#ipkknd office days

[ipkkndlovescenes]

Gadbad...or attraction/P4

Nothing will be the same...

Read Part 3 Here

“There is a strange feeling concerning you. As if I had a string under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave, I’m afraid that cord of communion would snap. As for me, I’d take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, you won't forget me either and bleed with me.” ~Mysticaldivine~

Khushi came to pick up her DeviMaiya yet after feeling his presence near her heart changed everything in her. Her mind and heart were not listening to her, which was the scariest thing ever. She had no idea why she was feeling the way she was. A girl with a sheltered lifestyle and with a certain layout of life, where marriage was the one that could bond two people together with love and all those sacred relationships. There was no space for the unfathomable emotions she was feeling right now in front of this man. This was not right, not pure, it was a sin, a man in her thoughts, dreams, her words, in her life by all means so far, from the moment she met him. He was creating havoc in her, bringing out the woman she was unfamiliar with.

No, this wasn't right at all. He was an arrogant, khadoos, money-oriented, stubborn, rich, powerful man who didn't even believe in DeviMaiya, but today he saved her from falling as well.

Who really he is?

The one who can put her life in danger without putting two cents on it or the one who brought her home safely. All of these contradict her mind because midst of all, she thinks of him all the time, dreams of him talks about him, her heart wants to see him, and beats erratically near him. All of this was enough to enrage her as a woman; a commanding woman in her is tired of these unfamiliar emotions, and at the top of his temper, echoes in her crazily.

Her voice started rising, and her nerves started shaking, but Khushi had to be in command. The duel of mind and heart was dancing its own tune lyrically with the fire of passion and essence of desired need.

And her need to be out of there, away from him as soon as possible and at any cost. "pehle aap darwaza khol dijiye. [first, you open the door.]

In her heart, she knew he would open the door, and he won't hurt her...

They backfired by testing each other's limits, waiting for the other to give in. Arnav was losing his grip every moment his voice raised, but something snapped too in him, finding her eyes wide open, a bit scared, and that feeling made him retreat... . she was in command until the very end. He stormed to the door and started kicking it vigorously until he kicked it down. Violent yet in control with one mission in his head...to make her listen to him.

ab sunogi? will you hear me out now?

Then she throws a neat surprise to his dazzled state of mind. She gives him a baffled and strange scared look, closes her lips for not uttering anything to make it worse, rushes to pick up her things, and then stands just in front of him to deliver her last word, a last piece of her mind to make peace with her. The final blow, if you say doubt, is She was tired of the duelling with him, with herself, with these feelings, the constant feeling of heightened emotions… she is frazzled and wants to get out of there, get away from him.

"Hamain aapki koi baat nahin sunani, nafrat hai na aapko hamse, hamari aukat se, hamari shakal dekhna nahin chahte na app? to khush hogaiye, kyun keh hum aapki nazron se hamesha ke liye door ja rahe hain Lucknow jaa rahe hai hum, hamesha ke liye."(I don't want to listen to you. You hate my face and my status, so be happy I am going to Lucknow forever).

hamesha ke liye door ja rahein hain... lucknow ja rahein hain hum... hamesha ke liye.

Words are nowhere to be found for Arnav as he looks at her lifeless after hearing all of this; he felt the same after her resignation, but worse than that. He gives her an incredulous look as if he has been struck. Her words are like a blow to his mind. All the frustration and the desperation are forgotten, and he looks at her, totally unconvinced.

She waits to see his reaction and leaves as she can't take this pain any more and can't give him the time he can come up with something new either.

Arnav"Tum aise nahin jaa saktin

Khushi' KHUSHI !

(You can't go like this Khushi) He wants to say, Don't go to Lucknow Khushi.., don't'.

I feel so much pain here, bringing tears to my eyes as his mother left him, and he is hiding this pain behind his rage and confusion because he could not stop her. And here Khushi'...at this moment only'

Khushi, indeed has left an enormous impact on him...

Part 1,2, & 3

[msbhagirathi]

IPKKND LIVE BLOG SEASON 1 [Epi. 6]

Come, let's begin.

1. Episode starts with Khushi flashing back to all the horrible moments that happened that day. Mind you, this is the same day going on, the day just after Payal's marriage broke and the day all of them went to The Dargah.

2. The same day Arnav and Khushi had their fight regarding Gods and their existence. Then him releasing those clippings and the Mul Rajani part and Khushi in the market with her parents and all of a sudden people giving her annoying glares and muttering things about her character, then their encounter with Shyam and coming back to GS, her parents' decision to send her away to Delhi and then finally, them going to the office of that news channel and her finding out about him, releasing those clips. Uff. A lot to happen in a single day. I think, they forgot to end a day, in between. Lol. Enough. Now back to the epi.

3. Khushi is adorably ranting about her horrible day which was made even more horrible by that 'Laard Gorverner'. (Yes that's the official spelling for me now. But who cares? Lol.)

4. I don't think we should take it jokingly tho but I don't know why did they show as if Khushi is intrigued by him more than being indifferent to his existence completely. She's already given him a nick name and keeps using it, at every chance she gets.

5. She's got insulted by almost the entire Lucknow and her neighborhood and yet they show as if she is not that serious with his misbehavior and him in general entirely for something so terrible that happened to her. She never even mentioned it at least once about this incidence later.

I agree that they did it for the show, but still, they could have shown her anger, her indifference like they did it in the guesthouse track. The fierce and no-nonsense Khushi. Whatever.

6. While she is recalling her opinion regarding "Bina dil ki Dilli, machis ki tilli." (It's a rhyme made for Delhi and it's heartless people.) There, Shyam comes up, after stalking and following her from that office and is now pretending as if he was passing from there and merely happened to coincidently see her there too. Bloody b_stard.

7. Now. Tell me. How did he know it was her father's 'batua' ? Okay. Fine. His photo must have been there. And address too. Coz he reveals that he was coming to her house. And Khushi is caught off guard by the revelation, but seeing her astonishment he quickly diverts her attention by twisting his answer. KHUSHI!? DON'T IGNORE YOUR GUT INSTINCT OKAY!?! DON'T!!! I AM WARNING YOU OF THIS LEECH!

8. Lol. Who am I kidding? This is the same girl who was in denial of her feelings for a certain someone, okay let's not go there right now.

9. Btw, this is for all the girls who are reading this. Never ignore your gut-instinct or more precisely the girl-instinct. Never ever. Be very aware of who is around you for what purpose or intention. Now. Back to the epi.

10. Khushi, naively, tells him everything about who she knows there and who is she going with. Girls, I am warning you again. Never indulge into a complete stranger, let alone giving them info bout yourself or your location.

11. She did not have to tell him, any of that. Don't be too good for your own good, Khushi, please.

12. The atmosphere in GS is very melancholic as they complete their last minute packings and babuji comes and offers a spoonful of dahi-chini. Khushi has tears in her eyes but probably this is the last time that she would cry and anyone would not get affected by it, because after this Arnav would always, always, always get hugely affected whenever he would find Khushi crying. Ok. Ab chalo, Dilli.

13. The sun dawns, the next day and we find ourselves standing on the busy roads of Delhi, outside the railway station.

14. Khushi complains about the speeding cars and compares them to the ones in Lucknow.

15. Buaji demonstrates the method to cross a road, this busy. Buaji, leave the girls, even I won't be able to cross the road the way you did. You are unique, Buaji. You are you. No one can be you. Lol.

16. The girls fret over a little, but nervously start to cross the road. But, ultimately, they end up creating, a traffic jam.

17. Hahahahaahahah. The auto scene always gets me. Lol. Buaji tries to get in the auto, while complaining about the size of the 'darwajja' (door). And when she gets in from this side, Khushi falls down from the other side. Lol.

18. "Humara auto mein toh teen ka hee permit hai, mataji." "Toh hum kaa chaar dikhayi de rahe haen?" *smacks the driver* "Chal nikaal riksa." Lol. (My auto permits only three people, ma'am. Do we seem to be four people, here? *smacks the driver* Now come on start the riksha.)

19. So. Tho. Funnily portrayed. But, sad, as well. The driver adjusts the mirror to stare at Khushi while driving and Khushi is well aware, so she covers her face with her dupatta. This. Right, here. You won't believe but this kind of behavior is so damn common, even I have faced these kinds of situations. I HATE THIS. I DESPISE THIS. I DOWNRIGHT ABHORE THIS. UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH. Enough. Now get back to the epi.

20. They are there. Laxminagar. They get out of the riksa. Buaji asks the fare and the driver says it's 200. Khushi feels that it is ridiculously high. She starts arguing but the driver says he is ready to dismiss the fare for her, in a very flirtatious tone. So, Khushi being Khushi, pulls a suitcase so hard, that it smacks his head from the back, before giving a final blow, she says "Maaf kijiye, Bhaiyyaji. (scowls)" Lmao. I love Khushi.

21. Buaji tells them about the situation of water supply in Delhi. And, she goes inside the house. Khushi and Payal share their feelings of the 'weird' experiences they faced up until now.

22. AND. HI BITWA. Oh. When did you land in Delhi? You know what your wife has also arrived in Delhi. Ahhhhhhh. The cravat. (😍) Lol. ASR guitar BG score is so soothing. Arnav is leaving for office. Anjali di has made his 'favorite' Bhuni methi ke parathe (roasted fenugreek seeds' flatbread) "Side rakhne ke liye nahi de rahe hain, kha lena." Lol.

23. Anjali di reminds him to come back home early as today Naniji is coming back from her pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi and there is a puja at their house. But, our chhotte straight up refuses to 'waste' his precious time in 'these' things and asks her to make up some excuse for his absence.

