A few days ago, I had the most unpleasant encounter on a five hour drive to my uncle’s house. By the time I got to our destination, all I wanted was a pain killer to get rid of my headache. The reason for my headache? Well … I was sitting in a van with five other sisters who could not keep peace between themselves for more than five minutes. If one of them has a headphone, the other one wants that one; one cannot pass a sweater without getting into an argument, “she pinched me”, “I want to listen to that song, why did you change it” etc. One thing that even angered me more was my aunt and uncle’s constant approval of their youngest daughter’s demands…and because they kept on fulfilling her every wish and need at whim, it started to antagonize the two older ones. Since i have been sister deprived, for first time I learned directly how hard it is to keep peace between sisters and how tiny things can just lead to animosity and jealousy, so coming to Zard Mausam… I had to wonder from all the hatred, animosity brewing up between Mehru, her daughters and Aiman, how will the battlefield play out? Why exactly did Mehru always pretend to go out of her way to be there for a young Aiman in presence of Waqar, even discarding her children’s desires and wishes? Today’s episode of Zard Mausam answered many such questions, but before I discuss some important character developments, I just want to highlight the main points from the episode.
Today plot wise, the story did not move forward much. We were given more insight into the building hostility between Aiman, Mehru and Momo Jojo and Babar acting as a mediator between both sides. As a viewer, I predicting a more grandeur of an explosion in Mehur’s household as Aiman tries to raise a hand on her stepmother. In retaliation, instead Mehru tells this developing mutiny to Waqar and he simply tells Aiman to go apologize to Mehru. The girl’s school results come back and it is apparent that Momo and Jojo have passed with better results than Aiman. Babar promises Aiman that he will ask sir, that if Aiman can retake her exams. We also see more insight into the dynamics between the poota-dada relationships. The conversations between Mayra (Aiman’s friend) and Aiman also provide much insight into Aiman’s thoughts. The biggest explosion however comes towards the end as Mehru drags Aiman out of the house and throws her onto the street in a pouring thunderstorm. She is found by Babar and brought home. We see a very sweet scene between Aiman and Jojo (reminiscent of a scene between her and Mehru in earlier episodes), where she shows her care and sisterly feelings for Aiman.
In this episode, we know now exactly why Mehru has been acting great towards Aiman and it was brilliantly highlighted by the scene when Mehru hands in a very expensive suit to Aiman, right in front of Momo and Jojo. When Jojo looks at the suit with a painful envying expression, Babar’s words pierce Mehru and give us viewers poignant view into Mehrus thinking:
Babar: “app buhat zaheen hain, haar baat pay nazar rahati hai”
Mehru: “Chup rahoo”
Jojo: “ ami app nay aiman ko itna mengha suit kyon diya”
Mehru: “tum nahi samjhoo gi “
Babar: “laykin main sab samajh giya hoon.. ap kay saath raha kar saab samajh jaoon ga main ..jaab app ziyadati karti hain mujhay boohat ghusa aata hai”
Mehru: “ itna mengha suit dena ziyadati hai? “
Babar: “Ami app buhat achi tarhan janti hain kay main suit ki baat nahi karaha ”
When Mehru and Waqar both pay attention to Aiman’s needs, it definitely causes her step-sisters to become antagonized against her. In this episode we saw Momo being extremely rude to Aiman, her constant taunting of Aiman, while Mehru smirked from the back or smiled slyly (yes Sania Saeed is just spot on and has done a brilliant portrayal as a cunning stepmother). At least it answers the question, that Mehru, instead of creating a stir herself, is letting her daughters do the entire job. Both Momo and Jojo have always been given inferior status, by both parents and they have built a great animosity towards Aiman. Other then Babar, no one understands Aiman’s position and Babar clearly sees his mother brewing animosity between the sisters (e.g. handing a more expensive suit to Aiman). After all, if everyone in the house is againt Aiman, who will come for her rescue? Right? And Mehru has already gained enough trust from Waqar, that he has already turned deaf to his beloved daughter’s pleas and tears.
I also love how the characters were so established since the beginning, we know Momo is a hothead and still is, and Jojo although has some enmity between her and Aiman, she still cares for her and has a very soft spot and has certain innocence that she possesses just like she did when she was younger. To conclude, I honestly feel that along with Sirat-e-Mustaqeem, Zard Mausam is a wonderful addition to a list of dramas that are very under rated and mirror a very stark reality in our society. All the actors have wonderful chemistry with each other, each actor has done a brilliant job, the camera work, the angles, the music, I have nothing but praise for it.
My only peeve is that why is everyone calling Mohib’s character Sir when he clearly looks the same age as the girls and babar. Also to the make department, could we please get a little less eyeliner on Mohib. It looked like he walked straight from Sabz Pari Lal Kabootar set and landed there! It’s very distracting when Aiman has less makeup and eyeliner on then Sir…
Written by Maria Khan
