Where there are mirages, can there be anything other than false hopes.
Laila now has a little more clarity that her hopes and expectations from marriage ring hollow. From Mansoor’s tepid reaction to her pregnancy to her mother-in-law’s practically disapproving remarks, and belittling behavior – Un sab khaanno mein mehnat kahan, tumhe bunna nahin atta? – leaves Laila wondering how she is failing them on this tried and tested path to being a good biwi and bahu.
Any hesitations that she voices to the person that led her down this garden path –complete with elliptical references to malis and phul – is countered with a need to up her medication – both folic acid and dopamine. Mercifully, for her character, Alishba chose internal torment over damsel in distress (or intellectually challenged moron) and has our sympathies.
Her mother clearly doesn’t want to deal with any thorns strewed on that path. She does however, object to not following societal norms and practices – mithai nahi bhejwai? In practice what you preach style she tells Laila to ignore her saas, ignore Mansoor’s distant nature, and then only will she achieve bliss. Ma’am may I please have some of what you are smoking?
Laila’s father on the other hand, has a better reading of his daughters confusions and still tries to keep her hope alive and give her strength in both big and little ways. Laila’s daily visits home attest to her need for that kind of unconditional all-encompassing love. He isn’t just a fauji for show, he embodies the courage, dependability and judgment his profession demands and in good time the justice he will mete out will be worth the wait.
Though somehow, with such speedy establishing of all the character, I can’t help but think that some things are getting repetitive. Laila’s enduring little heartbreaks, Kuku’s attempt at staying away from Mansoor yet yearning for him, Mansoor’s cold withdrawal from Laila, and Khurram’s repeated blunders (not to mention all the baby-jaan-ing) , all finely established so do they need to keep being reiterated?
Laila and Kuku shared another poignant moment where Laila reveals her fear and crumbling hopes. That Kuku knows she is her lover’s wife, and the one responsible for Laila’s empty marriage adds a certain pathos to both their situations. Kuku can’t find it in her to give Laila the words of comfort she seeks as she desperately tries to project happiness and contentment that she doesn’t feel.
Of course the highlight was the meeting of the couples and it played out with Laila being a gracious (and so pretty) host, Khurram making a case for his distinguished palate and trading recipes with the flourish of a seasoned home maker and cook, and Kuku having to keep her composure on seeing a very tangible vision of what could have been hers. That composure does give way but she refuses to let anyone see.
While Kuku keeps Mansoor at arms length, he seems to be back in his thrill of the chase mode. He humours Khurram’s questions even as he has no qualms about ignoring his wife in front of others. I hope we see some redeeming features in Mansoor soon because as of now, his cold and calculating moves make him into quite the misogynist.
Sohail Sameer’s glint in his eye when he says Come come to Laila, was terribly unnerving and Laila was probably having nightmares about that am sure. He’s a fine fine actor he is.
But the person who always steals the show, is the amiable Mrs. Khan who seems always at the ready with the right remedy – doughnuts, coffee and a good helping of Chinese food. She allows Kuku her little admissions and then brushes them away with joke or a laugh. Maybe to ground Kuku, maybe to keep her guessing : to divulge or not to divulge? That is the question.
MM (aka A musing Muslim)