24. Anjali di is reminded of the 'prasaad' that she has to make for the puja so after saying, "Chhotte tum na bohot baatein karte ho, dekha sab gadbad karaa di, hum chalte hein, bye.", (when she did all the talking and didn't even let her chhotte speak a single word. Lol.), she leaves. Her chhotte is left incredulous at her antics.(Those who say that he started smiling or feel any positive emotion only after Khushi came into his life permanently, SEE THAT, GO AND OPEN THE EPISODE.)

25. Phuphaji? Worked? In? Railways? Lol. See this.

26. "Tohre hoth bijli aawat nahi, girat hai girat. Dham dharaam." Lol. Buaji. I hate to admit this. But. You are so damn right.

27. "Haan. Jaise aaj aap girin." Famous Last Words Ft. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.

28. And Buaji throws a cushion at her for spitting the fact of the century. Buaji. Please let her be.

29. Did I say it earlier? I think not enough. I will say it again. Babuji is the only person who can read Khushi so well.

30. Hmm. So. Buaji. WHAT IS YOUR DAMN PROBLEM, HUH? Whatever.

31. Buaji makes fun of her tears. Why Buaji why? Why do you exist?

32. Khushi and Payal enter ~what seems to be like~ their room as Khushi describes it aptly- Kamra nahi puratatva vibhaag ki site (Not a room but an archaeological site. Lol. I snorted.)

33. Both the sisters take up the meticulous job of cleaning the room.

34. One jerk of the dirty bedsheet and Buaji is immediately having an attack of asthma from all the dirt shoved her way.

35. Both of them panic and help her lay down on the bed. Khushi rushes to find her pump but to their utter dismay, it's empty.

36. Khushi snatches her basta and phone and rushes out to buy a new one. She takes Paaji's scooter along with her.

37. Bitwa informs his manager that he is crossing Connaught Place and that he will be there for the meeting in ten minutes.

38. His manager further goes on to give him a 'good' news that 'that fashion show wali ladki' has been humiliated so much by the people that she has left the city altogether (Arnav, did you send your men to keep a check on your dear wife Khushi?)

Arnav admonishes him for wasting his 'precious' time. (Tell me something honestly Bitwa, you did feel bad for her, even if it was just for a fleeting second, didn't you?)

And just as he says the line that it doesn't affect him even if she leaves the country, Khushi's reflection appears on the side glass of his car and she whoosh pasts him in a second. (Watch out Bitwa, she is definitely not in some other country but in the same city as you, not very far too, so be careful, you might fall in love.)

39. And, now yet another time, Khushi is on a scooter with a funny-looking helmet and she is driving.....or more like running, skidding, jumping but in a scooter way. Lol. This is her 'Hum Khushi Kumari Gupta' style driving.

(Remember the 'Hum Khushi Kumari Gupta' style running, skidding, jumping, i referred to in Epi. 3? This is the driving edition. Lol. Whatever.)

40. Okay, one more point, after that i am coming back to the epi. See, the last time, Khushi was on the scooter and where did she end up? Infront of her husband Arnavji.

This time as well she is on a scooter, so where will she end up? Not very hard to guess it, i think? Kyun meri Parmeswariyon? *winks*

41. So. Now. Back to the epi.

42. Payal informs her sister that 'pados wale Kaul uncle' had brought a pump for Buaji and now she is fine but Khushi insists that she should get her a new one anyways.

43. And. Within a few moments. Sure enough. She takes a turn towards the wrong side and runs right into a car; scratching it all the way along with one of the mirrors from the scooter, crashing into pieces on the road, within a few seconds.

44. She picks up the broken glass and guiltily walks towards the driver's side of the car only to come face to face with her husband Arnavji.

45. I love how her guilty expression immediately changes into something more like she is about to admonish him for his 'mischiefs'.

46. And our Bitwa. Oh damn. Just look at his positively delicious face and that expression is something like 'Oh. Damn. Uss ullu ke patthe ne toh kahan tha ki isne sheher chor diya tha. Toh phir yeh yahan kya kar rahi hai. Ab tera kya hoga Arnav.' Lol. No. Its something like 'Shit. Shit. Shit. Arnav. Shit. You are a gone case now. No one can save you from falling for this beautiful girl.' Lol. No. You decide his inner thoughts from this expression. A homework for y'all. I will ask y'all in the next one.

47. But look at that face tho. *keeps staring at the screen* *doesn't realize that the screen is now flashing the precap* Shit. Shit. Shit. Sorry. I don't watch precaps but I couldn't stop myself from staring at his beautiful face.

P.S.: Ok. So. Howazit? Do tell. Ok. Then. Bye. Y'all. God bless you.

Previous Next

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hello JWB! Your blog is the best!!

I recently started my 3rd rewatch of Ipkknd over the past 10 years and reading your blog alongside is so much fun! Your navigation for the blog is so meticulous. You are absolutely hilarious and reading your posts reminds me of when me and friends used to discuss the new Ipkknd episode every day on our ride to school! Good old times 🥲

I have a question for you as someone who has watched the show at different periods in her life. There are some scenes which I had a different perspective of when I was a teenage girl compared to now as woman in her 20s. For example, in my current rewatch I get so annoyed at scenes where Arnav holds Khushi hard enough to leave a mark on her arms, but when I watched the scene as a 12 year old its not something that crossed my mind as abusive (especially when they played the Oh-so-wonderful Rabba Ve over those scenes).

So are there are any scenes like that which you looked at differently over the years with age?

Hello my dear anon!

Such a brilliant question - SO MUCH HAS CHANGED with age and time.

1. Arnav and Khushi’s sangeet. I was just so happy to see them get married that I didn’t think much about it but as I grew older I just really didn’t like it. They completely wasted Akash and Payal and I never understood Mami’s over involvement in the sangeet and also… Khushi lip syncing to lyrics instead of a yes I’ll marry you and WHY IS MAMI PLAYING KHUSHI AND WHY IS AN AUNT AND NEPHEW DANCING ROMANTICALLY 😣

2. The dabba service. I actually liked it when I was younger cause the comedy made me laugh. As an adult though I’m bothered that Khushi’s decision to be financially independent does not stem from supporting her family but that she needs to return 300 rupees to Arnav? And somehow we’re supposed to think she’s highly intelligent for working at her husband’s place, through his office kitchen and that’s a … victory? Also so awkward for Arnav to publicly be demeaning of Khushi and him getting furious that she’s “insulting him” but also Khushi getting rabba ve because he enjoys her food? It’s just too regressive that anything Arnav likes about Khushi is tied to bahu duties - that is cooking great food or calling herself his wife. Also Khushi just acts so childish in general I cannot.

3. Khushi’s behavior when Arnav lost his voice. I found her irritating. She’s too childish. The fact she expects Arnav will give her a gift to thank her for having done a “great job” like WHY can this woman NOT be intelligent is beyond me. ARNAV AND KHUSHI DONE SHARE THAT RELATIONSHIP! ALSO WHY DOES SHE GO AHEAD AND SIT IN THE DRIVER’s SEAT??? IS SHE A LITERAL CHILD LIKE I NEVER DID THAT WHEN I WAS 7 MYSELF! And it’s supposed to be funny that Arnav makes her do squats in front of a police officer? That’s demeaning to a woman who’s supposed to be your wife. It’s just really not landing for me tbh.

4. Khushi as a character is very annoying post elopement because she’s reduced to a childish caricature without a hint of brain.

5. I don’t think Arnav does anything great or romantic in the 24 hours track. He has emotionally and verbally abused Khushi multiple times. The one time she tries to leave house - that too for the sake of his sister - he makes her work around for money, threatens her friends so they can’t financially assist her and then takes over her property? I don’t find this coercion romantic nor do I find it to be “ASR” style. My guy was running behind to say sorry cause he was rude to her on the day his parents died. The one day where he’s allowed to be by himself and rude because it’s a traumatic day. (I have to see Khushi’s birthday and the sexy back massage in a separate context to enjoy).

6. I’m not ok with Arnav showering gifts on Khushi after he brought her home by coercing her. I don’t like how Khushi switches into bahu mode to make Anjali happy - girl you were threatened by your husband two hours ago and you’re busy playing Mrs Raizada? - and I’ve said this before but the sudden showering of gifts felt closer to love bombing and a reward for listening to him. I know Arnav is a man of actions - a man of actions would correct his mistake. I needed somethings to be better between Arshi to enjoy this.

7. I DO NOT LIKE THEIR I LOVE YOU DAMN IT. The fact it’s preceded by a very non consensual/dubious consent suhaagraat setup and that Khushi is busy talking about rituals than actually talking about what matters is… ugh. It genuinely feels like sexual frustration and my heart felt so sad that he’s dragging her around pheras to get done with it and Khushi’s elopement was traumatic.

8. Khushi tricking Arnav to light Janmashtami diya. Arnav is an atheist, that’s just as critical as following another “religion”. Would Khushi get a Muslim man to partake in Hindu religious activities by plot? No right. Would she be appreciate being tricked into having bread and wine as that’s the flesh and blood of Christ? Nope. The fact that they show wow Khushi is amazing she brought a NON RELIGIOUS MAN to partake in a religious amazing and thus has more influence than Lavanya on Arnav grates my nerves. I’m religious, and I cannot imagine imposing it on anyone - especially not to my atheist brother.

9. This is something small but I don’t get why Khushi can’t stay over the day Anjali miscarries and when Arnav asks her to stay back. Like something majorly traumatic has happened and Khushi still has to go by what will be acceptable for Dadi? That it’s not ok for Khushi to stay over? I get it if Dadi interrupted cause she’s perfectly terrible enough to do it and Arnav then wants Khushi to leave cause he won’t be able to hear another word against Khushi and she matters more. But also this is Anjali - there’s no way Khushi is leaving the house until Anjali regains certain consciousness and stability.

