Tia's Thread - Bull in a China Shop

Yesterday I talked about baby steps to mend a relationship. So today Bhaiya has to go angry bull in china shop mode.

Of course, when does he ever use diplomacy? Never, that's when.

This will be followed by him going to Sonakshi with puppy face, say sorry, blame her or claim that she should have stopped him (that's true. She should have. Because unlike last time with Khatri, she knew what he was up to this time), and then Wonder Woman will take out her cape and off she will go to fix the damage and save the day.

And this cycle will continue until eternity...

Kuch Rang Phooti Kismat (Broken faith) Ke Aise Bhi!!!

P.S. Today we have Bar B Que party at work. So update might be short and sweet based on which band is giving performance this year and how good they are.


EPISODE: The episode starts with Bhaiya and Nikki see each other.

Lakshya says to Nikki: Good. I thought he is not talking to just me. But he is generally quiet. Believe me, I tried a lot.

Bhaiya says: You... You have grown up a lot.

Nikki says: You have also grown up. You have become a dad. I heard that you have a six years old daughter. And now I heard that Sona di also came back in your life. Congratulations. Sona di... I mean Sona bhabhi came this morning. Now you came. Why the sudden interest in my life?

Bhaiya says: I want to talk to you.

Nikki says: Okay. Please sit and let's talk.

Bhaiya: I want to talk to you alone.

Lakshya raises his hands and says: I... (Looked like he is indicating where he will be)

Nikki says: Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of him.

Bhaiya gets angry: This is our family matter. What's the need to bring this in between this?

Nikki says: His name is Lakshya. He is my family and my boyfriend. And this is our home.

Lakshya tries to say: If you don't remember my name...

Bhaiya: You shut up. 

Lakshya: I know. But she also said to you that I am going to be here.

Bhaiya says threateningly: You shut up.

Nikki: Bhaiya, please.

Bhaiya: Nikki, I came to talk to you. Tell him to shut up.

Nikki: Whatever you have to say, you can say here or you may leave again.

Bhaiya is shocked: You are telling me to leave? I am your brother. You are telling me to leave because of him? Who is he to you?

Just then Sonakshi calls his name: Dev...

Me: One thing Bhaiya needs to understand that not all homes are Bijoy Bose's home where he can swagger in and insult the owner and will leave with his own respect intact. He has no right to talk to Lakshya like that in his own home. 

I had initially thought that Bhaiya has to wait until Soha has a boyfriend before fully realising Bijoy Bose's position. But I didn't have to wait for much long. Nikki has given him a taste of what he had dished out to Bijoy Bose. What goes around, comes around. Karma is a tough feminist. 

And there she is. Aayee aapka intezaar tha... Badi der kar di meherbaan aate aate. Aapki bhais idhar chutta ghum raha hain. Khuti se bandh ke nehin rakh sakti?

(Welcome, we were just waiting for you. You were too late though. Your bull is here running loose. Can't you tie him up to some pole somewhere?)


In the meanwhile, Ishwari is waiting for Asha in a coffee shop. She notices a couple holding hands and romancing. She feels uncomfortable and shakes her head.

Asha comes there and sees her book on the table. She thinks: I hope Ishwariji didn't read my book. What will I tell her?

Ishwari smiles and says: Arre, I was just waiting for you. Please sit.

Asha stammers: You called me here suddenly... You read my book?

Ishwari smiles huge: No. How will I read it? You wrote it in English, naa. But Elena has said that she will read it and let me know.

Waiter brings tea or coffee or something.

Ishwari says: I brought the book because I want your autograph on this book. When I have autograph from such a big writer, my respect will also go up, naa?

Asha (as usual butter melting pot): What are you saying, Ishwariji? Your respect is not because of this book. Your respect is because you are with us.

Ishwari says: I am joking. Please have some.

Asha says: For that matter, this book is not final. When the final copy comes, I will give it to you. Can I take it back?

Me: Asha could have come clean here. But instead, she hid the fact. She better hope that there is no way the older draft falls in Vicky or any other person's hand who can turn it around and incite Ishwari. Because then not only she will pay for it, but also Sonakshi who finally managed to win Ishwari over. 

