Kurukshetra – Episode 373
Kartik’s ears pick up on this.
Kartik: She came there? For what?
Vidhushi: I don’t know… she stormed in and wanted to talk to Shubhavi and then she dragged her out of the house and they had some sort of argument and then she left.
Kartik: Has Shubhavi said anything about it?
Vidhushi: Not really no… she doesn’t want to talk about it either. I was a bit worried but…
Kartik: Well I’ll speak with her later then.
Vidhushi: Well she’s just in her room I can go get her.
Kartik: No that’s fine… I think I’ll speak with her later.
Vidhushi: Ok.
Kartik: And I hope Naren will feel better soon. I’ll come around and see him some time.
Vidhushi: That would be nice. Thank you.
Kartik: Bye.
They hang up and the wheels in Kartik’s head starts turning really fast. He starts having flashbacks…
Vanshita: Ok… What would you do if you found out that two people who shouldn’t be together are well… together?
Kartik: What gives you the right to decide if they should or shouldn’t be together?
Vanshita: Point taken but… what if one of them was married?
Kartik: Then that wouldn’t be fair to the married party’s spouse.
Vanshita: Exactly.
Kartik: So are you the only one who knows about it?
Vanshita: I think so.
Kartik: And do they know that you know?
Vanshita: No.
Kartik: Interesting situation you’ve found yourself in.
Vanshita: Tell me about it. So what do you think I should do Bupa ji?
Kartik: Tell them.
Vanshita: What?
Kartik: Tell them that you know.
End flashback…
Kartik: Could she have been…
Flashback…
Kartik: She came there? For what?
Vidhushi: I don’t know… she stormed in and wanted to talk to Shubhavi and then she dragged her out of the house and they had some sort of argument and then she left.
End flashback…
Kartik: Oh my goodness…
Kartik goes out of his room and then walks down to Vanshita’s room and knocks on the door.
Vanshita: Come in.
Kartik walks in.
Vanshita: Bupa ji, what’s the matter?
Kartik: It’s your mother and father isn’t it?
Vanshita: What?
Kartik: The people you were talking to me about, it’s Shubhavi and Dhananjay.
Vanshita doesn’t know what to say.
Kartik: I just spoke with Vidhushi and she told me that you were there today looking quite upset and that you dragged Shubhavi out of the house to talk to her…
Vanshita: Well…
Kartik: Vanshita is it true?
Vanshita looks away.
Kartik: Oh my goodness! What the hell is wrong with these people?
Vanshita: I don’t know… I’ve been trying to ask them the same thing.
Kartik: So you spoke to both of them?
Vanshtia: I did.
Kartik: And?
Vanshita: And Dad says that he’s going to tell Mahima Maasi the truth.
Kartik: Like that will ever happen.
Vanshita: What do you mean?
Kartik: Vanshita I’m sorry but long before you were born and long before your mother and father were married he and I were very close and I know Dhananjay a bit too well. He’s not going to tell Mahima anything.
Vanshita: But he said…
Kartik: He said whatever he said to keep you from telling her.
Vanshita: This is insane! What are we going to do now?
Kartik: Under usual circumstances I would be the first to give you my opinion on what must be done but I’m telling you now… we have to stay out of this.
Vanshita: Bupa ji what are you saying? We can’t stay out of this… what about Mahima Maasi?
Kartik: She is not your problem. Your mother and father are adults and they should know how to deal with this situation. My only concern is for you. I don’t want you getting involved in any of this because you’ve already been through enough. You don’t need this.
Vanshita: But…
Karitk: Vanshita… you will not get involved.
Vanshita: If I promise not to then will you speak to them?
Kartik: Vanshita…
Vanshita: Please you have to give me something to ease my mind with here.
Kartik: Fine… I will speak to them. But I’m telling you right now, if they don’t listen to me then we are not going to get further involved. Is that understood?
Vanshita: Yes.
Kartik: Good. Now get some rest for goodness sake.
Kartik walks off and Vanshita looks smug. The next day… Urvashi takes Kartik’s tea to him in the garden. She sits next to him and begins talking to him. Inside Chandra Mahel… Nakshatra is passing by one of the corridors and he sees this.
Nakshatra: What the hell is she up to now?
He watches Urvashi for a while longer and then goes to Rauktima’s room. He knocks on the door and then Aksh opens it.
Aksh: Nakshatra… Come in.
He goes in and Rauktima walks out as well.
Rauktima: Hi what’s up?
Nakshatra: Call me crazy but I think I know what she’s trying to do.
Rauktima: Who?
Nakshatra: Urvashi.
Aksh: Oh? Did she say something?
Nakshatra: No but I saw something just now and I connected it with so many other things that I have been seeing throughout the past few days.
Rauktima: Well what is it?
Nakshatra: She’s after Kartik Chachu.
Rauktima: WHAT?
Aksh: Are you serious?
Nakshatra: Yea I saw her having tea with him out in the garden moments ago and now when I think about it, she’s been paying him a lot of extra attention.
Rauktima starts thinking… Then it hits her…
Rauktima: Oh my goodness… it’s genius! Why didn’t I think of it before?
Aksh: What?