These are 9 moments that I didn’t like as I grew older (I have some stuff that I didn’t like right off the bat, lol) but here are also a set of moments that I actually grew to love the older I got.

1. A lot of first half Arnav. Very well setup as an anti hero with darker shades. His opinion on marriage and relationships is actually really good and I love the scene where he calls off the arrangement for his arranged marriage cause he clearly states that this would ruin multiple lives.

2. Shyam. I thoroughly enjoy a lot of his scenes because what a villain! I love all of his “nice damad” scenes cause it perfectly establishes why none would suspect and why Payal Khushi will have a hard time telling the truth to the Raizadas cause it’s just so impossible. I also love kidnapping era Shyam cause he and Khushi have AMAZING scenes and the show remembers that Shyam is KHUSHI’s villain! He really drives the plot.

3. I really have grown to love the scene where Khushi thinks she must leave Arnav because he won’t be able to accept aarav and that’s stemming from her own orphan trauma and that when Arnav does see her leaving he’s so gentle about it. He makes her sit, addresses her concern and that Khushi just bursts into tears and hugs him and admits she doesn’t know what she is doing and I love it that Arnav cares for her and Khushi is being her most honest self. It’s so underrated and SO beautiful.

4. Heer Ranjha in a different context. Because what Arnav says is an apology and perhaps the best one in the show.

Thanks for the love,

- Jalebi

[hand-picked-star]

My 'KHAYALI PULAO'

(These are the snippet I wanted to see in IPKKND. After every rewatch, I just close my eyes and these imaginary scenes flash through my mind like they are actual scene. I am trying to articulate them here for my future recap. so that I can read them later and also hoping that some day an AI app will come where I can input these scripts and a scene will produce from the app😁😁)

His Everything

(bolna kya sikh liya ab hume hi chup kara dete hain,khushi musing in her head, Arnav smiling at his wife's antics searched his pockets for something and brought out a small red jewellary box)

Arnav: ye hain tumari sagun,meri taraf se.(surprising khushi, a smile started to form in her lips) common open it.

Arnav: it is your gift from me (surprising khushi, a smile started to form in her lips) common open it.

(khushi opening a Jewellary box revealing a pair of dainty gold bangle inside it.simple yet so elegant.she took them in her hand and looked at Arnav)

Arnav: iske andhar khuch likha hain,see.

Arnav: there's something written inside,see.

(khushi being perplexed looking inside the band of the bangles. there written the line 'you are my everything' in simple artistic way..khushi got very emotional.the number of time she heard 'you meant nothing to me' from him.now in her bedroom,at the day of her sagun day with that very person,holding a bangle that would be her favourite that she would never take off and seeing the writings inside it, acted like a balm to a sore she didn't realize she had.On the other hand Arnav couldn't stand the emotional air any longer,he knew it would be very cheesy, but he wanted to give her someting memorable and without any further thinking went with the flow, but at this moment thinking he should have think more.he started to talk)

Arnav: itna bhi bura nehi hain jo tum isko dekhke ro do. (he took the bangles and proceed to slid them slowly in her wrist.then he took both of her hand around his waist and bring her closer making her to look up at his eyes)

Arnav: it's not that bad that you'll start crying.(he took them from her hand and proceed to slid them slowly in hers.then he took both of her hand around his waist and bring her closer making her to look up at his eyes)

Khushi: (reining her emotion and smiling through her tears) bohot accha hain.

khushi : (reining her emotion and smiling through her tears) it's very beautiful.

Arnav: ese hi ek bangle tum pehle bhi pehenti thi na? bohot din se tumari hat main nehi dekha. kya hua uska?

Arnav: a bangle like that you used to wear everyday before, you haven't wore it for long time.what happened to it?

khushi: (being surprised) upko kese pata?

khushi: (being surprised) how do you know?

Arnav: mujhe tumari har baat ki khabar rehti hain,khushi kumari gupta.

Arnav: i keep tab on everything about you, khushi kumari gupta

khushi: woh apko yaad hain ekbar humne apke office main lavanya ji ke nam pe bohot saree paude laye the?woh sab humne woh churiya bech ke kiya tha,woh meri amma ki thi.

khushi: did you remember one time I brought lots of plant in your office on behalf of lavanya ji? I brought them by selling the bangles.

Arnav:(frowning and feeling an anger forming out of irritation at the selflessness of this girl) Apni churiya bech ke?(pause) pagal ho kya tum?

Arnav: (frowning and feeling an anger forming out of irritation at the selflessness of this girl) by selling your bangles? (pause) are you mad?

Khushi : (smiling and proceed to fix his tie,pouting her lips slightly) apko toh sab pata hain na hamari bare main,par ap kya e jante hain ke apke liye hum kuch bhi kar sakte hain? hume lagta tha ke lavanya ji aur ap ek dushre se pyaar (a slight catch in her voice) karte thein aur hamare bajayse apka rista thut geya,isliye humne....(she trails off)

Khushi : (smiling and proceed to fix his tie,pouting her lips slightly) you know everything about me, huh? but do you know that I can do anything for you? I thought that you and lavanya ji loved each other (a slight catch in her voice) and because of me you two broke up. That's why I..... (she trails off)

(but Arnav was having a heart numbing realization with flashbacks of a morning in a terrace with him in a white shirt and her in a blue salwar kamiz, when she was minute away from jumping from the edge of the roof.he never gave any serious thought to this incidence,always brush aside as her childish ploys to compell him to reveal the truth of their marriage. but for the first time since that happened he was seeing the whole picture)

Arnav: (whispering) tum usdin chad pe? tum sach main kud ne wali thi? how dare you khushi?tum abhi iss (pause) bakht mujhe promise karo ke (pause) tum (pause) phir se esa karne ke baremain (pause) kabhi sochogi bhi nahi.(getting agitated by the minutes but he was whispering all of these) promise me dammit.tum esa soch bhi kese sakte ho?(still whispering)

Arnav: That day on terrace? you were serious about jumping? how dare you khushi? you right now (pause) promise me that (pause) you will never ever (pause) think about doing such thing again (getting agitated by the minutes but he was whispering all of this) promise me damn it. how can you even think about doing it? (still whispering)

khushi:( fully understand his turmoil at this moment which she wouldn't have before as she didn't know the past, place her hands on both side of his face, barely concealing her own tear, nodding her head feverantly)shhhh, hum wada karta hain.

khushi:(now fully understand his turmoil, place her hands on both side of his face, barely concealing her own tear, nodding her head feverantly)shhhh, i promise.

(Arnav drew her close to him hugging her tightly to himself, thinking how close he was to lose his everything, almost walking in the road of his late mother)

[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 entered his life.

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 closes 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 her 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 tells Khushi that Arnav ordered her stuff to be sent to her house. She gets irritated.

She, somehow, also feels disappointed that he already asked 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 much 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 stopped 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 stop 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 away her phone, cause it always ruins their interactions. 😅😬 (even in the future, he will make sure to stop her from giving her phone call more attention than 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 mysterious 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 to 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 remembers his digusting behavior and threat the first day they met "I haven't started to misbehave".

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 distance, 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 understands 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 hating him but not her fearing him. He wants to comfort her, but he doesn't know how. This is the only way he found at this 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'm making myself understandable enough lol cause that duality is not always easy to explain, especially in english since I'm not 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.

[phati-sari]

Hii PS! I love your blog sm!! I was wondering how you think IPKKND will be if it was made in 2021 instead of 2011? Personally, the story and tracks from 2011 aren’t any different in today’s “age” but I think the show would’ve been a complete disaster in 2021 due to the obsession of TRP these days. What’s your opinion on this? Thank youuu

Hiyya!

Thanks! I’m glad you like the blog :) 

how you think IPKKND will be if it was made in 2021 instead of 2011?

I reckon it would be exactly the kind of show I wouldn’t watch.

You say that its tracks and story aren’t any different from today, but that’s exactly why it would be changed. IPKKND was groundbreaking for its time because of the story it wanted to tell and the way it told it. In today’s world, that story would be average, maybe even boring.

Arnav would be darker. In a world where male leads are routinely and unapologetically abusive (physically and emotionally), Arnav -- a character created specifically to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in a hero -- would be even worse than he currently is.

He’d probably force Khushi into a live-in situation. Given that it was only a last-minute change (a voice-over) that introduced a six month wedding into IPKKND as it is, and given that forced/contract marriages are routine, even expected, in today’s tellywood landscape, Arnav would likely force Khushi to live in Shantivan for six months without a mangalsutra and sindoor.

The story would be darker. The original concept for this serial, Didi Ki Saut, was famously too dark to pursue in 2011. The production house and channel reworked the original idea until it was a romantic drama. How and why it was dark remains unclear -- maybe Khushi married Shyam (knowing or unknowing of his truth), maybe Shyam was more evil, maybe Khushi’s ~innocence~ would’ve been compromised. Who knows. But if it was made today, I reckon they’d pursue something closer to the original storyline.

He’d be openly abusive. Arnav threatened Khushi with sexual violence once in the show. In today’s world where sexual violence is increasingly coded as romantic, he’d likely threaten Khushi more often.

Khushi wouldn’t be artificially aged in the show. Somewhere along the way we’ve lost the squick factor that made them age her up in the first place.

They'd kiss on Diwali. Given that Arnav would be darker anyway, the inevitable meltdown he’d have about repeating his father’s mistakes would only further the plotline.

Lavanya, Madhumati and Manorama would take turns being the vamp. I’m always a little surprised that IPKKND got away without having one.

It would have a supernatural element. I guess if it was made in 2019 this would be true!

