Tia's Thread - Intelligence!!!

Hello everyone,

Next weekend is long weekend for us (Victoria Day for Ontario). So my husband and I will be in Stratford Saturday to Monday watching plays as is our yearly tradition - one by Shakespeare (Twelfth Night) and one a musical (Guys & Dolls). 

So I won't be writing this post next Monday, May 22nd.

But not to worry. I am leaving our very capable Ashi to open the thread and write it for you.

You know how incredibly funny and witty she is. I will drop in to respond/comment if we have time. 

Love

T


Today, I'd like to start with a quote someone shared on my facebook account which I think tells you the sign of true intelligence. All credit belongs to The Positive Quotes. 

That quote talks about the intelligence. No one has ever been happy holding on to their grudges. So letting the past go is definitely a very matured and a positive way to deal with problems.

However, intelligent people learn from the past. They don't hit delete on all the lovely lessons past leaves for us to make us smart in the future.

If people look back in the happier times for fond memories, they should also look back in the tough times for life lessons. 

There is no harsher but effective teacher than life and life's experiences. They not only shape our mind but also shape our character.

Wiping them clean means we are not only stunting the growth of our intelligence but also we are stagnating our character. 

And we all know what happens when anything stagnates. Yep, it starts to stink and rot.

Which is what I can say about a lot of people in the show. 



EPISODE: The episode starts with Radha lamenting that because of Ishwari's heart attack, her planning got spoiled. She had sic Ishwari on Dev's re-marriage. And now Sona and Dev are stuck on each other like flies on honey paper.

She blames Vicky for not paying attention. She wishes she knew this truth about Ishwari's stealing. She could have blackmailed Ishwari and make her dance to her tune.

Vicky says that he is enjoying this. Ishwari used to spout sermon morning, noon and night. When he used to come home, they used to sing temple songs. Now see how they are crying. Now if they raise finger on him, he will show them their status. Now it's time to party. He didn't think that these people are bigger thief than him and his mother.

Radha turns suddenly: Vicky, your aunt has got heart attack and you want to party? See, my enemy is Sonakshi. Not Ishwari and Dev. If Dev sees you laughing, then he will...

Vicky says that Dev can't do anything now. If they even try to throw them out, he will publish Ishwari's stealing in newspaper. 

Me: I don't get Radha. First she says that if she knew about this news, she would have make Ishwari dance in her tunes. Then she says that her enemy was Sona, not Ishwari and Dev. Really? Who blackmails their family and friends?

Vicky is totally on character. I had said that a long time ago that Ishwari tries so hard to be a Goddess that she is destroying her humanity.

But the consequence of being a God is that you can't slip from the pedestal. You have to stand there at all times, above reproach and flawless. Because when a God falls from the pedestal, they fall lower than the low (Vicky) and there is no forgiveness for them. 

Human being, on the other hand, can make mistakes because they are humans. And that same humanity also gets them forgiveness.

That's why being a human is so much better than being a God.


Elena calls Vicky asking for Ishwari. Vicky shouts at her. Elena says that kids are asking for Ishwari. What will she tell them?

Vicky says that it's not his concern. He asks her to figure it out. He asks her to give them chocolate. 

Me: Now, wouldn't it have been better if Asha and Saurabh had gone to Dixit house and offered to babysit the kids so that Elena could be at the hospital instead of them trying to show off their concern which no one cares about?

I am trying to understand what will Asha and Saurabh's presence achieve in hospital which Vicky, Mama and Radha - not to mention Sonakshi can't handle. Bhaiya might be useless. But he is surrounded by people.


Just then Soha wakes up. She asks about her Dadi and wants to talk to her. 

Elena makes excuses that they went out.

Soha says that her mother never goes anywhere without telling her. 

Me: Wah!!! What confidence in her mother and no expectations from her father. 


Elena tells her that they are planning a surprise for her. 

Just then Golu wakes up and asks if he is also getting a surprise?

Elena says that both will get surprise. She says she will call them and ask. She leaves hurriedly.

Soha, the mini detective, gets suspicious. She says: You are lying, Beautiful. Dadi's health is not good.

Me: Hain? Is she also those doctors now? She is even better doctor than Sona. She checked Ishwari's pulse and knew. Here she knew just by sniffing Ishwari in the middle of the night when she was showing absolutely no symptom of being sick.

CVs re. Aur kya kya khel dikhana baki hain? (What other crap do you have left to show?)


At hospital, the doctor says that Ishwari is critical and not responding to treatment. Bhaiya panics. Sona is back on damage control mode.