Rauktima: The pattern that she’s been following. First she sent Baba back to Kolkota and then convinced him to let her stay here for a while longer. I think Nakshatra is right. Think about it Aksh… Kartik Chachu may be a powerful man but he is still vulnerable right now. He’s putting up a strong front for all of us but we all know that he misses Badi Ma and Rudrakshi Chachi very much.
Nakshatra: So she is trying to take advantage of that vulnerability…
Rauktima: And she’s trying to get her claws on him.
Aksh: But what would that do?
Rauktima: Oh Aksh… that would change everything…
Aksh: How?
Nakshatra: Think about it Jeeju. If she keeps up at this it could lead to marriage… she’ll make sure of it.
Rauktima: And through that marriage she will become the most powerful woman in Chandra Mahel… She will become the next Mrs. Kartik Agnihotri.
They all go silent.
Nakshatra: Didi… we have to stop this from happening. If Urvashi succeeds…
Rauktima: She could turn this whole place upside down!
Nakshatra: Plus she would have access to Agnihotri Incorporated and power over all the Agnihotri Empire.
Aksh: So what do we do?
Rauktima: We have to get her out of here fast.
Nakshatra: But we are powerless Didi. We can’t do it by ourselves.
Rauktima: But we can’t just sit around while she tries to take over our lives.
Aksh: Again I ask… what do we do?
Rauktima: We have to think… and pray… we’ll find a way soon.
Meanwhile in Vanshita’s room… She’s on the phone…
Vanshita: So that is the story… now I know that Bupa ji means well and all but he keeps saying that we must stay out of this. But tell me how can I stay out of this when my mother and father are involved. I’m doing this because I don’t want to get into anymore drama than is actually necessary. I can’t handle it anymore and I’m sick and tired of trying to make those two understand. And if what Bupa ji says is right then Dad is never going to tell Mahima Maasi the truth and I think she should know. So I’ve run out of options and that’s why I’m turning to you for help… So you’ll help me? Excellent!
Vanshita hangs up and looks quite pleased with herself. Later that day Shubhavi walks into a restaurant and looks around and then spots Dhananjay. She walks up to him.
Shubhavi: What are you doing here?
Dhananjay: Funny I was about to ask you the same thing.
Shubhavi: Kartik…
Dhananjay: Oh… that explains it… here he is.
Kartik walks in and gives both of them a nasty look.
Kartik: Sit down.
They all sit.
Shubhavi: Listen Kartik whatever you have to say we don’t want to hear it.
Kartik: Really? Damn… and here I was planning on impressing you with a two hour speech.
Dhananjay: So Vanshita told you what was going on.
Kartik: She didn’t tell me anything, I figured it out as any intelligent individual would and my meaning there is that Mahima is no fool.
Dhananjay: Kartik I did you the biggest favor in the history of our relationship, the least you can do is stay out of this.
Kartik: I don’t want to be part of this.
Shubhavi: You don’t?
Kartik: No.
Dhananjay: Then why did you bring us here?
Kartik: Because your daughter is worried about you. I’ve told her to stay out of this and to not get involved and she promised to do so if I spoke to the two of you. I care a great deal for that girl you both know that. There is no difference between her and Krithika to me. So I’m here as her ambassador to try and speak some sense to the two of you.
Both of them go silent and look away.
Kartik: You’ve both always done whatever you pleased and you’ve both been very selfish with the decisions that you’ve taken in life.
Shubhavi: That’s rich coming from you.
Kartik: We all have dirty laundry stacked up in our cupboard Shubhavi and there’s no reason to bring them out now.
Shubhavi: Kartik please. I understand and appreciate what you are trying to do here but frankly it is none of your business and Vanshita will get over it at some point. Besides, we’re not doing anything wrong. We love each other.
Dhananjay: And we want to be together and no one is going to stop us from doing so.
Kartik: Really? Well you both seem to have forgotten Mahima in this equation. What about her? And if you love each other so much then why did you decide to end your marriage in the first place? Shubhavi you are my sister and Dhananjay, you’re my closest friend and my brother-in-law. I care for the two of you and I don’t want to see you get hurt. But no matter what I feel for you I feel for Vanshita more and I will not see that girl suffer over this.
Shubhavi: Look… all this started because she kept on blaming herself over what had happened to us in the past.
Dhananjay: You’d think that she’d be happy that she was the reason we got back together.
Kartik: I don’t believe this. Do the two of you think you’re playing dollhouse. You say that you want Vanshita to believe that you came together again because of the two of you but right now what she is thinking is that she is the reason Mahima’s marriage is in jeopardy. This family has enough enemies as it is, I will not have another!
Kurukshetra – Episode 374
Kartik: I will not let another Manorama be born through Mahima because of what the two of you have decided to do.
Dhananjay: How is any of this going to affect your precious Chandra Mahel?
Kartik: Whether you want to accept it or not, the two of you are intertwined in our lives and you are very much a part of that house… What reason did Manorama have to get Vanshita raped? She was trying to get even with the rest of you and she chose another method of doing it. Mahima will do the same. To get even with you she will pick on someone else. You are the last thing she has Dhananjay, if she loses you then she would have lost everything, her mother who is dead, her father who doesn’t want to speak to her anymore, her sisters who despise her and then her husband who woke up from his dream and realized that he no longer loves her and you and I both know that there is nothing more dangerous in this world than a person who has lost everything because they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Now you have one of two options. Be honest with Mahima and make a decision with her on board or end this. Either way I can assure you things are not going to be pretty. But whatever you’re doing do it fast because I can’t stand seeing Vanshita upset over this. That’s all I wanted to say.