I’m not convinced that tellywood was more concerned with ratings now than a decade ago. The office track in IPKKND was cut short because of poor ratings, the Didi Ki Saut track was scrapped in favour of Dadi’s entrance, the hut scene was only added because of fan pressure. They didn’t do the series of flashbacks showing Mama and Mami’s story as planned, chasing instead the positive audience feedback on Mami’s comedy.

The difference, in my mind, is that the writing team was able to write these changes into the storyline without jarring the audience. They almost feel natural now, even so many years later. 

Thanks for asking!

[rowdyprofessor]

Hi! I wanted to ask you if you like IPKKND3? If you are watching it, would you have watched another show of such standard? I call it nonsense everyday and still go back to it...I think it is the "Barun Sobti effect"LOL... But, it does hurt me to see his acting talent wasted in this show,especially, since they were doing good in between. Why do you think they took this show in such an angle? Is it the TRP race?

Hello :) 

I wanted to ask you if you like IPKKND3? 

Yup, I like it :)

If you are watching it, would you have watched another show of such standard?

I wouldn’t watch another show of this standard. I stopped watching Ishqbaaz for a number of reasons such as the editing, characters, and storyline, and haven’t stopped watching IPK3 even though it shares many of those (and is worse in some aspects!)

I call it nonsense everyday and still go back to it…I think it is the “Barun Sobti effect"LOL… 

I’ve never shied away from the fact that I am only watching for Sobti. I’ve always wanted to see him as a villain and IPK3 (in the beginning) gave me that. 

These days I’m watching cos I like it. I find it entertaining.

But, it does hurt me to see his acting talent wasted in this show,especially, since they were doing good in between. 

Hmm, I understand that.

I guess my outlook is that sometimes gambles don’t pay off, and this one didn’t. His performance is excellent when it’s allowed to be but these things are team efforts and sometimes things just don’t work out. No one can have an absolutely stellar career, and what matters most, I think, is whether he’s able to bounce back.

Why do you think they took this show in such an angle? Is it the TRP race?

I’ve talked about this here :)

I think it’s a number of things – the writing, the funding, the editing, the scope, the character sketches, the ratings, the direction, the costumes, the sound editing.

No one thing, in my opinion, is the cause of all the changes. It’s the combination of all of them.

It’s a bit like … a marathon.

Marathons are about strength and stamina, but they’re judged (and awarded) on speed. Television shows are about entertainment, storytelling, and acting, but they’re judged on ratings and popularity. Ratings, especially in Indian television, are everything.

Chasing ratings isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For example, IPKKND was meant to have an office track but when the TRP audience didn’t respond well to it, it transitioned into Shantivan. Also, Anjali was jealous and sad about Khushi after Arnav returned from kidnap, and it looked like a Didi Ki Saut track was beginning. But when the ratings dropped and the fandom revolted, Anjali and Khushi quickly made up before Dadi was introduced to give Arshi a common obstacle to defeat.

The difference, in my opinion, is in the execution. IPKKND3, for a number of reasons, wasn’t able to implement the changes in track and genre successfully. That failure says more about the team behind it (the writer, yes, but also the producers, directors and editors) than about the TRP race.

[ferociouspompom]

I live-blog Raees

Hi! So I’m finally watching Raees and I thought I’d share all my reactions with you. Fair warning: I might get absorbed in the story and forget to write things down.

Spoilers abound, so it’s under a cut.

Oh yeah, sure. Hitting him is going to help him read.

Ngawww they were just frames, poor kiddo.

Youch. What a way to use a compass and divider lol. (Okay but what did they use at school at day?!)

*studiously ignoring the self-flagellation* I respect a guy who wears eyeliner.

Okay I got absolutely distracted because I wanted to know if Sobti wore eyeliner in IPKKND (I'm pretty sure he did, along with the foundation, lip tint, eyebrow waxing etc). Raees is putting a watch on dramatically and I have no idea why.

Yeah, that's right, don’t call him Battery.

I want biryani so badly right now.

Fun Fact: chewing ice (water ice!) can be an addiction.

“Have a safe jail-yatra, thank you.” OMFG I spat out some water.

Aeeeeeeeeee, such romance. Many wow. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

She’s so pretty :)

I like this police officer.

Haaaayyyyeeee I’m dead that meeting at the doctor was the cutest :) :) 

Raees just gave that dude a watch, all drama-llama like. I’m guessing this closes the loop I missed earlier!

Udi Udi Jaye!

I love Mahira Khan’s wardrobe, I wish I could dress like her all the time. (Who am I kidding ... I live in pyjamas!)

Wait, was the nikaah real?

I guess the laws of gravity are different in Gujarat?

I guess the nikaah was real! She was trying to flirt with you, you imbecile. Go and get her.

Phata-Kurta: He’s got great aim for someone who needs glasses to see 8 inches in front of him. I missed the part where he got laser eye surgery.

Aeee they’re so cute I cannot even.

Zaalima!!!

Prediction: This dulha-informant is going to die an ugly death.

The phone is shaped like a little red car!!

Serious Advay Singh Raizada vibes (it’s the facial hair and the drama-llama music)

Even the police officer is swayed by their romance!! 😍😍😍 I love movies like this because I don’t know whose side I’m on. Somehow I want both of them to emerge victorious.

Aasiya is an amazing woman.  A+++++

Oh no0o0o0o0o! I feel so bad for him, oh man :(

That was scary. Don’t call me Battery *stab stab*

:( :( :( :( :( 

7/10. Mahira Khan was probably my favourite thing about this movie!

[ipkkndlovescenes]

Gadbad...or attraction/P3

Nothing will be the same...

Read Part 2 Here

“But the second she opened her eyes and looked at me, I knew. She was either going to be the death of me . . . or she was going to be the one who finally brought me back to life.”― Colleen Hoover

Arnav returns the dupatta to Khushi, and both are caught in an intense moment that heightened their intimate sense. . a true one which always gets alert in the vicinity of the opposite soul who is meant to be the reason for your existence and the tempo of your heartbeat. It sounds scientific that eye contact is the most intimacy two people can ever have — forget physical contact — because the optic nerve is technically an extension of the brain. When two people look into each other’s eyes, it’s brain-to-brain. Intimacy with another person deepens your closeness and connection with yourself. The person you share an intimate relationship with becomes a sort of mirror that reflects back to the elements of who you are that can’t be discovered without them.

Just remember, Arnav and Khushi have no relationship at this point, yet their souls seek what their hearts speak. The moment's heat and intensity could be felt through their eyes, her abrupt breathing, and his gulping down her actions slowly and mesmerizingly. He has to remove his jacket and reach for the water to gulp down to cool these burning thoughts. Dupatta proved a wanton layer to wrap them in a vortex of yearning, pinning them down with challenges, clashing with the needs of hearts, and a mixture of all turned the heat on within them, a very natural and smooth yet tremulous clash of intimacy between a woman and a man. His taking his jacket off symbolizes his removal from that vortex that was gulping him down. He reached the cooler where she was already there. Both get connected with their hands outstretched…

She withdraws her hand. He takes the water and drinks it first, provoking her further. He offers her water which she refuses "humain nahi chahiye!" I don't want it...

That piques his anger, and he glares at her… Seeing her audacity! Her provocative nature of self resilient. He still says nothing, trying to hold his anger and frustration, but Khushi had enough. It seems like water was not enough to put this fire off. Well, water always enrages fire first before bringing it down.

She provokes him further without looking at him, and dares him…

In return for his glare,Khushi, "aise kya deckh rahai hain aap, gussa aah raha hai to nikaal dijiye, jaise aap hamesha karte hain "tord dijiye kisi cheez ko jaise apne hamara phone torda tha'.laghe haaton ye darwaza bhi tord dijiye, kyun keh hum yahan se nikalna chahte hain, sab kucch tord dijiye!"

(Why are you looking at me like that,if you are angry the break something just like you broke my phone,and at the same time break this door too because I want to get away from here.) Khushi despises him in all matters today.

Oh, she wants him to get angry as his "Chup" is bothering her too because his softness is creating unbearable havoc inside her and she is way too scared of these raging emotions.

and that hits the bull's eye.

ASR BG score is on'ASR,and he moves like a hawk... "haan tord dunga (yes I'll break everything)" He flares at her by throwing the cup "Eik eik cheez tordta rahung taakeh har tootne wali cheez se tumhare kaan khulain, aur tum meri baat suno (I will keep breaking things so with each breaking thing your ears will open and you will be ready to listen to what I have to say)" .You can hear his agony and desolation in his voice regardless of his anger. Hats off to Barun...👏

Desperation and frustration at their peak on both sides, he has to make her listen to him, and she resists, yet tension with her heaving chest is so much visible. He moves forward, she moves backwards, and the air between them sizzles.

The argument is changing its course now with intensifying exchange of dialogues between both. Khushi, "hum kuchh suna nahin chahte, hamain bas yahan se bahaar nikkalna hai"(I don't want to hear anything .I want to get out of it)

Arnav, "Tum sunogi"(You will hear),He slams the box and makes her more scared, but he is frustrated within his heart too...this girl is damn doing things to him no one else dared yet...

Khushi, "humain bahar jana hai"'(I want to go out)

Arnav, "Mein keh raha hoon'"(I am saying')

Khushi, "humain bahar jana hai'"(I just want to go out)

Arnav, "Khushi mein tumse baat kar raha hoon, tum meri taraf..."( I am talking to you Khushi look at me)

Khushi, "Pahele aap darwaza khol dijiye"(First open the door).

Something snaps, he wants her to feel comfortable, he can read her distress, he can feel it ...He retreats, banging the box again and turns to break the door. After breaking that he turns with rage ,"Ab sunogi ( will you listen to me now)?"

