who has accepted in all his heart and soul his wife as Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. But still agrees to a 'remarriage' for his love ... with all pheres, rasams as this is what she wants...So the news that Buaji has called off their 'nuptials', doesn't shake him ...he calms down His Di and worried family members... and with a look of disdain at Dadiji he sets out for Buaji's house..

With absolute haq as her husband he goes in GH and demands to meet Khushi and walks to her room with no hesitation . Only to discover to his horror the telltale mark of a slap on her cheek. Khushi who's always been shown to hide her tears behind her smile, but today she has no inhibition in embracing her husband for comfort from what she's endured physically and mentally. He sees red and wants to confront the person but on Khushi's insistence he stops. And he wonders and answers why go through all these unnecessary hurdles when they are already a couple. Tumhe chahiye na?...let's do it! He goes out and promises a dumbfounded Buaji he'll come the next day with Shagun to ask Khushi's hand in marriage. As he walks out he turns and looks back at khushi; mutual longing is palpable in their eyes.

Daadiji v Arnav : round x ...silent jabs

He comes back to RM and informs everyone that they are going with the Shagun to Khushi's house the next morning. His focus is singular,,,get these rasams, which are so important to Khushi, out of the way...not bothering to tell anyone about what he knows "nothing Di Shagun leke jaate hai...baate baad mein kadenge...yeh rasam jitni jaldi ho jaye utna achcha hai"" But doesn't hesitate to inform Daadi that he knows what she's trying to do and declares "Khushi ki unha Shagun leke jaa raha hoon, aap aye ya na aye" and walks away.

Sometimes, you have to look back in
order to understand the things that lie ahead.

-Yvonne Woon

Education of ASR continues. The guy who always said he writes his own destiny, saw in the reflection today that while he was busy writing his own destiny, he was writing one for Khushi too; but not a pleasant one.His focus that time was Di and his heart full of scorn for the 'other woman'. While he was busy protecting his Di's future, he squashed Khushi's dreams of love, wedding as a collateral damage. The repercussion of his action on their wedding night is felt today when he sees the bruise on Khushi's cheek, her pain in the eyes and words from Buaji that his Dadi's insults at Khushi made her call of the wedding. That triggered the 1st true soul searching of the events since their wedding.

Each incident of his insult to her existence for no fault of hers and her unconditional love in return. The questions and rebuke she faced from family about their 'elopement' and sudden marriage; questions she couldn't answer as she herself didnt know the answer...he never gave her the reason...he had passed the judgement without giving her a chance to defend herself. Each incident where she tried to tell him the truth, but he walked away without listening.And still she stayed up at night taking care of him and risked her life to save him from kidnappers.

Today it became crystal clear. He had looked at everything from his point of view. It never reflected upon him, how it impacted everything about Khushi, her beliefs: her dreams, her honor...and her respect in society.

So he leaves for GH to apologize to Khushi.

other thoughts:

• two orphans at heart, are truly home in each other's heart. While he's fighting to get her dreams of a 'complete ' marriage, she doesn't hesitate to point out to Buaji, how everyone gets him wrong about his arrogance, his anger; about his sad past of his Mom's suicide, the burden of which he carries in his heart
• Buaji redeemed herself today for her 'tum hamare khoon nahin ho" rant during the wedding by standing up for her niece today in front of her Daadi-in law, even rebuking Garima for the slap
• So Raizadas are multimillionaire right? And we hear about 'security' from Arnav's mouth all the time. So where are those 'security' when the biggest enemy of ASR slithers in RM...ghoda becheke so rahe hain?
• How does Dadiji know about who owns GH?
  
• Shyam's shadows are getting deeper in RM.