I always had this problem with Asha that even when she is two-faced. She is all sugary sweet in the face but no one knows what's going on inside her. That's why Bijoy is my favourite. With him, you see what you get.


Ishwari says: Yes sure. Ashaji, I am very happy for you. You could do everything you wanted to do. I wish I could do something like this too. I can't do anything except running home. And your daughter asked me to take a break from managing our house.

Asha says: That's good, naa. Now your tension of your home is over. Now you can think about yourself.

Ishwari says: I am thinking of myself. I am thinking that my thoughts might get rusted if I sit without doing anything. Ashaji, actually I didn't just call you to congratulate you. But also called you to talk to you about what's in my heart.

Asha says: You can share what's in your heart with me openly.

Ishwari says: Ashaji, I don't want to sit doing nothing. I am also thinking that I should do something. I read somewhere that if you are waiting for someone to change your life, look in the mirror. Human beings are responsible for their own condition. You are not thinking I am strange, no? That what got into my head? But Ashaji, I saw you and thought I can do something too.

Asha says: Your thoughts are completely valid. Everyone should do something for themselves too.

Ishwari is happy to get encouragement: Really? You really think so too?

Asha says: Absolutely. The happiness you get by doing something on your own, you know it very well. Then why are you thinking?

Ishwari says: I wanted to hear exactly this from you. But you don't tell this to anyone else now.

Asha: I won't say this to anyone. In fact, I am very happy that you shared it with me. We get very less opportunity to think about ourselves outside our family, home and kids. Today you got this opportunity, then don't let it go.

Ishwari: You are absolutely right. We get so busy thinking about our near and dear ones that we forget to think of ourselves. Really, after meeting and talking to you, I got...

Just then the waiter brings the bill. Asha insists on paying.

Ishwari: Okay. I will let a successful writer to pay the bills today. But next time I will pay. 

Asha agrees.

Ishwari says wistfully: May be even with my own money.

Asha nods.  


Me: I'd have enjoyed this scene more if Asha hadn't written those things about Ishwari and continued to be nice on her face. I am very uncomfortable with duplicity. Asha's support for Ishwari's career is not fake. That's genuine. And I had said in season one that while Bijoy can fill the empty space of a father in Dev's life, Asha and Dida can fill the friend's position in Ishwari's life.  

But the fact that Asha continued to be nice to Ishwari despite harbouring resentment inside her and yet tried to convince her daughter to go back to Dev even before Ishwari changed, makes her a two-faced person in my book.

I have seen many of them in real life who are uber polite in your face and then bad mouths you behind your back. I am more of a straight forward person. When I don't like someone, I don't pretend. When I like people, they know it too. People know where they stand with me. My husband is the same way. 

That's why I relate to Bijoy so much more and can't stand Asha anymore.


At Nikki's home, Bhaiya says: Nikki, I want to talk to you. Come with me.

Nikki: I won't go anywhere.

Bhaiya scolds: Nikki, I told you naa to come with me?

Nikki: What? What did you say? You came after such a long time to meet me and the first thing you do is insult me because you insulted Lakshya. I don't want to talk to you. I gave you one chance and you lost it too. Please leave.

Bhaiya approaches Nikki: Nikki...

Lakshya comes between them: Sir, please. She told you naa...

Bhaiya looks at Nikki standing behind Lakshya.

He leaves.

Sonakshi finally opens her mouth: Nikki, you shouldn't have talked to Dev like this.

Nikki replies: Sona di, you had come here out of your own will, naa? No one had sent you? Then why did you go and tell him everything? You should know that he is Dev Dixit. He can do anything. He can walk into anyone's house and create a scene. And you don't need to contact me anymore either. I just hate you guys.

Nikki is about to walk away.

Sonakshi says: Nikki, I apologise on behalf of Dev.

Nikki: What will your sorry get me? I know my family better than you. They will never accept Lakshya and I. And I have no expectations from them either. I don't need anyone's permission to live my life. Just go.