****** He can't see her in distress, and he sees her in pain as the door is closed, to ease her pain he slams the door. Even in his anger, he has concerns for her which she can see too.************

When she asks him I want to get out of here ...yes, she is referring to getting out of his thoughts as these new rising emotions are making her so scared and suffocated. She can't take it anymore. She wants to get out of here, goes away from him, this place. She wasn't feeling the same and that was damn sure now...as she can feel it in her core, a very strange and unknown yet dangerous feeling that was making her weak every moment, damn weak in front of Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada...

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

IPKKND SS: There’s More To Her #9

Previous Chapter

All Chapters

Awakening

An overconfident Khushi had correctly assumed that Arnav Singh Raizada would be absolutely helpless when it came to finding a location for Akash and Payal’s first date. And Devi Maiya always sided with her favorite devotee, until that devotee gloated in the ego she accused the atheist for.

It was funny that the atheist had no idea how often Devi Maiya sided with him.

Hence, the final, accident free date location was Akash’s office with a variety of snacks that a closed office canteen could offer. Pre packaged brownies, coffee from a coffee maker, tea in a to-go cup and some favourless, tasteless digestive biscuits from Arnav Singh Raizada’s personal stash of snacks along with two bottles of mineral water - of course.

Khushi, though, had worked her magic into Akash’s office. White rose petals scattered on the dark table, all lights were switched off except the fairy light trees and a lone office desk lamp.

Although the effect never reached its recipients as Akash and Payal took their sweet time gazing at each other. Despite her upbringing, Payal let her eyes wander over the well fitted chocolate suit and white shirt on Akash. He was taller and more muscular than she thought. White really was Akash’s color.

Akash was not indifferent to female gaze. While his brother benefitted from the don’t-you-fucking-stare-at-me face, Akash’s politeness and Raizada-ness left him to awkward thank yous and exit strategies from press meetings.

But this was Payal, and all he could feel was dhak dhak.

Khushi, oblivious to her nauseated partner of third wheeling the love birds, played with the fairy lights and begrudgingly accepted that Arnav had otherwise done splendid work.

But before Arnav could recover from his nausea at the puppy eyes Akash and Payal exchanged, he balked at the outfit Akash held for Khushi.

Red saree

“Yeh?” Akash snapped out of his trance at Khushi’s question.

“Oh, yes Khushi ji, isn’t it wonderful that I found this in the wardrobe? Although it is last season,” Akash mused.

Arnav stood rooted to his spot, memories assailing his heart and mind without a drop of mercy.

“Nevermind, I thought you’ll be comfortable in this because you modeled-”

“Modeled?” Payal frowned.

“Haan, that’s why Khushi came home late-” Akash stopped, belatedly realizing Payal had absolutely no knowledge of the disastrous calendar photoshoot that took place on her birthday. Payal shot a look at her younger sister, waiting for an explanation that was overdue.

“Woh, Jiji… I was responsible for looking after Liza-”

“That snooty model?” Payal scrunched her nose in disgust. Khushi nodded,

“Yeah wohi, so I was responsible for her fur coat. I had to hold it still until the shoot was done but somehow it got spoiled so as punishment I had to model in place of her.” Khushi concluded. Payal frowned, Khushi usually told stories that had no head or tails and this one simply took the cake.

Of course there was one man responsible for this.

Arnav Singh Raizada

That man had the grace to look away.

“I appreciate what you have done for me and your brother Arnav-ji, but you’re telling me that a fashion house does not have a single cupboard-” Payal began but Arnav and Khushi sneezed at once, shivering in their wet, unchanged clothes.

“As I was saying-”

“Jiji, there’s no need for this. You and Akash-ji enjoy your date. And if I change my outfit any later then I’ll catch a cold and you don’t want that right!” Khushi grabbed Payal’s arm, begging her to let go of the matter. At the end of the day despite the horrible memories of the day at the office, what mattered more to Khushi was her sister’s office. After months she needed no revival of the challenging days, nor any apologies.

Payal sighed and tapped her hand with reassurance. Khushi smiled and hugged her sister gently, careful her wet clothes didn’t ruin Payal’s new ones, patted Akash’s back and whispered ‘good luck’ before skipping out of the office. Arnav waited until Khushi was out of sight.

“Payall, I know how it seems….” Arnav started. Payal closed her eyes and willed patience.

“I crossed multiple lines-” Arnav said.

“The one to whom  you owe any apology or explanation isn’t in this room Mr. Raizada.” Payal snapped, “and the explanations provided out of questioning instead of conscience have no value in my eyes.” Payal concluded. Arnav’s jaws tightened. For once he wished Payal yelled or debated, it gave him ground to fight.

But one rarely could if they were confronted with righteous anger and dignity. Arnav looked at Akash who chose to remain silent. For many times Arnav counted on Akash’s silence, be it keeping things private or taking reprieve that at least one member of his family wouldn’t harp on him about marriage.

But now, seeing Akash’s silence when he too knew what the events were, left Arnav all alone to face Payal’s anger. Arnav finally realized why Akash rarely involved himself in others’ battles.

It forced accountability.

Payal waited for Arnav to come up with a reason regardless. If he’d launch into long paragraphs, her remaining respect for him would touch the grounds. Because ever since the day her sister came home unconscious in his arms, Payal stopped giving any heed to Arnav Singh Raizada.

It was his love for his family and the lengths he went to get her and Akash together that made him an average man.

So when Arnav said no further and headed for the door, Payal stopped him.

“A final word, if you don’t mind.” Arnav stood still, giving her his attention “I don’t ever want you to respect my sister because there might be a relationship between the two families one day. I don’t want you to think anymore that she’s behind money because it has been proven that every assumption you’ve ever had of her was wrong.”

“When you do respect her, let it be for the fact that a 20  years old middle class woman with a third of your education, wealth and experience has been providing for a family of five which involves three aged people and a sister with a broken marriage.” Payal said, tears betraying the potent love for her sister.

Arnav briefly nodded and left the room.

“You know right, your broken marriage doesn’t define you.” Akash began, giving Payal a glass of water. Payal softly smiled, not having the energy in her tonight to explain it to him that it is how the society defined her.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve started this on a better note.” Payal said after a moment.

“Payal ji, never apologize for doing the right thing. A part of me loves you because of who you are and how fiercely you love your sister.” Akash pulled a seat for her held her smaller hands in his.

“Then what does the other part of you love me for?” Payal added, her reddened cheeks and soft smile mirrored on Akash’s face.

He leaned in as her eyes closed at their proximity, “For how beautiful you are.”

Payal’s eyes flashed open and her nose brushed against his. She removed her hands and played with the hem of her saree, “Really?”

“No, it’s actually the way you scold Bhai.” Payal stared at his blatant response and broke into a laugh as he chuckled at his statement.

– – –

Arnav sat in the cafe in a fresh suit, Payal’s words playing in his mind in a loop. He closed his eyes and sighed. She was right. Every single assumption he had of Khushi Kumari Gupta had been proven false. From the moment she fell into his arms at Sheesh Mahal to when he’d accuse her of visiting Shantivan to charge extra money from his family.

Speaking of Khushi, where was she?

A familiar prick of awareness seeped through him. Goosebumps broke on his flesh. His heart pumped in a staccato rhythm.

“Khushi,” He whispered even before he saw her. With a soft turn he watched her in the darkness of his office. Little beads of sequins reflected the dim lights. The gossamer red saree left little to imagination.

Khushi stopped still, feeling the heat of his eyes on her. She clenched her fists and sat on the nearest chair she could find - farthest away from him. She prayed, prayed to calm her racing heart, feel the chill of the air instead, to stop the dastardly pull towards the one man who would push her off the cliff.

She barely looked behind and sighed in relief and disappointment when he looked away.

For how long must she rot in these emotions?

– – –

“Akash ji, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask  you a few questions before we…” go any further. Payal hesitated. Akash was more than the man of her dreams and she wondered if she tested his and Devi Maiyya’s patience by putting every single obstacle instead of accepting the gift of love.

From denial to innumerable questions, was she jinxing her relationship even before it began?

“Please do Payal ji.” Akash smiled, worried at her hesitation. As much as he believed love was at first sight and that he would never regret having Payal in his life, he wondered if he had pushed her into accepting her love. He should’ve waited. True love didn’t come from desperation, it came from patience.

There was still a great distance between them. It was strange. He had thought an ‘I love you’ from both the ends sealed the deal. But now that they lapsed into awkward silence around difficult questions, he wondered if he had ruptured things by hastening it out of fear.

“Akash ji, I do… love you,” Payal confessed, worried at his sudden silence, “but I won’t find any comfort in this love until certain things are clear. Please understand.”

“I absolutely do Payal ji. Please feel free to ask about anything.” Akash reassured her.

“What’s yours and your family’s take on dowry?” For a second Akash was offended at her question. Didn’t she know how much he loved her? How he and his family would never take a cent for such a crime! But looking at her frightened eyes he was ashamed at feeling offended. He had the luxury of never being associated with such folks. She had lived through this.

“The Raizadas have never given nor taken a cent. We did make the mistake of offering a property and farm lands as gifts for one wedding, it is perhaps no surprise things didn’t end up well.” Akash’s mouth soured at the memory of the Maliks. He had never liked that side of the family, even as a child. When he had helped Arnav get back his mother’s property from the Maliks - one Arnav’s uncle had in possession - Akash was glad that his cousin never grew up in that environment.

His Dadi’s friendship and care for Arnav’s Dadi was the only sorepoint between Arnav and Akash. Akash never approved of his brother spending hard earned money behind a member of the family that had only hurt the Raizadas and above all, hurt his dearest cousins. Although his inner emotions couldn’t be revealed to Arnav at a worse time.