Mamaji asks what did the doctor say. Sonakshi responds.

Bhaiya leaves from there like a zombie. Sonakshi tries to follow him.

Mamaji stops her.

Sona: He can do anything in anger. 

Mamaji: He won't do anything. I know him. 

Me: Thank you, Mamaji. Behena was taking her babysitter role a bit too seriously.

Behena, are you kidding me? I know he behaves worse than Golu. But he is not Golu's age. Even if he does something in rage, then how will you stop an adult man? So please, go home or not, your choice. But for eff's sake, shut up and sit down. I can't tolerate hovering people and people complaint about Bijoy who is actually your father. 


At Bose house, Ronita brings tea for Bijoy. 

Bijoy asks if she also came to tell him something.

Ronita says that she just wants to talk.

Bijoy says that this is exactly what Sona had come to tell him when he was about to leave from here. She sweared on his head that there's nothing between her and Dev. But she again got involved with him.

He had thought that she understood. But no. Ronita dear, I had seen her going through pain and it all happened because of that family.

Ronita says that she knows how much he loves Sona and that's why he worries for her.

Me: How surprising that Ronita understand Bijoy who only joined this family a few days back. But Asha and Saurabh mock him for his concern.


Bijoy says that he worries for all his children. But they should also worry for him, naa?

You guys think that you can take all your decision on your own. But also involve me, discuss with me. Or now father has become redundant now that he got old. 

Me: Ah, it hurt me to see Bijoy struggling to understand why after all his loyalty, protection and love, his family has made him into an outsider.  I will tell you why Bijoy. You have let Asha mold your entire family's thinking. I always say that you should always work for equality. Just like a man taking his wife for granted is wrong, the same way a woman taking her husband granted is also wrong. In your house, Asha rules the roost. So what she thinks about you, everyone follow that thinking like sheep. 

If she thinks you are an idiot and needs to be handled like a kid, that's how everyone else treats you. 

You want to be treated with respect? First stand up for your dignity. People who live under a giant tree, doesn't know harsh sunlight until that tree is not there anymore and everything it was shielding them from hit them directly. You are that tree who had been standing between your family and real world. Move away and let them face it on their own. Very soon they will realise how it feels when no one is fighting on their corner and they have to fight everyone of the misfortune coming their way alone. 


Ronita says why is he saying that? They all need him very very very much.

Bijoy says that may be she needs him. But Saurabh and Sona don't need him.

Ronita says if he doesn't mind, can she say something? 

Bijoy says that she can ask him anything.

Ronita says that she is also someone's daughter. Like him, her father loves her too. But he should think why Sona will do all this purposefully? He knows that she is doing this for Soha. Whatever happens in that house, will impact their girl directly.

Bijoy says that that's why Soha should not say there. Nothing good happens there.

Ronita says what is he saying? How much a daughter needs her father's love, who can know more than him? And Soha loves her father so much. Doesn't she have any right to be there with him? 

Bijoy says what does she want? That he should let happen blindly whatever is going on?

Ronita says that all she is saying is to trust Sona. Whatever is happening, it's happening for Soha. She just met her other family. If she has to lose her grandmother due to illness, how will she feel?

Just then Dida calls Ronita. She leaves. (Me: CVs, it's not aaschish, it's aaschi.)

Bijoy ponders over Ronita's words.

Me: Ronita, you have made very good points. Bijoy, please listen to Ronita's points. She is giving you an unbiased point of view.

But Ronita, a few things you should know. The reason Bijoy can't trust Sona about Dev Dixit anymore because Sona's behaviour in the past had not been trustworthy when it came to Dev and his family. She had lied, hid true situation and even played with Bijoy's reputation for him.

So Bijoy may not separate Soha from Dev and his family, but trust is not something that is easily put back together once broken. And here his trust was broken multiple times.


At Dixit house, Soha is praying to God to get her Dadi well soon and take care of her Dad. Her mother says that her Dad stays angry with God and he never shares anything with Him. But he is her Papa and she trusts God. So he should help her. She promises that she will be a good girl and one day will make her father friends with Him. Then he will give Him lots of sweets.

Me: I don't understand when and in what context Sona shared this little pearl of knowledge with Soha about Dev's atheism towards real God vs. worshipping false Goddess as in his mother. 

Secondly, I still don't know what made Soha come to the conclusion that her Dadi is sick when she did not show any sign of sickness in front of her. Heck, she wasn't even looking sick when she was taunting Sona being an outsider. So what now, CVs? Psychic power?