Kartik gets up and leaves. Dhananjay and Shubhavi look at each other.
Dhananjay: I hate it when he is right.
Shubhavi: Dhananjay, I don’t want to lose you. Not again.
Dhananjay: I don’t want to lose you either.
Shubhavi: So what do we do?
Meanwhile at Chandra Mahel… Ankita is in the kitchen with Poornima and Rauktima when Jaya walks in.
Poornima: Bhabi, what are you doing here? You should be resting.
Jaya: No it’s fine… I want to keep myself busy.
Ankita: Oh… I thought you were the type that didn’t like coming into the kitchen. Or was that all an act?
Rauktima and Poornima exchange glances.
Jaya: Actually I love to cook…
Ankita: Who knew? But then again, do we know anything about you at all?
Poornima: Um… Bhabi… why don’t you come over here and cut these, I have to go and check on Shubh anyway.
Jaya: Alright.
Poornima walks off.
Ankita: Now there’s a Bahu I admire.
Rauktima: That’s true Chachi… but then again, all Bahus at Chandra Mahel have been worthy of admiration at some point or the other…
Ankita: Not all Rauktima… my son’s wife for example… is not worthy of any admiration don’t you think.
Jaya looks up in disappointment and Rauktima wonders what is going on.
Ankita: Oh… I was talking about Sanskriti… I mean we all know how deceptive she was. What with all the underhand things she did… Goes to show that you can’t even trust your own these days.
There is an awkward silence.
Ankita: Anyway, I’m done here. I’ll upstairs if you need me Rauktima.
Rauktima: Alright Chachi.
Ankita walks off and Rauktima turns to Jaya.
Rauktima: Hey… did you let that upset you?
Jaya: No… yes…
Rauktima: Come on don’t take things so seriously. Saas-Bahu fights are famous world over. You should be honored to be involved in one. Besides, Ankita Chachi is nothing compared to my Saas…
Jaya: Oh?
Rauktima: Yea… she killed Aksh’s first wife and then tried to kill Geet and me…
Jaya: Are you serious?
Rauktima: Uh huh… So you should consider yourself fortunate.
Jaya: I guess I should. Besides, I can’t really blame her. She has a right to be mad at me.
Rauktima: How so?
Jaya: I come with a past of my own Didi…
Rauktima: We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. But instead of thinking about them so much, we should work on learning from them and then moving on to better things. Will you be ok here? I need to go give Geet his food.
Jaya: Yea I’ll be fine. Go ahead.
Rauktima smiles and leaves and Jaya goes into deep thought. The next day… Kartik is in the living room reading through the papers and Akarsha walks up to him.
Akarsha: Chachu… Can I talk to you?
Kartik: Of course.
Akarsha: Chachu I’m really sorry but Ankita Chachi came to me asking about Jaya Bhabi and she pressured me so much that I had to tell her what I knew.
Kartik: Oh so that’s how she found out.
Akarsha: She said she overheard you talking to Jaya Bhabi and that’s how she knew that I knew something.
Kartik: I should have known
Akarsha: I’m really sorry about the whole thing. I didn’t do it intentionally I just…
Kartik: Ankita Bhabi can be very convincing, I know. You don’t have to be sorry for anything.
Akarsha: Thank you Chachu.
Kartik smiles at her and then looks to his side. He sees Vanshita walking down the stairs looking at her watch.
Kartik: What is that girl up to now?
Akarsha: I have no idea but she’s been that way since morning. Maybe she’s expecting something.
Just then a car drives into the front porch… Kartik hears it.
Kartik: Or someone.
The door opens and closes and then Vanshita smiles as she makes her way to the front door. Kartik has a curious look on his face and Akarsha is wondering what is going on as well. There’s clicking along the steps of the front of the house. Kartik and Akarsha see Vanshita hugging someone and then she moves aside. Kartik stands up and so does Akarsha.
Vanshtia: Oh Bua ji it’s so good to see you.
Rakshanda: And it’s good to see you too… look at you… you look so different.
Rakshanda walks into Chandra Mahel…
Kartik: Rakshanda… How are you?
Rakshanda: Hello Kartik. It’s good to see you.
Kartik: And you.
Rakshanda: I’m sorry I couldn’t make it for the funeral. I just… couldn’t…
Kartik: It’s ok. I understand. How is your father?
Rakshanda: As well as can be expected under the circumstances.
Kartik: I didn’t know you were coming or I would have prepared something for…
Rakshanda: Nonsense. That would have only made me feel like an outsider.
Kartik: And that you are not.
Rakshanda: Thank you. I’ll be staying for a while if that’s alright with you…
Kartik: Of course, Chandra Mahel is your home, you should stay for as long as you like.
Rakshanda: Same room?
Kartik: As always.
Rakshanda: I’ll make my way up there then.
Vanshita: I’ll have someone bring your bags upstairs.
Rakshanda: Thank you.
