Smitar's: Finding Khushi #11 Link to #12 on Page 1 - Page 84

Sorry for the delay in commenting, despite having read your updates… have been busy drafting the question papers for my students… it's back to the grind here 😭!

Rashmi, agree with you that 'eager' is the right word for Part 44.2! Part 44.3 — Khushi-Arnav and Ganesh-Anamika have accepted their respective soulmates not only with their warts and all but also as their partners for life —a fact that the garlands exchange truly symbolises, as you've aptly pointed out! Loved the no beginning-no end symbolism of the garland. This update is about passing a point of no return by taking a decisive step... CROSSING THE RUBICON… very well said! The different customs related to the Jaimala / Varmala are pretty interesting! For him, there were no crossroads where she was considered, only a straight boulevard, with no intersections even… beautiful imagery!

Part 44.2 — It is touching that the wedding attire for the grooms and the brides were designed by Anamika. All the men, including Mama, taking the ladies' breath away was a wonderful moment… one can't help but be moved by Nani's relief at the fact that Arnav has found the one woman who loves him as much as he loves her, that he no longer needs to lead a bitter and lonely life as Khushi would always be there for and with him… his mother's last wish has come to life in the form of Khushi Kumari Gupta: she would not only withstand his anger [and when needed give him a taste of his own medicine!] but also fill his life with joy, love and companionship! Another moving moment: Nani understanding Ganesh's loneliness in having to hover over Anamika and Gaurav for the past twenty years without being able to claim them as his as he must have wanted! Arnav's horrified reaction to Mami's comment is highly amusing… one can almost see Mami smacking her lips in sheer delight 😆! Ganesh's awkwardness when Anjali wishes him a happy married life, and the grooms' impatience to see and have their brides with them adds to the realism. Ganesh equating waiting for their brides with waiting outside the dentist's and Arnav feeling breathless are truly epic 😃! Looks like all grooms also have nightmares of being stood up at the altar by their jittery brides! Buaji's reassurance must have brought some welcome relief. An Arnav, who kept people at arm's length and who didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, hugging Buaji is an emotional moment, reminding me of the relationship that gradually developed between these two highly opinionated persons, in the show. Ganesh is truly a gentle giant, always taking care that his size and strength don't overwhelm others! Arnav's and Ganesh's eyes constantly straying to the stairs in the hope of catching their first glimpse of their radiant brides is cute, especially when they lend only half a ear to the congratulations of their guests.

Anamika's golden bridal wear is unique… that thin red line around the hem of the lehenga is a nice contrast. Khushi's outfit is a work of art, too! No wonder both the grooms were left smitten and speechless by the sight, the teasing comments of Mami just adding to their plight! Arnav's mom's blessings are with him and Khushi in the shape of her gift bangles adorning Khushi's wrists. 'His incendiary eyes…' a phrase that aptly denotes the scorching desire that fills Arnav's being when in the presence of Khushi, and she knows it and feels it! But the poor girl can't sully Anjali's ears with those facts… wish she had, though … would have been interesting to learn who would have turned a brighter shade of crimson 😛!

Part 44.3 — It took Anjali's teasing words, while seeking permission of the elders to start the ceremony, to waken Arnav from his near-stupor at the sight of his Khushi! The jaimala ceremony reflects the difference in the relationships of the two couples: Khushi uses her intelligence to reach up to Arnav so as to garland him. Despite his love for and commitment to Khushi, Arnav doesn't give in to things easily and it is Khushi's understanding and perseverance that wins the day. On the other hand, Ganesh quickly bows his head on seeing Anamika's difficulty in garlanding him. Thus, he stays true to his character of always gently smoothing the way for her. The image chosen by you beautifully depicts the mandap described by you, Smita! Khushi's happiness clearly lies in sharing this momentous day with all her loved ones… the joy that lights up her face brings peace to Arnav! The childlike enthusiasm with which Khushi approaches everything in life is truly endearing. The whole paragraph depicting Arnav's changed emotions regarding marriage moves one to the core… here's the person who once held marriage to be a meaningless norm forced by society on everyone, now realizing its true value and diligently following the vows… he realises that in loving Khushi, he has already made those vows subconsciously and adhered to them even before the actual ceremony. Love the fact that Khushi has her feet firmly on the ground: despite marrying the love of her life and such a supportive man as Arnav, she isn't nave to think that their marital life would be a bed of roses… she has faith that together they can overcome anything! Khushi wishing that her and Arnav's parents were alive to share in their day and shower them with their blessings is another poignant moment… I am sure that they are watching from the heavens. She silently promised Arnavji's Mama that she would look after him always, take care of his health, put up with his anger, and savour his love for her… a beautiful reminder of the letter Arnav's mom had written for her daughter-in-law! The Anamika-Khushi friendship is very touching… each realised what was needed in the other's life / relationship and set about making sure that the other got what she truly deserved.