Third, Soha seems to have taken after her Dadi. Bribing God to get her job done. Excellent. Bijoy is wrong. Soha is more suited to be here than at Bose house.



So of course, simultaneously Bhaiya comes to hospital temple. Soha got the dad (Shiva), so Bhaiya caught the son (Ganesha). But both got into bribing mode. 

Bhaiya says to Ganesha that his Mummy says that pain is that nector which washes off sins. 

Me: Hain? By what logic? You know Bhaiya, your mother makes up these shitty quote sounding statements to justify her misdeeds and you think they are gospel. Why don't you use the actual God-given brain instead of fake Goddess-given quote for a change?


Bhaiya continues: Now I understand her sadness, her sins and her regret. Maa says a lot of things. But I don't listen. She also says that you listen to everything she says. You know everything. 

Me: Dear God, my condolences for having to listen Maata's nonsense. And Bhaiya, worry not. Who says that you don't listen to your Mummy. You listen to them so attentively that you also have memorised her nonsense quotes like scriptures. 

I will give you an example of how you tune out pertinent information. Sona had said repeatedly that you missed out on Soha's childhood because of your mother. Did you remember those statements when you kept passing on your mother's deeds on her? No. So obviously you didn't pay attention to Sonakshi. 

See the difference?


Bhaiya continues: Mummy says that you are beyond petty fights. Then why are you doing this to me? When Mummy thought Sonakshi was pregnant 8 years ago, I came to you. I folded my hands and wished for a miracle. But you didn't do it. I lost and you won. But my loss wasn't enough. You punished me too. You kept me away from my daughter for 7 years. I got separated from Sonakshi. You want me to fold my hands, beg you, admit defeat in front of you? Then so be it. 

Bhaiya folds hands and Behena sees everything.

Me: Oookay. Bhaiya, let me tell you something. As far as asking for help goes, your process sucks. Big time. If I was God, I'd give you a few more kick on your backside for that shitty excuse of prayer.

Allow me to enlighten you. 

God is not out there to pick on you. There are billions of people out there and millions of them have more pain in their life than you. So trust me, you are beyond insignificant in His eyes. 

Secondly, he didn't do anything to you. You did everything yourself with Mummy's help.

The lies you told, was all you. 

The stand you didn't take based on the solo decision you made, was also you.

After the lies got revealed the cowardly act you did, was also you.

If anything, you should be grateful that your wish for miracle got granted. 

But the fact that you didn't meet that miracle, was also you who never bothered to check if the infertile woman is alive or dead. 

You got separated from Sonakshi was also thanks to you. 

So don't go blaming God for your idiocy. 

God doesn't need your selfish whining when you need his miracle and blaming the rest of the universe including him when you don't get your way.


Bhaiya: I admit that I am nothing. You can change fate. But don't punish my mother for this. Whatever punishment you need to give, give it to me. You have given my mother nothing but pain, suffering and regret. She always worshipped you. I didn't bring anything to offer you. But God, please accept my tears as flowers for offering. Consider my defeat as your sweets, consider my folded hands as ghee and sandle wood. Just get my Mummy well.

Sona comes running. (Me: Of course. She can't just stay the eff away)

She goes into consolation mode on repeat.

Me: No really. Count since this morning how many times Bhaiya whined and Behena went in crisis management mode. Started with them going out looking for Khatri, then in Khatri's home, then outside Khatri's home, then on the road, then on Dixit doorstep, then inside Dixit house, then in hospital and now again. 

I am sorry. I can't translate anymore. Just imagine Bhaiya saying these five lines on repeat in various combination.

- It's all my fault

- My Mummy is the best

- It's not her fault

- It's everyone else's fault

- My Mummy's pain/sadness/suffering yada yadi yada...

Now imagine Sona's response these five lines on repeat in various combination.

- It's not your fault.

- Control yourself/Calm down

- Your mother needs you

- Be strong

- You are the best. We all think you are the best.



Anyhoo, Bhaiya says that his Mummy is his strength. The foundation of his home. If she doesn't live, nothing will survive. He won't survive. Nothing will survive. 

Me: And this is why kids need to learn to stand on their own feet and not be in this weird clingy relationship. Whose parents live forever? If people can't live when their parents die, then the human race will be wiped out.

The fact that Bhaiya conveniently forgot his miracle which he was whining about and thinking of going sati with Mummy is the proof of their unhealthy relationship. 

Heck, people even keep on living after they lose their children and that's the most painful reality of all. 

What a wimp.


Sona says: Nothing will happen Dev. You are not just a son. You are a dad, an uncle. You have to be strong. When Mummy didn't give up, I won't let you give up. 

