Last week it was bile rising, this week it is spilling all over the screen as the toxic battle for the bewa begins.
Mercifully, we were actually shown the closest approximation to real, thinking folk in this episode in the form of Rabia and her parents. Without mincing any words and standing on the strength of their spines and strong dialogue and also some pretty good delivery too, the trio managed to spell out in no uncertain terms both the warped logic and matlabi intentions of Rabia in-laws.
Well done Mira Sethi, you were terrific.
The plot thickens. Well, mostly because she is pregnant and prize property and the men of the house think they all entitled to their share – though I feel compelled to ask again, where is she going folks?
While Daddy dearest is mulling over pressure tactics to arm twist Zeeshan into this money grubbying arrangement, the other two farig men folk have designs of their own. Waleed is upset at being blind sighted yet again by his family in the search for safe keeping of Romaisa’s jayadat. Thankfully, his wife cuts him and his plans down to size and refuses as any sensible wife should, to give him permission to re-marry. Well, that and refusing to leave without a sizeable chunk of their property too.
Hassan is up to his old sleazy tricks of harassing Romaisa into submission. Zeeshan too is troubled by the turn of events, but as is the case with most of Adeel’s characters, the situation strums his hamdardi chords and you can see the possibility hovering in his head.
Apologies to Adeel’s attempt at a menacing grimace but despite trying to sound aggressive and intimidating, I didn’t exactly read threatening in that scene. Perhaps having him in uniform would have done the trick, or fed my fantasies if nothing else.
As for the chattel, she truly is stuck in between a rock and a hard place as all her choices are quickly shot down. Please keep Romaisa away from her feather-brained friend too. Wherefore are ties of sisterhood? Despite what I thought was an unnecessary voice over, her flashbacks left her with enough of a will to live, even if it has been beaten down, trod upon and blanketed in grief by a sea of tears. Sanam Jung finally gets a chance to emote and it’s clear why they give her these frail, helpless roles.
What takes away from it somewhat are these supposedly innocent-sweet moments to try and show her naivety and end up making her look like a moron. Please keep those scenes to a minimum with the camera trained on Nabeel, since with every flashback I shed a silent tear for Mikaal’s quick exit.
Ok so the stage is set. Zeeshan has his inner strife to deal with and Romaisa is sufficiently suffering and brain washed into accepting him. Rabia, honey, as is the case with the shelf life of sensible characters, looks like we have to bid adieu to you. Here’s hoping you leave on a high note!
MM (aka A musing Muslim)