“I cannot believe this Papa. Dadi-ji sent Anjali-di to dissuade Bhai from buying Sheesh Mahal!” Akash fumed, clenching his fists to reign in his temper.

“Subhadra Devi-Ji had called Amma. It is the last house her son has.” Mahinder sighed, weary of the fight he had with his own mother, “And Amma said it’s not right for Arnav bitwa to treat ancestral property as a tool for revenge-”

“That property is ours. Phupha-ji got it as dowry. If anything, Bhai and Di deserve to have it back. We’re paying for that woman’s extravagant ashram, it’s enough.” Akash said.

Mahinder shook his head and patted his young son’s shoulder. It was rare to see him so worked up, even for the right reasons, “Akash bitwa, aisa nahi bolte. You know that Amma believes her friend has a good heart after all-”

“I won’t let them misuse Bhai’s newfound fame. I don’t know why Dadi forgets she’s a Malik. That family sucked us dry. I hate it that we have an association with them-” Akash stopped, noticing Arnav on the door, his face ashen.

Arnav said nothing, nearly pretended he heard nothing. He simply lavished Mami with an unlimited access of jewelry from his bank account, Mama was given a significant share from his company, and stopped any of the Raizadas from contributing to Subhadra Malik’s expenses.

Akash knew. That even in a slip of tongue, Arnav took the words to heart and paid the Raizadas ten fold for any kindness they ever showed.

And because Arnav wouldn't accept any apology - for his side of the family was terrible - Akash vowed to stand next to him and never make him feel ‘othered’.

Payal held Akash’s hand, her heart melting at Akash’s sincerity and stories of the extent Arnav went for the family.

“Bhai has quietly become the head of the family. It’s not arrogance, it’s a fact. He looks after everything. And when he has his blessings over this relationship, no one and nothing can come in between because he simply won’t allow it.” Akash reassured her. Payal smiled, finding some hope in the marriage ahead of her.

Perhaps Arnav’s rejection of tradition and Akash’s genuine love was all she needed. To think of it no one apart from his mother scrunch their noses about their class difference. True, at times they were a bit blind in privilege, but that also stemmed from harmlessness.

– – –

Arnav kept looking behind, losing his heart every time he saw the flash of red. He had rarely seen Khushi so quiet. After ten uncomfortably silent minutes, he turned to find her engrossed in some books, highlighting something with a pencil.

It was a mathematics textbook. For children.

Khushi looked up, aware of his questioning gaze and cleared her throat, “Woh… I tutor kids so I’m preparing materials in advance.” Arnav took that as an offer to walk towards her. Khushi tucked back a strand, nervous at their little talk.

“Mathematics?” He asked.

“Yes, I was studying financial management so mathematics had to be my favorite subject. According to Babuji finance is the backbone of any successful venture.” Khushi smiled, recalling her days in college and at the sweet shop. Arnav realized he truly didn’t think about Khushi’s life before they met.

“But I haven’t seen you attend college…” Arnav said, sitting next to her.

“I dropped out.” Khushi said and plastered a big smile on her face, “Anyways according to Babuji real life experiences shape you more than education. So between running a sweet shop in the morning, tutoring kids in the evening and managing orders for Buaji’s chikankari sarees, I’m running quite the enterprise here.” Khushi went back to her book, happy at the way her life shaped. Of course, she’d never want Babuji's ill health, but if she was in Lucknow then she would’ve happily left her college to marry right after Payal did.

It never crossed her mind that there was more to life. There was more to her.

Arnav couldn’t manage to return her smile. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why she couldn’t complete her college. Between the scandal, the loans, resettling to a new city, financial pressure and her father’s health - Khushi’s education would’ve taken the back seat.

And he was responsible for nearly all of it.

“You know, AR is hiring-”

“No.” Khushi said, “I cannot work here.”

“No one refuses Arnav Singh Raizada.” Arnav glared.

“Accha. No, no, no, no.” Khushi stuck her tongue. If only Khushi knew that she was far from annoying, rather quite adorable.

“So what happened to your Babuji’s business… now that you’re running on your own?” Khushi couldn’t believe if Arnav was actually engaging in small talk. It felt new. It felt good. It had been too long since anyone asked her about her life.

“Well they were seized by the loan sharks-” Arnav frowned, “-woh Babuji had given it up for loan for Jiji’s dowry to loan sharks. And then the people refused to return the store back considering Babuji’s fallen goodwill. The scandal-” Khushi grew quiet and Arnav cursed under his breath.

The more he spoke to either of the sisters, the more he learned about the things he wished he didn't.

– – – – – – – –  

“I genuinely loved the dupatta!” Payal gushed over the intricate fabric designing and detail with Akash, enjoying the moment as they bonded over their shared love of textiles. Akash was the finance man, but he was enamored by the beauty of embroidery and the texture of fabrics - except he never had the talent to actually make anything out of it. Although to Arnav that was an asset, Akash would always know if their materials were genuine or if they were being scammed.

“If I knew it was you I would’ve packaged it better!” He confessed. Payal was touched. The fact that Akash was ready to give it a stranger because it would brighten Khushi’s day meant everything. She had seen fate play on someone’s goodness, it was surprising to see someone’s goodness move fate.

“Would you mind if I worked after marriage?” Payal asked.

“Do you want to?” He asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen myself there. I’ve never had ambitious dreams,” Payal admitted. Akash empathized. Ambition was never his asset. On the other hand Khushi and Arnav had heaps of it.

“Payal ji, I might’ve been born with a silver spoon but all I’ve ever wanted is good work and a happy life. Really. And maybe a dog one day.” Akash mused.

“A dog? In a house where there’s a lamb?” Payal chuckled.

“Why, don’t you want one?” Akash asked.

“I’d get another lamb, or maybe a little dove. Khushi loves doves and seeing doves would remind me of her. But… I wouldn’t want them in a cage.” Payal said.

“Bhai’s garden is big enough for a sanctuary for a few birds, but I’m wondering what he would say when they would leave droppings in his pool!” Akash laughed.

“Aur kya kahenge? What the?” Payal growled, imitating Arnav to perfection. Akash clapped at the mimicry and shook his head, “It looks like I’ll have to create a garden for the doves.”

“And I’ll have to teach the dog to be calm - especially around the doves, Lakshmi and future children.” Payal dreamed.

“Children?” Akash asked.

“Kyun, you don’t want any?” She questioned. Akash did look like he’d be an excellent father. Graceful, patient, calm and a listener. If that wasn’t like Babuji, who else was?

“Only if they look like you.” He smiled as Payal turned a pretty red in shyness. Akash brushed a tendril away from her face and stroked her cheek with the back of her fingers.

“Akash-” the lights went off, leaving them in the darkness.

– – – – – – – –

“Hey Devi Maiyya!” Khushi gasped as she couldn’t see anything. Before she could move, Arnav's hand found hers.

“It’s ok Khushi. The generator should kick in soon.” Arnav’s firm voice instantly calmed her nerves. It was alright. He was here. She is not alone. Her nails dug into his skin. Her palms had turned clammy.

To Khushi’s relief Arnav switched on his phone’s flashlight.

“Fuck,” Arnav swore under his breath. His phone battery was at ten percent. Why wasn’t the generator working?

“Khushi, wait here. I’ll go the studio and grab some candles-”

“Nahi, please…” Khushi gripped his hand tighter.

Arnav tugged her along. They made it to the fusebox, a candle in place of the dying flashlight. For a moment Khushi was arrested by his face lighting up by the flame. His expressionless face was scrunched in worry. Arnav realized he was being watched.

“Kya hua? Tum theek ho?” Khushi nodded and looked at the board. Strange, everything looked fine. Even the fuse was intact.

Arnav leaned by her, Khushi stiffened at the proximity. He bent to her eye level, looking at all the switches. She could feel his breathing, the heat his body emanated.

“Oh of course! I completely forgot that we had the electricity maintenance-” Arnav stopped as his nose brushed against hers, their faces close up next to each other. Words died out as her large eyes looked deep into his. His eyes flickered to her lips and her breath hitched.

He gulped as her lips parted. It had been so long since something right had happened. Memories of Diwali and the photoshoot intermingled with his hidden fantasies. Time lost its essence to Khushi. All she could see was him, his eyes and his lips. Desire flowed like blood through her veins. There was so much tension in his face. If she could only brush it away.

Arnav leaned in, without rationale, and Khushi inched up, on instinct. His arm slipped to her waist and her hand rose to his cheek. Arnav closed his eyes at the touch of her fingertips but froze, feeling the metal band of her ring on his cheek.

Khushi’s trance snapped, the diamond of her engagement ring shining brightly in the candlelight. Horror flooded her face. What was she about to do? Arnav sprang back, his breath harsh. What had he just done? The lights came back to life, revealing their darkest desires to each other. Without a word Arnav turned around and rushed out of the room.

– – – – – – – – – –

Akash and Payal exchanged the sweetest glances across the rearview mirror as Arnav drove them all home. A slow romantic ballad played on the radio and Arnav held the steering wheel in a tight grip. Khushi stared out of the window, bothered by her own immorality.

He was Lavanya’s! She was betraying her best friend.

Khushi saw the stars above, twinkling in the clear night and she didn’t have the courage to meet them. She had sinned. For he was anothers.

Who would help her in this crisis? Who could?

Payal reached out and squeezed Khushi’s hands. She had seen Khushi look lost throughout the day. She gestured if everything was alright with her - Khushi only smiled back in response. She didn’t even realize when they stopped near Preeto’s house at an alley where they could be safely dropped off without any nosy neighbors.

Akash led Payal down the SUV, his heart hammering with joy and anticipation. So much was said and so much was left to be said. Payal’s mind urged her to hug before they left, but her sensibilities of society prevented her from doing so.

