This episode contained a lot of serious conversations which moved the narrative forward .Strangely enough despite the fair amount of melodrama in this story, there are no scenes of people staring moodily at the sky or opaque glances at each other in which it is anyone’s guess as to whether they are madly in love or have just noticed a coffee stain on the other characters clothes. The hall mark of all these conversations is not just what they are saying but how the camera captures the nuances of each actor’s expressions. This is what made the Nikkah scene so special and this is what gives depth to all the exchanges between the characters. Full credit to Sarmad Khoosat and his Dop for making it look easy, as the camera slides intuitively from person to person without making us dizzy or forcing the issue.

This episode opens with Sara’s well cooked, well planned Italian dinner. Italian, because Asher and Sara are cool like that and Khirad doesn’t know how to pronounce the word Yale. I found it amusing at the time but this time around it looked more poisonous than funny. This entire scene belonged to Zarina (beautifully played by Hina Bayat), the only sensible one at the table. While the two super best friends eat their way through the pasta and any principles they might have, Hina Bayat’s character looks on with barely containable distaste. Despite Sara’s warnings, she deliberately asks after Khirad and even suggests they hold a dinner in the newlywed’s honor. From Asher’s clueless expressions as he looks from mother to daughter, I think the audience is supposed to give him some leeway but quite frankly I couldn’t find any then and I still cannot. For a man of his age and intelligence he simply should have known better and that is ultimately his saving grace. While Sara brushes of her mother’s advice, it has some effect on Asher who is shown trying to connect with Khirad in the next scene.

I am trying so hard not to go through this episode describing it scene by scene but this wordless conversation between Asher and Khirad is definitely worth a mention. As I said wordless, but there is no doubt as to the characters’ feelings or intentions. Each glance is meaningful. The lighting, the sweet intimacy without even touching and of course the very careful use of that beautiful OST make this unfrogettable. The inevitable breakdown of the coolness and formality between the newlyweds is finally happening but it isn’t apparent to Asher’s worried parents. Baseerat in particular feels very guilty about the whole situation. There are two more very important events in this episode, the first of which is Asher overhearing Baseerat and Khirad’s conversation. This is a turning point in the story, Asher finally gets to hear Khirad’s point of view. Even then he takes time to consider those words. Mahirah’s acting was so heartfelt and sincere: “mujhey apney leeeye koi amir o kabir shohar nahin chahiye tha sirf izzat chahiye thee” This is why I love Khirad she didn’t try and hide her feelings to please her uncle and nor did she speak of the usual “taqdeer ka fasla” or how she was going to win Asher over. It is this dignity, this self-respect without disrespect which makes Khirad’s character so loved.

The second important scene is the one of Khirad crying by the pool. The way Asher seeks her out, their conversation is something fans like me could watch over and over again. I think it is here that Asher finally realizes the pain behind Khirad’s wall of indifference and when he asks her to not leave the room the no matter how she is feeling I cannot help but think he is talking about their relationship. As I said earlier, I wasn’t too impressed with Asher Hussain in the beginning; this is where his character and Fawad really caught my attention. The scenes next day where he dismisses Sara’s attempts at another long drive and dinner, comes home to find Khirad gone and starts shouting at Jamal …well they were just the icing on the cake . His mischievous looks at a straight-faced Khirad over the breakfast table, that casual “pilla do” to the offer of tea and that assertive (damn right, you are going with me) “kiyun ,koi etraaz?” answer to Khirad’s hesitance in going to his friends party were simply irresistible. If somehow Khirad

had been immune how could she possibly stay indifferent after that wonderful scene in front of the mirror? It is simply not fair how good Mahirah looked in that beautiful black and gold dress and then Asher comes in with a black shirt (changing into a black suite later) which intentionally or not showed how in tune they were. Again the silly teenager in me held her breath while Asher unclips Khirad’s hair as if he had never seen her before. How unaffected and simple that image was , no grandiose promises or flowery poetry just the sweetness of moment.

GOOD NEWS FOR Crazy Humsafar Fans : FARHAT ISHTIAQ has very generously agreed to answer some questions on Humsafar . I know we die hard fans all have a few things to ask so go ahead and I will pass them on :)

written by Sadaf