Sonakshi: I am sorry.

Nikki: No, I am sorry. I am sorry that I talked to you. But now I won't. Never again. This is my home, so I am telling you please leave.

Sonakshi: Really sorry guys.

Sonakshi leaves. 

Me: And this is exactly what I meant. Bhaiya thinks that the world is his God given property where he can go and do anything. He did it in Bijoy Bose's home because Bijoy Bose's family never stood up for his dignity in his own house. 

But why should Lakshya allow that? Nikki might owe her brother, but Lakshya doesn't. What gives him the right to be an ass to Lakshya in his own home? 

And Sonakshi, she is another piece of work. First, she let Bhaiya walk away knowing his intention, then she came here and watched while Bhaiya continued to screw up and then tried to lecture Nikki in her own home what she should or should not have done. 

She might have come back to Bhaiya's life. But that doesn't give her automatic parental control over every person related to him by blood. Why should Nikki listen to a woman who used to be his brother's wife for less than a year, vanished for 7 years and now returned back for God knows what reason? 

In her supreme arrogance, did she really think that she can pick up every relationship where she left off?


Sonakshi comes out and tells Bhaiya: What are you doing here? Go sit in the car. There is no point waiting here. Let's go.

Bhaiya: I was trying to talk to her. Did you see how she talked to me?


Me: Oh, you mean the same way Sonakshi had talked to Bijoy for you? You see Bhaiya how much it hurts when someone raises a child with a lot of love and care and that child turns against them for another person? At least you were rude to them for no fault of theirs. Bijoy was protecting her daughter after you screwed up. 

Why don't you go and sit down with Bijoy and ask him how he felt when Sonakshi blamed him for deliberately breaking your marriage? I am sure you will be very surprised to hear how similar your feelings were. In fact, I won't be surprised if Lakshya is calling you budao (oldie) right now.


Sonakshi: I saw it. I saw that it's all because of you... us... Dev, she is scared.

Bhaiya: What fear, Sonakshi? Did you see any fear on Nikki or that guy's face? There wasn't.

Sonakshi: It was Nikki's decision to stay away from her family and live with Lakshya. Family's love saves people from making mistakes. When that love is not there, then that family ended too naa? Don't you want Nikki to feel love and respect for her family again? You want that, no? If you want that then this is not the way. And if we don't respect her decision, we will never be able to reach her. Respect doesn't come from fear. It comes from love. Can you do this much? Without getting angry? Yes or no?

Bhaiya doesn't answer.

Me: And I think Bhaiya is hearing what she is saying. But as usual, he is not listening as per his expression. There is a big difference between hearing and listening. The former is a passive act and the later is an active act. Methinks, all Sonakshi's lectures are flying into one ear and flying out the other.


Golu and Soha are playing in Ishwari's room and she is looking through newspaper. Probably looking for new work.

Soha complains that it was her turn, but Golu played. Golu complaints that she was looking somewhere else, then what could he have done?

Ishwari laughs and circles ads.

Golu and Soha look at her. Golu says: Dadi must have read some joke.

They go to Ishwari. 

Golu asks: Dadi, did you read a joke?

Ishwari laughs: No, no. I was not reading jokes. I was reading job ads in the newspaper and found something funny.

Golu says that he is not getting it. He asks her to tell him. Soha also wants to know.

Ishwari says: I don't know if you will get it. But here it says that someone wants a manager to wash dishes. Does anyone need a manager to wash dishes? When I used to do this work, people used to call me Maid, Didi or Aunty.

Golu asks: Badi dadi, you used to wash dishes?

Ishwari says: Yes. And that too for many years. I needed money so badly that I used to do any job I could find. Just not dishes, I used to wash clothes, floor, everything. And I used to do a good job too. 

Golu says: Eww... I can never do this work.

Me: Not to worry, sweetie. Soon your grandmother and your father will also do it. 


Soha says: What's the big deal about it, Golu? Someone has to do this work, no? This is also a job. Mamma says that we should respect every work and everyone. And no work is small or ewww...

