“There is one rule for daughters and another for daughter in laws”, a direct quote from the unexpected Rumi of this play, Mushtaq. Seriously, my estimation of this character suddenly shot up sky high. He knows the rules of the game and just like the other manipulators in this story, Noreen and Deeba, he knows how to play it. If Umama has a daughter it is a calamity but if Murad’s sister Rehana is infertile it is God’s will to be born with patience. If Noreen is carrying on an affair with Mushtaq she was being manipulated but if Murad wants to marry Umama it is a fault in her character. Umama seems to be the easiest scapegoat for everyone to blame simply because she has no parental backing and lacks the confidence to answer her detractors back.

So Umama is struggling to keep up with her housework and a new baby, with little or no help from anyone. There seem to be no servants despite such a large house and what surprised me the most, her Mother in law was hesitant to hold her own granddaughter. Most people have gripes about their daughter in laws but I have yet to meet someone disliking their own grandchild. The main theme of this week’s episode was Noreen and Mushtaq’s rishta. Mushtaq’s mother, Sajda Phupo, is visiting Murad’s family unannounced for their daughter Noreen’s rishta, when she spots the Deeba Baji floating around in her usual aimless way and decides to leave in a huff because of Deeba’s rudeness in last week’s episode. On her way out she recognises Umama .Deeba baji twists her way out of this hole by suggesting Umama has probably invited Sajda to their houses .No prizes for guessing that Murad’s mother immediately fell for this story. It was nicely done and would have worked if Noreen had not somehow given herself away to her Mother.

I just loved the way Noreen was asking for Umama’s help in one scene and then metaphorically tried to throw her under the bus in the next, when her mother began to question her more deeply.  Funny, but considering Umama’s lack of “position” in the household it did not make sense for Mushtaq to suggest it or Noreen to ask .The crux of the matter is that Murad’s mother has not truly accepted Umama as a member of the family and so nothing her daughter in law says would have any weight with her anyway.

I have to say this was one of the best episodes, the story moved at a good pace and every one of the actors played their parts with fluid ease. Every time I want to stop watching because the story line is nothing new ,I keep coming back because this drama just so well made, each character is nuanced and  true to life . Yes, Umama’s docility is more than annoying but considering her background, quite believable. It is a constant source of wonder to me that such a young person as Mehar Bano could pull off such a mature role. I really wish there was more of Fahad Mustapha in this episode . I was glad to hear Murad appreciate all the good luck in his life and say it was due to Umama’s presence, like all good mothers she immediately put the credit towards their daughter. In previous episodes I noted the lack of gratitude to Allah of Umama’s father, now Murad’s mother has taken on that mantel of thanklessness.

This drama may not be exciting for teenagers but its realistic characterisations, great direction and strong narrative make it so compelling. I just wish ARY Digital would put it on another time slot. With all the “fun” serials on the weekend I feel it is not getting the appreciation it deserves. Or maybe they know something I don’t?

Written by Sadaf