Dev: Sonakshi...

Sona: Nothing will happen to Mummy...

Me: And nothing will happen to you either Bhaiya. New Mummy hain naa. Sona, aur kaun? Aapka to Mummy ke bina chalega nehin.

(New Mummy is here, no. Sona, who else? You can't survive without Mummy)


Asha and Saurabh come there.

Mamaji: Behenji, you are here? (With expression, what the eff are they doing here?)

Asha is all chummy: Sona told Saurabh about my darling best friend Ishwari. How is she?

Mamaji (awwwkwarrd): She is better. Doctor is trying their best.

Asha: And how is my darling, adorable Dev? Where is Sona?

Me: They didn't show Mamaji's expression. But my expression was like this.

Sonakshi is sitting alone and thinking about Ishwari's heart attack.

Asha comes there. Sona starts crying hugging Asha.


Me: Itna rona to apne baap ke heart attack ke time bhi nehin aaya tha behena ko. Now come to think of it, tab behena royee kahan thi? Tab to apne ex ko tashan dene mein busy thi. 

(She didn't even cry this much when her own dad had an heart attack. In fact, come to think of it, she didn't cry at all. She was too busy blaming Dev)


Asha says: Cry, as much as you want cry. I won't stop you. Heart feels lighter when you cry.

Sona: I wanted to fix everything, Maa. Everything happened because of me. 

Me: Glad you understood. Next time mind your business huh? They don't need you to fix anything. In fact, they don't need or want you. Period. 

Asha: No, Sona. Don't say that. Didn't doctor say that she will get well?

Me: Hain? When did he say that?

Sona: No Maa. It happened because of me. I interfered in their life. Whatever was going on, they were handling. What was the need for me to interfere?

Me: Because darling, just like Bhaiya, you are also Mummy is always right kind. And that shitty advice came from your Mummy.

Asha: Look Sona, I won't ask what's going on and what happened because you won't tell me...

Sona: Why won't I tell you... 

She stops in mid-sentence.

Sona: I can't tell you Maa. I tried to fix everything. I am very bad Maa. I was wrong.

Asha: Shut up. Why are you blaming yourself? All I know is that my daughter can't do anything wrong for anyone. She can't think wrong. 

Sona: My intention was not wrong, Maa. 

Asha: I know.

Sona: I just wanted to fix anything... But everything happened suddenly... And it's not even Dev's problem. First the problem, then here... (Me: Total blabbering. Could not make heads or tails of the rest)

Me: One second behena. Sorry to interrupt your much needed frustration outlet. But are you listening to yourself?

Your mother won't point out. But allow me.

1. Why did you want to fix everything that was none of your business? Would you walk into Khatri's house and try to fix his problem? That's the first question you should ask yourself.

2. You are again using the same excuse Dev used every time. Sorry I effed up but my intention was not wrong. Who the hell cares? The wrong can't be made right using intention. It's doesn't feel better standing on the receiving end of unwanted good intention forced on someone. And who knows that better than you? Dev was right. You are now season one Dev who is blindly following Mummy's suggestion and using good intention to justify your actions.



Asha: Enough. You can cry in front of your mother. But you can't cry in front of Dev. You are his courage. If you cry, then what will happen to him, tell me. If you want to help someone, then be strong yourself. Otherwise, how will you help others? I don't know what's going on between you and Dev. But anyways, I know that only you have to be strong for Dev. I know that my daughter can't fail. Whatever she does, she will do well and she will do for the good. 


Me: Wow. What confidence in your daughter, Asha. Without knowing all the details, you are damn sure that everything Sona does, she does it the best. Then when she was handling Dev her way in Bose house, why did you assume that she was wrong and you knew better? Oh, at that time she wasn't hanging all over Dev and thus ruining her one shot towards marriage alter. So that's when she was totally wrong at all times. But now that she is hanging all over Dev, she is absolute perfection.

I wonder what will be your reaction when you find out that Bhaiya is all set to get replacement for your daughter's service? Would you still say that Sona is his courage and she should stick like a glue as third wheel?


At Bose house (not sure if this is next day), Ronita brings Bijoy medicine. Bijoy refuses to take the medicine saying that he won't take medicine since no one cares about him.

Ronita very sweetly says that she is also like Sona didi to him. Please take medicine.

Dida comes there and says that Ronita doesn't need to bang her head against the wall. If she continues to try here, that's what will happen. She asks Ronita to keep the medicine there.

Ronita says that Asha has asked her to give Bijoy medicine. 

