The problem with Humsafar is an excess of riches .. Almost every time I watch an episode I want to say: “this was One of the best episodes” or exclaim over how compelling the narrative was or how intense the emotional interactions between the characters were without sounding like a broken record. Well here goes the broken record again …. In the novel Khirad getting out of the Rickshaw and confronting her estranged husband Asher was the opening sequence and if I must say so masterfully written by Farhat Ishtiaq. While reading these passages I could feel Khirad’s conflict, her desperation. The whole situation was brought beautifully to the screen by Sarmad Khoosat and his team. 
Similarly Asher had not gotten over his anger (how could he?) at his supposedly unfaithful wife who now had the audacity to present herself before him without a hint of the shame he thought she should feel. The expressions on Fawad’s face from surprise to cold fury to withering contempt brought the depth of Asher’s pain and confusion home to the viewer. However angry I was with Asher’s character I could see that from his perspective this was just as painful as for our victimized heroine .The most significant part of this scene was the fact that despite Asher’s sneering anger, despite his smoldering resentment he could not bring himself to throw Hareem’s photograph away. Deep, deep inside him there was a part of his subconscious telling him Khirad was telling him the truth.
This episode showed us a changed woman. Gone, perhaps forever was the naïve, young girl who wanted Asher’s approval, Khirad was now a mother and had kept her thoughts with in that circle of concern. I couldn’t help but contrast this attitude with the other model of motherhood we are shown in Farida who manipulates her child’s life to satisfy her own ego. All her concern for Asher’s wellbeing rings hollow when she has stolen his happiness. Asher goes through the transformation of parenthood too. When He discovers Hareem he doesn’t let his anger at Khirad come between him and his duty or love as a father. I loved how Hareem found her father, the scene was unbelievably sweet. Immediately counteracted by Asher’s almost childish “ I hate You” hissed at Khirad . Hats off to Mahirah and Fawad for creating such amazing screen chemistry. Khirad is trying to be indifferent to Asher’s contempt but her pain is just below the surface. It is anger that saves her..The episode ends with her slap in the face dialogue about taking HER daughter Hareem to the doctor and the audience feels some satisfaction.
A final word about Sara, poor thing has been hanging around for four and a half years with little success. The reason Asher is a memorable character is partly of course due to Fawad Khan’s charisma but it was a lot to do with the character Farhat Ishtiaq wrote. While the world is full of unfaithful, convenience oriented easily changeable people there are still those who see fidelity as a virtue. There will always be those who honor their feelings above their circumstances even if they are often in the minority. 
