#arnav

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon

It was me who asked the question, on what exact point Arnav realised Khushi is innocent and trusted her.

I’m so elated that you liked my question. Very eagerly waiting for your answer. And one more thing to add, (regardless of what your answer is) would Arnav sought out Khushi after the kidnap scenario even if he hadn’t trusted her?

Hope you have a good day!

I hope that softens the fact that I have not answered your question in... ages.

The reason why I truly loved your question was because it is something that's never really stated in the show, so it's very very open to interpretation.

For everyone else, the question was

[But at what exact point, do you think Arnav completely nullifies or forgets or accepts or maybe comes around the fact that indeed khushi is innocent, because he was very much believing in the concept of hers and Shyam’s affair]

There are two things here.

When did Arnav believe Khushi & when did Arnav realize the whole truth because I think the show frames it as two different points.

When Did Arnav Believe Khushi

This phase, I believe, happens over the course of a few months. In general I like to think that Arnav was irked and disturbed by Khushi's contradictory behavior. Cause the way she was, at times, genuinely did not fit the kind of woman Arnav believes her to be. Also, at some points I do think Arnav knows that he's meting out unfair punishment.

At one point he isn't even punishing Khushi for hurting his sister. He's punishing Khushi for hurting him. (A part he doesn't quite easily accept cause that means he loved her and he'd rather accept anything except the fact that he was vulnerable, in love, and in love with the wrong person).

And then when he unleashes his rage and hears her story and refuses to believe it, a part of him has registered her story. At least there's a different point of view to everything - which is why he also waited for a proof.

The fact that she wants him to believe her, soothes and hurts him at the same time. Maybe it's an extension of her act, maybe somewhere there's the woman he loved.

It's too optimistic to hope that what she's saying is the truth.

And then when he's kidnapped, isolated, and almost forced to a brink of impending death - then other things and matter disappear. To hear that somehow, miraculously, Khushi was worried, crying for him - undoes him in many many ways.

He believes Khushi's innocence. Her love. Their love. Or whatever it is.

The likelihood of Khushi's innocence is far greater, and when she comes across all odds to just save him and not have a word about anything else - he believes her.

When did Arnav realize the whole truth

This, interestingly, happens during Shyam's whole panicked yet intelligent speech at Shantivan.

Shyam knows Arnav loves Khushi - assumes Khushi must have told Arnav everything at this point and he would believe the woman he loves - so Shyam no longer cares about what story he spun to Arnav.

What was important was to discredit Khushi and anyone who believes/supports Khushi.

But with Shyam's set of lies and Payal standing up to Khushi's defense - Arnav sees 2 things very clearly.

That Khushi was right, and how easily Shyam could spin a story into another.

I truly think that's when he got the grasp of what went between Shyam and the Guptas.

Hope this answers your question!

Lots of love,

Jalebi

✦ ACHE

I think of you as I drift off to sleep, when I wake up, and in between.

I inhale you—never exhale.

I see you when I close my eyes, and search for you when I open them.

Visions of you fill every crevice of my mind.

And my skin carries the burn of your trace— gentle, fleeting yet searing.

And the rest of me, untouched, craves to suffer the same.

I am made of you.

I can only see myself reflected in your pupils.

In your eyes I exist; I am what you see in me.

You keep me intact, your gaze— the glue that binds me.

Thus, I am.

The Storm and The Diya

10:00AM

The snow-peaked mountains were cloaked in mist and chilly winds. Nestled at the edge of a pine-covered ridge was the Serenity Cove Retreat, where AR Designs had offsite training. Arnav stood by the window, watching the drizzle and regretting that he had agreed to this madness. He was about to make his way inside when he noticed her. She was sitting with her sketchpad in the corner of the outdoor gazebo, staring at the mountains. Her face seemed serene—until he noticed the furrow of her brows and pout as she sketched. She sat alone, away from the group, unnoticed by everyone. Except one— Arnav Singh Raizada.