Rakshanda walks upstairs. Vanshita is about to go away when…
Kartik: Actually… Akarsha do you mind seeing to Rakshanda’s bags? I need to have a word with Vanshita.
Akarsha: Of course Chachu.
Akarsha leaves and Kartik goes over to Vanshita.
Kartik: So… what’s going on?
Vanshita: I’m sorry?
Kartik: What is Rakshanda doing here?
Vanshita: She came for a visit.
Kartik: Really? And the timing is not in the least bit suspicious to you?
Vanshtia: No… Should it be?
Kartik: Vanshita… you told her about your mother and father didn’t you?
Vanshita: No.
Kartik: Vanshita!
Vanshita: Ok fine I did. But that’s because I wasn’t sure if you were going to do anything about it.
Kartik: I said I would speak to them didn’t I?
Vanshita: And did you?
Kartik: As a matter of fact I did.
Vanshita: And…
Kartik: And I left the final decision up to them.
Vanshita: See now that doesn’t really help the situation a whole lot does it?
Kartik: I told you this is their decision to make.
Vanshita: Well maybe Bua ji can do a bit more.
Kartik: I don’t know how that is going to be possible and I cannot believe that you dragged her here all the way from Boston just to attend to this issue.
Vanshita: Well she was the only other person I could have turned to.
Kartik: Vanshita… this will end badly.
Vanshita: Maybe not. Bupa ji, you can’t take care of everything and your children are grown up now. You should let us take care of a few things of our own.
Kartik: Yes and I sincerely do hope that none of those things go wrong.
Vanshita: I’ll try my best to stay out of trouble.
Kartik: Right.
The next day… Dhananjay is in his office when he gets a phone call. He looks at the number and sees that it’s from Chandra Mahel… He picks up.
Dhananjay: Hello?
Rakshanda: Dhananjay…
He is surprised…
Dhananjay: Didi… What are you doing in India?
Rakshanda: I decided to take some time off to spend with my family. I’m at Chandra Mahel right now with Vanshita and the rest… How about I come over to your place tonight for dinner. Haven’t seen Mahima in ages either and I’d like to see how you two are doing.
Dhananjay starts perspiring.
Dhananjay: Tonight… is not such a great idea Didi. I have to work till late.
Rakshanda: That’s alright then we’ll make it tomorrow night.
Dhananjay: Um… yea ok that sounds fine.
Rakshanda: Good… So then I guess I’ll make plans with Shubhavi for this evening.
He feels trapped…
Dhananjay: Shubhavi! But why…
Rakshanda: Oh come on Dhananjay you don’t think that I’ve ended my relationship with her just because you have, have you? She’s still like a sister to me and she is Vanshita’s mother…
Dhananjay: Right… But… you know, I think you should just probably come to my place for dinner tonight then.
Rakshanda: But I thought you were busy.
Dhananjay: When can’t I finish work? It’s not every day I get to see you… I can put work on hold.
Rakshanda: That’s great. I’ll see you in the evening then.
Dhananjay: Ok bye…
They hang up. Dhananjay calls Shubhavi.
Shubhavi: Hello… now before you say anything, yes I remember that we have plans for tonight.
Dhananjay: Actually we’re going to have to cancel those plans.
Shubhavi: What? Why?
Dhananjay: Because Didi is here…
Shubhavi: Rakshanda is here? Where?
Dhananjay: She’s at Chandra Mahel. She wants to meet me and Mahima for dinner tonight.
Shubhavi: Couldn’t you postpone it?
Dhananjay: I tried, then she said that she’ll go over to see you instead. I didn’t want you to be caught off guard so I convinced her to come to my place instead.
Shubhavi: Well that’s just great.
Dhananjay: Don’t worry… I’m sure she’s here only for a few days.
Shubhavi: And what if she stays for longer? Dhananjay you and I both know that Rakshanda has a nose for sniffing out things that are out of place. That’s how she saved our marriage the first time round when Mahima was working against us. What if she finds out about you and me now?
Dhananjay: She won’t. Or at least I hope she won’t.
Shubhavi: What if she does?
Dhananjay: With Didi… anything is possible.
Kurukshetra – Episode 375
That evening… The doorbell at Thandav Mansion rings… It is opened and Rakshanda smiles as Mahima welcomes her in.
Mahima: Didi… It’s so good to see you.
Rakshanda: And you.
The two of them hug. Rakshanda walks in.
Rakshanda: Wow, I see you’ve done some changes with the place since I was last here.
Mahima: I did. Do you like how it looks?
Rakshanda: Absolutely. So where’s that brother of mine?
Just then Dhananjay walks in.
Dhananjay: Didi…
He goes up to her and hugs her.
Rakshanda: It’s been so long since I saw you. How have you been?
Dhananjay: Good…
Rakshanda: I’m sorry I wasn’t here for Rudrakshi’s funeral. I just…
Dhananjay: It’s alright Didi and it was probably a bad idea to keep Dad alone in his ill state.
Rakshanda: I can’t believe she’s gone.
Dhananjay: I know… she was our baby sister.
Rakshanda: We were supposed to take care of her.
Dhananjay: And we did… we did the best way we knew. But we can’t change what was meant to happen now can we?
Rakshanda: No one can’t…
She then looks at him more closely.