Ishwari is impressed with Soha. She says: Hummm... I could raise my children because of this work, I could afford a living. There is something about the money you earn yourself. I used to go to work proudly. Arre, I used to be a great manager of washing dishes. 

Golu and Soha smile.

Ishwari: Really!!!


Me: I totally agree Ishwari. When you earn money yourself, it's an incredible power. It's a power to take your own decisions on your own terms. But the people because of whom you can earn that money, also has the same rights to your success. Like our mothers who manage households or wives who makes sure everything in the house gets done like a clockwork, or sisters who makes sure the alarm doesn't get missed - they are also every day contributing while we earn money. Because our money doesn't get turned into food, washes our clothes, cleans our dishes, raises our children and manage many responsibilities of a family. It's those miracle workers who work behind the scene so that we don't have to. Their efforts makes our success possible.



Bhaiya is pacing in his room. 

Sonakshi says: Dev, talk to Nikki once. Show her that you still care for her. You are still her Dev bhaiya. Tell her sorry once. No one becomes small by saying sorry (Asha's dialogue to Bijoy. Ditto!!!). Try at least once.

Bhaiya thinks.

Sonakshi: Dev, don't think. Talk to her once. Make me meet that Dev whom I met 8 years ago. Please. 

Bhaiya calls Nikki. Lakshya picks up the phone.

Bhaiya says: This is Dev. I want to talk to Nikki.

Lakshya: Nikki is not at home right now. And even if she was here I won't have let you talk to her. You have hurt her a lot. I thought that you guys met after such a long time so your issues will get sorted. But...

Bhaiya's tone gets angry: What are you saying? I am just...

Lakshya: I am not speaking nonsense. I am speaking the truth and telling it to you the last time. Don't try to meet Nikki or we will get restraining order against you from court. And please don't call again.

He hangs the phone.

Bhaiya sits down. Sonakshi asks Bhaiya what happened.

Bhaiya says: It was not Nikki. Lakshya picked up the phone. 

Sonakshi asks: What did he say?

Bhaiya: He said that if I try to talk to Nikki or try to meet her, they will get a court order against me. He threatened me. I just wanted to talk to Nikki. Didn't I say sorry? And she made a third person say this to me. How can my little sister do this to me?

Me: Okay, Bhaiya. Let me explain something here.

1. No. You didn't say sorry. You just went there and started on your high horse.

2. You were trying to be intimidating with your stance and your tone wasn't particularly polite to any of them.

3. Lakshya clearly stated that Nikki is not at home. So Nikki didn't make him say anything to you. If you start listening instead of hearing things, you'll notice these nuances.

4. Lakshya is not a third person. He has been with Nikki longer than you had been with Sonakshi. Would you call Sonakshi a third person in your life? If you can't respect their relationship status, at least respect their relationship. 

Only a legal marriage paper doesn't make a relationship. Understanding, trust, support, caring, protection, love, honour and respect make a relationship. 


Sonakshi says: He is not a third person. Nikki loves him. All these years when we were not with her, Lakshya was with her.

Bhaiya: But what about all those years she spent with us before Lakshya? What about the big brother who was by her in every step? When Lakshya was saying it to me, Nikki must have been there. She didn't stop him. Today, that boy became more important to her than us.

Me: See what I meant about hearing vs. listening? Bhaiya NEVER listens. Lakshya started his statement with Nikki is not at home. Yet, Bhaiya is going on and on about Nikki being there and didn't stop him. 

And Bhaiya, do you recall how you became important to Sonakshi more than Bijoy who always stood by her in every step of the way, protected her dignity and respect and always supported her? Well, this is the other end of the stick. Enjoy.


Sonakshi: They are younger than us. We can't give up like this. 

Bhaiya thinks.


Nikki is upset and crying.

Lakshya: Nikki, stop crying. How much will you cry?

Nikki says: I am feeling really bad. 

Lakshya: I know. Listen I know. You are angry at me. At that time, what came into my head, I said it. I didn't think about this. And he also forgot my name. Again... So I had to talk to him like this. He was calling. And if he keeps calling, you will keep crying. And you say naa that your big brother and big family will never accept us. 

