Is rishtay ki buniyad hi teekh nahi hai. Rishtay aisay bantain hain kiya?
It’s a statement that Wali verbalizes loudly to Mehjabeen about Neelum. Yet, it is ironic how this is equally applied to Mehjabeen and Wali’s relationship as well. This taboo, this incomprehensible mismatch is sole crux of Neelum’s anger and that one slap, the thapar reminds her of her position in Wali’s life and in the hawili. Neelum runs away. Her missing being and the emotional confrontations between Wali himself and Mehjabeen constructed a chunk of episode four.
Masloon ka haal jazbaat main nahi, aik dosroon ko samjhnay main hota hai Wali
And who from all the characters under stand each other better. The one painful look that Wali gives Mahjabeen in explaining his dilemma with Neelum’s situation and when she gazes back at him silently, soothing him with her unspoken words and silence. Both Mahjbaeen and Wali understand Neelum’s sentiments. But unlike Neelum they have accepted the strange tidings of their relationship and even Neelum’s entry into their life. For Wali all of this is unavoidable circumstance. Mehjabeen has already surrendered herself to the Haveli’s wall. She is a ghost of her past and nothing to look forward to for the future For Neelum this is all made up tradition that trumpts one’s faith in controlling their own destiny.
The highlight scene of the episode should have been Neelum and her mother’s confrontation that was sadly not played well due to mediocre acting. Neelum is finally found in her school and she confronts her mother with all the questions, everyone else seems to avoid. How good is a custom, great anymore when everybody else seems miserable? The emotional blackmail wears Neelum out and she might have succumbed to her family’s wishes once but seeing Wali one more time as a tangible proof of a life she is to follow, makes her run away from them all again. It isn’t until Wali catches her and apologizes to her in 3 syllables, does she calm down and sees that Wali is also the victim, the puppet of tradition he cannot control.
One thing for sure has been established by Numm. Sarmaad Khoosat always has a pair of mustache ready for all his cameo appearances. I don’t know why I cringe at Mehjabeen and her “forbidden love scene” because the cheeko face that Sarmaad makes takes away all the seriousness or the affection and I just almost burst out laughing. Anybody else feels that way? Aside from the cheesiness of these scenes, they do help us put the puzzle of Mejhabeen and Wali’s past. Amtul was infact not part of Baray Sahab’s family and her marriage to Wali’s father was, his own choice. Wali’s yet to be named uncle is sure that if his brother can get away from such “atrocity,” asking for Mehjabeen’s hand should not be such a big barrier. Not only that but Wali’s father is well aware of his brother’s interests as well. However I am waiting to find out what really went wrong and how? Not also that but the question of who Neelum is and how is she related to Sikandar Bakh’s family is also still in work. It is also still a mystery as to how much Wali knows about Mehjabeen’s past.
Numm is beautifully layered and complex. The story provides ample suspense and mystery without taking away from the character growth and revelations. There are no good and bad people here. They are human beings, driven by emotions, their hearts bleed, and they make mistakes and her bound by events so out of their control. For me as a student, this drama is a great example of show and tell… this is to me story telling and handling a narrative at its best. I just only wish that Neelum and her mother could have been played by bit more experienced actors. While Kinza Wayne tries her best, she is largely overshadowed by a powerhouse of actors.
P.s. would anyone please knock on the door of the music score and sound crew and tell them the dangers of overpowering music score *cough Batman cough* in the background and ear infections from the horrible sound coverage of the drama! Yet a better idea, just mute it off completely. Thank you!
And lastly of all, nothing makes a drama more fun then all your comments :D thanks for all of them and such insightful discussions, and my dear Sadaf for covering me when I am away.
Written by Maria