Rakshanda: But we can certainly try.
Dhananjay is a bit confused but smiles along.
Dhananjay: Come and sit down Di. Have something to drink.
Mahima: Yes Didi… I’ll warm the dinner and you two can chat till then.
Rakshanda: Thank you Mahima.
Mahima smiles and walks away as Rakshanda takes a seat next to Dhananjay.
Rakshanda: She seems well.
Dhananjay: She is.
Rakshanda: Is she taking good care of you?
Dhananjay: Of course Didi.
Rakshanda: Really? Then why have you found your way back to your first wife Dhananjay?
Dhananjay is about to say something but then is shocked because he had no clue that was coming.
Rakshanda: Yes I know what’s been going on between you and Shubhavi. What do you take me for? Do you think I would have come all the way to India if I didn’t know what was going on?
Dhananjay: Didi please now is not the time nor the place.
Rakshanda: Why? Are you afraid that your wife might overhear what I have to say? Make no mistake Dhananjay, I will tell Mahima the truth if you don’t. I’m not going to allow another wave of destruction to befall our family and especially Vanshita if this goes wrong. I know what Mahima is capable of and I know that she has suppressed that part of her because she got what she wanted… she got you. If you leave her she will be back to creating chaos.
Dhananjay: So what you want me to spend the rest of my life with her just to keep her from going crazy? That’s unfair!
Rakshanda: You should have thought of that before you started cheating on Shubhavi with her. Dhananjay, our father has seen a lot in his life and he doesn’t need to see more shame and scandal before he dies. For God’s sake please let him live the rest of his days in peace… Please…
Dhananjay: Yes Didi… you’re right as always… I mean, how could you not be right… you were always the good one weren’t you? You were the proper older child that a father could only dream of having. Rudrakshi and I were the black sheep… First she ran away from home then I got entangled in all the messes I did and you… you just played the saint. You don’t know what it is like to love and to lose love because you have never loved anyone but yourself in this life! I mean what would you know about human error? As far as you know, you’re perfect! That’s why you will never know what it is like to feel the I way I feel about Shubhavi…
Rakshanda stays calm through all his insults and then leans in closer.
Rakshanda: You’re right. I don’t know what it feels like to have those feelings because my feelings aren’t as fickle as yours! One minute you’re with Shubhavi and then you want Mahima… the next minute you’re with Mahima and you want Shubhavi! You don’t want either of them Dhananjay you only want to live your life as dangerously and ridiculously as you possibly can! Insult me all you want but facts are going to have to be faced soon. Tell Mahima the truth and make her understand that the rest of the family is against this and that we have raised our concerns about it to you and that we wanted her to know what was going on as soon as we found out. I want you to tell her these things because should she find out on her own and then decide to come after all of us for the mistake the two of you have made… then I will come after you Dhananjay and I will forget that you are my brother! Grow up at least now for goodness sake! You have a daughter who is of a marriageable age. Think about her… what parents would like to accept her as a Bahu when they find out about your track record? Stop being so selfish Dhananjay.
They hear a sound and then Mahima walks in.
Mahima: Dinner is ready shall we move to the table?
They both look at her and smile uncomfortably.
Rakshanda: Of course.
Rakshanda looks at Dhananjay one more time and then gets up to go and eat. Dhananjay follows.
Meanwhile at Chandra Mahel… Ankita is doing some reading in the lounge when Urvashi walks in.
Urvashi: Ankita ji… may I join you?
Ankita: Of course.
Urvashi sits down.
Urvashi: It’s a beautiful night isn’t it?
Ankita: That it is. How has your day been?
Urvashi: Not bad at all. And yours?
Ankita: Nothing to complain about. At least not at Chandra Mahel.
Urvashi: What do you mean?
Ankita: Urvashi ji… I have a husband who’s waiting for me in Bangalore. Every day that I spend here is another day that I spend away from him and he’s not too happy about that.
Urvashi: Oh… that must be horrible.
Ankita: The worst part is that I feel so torn because I know I have a responsibility to him but I can’t ignore my responsibilities to this house either.
Urvashi: It’s so unfair on you.
Ankita: I know… but I can’t leave Chandra Mahel without knowing what is to become of Kartik… I know he is a strong man and he’s been through a lot but I’ve been noticing him of late and I can see that in his mind he has grown weak. He’s not willing to look beyond his losses and find a way to a better life.
Urvashi: Well then I suppose there’s only one thing that can be done for him.
Ankita: What’s that?
Urvashi: Get him married again.
Ankita is shocked to hear this but it eases in on her quite well.
Ankita: Well… I don’t know if the timing is right to even bring such a suggestion up but it does have its merits. I mean… the children are very responsible and they’re taking care of everything in the best way they know how but there still needs to be someone to take care of Kartik and make sure that he is alright… Another marriage may work to his benefit.
Urvashi: But the problem lies in finding someone who will be exactly the right match. We can’t let just anyone become a Bahu of Chandra Mahel. It has to be someone who is as dedicated to this house as you and the other Bahus like you have been.
Ankita: I know. But I’m going to definitely give this more thought.
Urvashi: You do that. I’m going to head off to bed now. Good night.
Ankita: Yea good night.