Dida says that she will take care of it. She asks her to go.

Ronita goes from there. 

Dida tells Bijoy that she will stand there until he takes his medicine.

Bijoy says that he is not a ten years old child to forget his medicine. She should not hover over him.

Dida says if he is getting angry? Sona must also get angry when Bijoy crosscheck her every move, every decision. Sona is also not a ten year old kid. Still he stands over Sona's head. He did the same with Sona, then he will do the same with Saurabh and then he will do the same with Ronita. Did she teach him this? Did she raise him like this? When someone close is sick, he sits at home like retired old man and mumbles? He didn't even ask how they were doing let alone helping them? He didn't even ask. He is not her son. He is doing wrong, he is wrong. But she is not the kind of mother, like he is a father. Come on, the medicine is here. If he wants to have it, he can.


Me: Dida, great dialogue. By the way, when your son was in hospital suffering from heart attack, where were you and where was these close relatives you were talking about? 

Is he behaving rudely? Yes. Well, scold him for taking out his frustration on Ronita which she doesn't deserve. 

But you never had to crosscheck Bijoy's decision because he didn't run after a woman and kept getting his heart broken. Bijoy doesn't hover over Saurabh or Ronita either because they never broke his trust. Sonakshi did. Over and over again and for the same man. 

So not the same scenario. 

And the people you are talking about, where were they when you were homeless? Did they ask then how a woman of your age is surviving on the street? 

So if Bijoy doesn't want to find out whether they are living or dead, that's because he doesn't care. He should not have to pretend to show off to Dev that you guys care so much.


Anyhoo, the doctor says that Ishwari didn't get heart attack. She just had a blockage and hence she got sick. 

She is better now. It's good that Sonakshi gave Ishwari medicine at home. Otherwise her condition could have worsened.

Bhaiya looks at Behena (Expression: Should I need to hire her again as Mummy's caretaker? May be she can also be my new wife's dietitian?).

Behena looks at Bhaiya smiling (Expression: See? I am so useful. Do you like me now?)

Asha, Radha and Vicky standing there with different expressions. None of them are looking happy to hear Ishwari survived.

Me: Looks like God got sick of listening to whining. Also, Ishwari didn't have heart attack. How will she get heart attack with plastic heart? You need a real, beating heart to get a heart attack no?

That brings me up to a question. What help Asha and Saurabh provided? Other than Asha's pep talk which she could have said on phone?

May be she just wanted to SHOW that she was there to help as opposed to actually helping.  


The doctor says that Maataji needs bed rest (Me: And poking her nose in other's business? What about that, doctor?) and should not have any stress (Translation: Do as she says or she is gone gonna gone, never come).

Bhaiya wants to see Mummy. The doctor says that he can see her. 

Bhaiya runs to Mummy. Then Sona remember that she is also a Mummy. She calls Soha.

Elena tells her that Soha is standing by the temple. She hands Soha the phone. 

She asks about her parents and her Dadi and wonders if she gets well. 

Sona says that she will get well.

Sona says that Papa is taking care of Dadi and they are all praying for her. 

Me: I still don't get it why no one is shocked to know that Soha knows that Ishwari is sick. How? Why? What the eff? Even Elena is not surprised that Soha knows everything despite her lies.


Ishwari wakes up in her room and calls Bhaiya.

Bhaiya asks how is she? She scared everyone so much. How many times will she do this drama? He even shouted at the doctor for her. He came to take care of her and fell asleep. 

He asks if she wants water. He gives her water.

He says that doctor told her to rest. So she should just rest now. 

Nurse comes there and says that Ishwari should just rest now and eat only light food.

Bhaiya says that his mother doesn't understand light food. She puts four spoon of ghee in his light food. 

Nurse scolds him for joking at her serious condition.

Bhaiya says that people here don't get his joke. He will see if he can get some tea before food. 

He is about to leave when Ishwari stops him. 

Me: Ah, now the spoiler promo makes sense. Ishwari needs light food which she doesn't understand. But who understands? Sonakshi, the nutritionist. So Sonakshi got a new job offer. Sorry not job. Volunteer opportunity without pay. Congratulations, your hard work bore fruit behena. 


PRECAP: Ishwari asks for forgiveness from Dev. He says that she can scold him, beat him. But she can't ever ask for forgiveness from him.

Just then Sonakshi comes there with Maalti and Kajal and calls his name.

Everyone gets shocked.

Me: And interference queen is back in business. As we all know. She learned nothing despite her regret in front of Asha.


No Rules!!! YAY!!!