Nikki: Whatever, Momo. You could have said something else. Why did you say that?

Lakshya: Look, you also know and I know that this is not pre-meditated. Okay. I am sorry. Now smile now. 

Nikki can't smile.

Lakshya: Okay, smile tomorrow. Right now snuggle time.

They hug.

Me: I don't know if this Lakshya will turn into a villain. But so far, I am liking this boy. If Bhaiya had approached with an open mind after cooling down, he could have handled the first encounter after so many years a whole lot better. Of course, he should have also brought his baby sitter and let her do the talking. His aim is to eat the mango. He should just stop sorting through the seeds. That's not his forte.



Sonakshi comes to Suhana's room (Looks like Suhana sleeps in another room).

Bhaiya is caressing a sleeping Suhana and saying: Your Papa is very bad, Suhana. Very bad. I have behaved very badly with a lot of people. The people who cared for your Papa, I pushed them away from me too. That's why you could not meet with your three aunts yet. Now I am realising my mistakes. I was thinking that if you and your mother hadn't come into my life again, I won't have realised my mistakes at all. But I won't let it happen with you. I will always take care of you. I will support you in all your small and big decisions. Then you will forgive me, naa? Tell me, then you will forgive me naa, Nikki?

Sonakshi says: Soha.

Bhaiya sits up on the bed: Nikki was also like Soha to me, no?

Sonakshi sits down on the bed: I know.

Bhaiya: I don't know what Neha and Riya must be thinking of me. I can't even sleep thinking about it. I don't know if I have filled their heart with so much hate for me. I don't know if they will be able to forgive me or not. Neha has already given up so much for me, tolerated so much for me. And I behaved so badly with her... I am very bad, Sonakshi. Very bad. But I don't want to be this way. I want to know where is Neha and Riya. I don't know if they are okay or not, happy or not.

Sonakshi says: They are fine. They are just waiting for you to come. They want you to go to them and talk to them. So that this problem gets solved and the distance gets reduced. 

Bhaiya says: But Nicky?

Sonakshi: Whatever happened today is not your loss, it's your win. Because you got to meet Nikki. When hate comes out, then she will only have love for you in her heart.

Bhaiya thinks.

Me: Very well said, Sonakshi.

Bhaiya, life lessons again. 

You were allowed to be weak and you were allowed to have someone else for a change care for you. I don't know if your sisters had done it or not. But they should have. 

It's not just you who owe them sorry, they owe you sorry to for not being there by your side and helping you. You, your sister and your mother all made mistakes and you all should apologise to each other.

But if that's your aim, going there like the big bad wolf from their past and huff and puff over their new life which they have built is not the way to get them to step towards you. 

Next time, cool down before you approach. In fact, with you, I'd say to memorise what to say from Sonakshi or let her do the talking. She is better in managing rough waters and using diplomacy than you are. You just make puppy face and say sorry. 99% of the time it seems to work.

Sonakshi is right this time. They want you to say sorry, but they don't want you to undermine their life the way they have built it. Right or wrong, you will have to live with their decision the way all family do.


Next morning, Ishwari gets a call for an interview. She excitedly tells them that she will be on time. She says thanks for the opportunity. But the other person hangs up. Ishwari thinks that the other person must be in a hurry.

Ishwari comes in front of the mirror: I can't believe that I got a call for interview. 

Then she feels scared and asks herself in the mirror: Are you scared? 

She nods fearfully.

Then she consoles herself: No worries. No worries. Everything will be alright. My hands are shaking too. But I will go. I will go, give a good interview and get a job. Ishwari Dixit, you are starting a new life tomorrow. A life that is just yours.


Me: Supriyaji is a mind blowing actor. She can make you hate her and love her by equal measure. This particular scene shows everything someone goes through when they first venture into a career after a long gap. Excitement, worry, wonder but also eagerness. 

It reminded me of one of my friend. She has three children who are growing up. So she decided to work part time again. After a decade out of workforce, she needed her resume to be re-done. I helped her to prepare a resume and helped her prepare for some of the questions they ask these days. She went for the interview and got a part time job in her area which helps her balance work and family. She is very happily working now and earning her own money while still managing her home. 