Urvashi walks off and on her way out she turns around to look at Ankita and smirks… The next day, Rakshanda is in her room crying… there’s a knock on the door and Rakshanda wipes away her tears hurriedly before the door is opened. Krithika walks in.
Krithika: Hi Maasi.
Rakshanda smiles as she gets up to greet Krithika.
Rakshanda: Hello… Look at you… Mirchi is looking as hot as ever.
Krithika: Stop it…
Rakshanda: So I hear you’re pregnant. Congratulations my darling.
Krithika: Thank you Maasi. It seems to be the trend in this house these days.
Rakshanda: So I hear. Come sit down. Tell me how you’ve been and all about your husband.
The two of them sit down on the bed.
Krithika: You have to meet Rajind… He is really nice and I’m really lucky to have met him.
Rakshanda: Quite an adventure story I hear.
Krithika: Where do you get your information from?
Rakshanda: I have my sources. Well is he taking good care of you?
Krithika: He is… Maasi, I’m glad you’re here… Since Mom’s been gone I’ve felt so lonely and so defeated inside even in a house full of people and now that you’re here it makes everything a little bit easier to take in.
Rakshanda: You miss her don’t you?
Krithika: I do…
Krithika rests her head on Rakshanda’s shoulder as tears pour down her cheeks.
Krithika: Why do we have to go through so much and then get so little in return Maasi? Everything was just falling into place again and then… this horrible thing happens. Why?
Rakshanda: Since the beginning of time a lot of people have tried to understand and explain death but none have been successful because you need to die yourself to know what lies on the other side. But for now, from what we know all I can say is that she’s moved on to a better place.
Rakshanda holds Krithika tight as she sobs.
Rakshanda: I know it hurts Krithika… but this is life… we live it once and we must make the most of it while we can. And you must stay healthy for this child and for yourself because that’s what Rudrakshi would have wanted.
Krithika: Yes Maasi…
Meanwhile… Ankita is in deep thought and sitting with her are Nakshatra, Soumil and Aksh. Rauktima walks in.
Rauktima: Chachi… what’s wrong?
Ankita: Hmmm… Oh nothing. I was just thinking.
Rauktima: Anything we can help you with?
Ankita: I wish…
Soumil: You miss Ruhan Uncle don’t you?
Ankita: I do… but he can take care of himself for now.
Soumil: Chachi your place is with him. He needs you and it’s unfair of us to keep you here against his will.
Ankita: Soumil, as difficult as it might be for me to say this to Ruhan’s face, Chandra Mahel will always come first for me. But you’re right… it’s unfair to Ruhan and I have to go back. But Kartik needs me…
Nakshatra: But we’re there for him…
Ankita: Of course you are but you won’t understand the kind of relationship that I share with him. He’s my Devar and I need to know that he’s well taken care of. He doesn’t have a wife to do that for him anymore.
Rauktima: So why don’t we get him one?
Ankita looks up at Rauktima and so does everyone else.
Ankita: Well that is easier said than done. A good wife, especially one that will suit Kartik and Chandra Mahel, is very hard to come by. It has to be someone who can understand his state of mind and what he is going through and take care of this house like the Bahus of this house have done in the past.
Rauktima: If I may… There is someone I have in mind.
Everyone picks up on this and Nakshatra looks at Rauktima confused, so does Aksh.
Ankita: You do? Who?
Rauktima: It’s someone we all know and she’s here at Chandra Mahel right now and I believe that she will make an excellent wife for Kartik Chachu.
Soumil: Rauktima who are you talking about?
Rauktima: Bhaiyya… the best part is that she already has a relationship to this house so there won’t be a doubt that she will take care of things here just like any one of us would.
Nakshatra: Didi…
Rauktima: I’m talking about Urvashi Aunty.
Kurukshetra – Episode 376
Nakshatra and Aksh exchange looks while Soumil raises his eyebrows and Ankita gives Rauktima a strange look.
Ankita: Urvashi?
Rauktima: Yes I mean think about it. She is Nakshatra’s birth mother and she’s been so caring and loving towards all of us ever since she got here.
Nakshatra: Didi what are you…
Rauktima: Nakshatra please, I know what I’m talking about. I think that if Kartik Chachu agrees, then Urvashi Aunty will be the best choice for him.
Ankita: I hadn’t thought about her like that before… We’ll have to speak with her before we speak to Kartik though.
Soumil: What if she doesn’t agree.
Aksh: I doubt she’ll do that… but Rauktima…
Rauktima: Yes she will do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of this family.
Ankita: Still for all I feel as though I should speak with her.
Soumil: I’ll come with you too if you like.
Ankita: Yes… that’ll be nice.
The two of them stand up and leave. Nakshatra and Aksh stand up as well and walk over to Rauktima.
Aksh: What is the matter with you?
Rauktima: What do you mean?
Nakshatra: Didi… this has been Urvashi’s plan all along and now you’re serving Kartik Chachu to her on a silver platter.
Rauktima: Listen I have had a lot of time to think about this and I think this is the best thing for all of us. Kartik Chachu will be happy and Urvashi will be a good wife.
Nakshatra: Di… that woman cannot be trusted.
Aksh: You have been her biggest enemy from day one and now you yourself are agreeing to all of this? How is this possible? Is there something you’re not telling us?