The Night Before — 9:00 PM

She had wandered off unintentionally, curiosity leading her to the restricted wing where construction expansion was underway. Khushi found herself trapped inside the barely stable wing, alone in the dark with creaking wood and shuddering silence. She screamed for help. Hours passed before the incessant rain slowed and everything was quiet, when someone came calling for her. It was him. He called out, “Khushii, Khushiiiii.” Before she could respond, Arnav grabbed her arm—angry, cold with fear. “Do you have any idea what could have happened? What were you doing here alone?!” he shouted. Khushi, shivering and dust-covered, stared at him with wide, furious eyes. “You think I did this on purpose? If I knew this was restricted, would I wander here out of curiosity? Why do you always assume the worst?” Her voice cracked. “You’re so reckless! If something happened to you, I’d be held responsible—and you small people always wait for such opportunities to play victim and make money out of it!” he snapped. “No, you're judgmental,” she spat back. “Paisa hi sab kuch nahi hota! Haisiyat se jyada bhi insaan ki koi pehchan hoti hai. Par aap ko kya, apko apne ilawa koi dikhta hi nahi! Aapka sirf gussa hi nahi, aapki poori zindagi galat buniyaad pe bani hai!” The words hit harder than she expected. Arnav’s gaze dropped. She realized he was still her boss. Alarmed, she covered her mouth and avoided his eyes like a startled kitten. He found it amusing. Suppressing a smirk, he told her to get back to the resort and not wander off again—like a child being scolded.

1:00 PM

The sun bathed the mountains in golden light. Arnav stood at the trail’s edge behind the retreat, facing the rising sun. He heard footsteps. It was her, holding a package. “I was just passing by,” she said awkwardly. “I heard it’s your mother's birthday today.” He sighed. She continued, “Your eyes… they’re like your mother’s, aren’t they?” He scoffed—bitter, broken. “Please stop. You have no idea what it feels like losing your parents.” Khushi froze, then gave a sad, distant smile. “I wish no child had to lose their parents. I was eight,” she said softly. “I didn’t know what death meant then.” She placed the package on the table and ran. In her rush, her shawl slipped, revealing bruises—echoes of last night’s grip, filling him with regret. He opened the package. It was a sketch of his mother—not the stiff formal photo at AR, but mid-laughter, as if caught in a moment only he remembered. Her eyes sparkled with joy, reserved for him, when he’d cling to her or crack some silly joke. For the first time in years, he smiled. This brought back beautiful memories lost under the storm. Realization dawned. How did Khushi know? Maybe… maybe she gave him what she had always wished someone had given her—a glimpse of a parent smiling, alive in memory. And that broke something in him. Because while he had shut out the world in his pain, she had somehow understood it… and responded with kindness. She had lost her parents at eight, with barely any memories to hold on to—yet she still found ways to spread light. Now at eighteen, she was working to provide for her foster family. She had no privilege. No safety net. Only grit, innocence, and a kind heart. She was surviving in this cruel world like a flickering diya in a storm—fragile, yet determined to glow. While he was always scoffing at her because he was terrified of the emotions she evoked in him, she trusted him with a piece of her soul, with her deepest pain without any expectations. He felt ashamed of himself and whispered, “Khushi,” like a prayer.

8:00PM

He found her at the gazebo. “Khushi,” he called very softly. She turned to leave. “Sorry. I am really very sorry,” he said remorsefully. He saw her eyes well up with tears. She blinked and asked, “Why? I don’t want sympathy.” He said gently, “You deserve an apology… and thank you for the sketch. It’s beautiful. And Khushi, if and when you ever feel like sharing more… you can talk to me.” Khushi gave a small, grateful smile. “Thank you for asking. Someday, I’ll share.” He nodded in understanding. She lightened the moment, saying, “Sorry and thank you together? Aap bohot ajeeb ho!” and then burst out laughing. He admired her laughing freely, a rare smile gracing his lips. Her laughter was a fragile spark in the darkness—a light so pure and fierce, it made him ache. He wanted to shield her from every storm life could throw her way. In that moment, all he felt was the burning need to be her guardian, the one who would never let her flicker fade into shadow. He whispered to himself, “Protect her.” Devi Maiyya smiled, for the storm was over—and the diya, once flickering in the wind, now burned unwavering, a tender flame of love strong enough to mend what life had broken. A true love that would be built on respect, understanding, and trust.

Part I

Will I ever stop talking about the dargah sequence?

The answer is NO. It was so beautifully shot and it spoke so much about their equation without giving away anything. I loved how Arnav and Khushi were so unaware of each other, because, of course, shuruwat thi. And Arziyan as the background score made so much sense and added this very important poignant touch to the entire sequence. Their story was completely fated, and this was the gateway.

The purity of this frame speaks volumes!

There was also one particular scene that really portrayed the inner psyche of Arnav Singh Raizaada, otherwise an unapologetic atheist and disbeliever of any higher power other than himself. His disbelief was perfectly portrayed in the sequence where he was heading towards to dargah, with a stoic expression and his oblivious disregard for the poor. We see him dodging the peacock feathers, and even the crowd around him. But then, he enters the dargah with flowers in his hands and most importantly,

He bows down before the tomb.

This one frame gave away the deeper insight of Arnav, for the first time. Arnav, who is sensitive, respectful and surprisingly, considerate. Not the stern, arrogant, and no nonsense Arnav Singh Raizaada that we were familiar with.