Which reminds me, I should call her soon. 


Sonakshi is wearing what any Mummy in pyramid or a nun in nunnery will happily wear. Her entire outfit just cost a hotel bed sheet. She is trying to pull the zipper on her high neck, full sleeve blouse. But of course she can't pull it... 

Me: Bhaiya is into dizzying visual illusion and Sonakshi is into chastity belt. No really. If there was any desire left in Bhaiya (which I still haven't seen since they got back together), this would have killed it for sure. I mean unless he is into Mummys or Nuns.


Bhaiya comes out of the bathroom in white Lux ganjee (no kidding). But Sonakshi gets hyperventilating watching that. 

Me: It clearly shows how frustrated she is. Only Lux banyan is enough for her to get excited. Bhaiya is yet to go bare chested.


So Sonakshi is staring. She gave up on her zipper. But Bhaiya doesn't even notice her bed sheet clad self.

Me: Who will?


Bhaiya dries his hair in slow motion, pulls on a white shirt. Sonakshi is staring.

Me: Is today Tide day? Har koi safedi ki jhankaar kyun hain? (Why is everyone tidey whitey?). Someone remind me, isn't this summer in India? Why is Sonakshi looking like she is off to Arctic Tundra?


Bhaiya notices her staring. So Sonakshi looks away and gets busy with her zipper.

So Bhaiya decides to romance her a little. I mean as much as possible in that hideous outfit.

He comes to Sonakshi and says: Did you say something?

Sonakshi shakes her head and continues to struggle with the zipper.

Bhaiya stands behind her and says: I thought you said something.

Me: May I point out that the bedroom door is as usual open wide? 


Sonakshi looks at Bhaiya in the mirror and shakes her head.

Bhaiya turns her towards him and moves her hair.

Sonakshi: Dev...

Bhaiya: Mrs. Dixit, relax. 

He looks in the mirror and pulls the zipper up. 

Me: When you will wear outfit that even your grandmother will refuse to wear, the zipper will go up, it ain't going down.


Sonakshi looks at Bhaiya, bhaiya looks at Sonakshi.

Bhaiya says: Didn't I do it right?

Sonakshi smiles shyly and turns back to the mirror.

Bhaiya turns her back to him again: If you want, then you can say thank you looking at me without saying anything.

Bhaiya looks at Sonakshi and Sonakshi is looking at Bhaiya.

Hum tum aur bedroom ka darwaja khula ho... (You and I, and the door of the bedroom is open)

Aur Jassi aa jaaye. (And Jassi enters)

He says: Dev bhaiya. I have put breakfast on the table. Come fast.

Dev gets pissed off: I don't want to come fast fast. What will you do? Get lost...

Jassi says sorry and slithers away.

Me: Bhaiya, instead of barking at him, why don't you learn something from the past and lock the freaking door? Your bedroom's permanent status is "open for all". Why do you have a door? Take the frigging useless thing off if you are not going to use it ever.


Sonakshi: Why are you scaring that poor guy?

Bhaiya: Really? He is a poor guy? I think our luck is bad. No one gives us a chance.

Sonakshi holds his shoulder and says: If our luck was bad, we won't have been together again. 

Bhaiya smiles.

Me: That was cute. Next time close the frigging door or fandom will nail it shut and make you go through the window.


PRECAP: Sonakshi is working on her laptop sitting on the window sill of her bedroom. Ishwari comes there. Sonakshi quickly closes the laptop seeing her.

Ishwari sits down and says: Either you are again doing something that you don't want to tell me or...

Sonakshi: Or?

Ishwari: You are trying to find out something about someone.

Sonakshi's expression gives her away.

Ishwari gets tensed.

Me: Sonakshi, you are so obvious that even a blind person will catch you. I mean if you close something in a hurry the moment you see someone, they will get suspicious. If you don't want anyone to know, that's not the way to go about it.



NO RULES!!! YAY!!!