Rauktima: I’m telling you what is on my mind. I think that Urvashi will be a good addition to the family and none of us should fight it. We should celebrate. Now the only problem will be convincing Kartik Chachu to agree to the marriage. Excuse me…
Rauktima walks off.
Nakshatra: Something is way off!
Aksh: I know… but I don’t know what.
Nakshatra: Didi would never want to see Kartik Chachu married to Urvashi, so why is she doing this now?
Aksh: We have to find out what is going on before it’s too late.
Meanwhile in Chopra Mansion… Vidhushi is standing over an uneaten plate of food. There are tears pouring down her eyes. Vayu walks in and sees her there. He goes up to her.
Vayu: Mom… are you alright?
Vidhushi: I’m fine.
Vayu: You’re crying.
Vidhushi: I said I’m fine.
Vayu: Mom…
Vidhushi: DAMN IT VAYU!
She flings the plate off the table and Vayu steps back. Vidhushi breaks down.
Vayu: Mom what the hell is going on?
Vidhushi: He won’t eat anything… he won’t drink anything… he won’t take his medicine… he just wants to be left alone… why is he doing this? Why is your father doing this to me? Why doesn’t he see that I need him to be there for me? I know that Tamanna Didi’s death is huge and that it has brought about a lot of sadness in all of our lives but he needs to move on…
Vayu: Mom he just needs some time. He will come around.
Vidhushi: I’m sick and tired of giving him time to come around. He won’t even respond to me. He won’t even let me be in the same room as him… What am I going to do Vayu? What am I going to do?
Vayu: We’ll figure it out Mom. We’ll figure it out.
And at the same time downstairs… Shubhavi opens the door to Chopra Mansion and is shocked to see Rakshanda there.
Shubhavi: Didi…
Rakshanda: Surprised to see me.
Shubhavi: Yes well… I…
Rakshanda: Did you think that just because I went off at Dhananjay that I wouldn’t speak my mind to you?
Shubhavi turns away and walks inside. Rakshanda follows her.
Rakshanda: Stop right there. You should be ashamed of yourself!
Shubhavi turns around looking pissed.
Shubhavi: You know I can’t believe that I have to keep hearing that from Vanshita, from Kartik and now from you! What do I have to be ashamed of? I’m not doing anything wrong.
Rakshanda: That’s the one thing that’s even worse than committing wrong Shubhavi, you don’t even know what is right and wrong anymore! Dhananjay is married to another woman who happens to be your sister!
Shubhavi: I was still her sister when she decided to steal him away from me.
Rakshanda: And you can’t clap with one hand! You’re a woman and you’re tolerating this sort of abuse? It’s because of women like you that men think they can have their way with us! What’s to say that once he has you back completely he won’t go back to her?
Shubhavi: Because he won’t!
Rakshanda: And you’re confident of this based on what? His past? Well I’m sorry but his record isn’t exactly free of fault!
Shubhavi: I can’t believe you… he is your brother and you’re standing up against him!
Rakshanda: Just because someone is your own flesh and blood doesn’t mean that you have to support everything they do, especially when what they’re doing is wrong! Shubhavi, if you want to continue with this affair then fine… but if you’re going to do so then at least have the guts to tell Mahima that you’re sleeping with her husband! She is a woman and you cannot pretend that you don’t understand what she is going through. Make it known to her that you and Dhananjay are doing this against all of our wishes because like I told him… if Mahima believes that the family knew of this and supported it then we’re all going to be in big trouble.
Shubhavi: I can handle her!
Rakshanda: Can you? Because the last time we pissed them off Manorama attacked Vanshita in the worst way possible! Are you ready to reopen that nightmare? Why can’t you open your eyes to the truth? I can’t believe that you would choose to be so blind when so much is at stake. End this while you still have the upper hand!
Shubhavi: I don’t understand why you are supporting Mahima in all of this. Weren’t you the one who was against her?
Rakshanda: I wasn’t against anyone Shubhavi, I was against what they did. Both Dhananjay and Mahima and then you! All of you have sinned in equal doses and no one is blaming you for those sins because we’re all human and we all make mistakes. But you and Dhananjay are doing the opposite! Instead of learning from your mistakes you’re making the same mistake again!
Shubhavi: I love him Didi.
Rakshanda: And he loves you. But this is bigger than the both of you.
Shubhavi: I’m not prepared to let him go at any cost.
Rakshanda: Then it will cost you your family Shubhavi. I’m warning you for the last time… Mahima will make everything miserable if she finds out on her own. Think long and hard about this… For the sake of everyone.
Rakshanda realizes that she has said all she can say and so she leaves. Shubhavi is left alone with her tears and anger.
Back at Chandra Mahel…
Urvashi: I’m sorry what? You want to know if I’d like to get married to Kartik ji? That’s absurd.
Ankita: It’s not all that absurd I mean, you are the one who suggested the idea to me to begin with.
Urvashi: Yes I did because I thought it would be the best thing for him but that doesn’t mean I want to get married to him.
Soumil: We feel that you would be the perfect match because you are already intertwined with the family and with both Mom and Rudrakshi Chachi gone, he’s going to need someone to take care of him.
Ankita: He is very vulnerable right now and he needs a partner who can support him in what he does and be there by his side.
