... had my dream stolen

**... had my dream stolen** is the sixth episode in Season 4 of the Netflix series, *Never Have I Ever*. It is also the thirty-sixth episode overall.

## Synopsis

*With early college admissions rolling in, Devi's in for more than one surprise. Kamala warns a smitten Pati about Len. Ben overhears a hurtful comment.*

## Plot

Devi is feeling anxious about receiving early acceptance letters, which are scheduled to arrive at 4pm. Nalini, her mother, tries to be supportive but inadvertently adds to Devi's worries. Devi feels that her mother lacks faith in her and is concerned about past incidents, such as her suspension for bullying Aneesa, her involvement in the purse incident with Ethan, and the absence of a letter of recommendation from Dr. Keyes.

At school, Ben informs Devi that someone from their high school has been accepted into Princeton. Devi, considering herself a strong candidate, starts feeling more confident about her own chances. However, her hopes are shattered when she discovers that her application has been deferred for further consideration. Fabiola is the one who got accepted into Princeton, not Devi.

Devi becomes upset with her mother, believing that she doesn't believe in her abilities and potential. She lashes out at her for seemingly irrational reasons. However, Kamala intervenes and changes the direction of the conversation. Kamala learns that Paati has ordered gifts for Len and has even booked a vacation to Palm Springs for them, which surprises and worries Kamala.

The next day, Devi speaks with Professor Warner about her deferral. The professor suggests that she can still apply as a regular student along with others. Devi considers this beneath her and decides to take up a sport to enhance her application. In the cafeteria, Devi tells her friends that she wants to find out who applied to Princeton and confront them.

Devi asks Fabiola if she got accepted into Yale, but Fabiola lies and denies it. Devi then approaches Paxton and asks if she can join a sports club. Paxton suggests that she become the equipment manager for the boys' swim team in exchange for a varsity letter on her application. Fabiola reveals to Eleanor that she was the one who applied to Princeton and got accepted. Eleanor worries about Devi's reaction but is happy for Fabiola's achievement in getting into an Ivy League college.

Ben proudly wears Columbia University clothing to signify his early acceptance, but Margot isn't as enthusiastic as he hoped. She declines his invitation for dinner, citing an art show she needs to attend. Ben agrees to celebrate later and asks to join Margot at the art show. Meanwhile, Kamala and her boss have a coffee meeting where they discuss a potential job offer in Baltimore, Maryland. Kamala is unsure about the move and realizes she would have to relocate within three weeks if she accepts. During their conversation, Kamala notices Len having a suspicious conversation about Nirmala's money, which increases her suspicions about him. She tells her boss that she needs more time to decide due to family matters in Sherman Oaks.

At school, Professor Warner instructs Fabiola to inform Devi that she got accepted into Princeton, as there is an early welcome ceremony in the parking lot. On the other hand, Devi secures a job with the swim team. The coach asks her to meet in the parking lot, where Devi is heartbroken to see Fabiola among the early admits, realizing that Fabiola took her spot.

During Margot's art exhibition, Ben accompanies her, but he overhears a conversation where the owner of the art gallery speaks negatively about him and Margot agrees. She reveals that she sees their relationship as just a high school fling and claims not to be in love with him.

Later that evening, Devi returns home upset and expresses her feelings of betrayal to her mother regarding Fabiola. Kamala joins them and requests a private conversation with Paati and Nalini. Kamala shares her observation of Len with another woman, calling him a gold digger. Paati reveals that she has significant wealth from investing in Apple many years ago. Despite Kamala's warning, Len proposes to Paati, and shockingly, she accepts.

Meanwhile, in her room, Fabiola engages in intimate moments with her partner, Addison. Addison senses Fabiola's worries and Fabiola expresses her concern about the deterioration of her friendship with Devi.

Addison assures Fabiola that she will make new friends in college, but Fabiola expresses her desire to remain friends with Devi and Eleanor for life. Addison encourages Fabiola to explain herself to Devi, believing that Devi would understand her perspective. The following day, Fabiola attempts to talk to Devi, but Devi angrily dismisses her without giving her a chance to explain. Professor Warner notices Fabiola with Eleanor and is about to say something, but Eleanor stops her to protect her secret.

In the break room, Margot confronts Ben about leaving the art show without informing her. Ben, hurt by Margot's conversation with the gallery owner, ends their relationship. Margot tries to defend herself, but Ben finds her backhanded compliments insulting. Meanwhile, Devi is still upset with Fabiola when Paxton finds her setting up the lane dividers in the pool.

Paxton advises Devi to consider Fabiola's perspective, suggesting that Fabiola kept it a secret because of Devi's temper. He reassures Devi that it's not a significant issue and encourages her to talk to Fabiola. Later, during History class, Fabiola reads a heartfelt essay about her friendship with Devi, becoming emotional and running out of class.

Devi and Eleanor follow Fabiola outside, and they reconcile with each other. Devi apologizes to Fabiola for making things difficult and is genuinely happy for her friend. Eleanor then shares surprising news with the group—after being rejected by Juilliard, she plans to graduate early and pursue acting full-time.

Devi discusses these events with her therapist, Dr. Ryan, but Dr. Ryan wonders what else is troubling Devi. Devi explains that she can't process the fact that Princeton deferred her and questions her own worthiness. Dr. Ryan suggests that Devi's obsession with Princeton could be relinquished, but Devi recalls a childhood memory of talking to her father about colleges and creating a dream around Princess College, which evolved into her desire to attend Princeton.
Devi asserts that she won't give up on her dream anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Kamala informs her boss that she needs to decline the job offer because her family needs her. That night, Nalini clears up a misunderstanding with Devi. She explains that she came to the USA so Devi could have a bright future and expresses her unwavering faith in her daughter. The next day, Devi learns that Ben has broken up with Margot.

## Cast

### Starring

* Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar
* Poorna Jagannathan as Nalini Vishwakumar
* Richa Shukla as Kamala Nandiwadal
* Jaren Lewison as Ben Gross
* Darren Barnet as Paxton Hall-Yoshida
* Ramona Young as Eleanor Wong
* Lee Rodriguez as Fabiola Torres
* John McEnroe as The Narrator

### Guest-Starring

* Ranjita Chakravarty as Nirmala
* Ivan Hernandez as Andres Ramos
* Jeff Garlin as Len
* Alexandra Billings as Jennifer Warner
* Benjamin Norris as Trent Harrison
* Michael Cimino as Ethan Morales
* Victoria Moroles as Margot Ramos
* Genneya Walton as Ms. Thompson