Khushi realized after a moment that she and Arnav were alone in the car. She immediately tried to remove her seatbelt but fumbled in her nervousness. Arnav walked around, opened the door and removed her seatbelt. His eyes no longer bore warmth. Khushi knew very well what that look meant. She ignored his hand and stepped out of his car.

“Just so you-”

“For the love of God don’t say anything.” Khushi warned him, anger sitting as tears in her eyes. She could not bear another word. Arnav stood still, clenching his jaw. He didn’t know if he intended to give an explanation to her or to himself.

“Akash!” Payal called out to Akash, and the shy lovers met for a hidden hug behind the car. At first there was hesitation, which slowly melted as he leaned awkwardly to match her height.

Khushi pulled the edge of her saree, it was minutes away from ripping. Arnav rolled his eyes and moved to tug it free but she stepped away,

“Stay away,” She hushed, aware of Akash and Payal.

“It would’ve ripped-”

“Then let it rip, aapko kya farak padta hai?” She snapped, pulling off her saree that left a little tear. Arnav growled, he wasn’t an idiot to not realize that this conversation was a painful continuation of the ones left abruptly before.

Yet, his ego stung.

“Don’t get any ideas, you mean nothing-”

“Exactly! You’re Lavanya ji’s, we must never meet again.” Khushi decided, tears of anger flowing down her cheeks. Burned, Arnav got into the car and slammed it shut - shocking Akash and Payal who embarrassedly pulled away, cheeks tinged in red.

Payal mistook Khushi’s urgency as the threat of Buaji questioning the delay and Akash misunderstood Arnav’s urgency as his usual nausea to affection.

Long after Arnav reached Shantivan, he paced throughout his room, a niggling doubt solidifying over time. Ever since he and Khushi were engaged - to different people - Khushi always mentioned his engagement. For someone very chatty, she spoke about anyone and anything except her fiance.  

You’re Lavanya ji’s…

So what about Khushi? Who did she belong to in this world of commitment? Arnav was aware of the arranged setup that seemed to have been exchanged between Khushi and her fiance… but if he could read her well, she just didn’t want to not marry, she despised it.

She despised her fiance.

“Khushi… what the hell are you doing?” He murmured, unaware of the irony.

But it wasn’t lost on Akash who stood by the door, listening to Arnav’s murmur. The discord he long suspected between Arnav and Lavanya was not due to the former’s commitment issues or the latter’s drastic change of opinion of marriage. 

Arnav had tragically fallen in love with the wrong person at the wrong time.

– – – – – – – – – – – –

Payal paced in front of the bathroom, her concern growing as Khushi took a late evening shower in cold water.

“Haye re Nandkisore! We barely have water saved and the queen needs to take a bath after a simple outing!” Madhumati complained. She was touched by the exclusive gifts Preeto had given Payal and Khushi - the yellow and red saree looked exquisite! And laughed at the kids' childishness to wear the gifted outfits and come home.

“Buaji, let Khushi ji be.” Shyam sweet talked to Madhumati, both sharing a secret smile over what happened minutes ago. And for all his honeyed words - he couldn’t match Payal’s suspicious eyes.

“Khushi, you look beautiful.” Khushi was startled as Shyam dropped the ji, walking incredibly close to her. Panicked, she looked around to find Buaji smiling and turning around - giving the couple their ‘privacy’. After all, to-be-newlyweds must spend some time together!

Shyam looked around and then grabbed her wrist,

“No one is watching us, don’t worry.” His fingers traced her arm.

“S-Shyam ji, this isn’t right!” Khushi snatched her hand back.

“Why? We’re engaged aren’t we?” He smiled. Khushi balked at the predatory glint in his eyes and started to sweat. A hand moved to her face-

Khushi splashed the water over herself, shaking as the cold seeped into her body. What if Payal hadn’t interrupted him? She scrubbed the soap over her wrist multiple times. The touch… it felt wrong. She muffled her sob, cleaned up and got out of the washroom - giving Payal her best smile.

Payal couldn’t return it. Shyam and Khushi were a couple. Yet what she saw, even in the flicker of a second, frightened her.

It looked anything but romantic.

Madhumati and Garima were deep into a conversation, they saw Khushi and stood up. Fear crawled in Khushi’s stomach. Every single time the two had something to say to Khushi it was the worst.

“Khushi, Lata saw you and Shyam babua together at the patio. Granted you two are marrying but everyone must keep boundaries. Shyam babua is very kind and mature enough to promise not to visit anymore in the evening.” Khushi wanted to protest, minutes ago Madhumati had been the one who left them alone!

“And hence, a decision has been made.” Madhumati spoke, giving little room to anyone else present.

“In three weeks you and Shyam babua will be married.”

- - - 

A/N: Hey there! Thank just in case if you actually remember the story! I’m finally back with an update and I sincerely hope you liked it - just a couple of chapters left for me to wrap this up!

- JWB

Tagging: @butaneandthebeast @shaonsim @shiyaravi @myloveforstuff @leila1 @lostafpanda@laadgovernorandsankadevi @laad-governess @thenainitaldisaster @maansiloves@chutkiandchotte @honeybellexox @bigfatreader @simplycurlz @thecharlesboyle@sapnokiduniyaisalwaysbetter @zaphbeeblebrox @shehzaadimira @pakki-ya-nahin@mindpdnim @jaanedil @pandora-678 @featheredclover @rae-blogging @goals1024@onadaanparindey @magicfeltmybloop @acroakingbird @blogenana @starzin8s@exosexosekai @noor1025 @ijustchangedmyname@delicatecloudfestivalweasel @sankititaliya @dvk-ok @roqiaposts​ @white-thebeauty​ @childofsquidward​ @maansiloves​ @shehzaadimira​ 

[if you want to be added/removed from tags lemme know!]

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

NAVIGATION & NAMASTE

Hello Hi No Bye Bye to Jalebi Weds Bluetooth, a fan blog for the tv show IPKKND (Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon). 

I also run a podcast called Iss Podcast Ko Kya Naam Doon?

Below I have links to everything on this website and this post is updated WEEKLY so check this post before sending in any asks or just if you wanna casually stalk this blog a la Shyam Manohar Jha - I don’t mind :) 

I’m updating this page with like getting links of 25 pages a day - and there are 288 pages on my blog so beware - it’ll take at least 2-4 weeks before I’m upto date!

The following headings are sorted alphabetically; ask box, blogs I like to stalk, characters, fan fictions, favorite scenes/lists, gifs, ipk discussion, ipkknd memes, ipkknd podcast, Kamlesh khabri, personal takes, reblogs, relationships (of characters in the show), [other links]

Askbox

(where I send out a list of questions for people to ask me)

----------

Blogs I like to stalk

@phati-sari  @honeybellexox  @onadaanparindey  @laadgovernorandsankadevi @desitellytales  @aye-masakalii @tellywoodtrash

@jukti-torko-golpo @shaonharryandpannisim @vidhurvrika @m0hinii @shiyaravi @jaanedil​

----------

Characters

Arnav | Khushi | Other Characters | Shyam

----------

Fan Fictions

(anything I write almost always ends with a happily ever after)

----------

Favorites/Scene Lists

----------

Gifs/Photos/Vids

----------

IPKKND Discussion

Office Track  

Early Arshi Days  

Shantivan Training 

Nainital Track/Khushi Feelz  

Diwali/Engagement Feelz

Payash Wedding Season

Forced Elopement  

Kidnapping Track

Didi Ki Saut & Khushi’s Birthday

24 Hours Track

Dadi/Confession Track

Remarriage

Post Remarriage Days & Show Ending

Arnav & Khushi’s Sex Life

Post Canon (includes Rewind)

Ek Jashn

What If (for eg: what if the terrace scene didn’t happen, etc)

Other (shows/movies, comparisons, off screen, technical stuff in IPK)

----------

IPKKND Memes

----------

IPKKND Podcast!

----------

Kamlesh Khabri

----------

Personal Takes

Khushi  | IPKKND | Arnav & Khushi | No Filter

----------

Reblogs

Where I reblog what others have said/spoken about IPK. Or when I’m advertising myself from Jalebi Likes. Or some serious issues not related to IPK.

----------

Relationships

Arnav & Khushi | Arnav & Lavanya

----------

For all the sweet people who just send me love out of nowhere <3

Conversations with Shy Anon <3

Conversations with Mutton <3

Conversations with RDX <3

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

How're you my jalebi jaan!!!!

I'm your secret admirer 😉Well,I also have a question for you.I read the fan fictions on IPKKND a lot. And some of it portrayed Arnav as someone who forces his will on people.Was our ASR too hard hearted and has zero empathy.Suppose Arnav learnt the truth of Garimaji in a different scenario (suppose he tracked her down before he had even met Khushi(evil dadi 😈) ) Will he succoomb to his prejudices and try to destroy Khushi's life as a revenge in such a scenario?!

Hello Anon!

Thank you for admiring the blog :)

Warning, long answer below. In short, no, in my opinion Arnav would rather ruin Garima directly by destroying her and her family's reputation.

To break down this answer I'm gonna break down Arnav as a character in my opinion.

Revenge isn't an option for people who are direct in nature. Destruction is.

Shyam plans a revenge. Subhadra (Dadi) plans a revenge but Arnav straight up destroys.

Fan fiction is extremely personal in the way everyone writes their interpretation of their favorite character. And even media, to that extent, is personal because everyone's interpretation is individual and unique.

So, in short, everything I answer about IPK is dependent on my take and opinion of the show and character.

