Week 37 - Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful, if you know exactly what to focus on. The story of this week was all about this. Before I proceed to talk about all the lovely things we got to see this week, let me first stop and say a word of appreciation for the writers of this show. Although we saw the cuteness of the world's best couple this week, it was really meant to be a lesson for Ishwari and Neha through them. Any other show would have given this hard hitting lesson in a very dramatic way, but the writers chose to do it this way and I want to really appreciate them for this. 

As if we don't have enough drama in our own lives, TV shows compete against one another in giving high voltage drama all the time. Amidst all that, is this subtle show, that has taken up the same old story, but has given it in an easily digestible and easily relatable way! So this one for the crew and cast 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

The week started off with the left over fight from friday, which was about taking away Ranveer's job. Even though Dev had changed quite a lot for good, ever since he met Sonakshi, often times, he goes back to the Abhodro mode, due to pressures in the home front, especially in matters related to Ishwari and Neha. Whenever he is in that mode, he forgets his logical reasoning ability, his basic common sense and fails to show even a little bit of compassion for people around him (other than his mother and sisters, of course) The current problem that Neha is facing, is a direct hit on one of Dev's life goals, which is to keep his sister happy forever. 

Sonakshi's argument was completely true and justified when she said - "Dev-you are becoming someone that you are not. You are not someone who will take away the job of the only bread-winner of a house, just to revenge him! And that "him" you are talking about is someone your sister was in love with.." But, Dev, who is now Mr.Abhodro, the person that believes in balance sheets only is in no way going to listen to Sonakshi who believes in fairy tale love stories.. I was thankful that Neha herself came up with the request of giving back that job to Ranveer, resting that drama then and there..

The Dixit kids have taken after their mother a lot. Otherwise, why would Neha feel happy about Dev listening and obliging to her request as opposed to Sona's 😏😏 But what Neha has to learn from Sonakshi and also Dev is how they are going to sort out this difference of opinion. I was very proud of the way Sonakshi told Neha that she and Dev will sort out their problem!! 

Even though it was not orchestrated by Sonakshi, the whole week of episodes ended up to be one beautiful lesson and I especially loved how it all ended with 2 school kids learning the moral of the story!

Sonakshi was obviously hurt by the fact that Dev, once again kept her away from the problems of the house saying "you don't understand, Sonakshi"! Even though Sona is more important to him than his own life, Dev still could not take her advice in this matter and that really saddened her. She used the opportunity that Ishwari gave her on the occasion of Bhai dhooj, to go to her mom's place and stay away from Dev for a couple of days.

Well, for Dev-Sona 2 hours is a big deal, forget 2 days!! Dev promptly showed up and it will be the biggest lie if Sonakshi said, she did not expect Dev there 😄❤️😍 

Its hard to try and make up your couple fight in front of others..especially parents. The discomfort of Dev and Sonakshi was pretty visible. Sonakshi was not ready to give in and Dev was not ready to give up. So the casual visit to pick Sona turned into a dinner and later into a sleep over as well..

Neha who was watching all this silently, was bound to feel sad, because Ranveer never went so much out of his way to make up to her for any mis-understandings they ever had..Its a good start that she is relating Ranveer to her brother and I sincerely hope that soon, she will start to relate herself to Sonakshi also.

There was a clear contrast between the Bose and the Dixit family. One was at ease and the other was rigid. In one family, the problems start and end at the dinner table as they share the food but in the other, the problems are never shared. In the Bose family, everyone has a free mind yet bonded by love, but in the Dixit family, there is only love that enslaves the others. In one, the principles are rigid like all families, but the means are flexible. But in the other, there are strict expectations from every individual to follow the guidelines that are set. I wont completely blame the Dixit family for what they are. We should never forget the fact that Ishwari had to play the role of a father and mother as she was struggling to bring those 4 kids up.

Amidst all these contrasts, one striking similarity is how both Dev and Sonakshi are the go getters of their families. I really enjoyed the Bhai dhooj at the Bose house. Just like Dev, Sonakshi was always the protective umbrella above her brother's head. Sonakshi's business idea was very cool and I wish Saurabh all the very best in this new venture.

For Dev, I must say, the experience at Sona's house must have been like a breath of fresh air that even though he was well aware that he was going a little over board, he really did not mind it. It was very warm to see the bose family bond with their son-in-law - Dev beta, who has come a long way from Mr.Dev Dixit and Dev babu and later on, a drunkard as well 😢

It was extremely cute to see Sonakshi acting to repel Dev and Dev trying to make up in all possible ways.. and very endearing to see them relive their "ghar pe rehna seekhiye and chup rehna seekhiye" moments 😄😍

It came as a small shock to me, when Bijoy threw them both out of the house at midnight!! But, inside, I was only really laughing (just like mama ji), because I realized that Dev and Sona had to have a chance to talk it out in private. Obviously, we cannot expect Ishwari to take it that light, nor can we expect maami to leave this aside.

Every bit of Dev-Sona's date at 2AM was enjoyable! Even the part of getting into trouble with the 2 responsible Indian citizens was quite interesting ! The subtle facial gestures and expressive eyes of Shaheer was as usual enjoyable 😄😍, especially as Sonakshi explained how Dev was occupying most of the bed and that she almost even fell out of the bed, a couple of times! 😂😂

I really liked how Sonakshi never really brought the topic of Neha at all. Instead, she just claimed her place in the house where Dev has taken her as his wife. She just wanted Dev to see the contrast between her and his house and wanted him to know that, it is his responsibility to make her feel at home in the Dixit house, by allowing her to participate in everything. Really, that was what was missing. Whether its Neha's problem or Vicky's problem, or any issue that might come in future, its important that Dev trusts Sonakshi and her opinions as much as he does himself or his mom's. And, if Sonakshi is wrong, she should be told that she is wrong, in a way, that anyone else in that home will be told. The message Sonakshi wanted to really convey that night was that its important for Dev to understand that Sonakshi needs to feel "at home" in his home.

I always wondered how come Sonakshi hasn't changed the look and feel of Dev's room.. And I cant wait now to see the make over :)

The two little kids were the highlight of this week, not just because they were cute, but because through them we got the lesson that we need to talk in order to solve all problems. I told myself yet again, that this is fiction and Dev is fictitious! But I am going to try and show my husband this episode where Dev was willing to "listen" to all that Sonakshi had to say!! Hopefully, Ranveer, my husband and all other husbands will be like Dev one day.

But on a serious note - Dev and Sonakshi gave one of Life's very important lesson this week on making relationships work. To break is not an option at all.

Its probably unfair to compare Neha's problems with Sonakshi's problems. But amidst her problems, Neha has to learn to appreciate her blessings.. her blessing of an understanding mother in law who was really willing to let go off her son to a different house nearby, much before they even got married. I am sure that her mother in law is not as clingy as Ishwari is with her son Dev. And I say this to show Neha that her passport for happiness is not in living in a mansion with all material comforts, but is in living in the small hut that her husband very lovingly builds for her and others in "their" family. All this distance that is now created can still be defeated by her Love for Ranveer.

If only Ishwari accepts Sonakshi as her 4th daughter, things will be so much calmer in her mind and Life will be beautiful for her as well.

Life will be beautiful for all of us, depending on what we want to focus on. We may never be happy if we stand outside in rain worrying about getting wet. However, if we learn to dance in the rain, we will be able to experience how beautiful this Life is.