Urvashi: I couldn’t agree more with all that you are saying except for one thing, this woman that you’re looking for to be the next Mrs. Kartik Agnihotri is not me.
Just then Rauktima walks in.
Rauktima: Why not?
They all turn to look at her.
Rauktima: Look at how well you’ve taken care of all of us in the days that have gone by. And besides, what else do you have to go back to? Everything that you want in life is right here and is yours. All you have to do is say yes.
Urvashi: Rauktima I can’t believe that you of all people are asking me to do this.
Rauktima: Well we may have had our differences but I believe that above it all you care about this family and that’s good enough for me.
Urvashi: I…
Rauktima: Please… think about it.
Rauktima walks out of the room and Nakshatra is standing there waiting for her.
Nakshatra: You tell me what the hell is going on right now.
Rauktima: I told you nothing is going on. What is your problem Nakshu? First you turned your back on all of us for your mother and now you’re dead set on insulting her and getting her out of our lives.
Nakshatra: I wasn’t the one who was out to do that, you were! And then you showed me her true face and now you are helping her get what she wants!!!
Rauktima: I made a mistake.
Nakshatra: No Di… you’re making a mistake now. We have to get her out of Chandra Mahel, not make her part of our lives.
Rauktima: Nakshatra stop it. She is your mother!
Nakshatra: She is not my mother! Didi why are you doing this?
Rauktima: Because I’m thinking of what’s best for everyone.
Nakshatra: This is crazy.
Nakshatra walks away and Rauktima shakes her head and walks off. Later that day Dhananjay comes home from work. Mahima is sitting in the living room reading a magazine.
Mahima: How was your day?
Dhananjay: Not bad. How was yours?
Mahima: Alright.
She doesn’t raise her eyes from the magazine.
Mahima: Dhananjay, why is Rakshanda Didi here?
Dhananjay: What do you mean?
Mahima: Well as far as I know she doesn’t really fancy coming over to India and does so only on special occasions or when someone is in trouble. But this time she wasn’t even here for Rudrakshi’s funeral so why is she here now?
Dhananjay: Mahima, the reason Didi is here is for her to know and for you not to concern yourself with! What do you care why she’s here?
Mahima: Oh I don’t know because I have a strange feeling that it has something to do with us.
Dhananjay: You’re insane. What could it possibly have to do with us?
Mahima: Well I was just guessing that it could have had something to do with us because… well… yesterday at dinner the two of you didn’t even look at each other while you were eating.
Dhananjay: Mahima, get one thing straight. What goes on between my sister and me is none of your business.
Mahima: Oh I see… and what about what goes on between you and your ex-wife? Does that concern me?
She throws the magazine aside.
Dhananjay: What on earth are you talking about?
Mahima: Dhananjay I’ve been noticing strange behavior on your end for a while now and I decided to do some research and according to what I found out in your phone bills, you and Shubhavi Didi have been talking to each other quite a lot lately…
Dhananjay: You went through my phone bills?
Mahima: I had to get my answers from somewhere…
Dhananjay: HOW DARE YOU!
Mahima stands up abruptly.
Mahima: I am your wife but that doesn’t make me stupid! I’m not my sister Dhananjay! I know when my husband is straying and I’ll be damned if you think you can leave me in the dark about it!
Dhananjay: You have no idea what you’re talking about…
Mahima: Don’t I? It all makes sense now. The frequent visits to Chandra Mahel, reconnecting with the Agnihotri Family, the phone calls to Shubhavi Didi and now Rakshanda Didi’s visit to India… there’s a pattern…
Dhananjay: I don’t have time for this.
Mahima: Make time for it. Just because I’m madly in love with you doesn’t mean I’m mad enough to believe everything you say to me. Whatever is going on between you and my sister better stop now!
Dhananjay: Or you’ll do what exactly?
Mahima: Do you really want to find out?
I’m sure Rauktima has something up her sleeve…wonder what Mahima will do…
Rakshanda back…hmmm what does that entail?
Brandon some good stuff…but not liking you ruining Ankita’s character…not liking the way she is dealing with the Jaya situation…she handled the Sanskriti situation so well…
I want my old fiery Ankita back.
hello hello, hmm i wonder what rauktima has up her sleeve. I first thought that she might suggest rakshanda marrying karthik (then remembered she is his sis-in-law via rudrakshi) Raskshanda is at least stable and has some sense. Urvashi??? hmmm maybe karthik himself will turn around and say no. Like there might be a trick. How tamanna spoilt the food for kaushik and kaushik thought darpana cooked better any day.
But this shubhavi-dhananjay-mahima triangle needs some solution. It is maddening. I hold dhananjay the culprit for it all. He is so stupid. As Karthik said with DJ gone, Mahima will go mad and do anything. She might team up with Ashvini and destroy everyone. Both women will have lost everything and so well they would gang up against the Agnihotris.
Somehow I think that though Mahima would have never shared DJ with anyone, matters might have been slightly different if the lady in question wasnt Shubhavi.
It’s funny how when they were younger Vidushi was the wild one and Shubhavi the calmer one. But then the Agnihotri women whether bahus or betis are all tough and mad when it comes down to thier men or thier children.
Anyway great going Brandon, cant wait for the rest.