In my opinion Arnav never forced his will on people nor did he have zero empathy. The contract he signed with Khushi in the office is because she had a job and legitimately demand he give an appropriate reason to fire her. The forced marriage is a mix of complicated emotions and it's never going to be a simple he 'forced' Khushi to marry him. That is a part of the deal, but there were several other undercurrents.

In reality, his family has often forced Arnav against his will. Anjali forced religion and religious celebration despite him openly declaring that he's an atheist. His grandmother forced him to marry a stranger just because she wants it - even when he has clearly stated that he's neither into long term commitment of that sort and has no wish to destroy another person's life in that process.

Arnav has empathy - hence he teared up on learning about Khushi being an orphan and gave pigeons (and probably cash) to the little kid crying for her sick father.

His empathy to Khushi is stunted because of his prejudice towards her and that he is just emotionally stunted due to his trauma.

Any animosity Arnav has towards Khushi is really because of how coincidentally she meets him and seems to grab public attention. The brilliance of the show was if Arnav had a bit of Khushi's faith and Khushi had a bit of Arnav's cynicism - neither Arnav would've misunderstood Khushi nor would have Khushi believed Shyam.

Arnav actually has his priorities sorted, his main rage is towards his father - the cheater - then towards the third woman in his parents marriage.

And even then, Arnav isn't a schemer by personality. He cannot scheme. He takes actions. Decisions.

Shyam is a schemer - he can have a long plan in the run. Arnav destroys or decides. Then and there.

For Arnav it will be pointless to go around ruining Khushi because her aunt ruined his parents' lives. He always holds his father equally accountable for the pain.

He'd just straight up ruin Garima's life. Expose it to the public and beyond what kind of a woman the pious Garima is and destroy her reputation and her family's reputation for once and for all.

And in this scenario he'd hate himself to be physically attracted to Khushi. He'd hurt her, but really not use her to hurt Garima.

He couldn't even use Payal against Khushi. He put Khushi in an illusion that her sister's marriage was in threat. But Payal's marriage was actually unaffected from all the drama.

If Arnav had pre-requisite knowledge about Garima, then it would be another version of Iss Pyaar Ko of the battle of loving someone whose family is responsible for the trauma in their own family. A bit Romeo Juliet esque with most angst.

Hope you have a nice day ahead!

Best,

Jalebi

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 36 recap : Constantly thinking about each other

Both Khushi and Arnav dream about each other regularly now.

Khushi forgot she gave her resignation letter. She got excited to go back to the office to argue with Arnav, before remembering she resigned the day before.

She misses Arnav only after a day of not seeing him lol. She barely lets us see how she really feels but you can sense the sadness and confusion in her eyes. She doesn't realize it but she can feel it. The emptiness she's feeling since she gave her resignation letter to Arnav! "Why would I miss him? Why? What's wrong with me?"

Arnav misses Khushi even more. He looks at her pics with so much longing. Just after one day of not seeing her (hahah why are they so cuuute !!). "She's the one who decided to leave. Why should I miss her? Why?"

"I have no interest in seing khushi's photos" Arnav is getting embarrassed being caught lusting over pics of Khushi hehe !

These photos mean so much to him and he'll gift one to Khushi later lol ! They are the keepers of the memory of him realizing that he has met the woman who makes his heart beat so fast, the woman he will love, truly love.

[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 (but when he lies deeply to Anjali, he can, rarely but still, I'll talk about it later in my recaps).

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 his 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 46 recap : Khushi is leaving Delhi - She's leaving Arnav.

"Why are you looking at me like that. If you're feeling angry, then express it as you always do."

Khushi isn't afraid of arguing with him. She was scared of him misbehaving but he gave her the assurance that he never meant to have that nasty type of behavior.

I would have liked if the writers tried to water down a little bit his impulsivity and his very tactile nature, often his behavior is too brutal and can rightfully so, trigger many people.

But I also kind of feel it was a way for the writers to create a parallelism with Khushi's brutal ways of overstepping boundaries. She also, in that way, can trigger many people (but I won't say it can equally compare to a man being that pushy in his mannerism).

I really appreciate the fact that they tried to show how both Arnav and Khushi have obvious toxic traits. They aren't trying to sell us perfect humans being, that's why ipkknd is one of my favorite shows.

Arnav is desperate to tell Khushi something but she refuses to listen. Why did he want to say? I think he wanted to break the ice, making her understand that he didn't want her out of his life somehow without telling her directly. He probably was wanting to explain to her that they probably misunderstood each other but that he never wanted to risk her life, that it was a mistake.

" -Khushi, I'm talking to you! Look at me! -First open the door " Arnav obeys cause he knows his impulsivity is now again making her unsafe. He really wants her to listen to his explanations.

"Now you'll listen to me?" Khushi thinks it's an order but you can see his eyes are begging.

"I don't want to listen to you. You hate me right? And my status too? You don't want to see my face, right? Then be happy, because i'm getting out of your sight forever. I'm going to lucknow forever." "No Khushi. I don't hate you. I might have misunderstood your intentions but I know now that I was wrong. I want to see your face, I miss seeing your face everyday. Khushi don't go. Don't leave me. Keep bothering me as you used to do."

Every word he said to her, she remembers. She recalls everything that proved her how he rejected her. She always wanted to prove him she was worthy. She doesn't know Arnav words are full of lies. It's how he protects himself. The only way he can now correct his mistakes is to show her the real Arnav. She'll trust him only by meeting his true self. And he'll, slowly but surely, to her only.

"Then be happy, because I'm getting out of your sight forever. I'm going to lucknow forever." Notice how she betrayed her real feelings. She's leaving him. And Arnav will remember these words. She's not just leaving, she's leaving HIM. He's the main reason of her departure. And remark how she's letting him know where she's going loool ! Khushi never hated Arnav. She denied how she really feels about him but she never once feel hate toward him. She hated the thought of him thinking poorly of her, just like him, he also hate the idea that she could think he's a curel man.

She had no reason to tell him about Lucknow. But just like he always do for her, she's also always letting her door open.

"You can't go like this Khushi … Khushiiii !!!"

Arnav is shocked to learn her upcoming departure from Delhi, a decision influenced strongly by how he mistreated her. He couldn't believe it. He missed her already so much and now she's not only leaving his office but his city. She leaving him definitely.

He was also shocked by what she herself thinks he thinks of her. He was asking her to make a move on him just days ago but now he realizes how foolish he was : "she thinks I dispise her when all I do is think of her. Does she hates me? Am I the only one who caught feelings?"

"Let's go sister, I wanna go back to where we have come from … I feel strange here." "Sister please, let us leave. I don't want to stay in the same city as Arnav. He hates me but somehow I always want to see him again. Sister, I can't control any longer that pull I feel towards him. I don't want to disrespect myself any longer. Let me leave him !"

ps: their awkwarness in this scene was so lovely to watch 😏

[arziaisfrench]

▪︎ IPKKND Ep 19 recap : "What else Sir?"

He's now only thinking of Khushi, even when Lavanya is talking to him. He's so excited to not only compete with her but also to win against her.

Arnav's thoughts are full of Khushi and Asr is getting way too excited to win against her.

Lavanya understands how Arnav do stuff, she doesn't ask for more cause she knows he's already giving her all he can. He can't do more for her. So even if he's still wearing a mask in front of her, she accepts it. I do think he lets her see a little of Arnav but never his vulnerable side. Never.

On the other side, Khushi wants terribly to prove to Arnav that she is indeed his equal. She cares of what he thinks much more than she let's us see.

I also like how we get to see how Khushi reacts when a woman get very close to Arnav. She's so uncomfortable and weirdly very aware haha just like him, her mind is full of him.

Khushi's reaction when she won is so cute. She doesn't look overly prideful cause she won her task. She's genuinely happy she proved herself worth the job.

I truly think that he started to fall unconsciously in love when he started challenging her in his office. Each time he gave her a task, each time she conquered slowly his mind and heart.

He just wasn't aware, but more precisely he wasn't interested one bit to know the reason why she made him feel the way he feels around/because her.

His mind gets full of thoughts about her. But we need to remember that his heart felt for her first, which means the feelings started before the office arc, but it wasn't love at first side lol, it was i think a sort of mix between intense attraction and a random (miraculous/predestined?) attachment/bond that progressively but rapidly became more.

And in the other side, Khushi will start falling in love only when she will get a full view of Arnav. For now, she's strongly attract to him, i do think she likes him, cause she liked challenging him. Asr make her feel like a woman and since she can sense Arnav, there is also an attachment. But Asr is being too present and gradually way too toxic to her. It can't be more for now. And she will soon beliebve he actually hates her.

Khushi's reaction is revealing how she can feel about him. That physical attraction from the first day was never gone, it was just silent. Look at Arnav's face again when he's talking to her, he's pleased by what he sees on her face lol : how she is reacting to him.

Everytime he gave her a task, he reminds her that if she can't do it, that she better prepares to give him her letter of resignation and the money. I'm sorry but yeah to me he clearly encourages and gives her enough motivation for her to do her best to win and stay lmaoo 😅. He consciously wants her out but inconsciously he's motivating her to stay lmao siiir !! Arnav and Asr are starting slowly but surely to fight because of her.

Asr lost the first battle. Arnav is shocked. Asr is getting angry. = Arnav is liking her even more while Asr gets furiously more attracted to her.

Khushi is scared of Asr but not only because she can sense how he can be dangerous. She is as attracted to him that he is to her. The tension is getting higher.

When he caught her hand before she was about to fall, she could sense something in his eyes. She saw it when he was about to let her fall. That sadness and protective side in his eyes. She can definitely see glimpse of Arnav within Asr persona. She can sense glimpse of his vulnerability. I think this is when she started slowly but surely fall in love unconsciously to him, her witnessing those glimpse of Arnav is what will make her catch serious feelings !