I read somewhere that love was a chemical reaction, something unearned and unqualified by reason or self-preservation. It happens because some molecule is released deep inside our brains and while our conscious self, and the experiences that formed it, complacently supposes to rule us, this thief steals in and begins to weaken all our defenses. Kashaf and Zaroon did not interact so much in this episode but they have entered each other thoughts, they may not have had a single conversation today but they look like the two pieces of a puzzle waiting to fit together. She complains to her sister of her clash with him and he writes “dehkney mein itni buri nahin hai pur boley mein bohat buri hai”.

I have to give the greatest credit to the director Sultana Siddiqui for surpassing last week’s smooth but fast tempo .The story is beautifully woven together and I dare not breathe for missing something, because not a scene is wasted. The cinematography, the camera angles make even the most mundane conversations look vital and interesting. Some of the dialogues were strange for twenty two year olds. Zaroon’s preference for Julia Roberts was so embarrassing that I think Fawad deliberately mumbled his way through that line. What young man in his twenties even knows who Julia Roberts is? Megan Fox, Emma Stone or even Aunty Angelina Jolie might have worked but Nanni Amee Julia..?

The episode opens with Zaroon, Asmara and Usama leaving the lecture hall/room where last week’s clash between Kashaf and Zaroon ended. Zaroon and Asmara are predictably offended and annoyed at Kashaf’s rather rude behavior .Usama is not and I immediately thought of poor old Ron Weasley. Zaroon maybe Usama’s best friend but being the friend of the “chosen  one” or” golden boy” must be wearing. No wonder Usama is pleased to find at least one girl immune to his friend’s effortless charms. Perhaps that is why we see him gazing at Kashaf (come on yaar , you just met her), like a child at a birthday cake later in the episode. I had been looking forward to more from Sheheryaar Munawer , who was one of the few saving graces Of Merey Dard ko Jo Zuban Miley, but he needs to work on underplaying some of his reactions and dialogue delivery, especially in group conversations.

The story did not move forward much today but we did get deeper, important insights into Kashaf and Zaroon’s respective worlds. Zaroon’s parents are good friends with Asmara’s parents and are planning to ask Zaroon if he is interested enough to marry his “close friend”. It is hardly surprising Zaroon’s mother does not seem to understand her son; she spends precious little time with her family and has some sort of high flying career. What is strange is the way Zaroon keeps challenging her when he should be used to her personality,after all he is her son. Perhaps he is finally outgrowing his childhood and beginning to evaluate his parent’s relationship with a more mature mind and it is obvious he does not like what he sees. I am again at a loss to know where this “irresponsible “label he keeps getting, comes from. Again we see him worrying after his sister, asking about his mother and actually skipping a date with friends to spend time with his lonely father. Fawad as usual, plays the whole thing with seemingly effortless ease. I loved the scene when his Sir/ Uncle call him in to discuss punctuality and he pretends to fall asleep from boredom. Poor Zaroon, so used to being first and winning without really trying, is suddenly surprised to get a C this episode. I loved Fawad’s almost comic incredulity as he scan’s Kahsaf’ papers to see what constitutes an A. The chemistry between Behroz Sabswari and Fawad is great and yes I am reminded of Humsafer…

Kashaf however is not happy, she wanted an A+ .She is intelligent but her real advantages over Zaroon are her complete, almost painful humility and a willingness to work hard. By her second day she is not bothered with competing in looks and clothes but in her abilities.  Yes , Sanam Saeed  is pretty( all the dull clothes and toned down make up cannot hide that) but that look of resolve and quiet strength she gave her character won me over. The only jarring note was her jealous attitude towards the “cool crowd.” However, that is how the writer, Umera Ahmed, has framed Kashaf’s character.

A chance meeting between Hammad( Kashaf’s half-brother) and Rafia (Kashaf’s mother) reveals to their father’s other family that Kashaf is indeed going to University. Enraged and worried about their so called “Izzat” Waseem Abbas brings his character’s elder brother to Kashaf’s house to impose his nephew’s  rishta  on her. Sameena Peerzada is one of the greatest actresses of Pakistan and she keeps proving it. I was not a great fan of her Nanni character in Sheher e Zaat but I wish every mother was like Rafia. She is polite but refuses to allow anyone to humiliate or force her children into anything. No clichéd concepts of ‘Izzat”,Women being alone in this world or needing Men, cloud her judgment .What a beautiful role model Umera Ahmed has presented, and Sameena Peerzada brings it  to life with  great dignity and grace.

I am covering for Maria, but I promise she will be back to give you her own unique and fun insights to this series next week.

BTW did anyone notice the beautiful music from Durr e Shehwar in the background in a couple of Sameena Peerzada’s scenes?

Oh, and I am team  Kashaf this week  :)

[polldaddy poll=6731441]

Written by Sadaf

Addition from Faraz

I had promised Maria much much before that i will cover  Zindagi Gulzar hai’s episode of Dec 14th but i got busy with some work related stuff hence had to ask Sadaf to rescue me out ( sadaf you are a sweet heart)   but woh kehtey hai na kay ungli katta ker shaheedoon mein naam likhwana :P so Maria i am putting my bit  :P yesterday i was chatting with Sadaf about ZGH and in the meanwhile asked my chai wala to bring Andaa Ghootala :P and guess what… the paper in which the roti was wrapped had a big ZGH poster :D  matlab Zindagi ajj kal her taraf say Gulzar hai ;)