The episode begins at night, outside a grand mansion. Inside, a man named Ved is caringly offering a glass of water to a young woman, Saru, who seems shaken. He asks if she is okay and feeling better. A flashback reveals a chaotic party scene where Saru’s clothes accidentally caught fire. Ved rushed to her rescue, using a jacket to extinguish the flames, saving her from harm. The scene then returns to the present, where an older woman, Ved’s mother, is seen in the background, watching them with a suspicious and unhappy expression.
Saru tells Ved that he always appears to save her whenever she is in trouble. Ved, looking at her with affection, says that if he doesn’t protect her and take care of her, who will? He explains that this is his responsibility. Saru looks at him, confused, and Ved clarifies that Nanu-sa (likely their grandfather) had said so, and that’s why he sent Balaji to Mumbai to remind him of his duty to care for her. Their conversation is overheard by Ved’s mother, who looks increasingly displeased. Just then, Ved’s phone rings. It’s a call from ‘Maa’ (his mother). He excuses himself to take the call.
Later, Ved finds his mother leaving the party. He asks her why they are leaving so early when dinner hasn’t even started. He senses something is wrong and asks if he made a mistake. His mother silently walks away, leaving Ved worried. His internal monologue reveals he knows something has upset his mother, noting that her silence is more dangerous than her anger.
Meanwhile, Saru is leaving with her family. An elderly woman, her grandmother (Dadi-sa), performs a ritual to ward off the evil eye from Saru. She says that it’s been a long time since anyone has done this for her, mentioning that Saru’s own mother and grandmother used to do the same. She asserts her right to protect Saru. Two other women watch this interaction from a balcony with looks of disdain.
The next morning, Ved finds his mother in the living room. She calls out to him and, without any preamble, informs him that she has fixed his marriage with a girl named Ridhima Tibrewal. She mentions that they are a well-known family from their society. Ved is stunned and reminds her that they had agreed to get his sister Rachna married first. His mother dismisses his argument, stating she has already finalized the relationship. She tells him that the wedding will happen after Ridhima completes her MBA from the US, and by then, she will also find a match for Rachna. She orders Ved to meet Ridhima the day after tomorrow at the Hotel Shariat.
When Ved protests about the rush, his mother reveals her true fears. She tells him that she has already seen her other son, Rohit, ruin his life by marrying a girl of a lower status and she will not let Ved repeat the same mistake. She makes it clear that she is his mother and knows what’s best for him, implying she is aware of his growing feelings for Saru. She sternly tells him to save Ridhima’s number and start talking to her, leaving no room for discussion. Ved is left shocked and speechless as his mother walks away.
Review
This episode masterfully blends tender romance with rising family conflict. The chemistry between Ved and Saru is palpable, especially in the quiet moments where his protective nature shines through. The flashback to the fire incident was a great way to establish the depth of their connection and Ved’s role as Saru’s savior. The emotional core of the episode was strengthened by the grandmother’s ritual, a beautiful scene that highlighted Saru’s vulnerability and the love she receives from her family, contrasting sharply with the cold disapproval from the onlookers on the balcony.
The standout performance, however, comes from Ved’s mother. She has been established as a formidable antagonist whose motivations, while rooted in a twisted sense of protection and status, are clear. Her decision to force an arranged marriage on Ved creates a classic, high-stakes conflict between love and duty. The confrontation between mother and son was tense and brilliantly executed, setting the stage for major drama. The episode did an excellent job of building tension and ending on a cliffhanger that leaves the audience eager to see how Ved will navigate this impossible situation.
Recap Points
- Ved’s protective feelings for Saru deepen after he saves her from a fire.
- Ved’s mother witnesses their bond and disapproves, fearing he will marry below their status.
- To control the situation, she unilaterally fixes Ved’s marriage to a wealthy girl, Ridhima.
Plot Twists
- Ved’s mother abruptly fixes his marriage to a girl named Ridhima without his consent.
- The mother’s actions are driven by her past experience with her other son, who married a girl from a lower-status family.
- Ved’s duty to protect Saru is revealed to be a promise made to his grandfather.
Predictions
- Ved will be forced to meet Ridhima but will be emotionally distant, thinking only of Saru.
- Saru might find out about Ved’s fixed marriage, leading to a major misunderstanding and emotional turmoil.
- The two women who looked on with disdain will likely join forces with Ved’s mother to keep Saru and Ved apart.