Poor Ganesh and Anamika, having to waste an hour trying to politely refuse their extended family importuning them to play the post-wedding games, and then listening to their well-meaning advice… they should have taken a leaf from Arnav's book, but given how unassuming Ganesh is, this is hardly likely! What a way to silence Arnav's boisterous family: He announced, "We are leaving now. You can tease us after we return." Before the ladies could repeat their instructions, Arnav drove off… that is quite smooth of Arnav to get away from the time-consuming games for the newly-weds when he would rather be indulging in games of a different kind with Khushi 😉! Mamaji's glee at how his nephew outsmarted the ladies is adorable!

Part 45.1 & 45.2 — …the placid lake by it, its waters reflecting the light falling on it, its placid surface rippling each time a breeze touched it with gentle hands… somehow reflects Ganesh's gentle nature, and the relatively tranquil journey of love that Anamika and he have enjoyed, unlike the fireworks that are ever-present in the Arnav-Khushi relationship. Finally Anamika is home and at peace… something long overdue in her life! That Gaurav has been to Ganesh's getaway but not she, comes as a bit of surprise to Anamika… but that wait has sure been worth it… being together there now has far more meaning than if they had come there as mere friends! Ganesh not hurrying things despite Anamika's silent invitation to kiss her is endearing. One can't help but love and respect Ganesh… he wants to wipe out all the unpleasant memories of her painful past from Anamika's mind and give her the kind of wedding night that a girl secretly dreams of. It looked more like a red egg than a heart… 😆 loved his clumsy attempts at making a heart-shaped design with roses, on the bed. Anamika reciprocates Ganesh's gesture of giving her her dream suhaag raat by covering her face with the veil and awaiting him like any other bride… there is a poignancy to this whole scene as, generally all these decorations are done by family members and the bride and groom are then led to the room with a lot of teasing and laughter. Here, it is only the two of them, though they are quite happy in their small world! Ganesh taking in the beauty of the scene, from a photographer's and a lover's point of view is amusing. Taking the initiative to take that final step in their journey toward physical intimacy reveals the depth of Anamika's love for and trust in Ganesh… so, finally, Ganesh has also come home!

Generally the bride and groom are slightly overwhelmed by the solemnity of the occasion and the myriad rituals to be completed… trust Khushi to enjoy it like a kid at her own birthday party 😊… the fact that she was surrounded by all her loved ones and that the wedding was everything she had dreamed of is what brings her dazzling smile to her face… her only worry is that their family might have been disappointed by their refusal to remain for the post-wedding games! In the midst of a normal conversation, trust Arnav to hint at what has been on his mind for quite a while 😉: "I am sure they understood, Khushi, that my patience was at an end." Khushi thinking of her dream wedding, focusing on the mountain of jalebies rather than on the groom, and her honest reply to Arnav's question are damn funny 😆: "I didn't know you then, Arnavji. So I didn't dream of you." She can spend the rest of their life together remedying that error! Arnav's finding this convo funny is cute, and then he is back to his naughty ways: "But I am going to like the suhaag raat even more." A statement that gives her an inkling of what is in store for her, leaving her hyperventilating, much to his smug satisfaction! He scooped her up in his arms, and looked down at her beautiful face cradled against his shoulder. Khushi smiled at him, and passed her right arm around his shoulder. Her left hand came up to hang on to his collar…  sigh, brings back  beautiful memories of all the times, in the show, Arnav had her in his arms and she held his collar in a death grip! He turned at the door. "Khushi, close the door," his voice was soft, his eyes on hers. Khushi leaned up from his arms to lock the door…  beautiful!

Fairylights, candles, a basket of fruits… the last is superfluous as they are sure to be busy in satiating another kind of hunger 😳! "I asked Aman to arrange it," Arnav said… damn, Aman is so indispensable and such a presence in Arnav's life that it sure does give rise to some pretty weird ideas in my fertile mind 😉! The spoiler image, so ably edited by your namesake, has left us speechless and with our imaginations running riot! "Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada?" Khushi asked, savouring the name as though it were a jalebi… jalebies are never far from Khushi's mind, whatever the circumstances! "Khushi Laad Governor…Khushi Rakshas…Khushi What the!" Khushi chuckled, her funny bone tickled by the thought… trust her crazy sense of humor to come to the fore in the midst of a romantic moment 😛! But it only serves to turn Arnav on, making him swoop in to capture her luscious lips, silencing her once and for all! The slowness and gentleness with which he divests her of her jewellery, all the while continuing with his naughty ministrations, is very sensuous! He's truly the devil, with his refrain of "Kya hua, Khushi?" 😈 knowing full well that she is in no state to give him a coherent answer, even if she understood the new sensations suffusing her body. Smita, just love how you bring something new to the wedding night scenes each time you write them in your stories! Beautiful use of images of the suhaag raat scenes from the show to highlight the vivid word pictures in this update! The accompanying VM is an amazing piece of creativity, especially the scenes chosen blended seamlessly with the lyrics!