Unlike the previous episodes, this one was a little depressing. I have been applauding the efforts of team Mol for keeping things realistic and natural, but as much as I hate to say this, there was a lot about this episode that became a little hard for me to digest. Sheheryaar and Emaan are a treat to watch, but it becomes very difficult for me to sit through the scenes concerning Sheheryaar’s family.
So our strong, calm and composed Emaan is now shattered and inconsolable. All of Emaan’s dreams and plans for the future were attached to her desire to become a mother. Emaan wanted a simple life with her husband and children, and kids may not be ‘khushiyon ki zamanat’ for Sheheryaar, but for Emaan, they certainly are. She imagined herself in that role since as long as she can remember, and needless to say, she greets this huge blow with shock, grief, depression, anger, and frustration. The trip to Sukkur did little to make her feel better, and I have to say that all the parents here (except for Imtiaz Sahab, I think) put me off big time. Emaan’s mother thinks that Emaan should have kept Sheheryaar in the dark! I understand that she has her fears, but I think it was very foolish of her to say that. Emaan has always been very honest with Sheheryaar and I like how she never keeps things from him. Naveen Waqar is brilliant as Emaan. She owns the character and it certainly feels like she understands Emaan’s pain and suffering –job well done!
It’s true that Sheheryaar can’t gauge the intensity of the pain Emaan’s going through right now, but I love the way he is trying to cope with this like a mature and supportive husband. Taking Emaan to Sadhu Bela in the middle of the night, returning to Karachi on her insistence, his genuine concern for her, the way he reassures her of his support, the way he encourages her to hope for the better and how he keeps reminding her that not having kids wouldn’t change the way he sees this relationship – Sheheryaar Hassan, in this episode, proved to be a genuinely caring husband. Dealing with this blow may not be as tough for Sheheryaar as it is for Emaan, but it’s not that easy, either. This is a difficult time for both Sheheryaar and Emaan, but I like the fact that they’re dealing with it the way a mature couple should. Instead of refusing to talk about it, they are discussing it and Sheheryaar, in particular, is trying to think of a possible solution. I am pleased that the mention of adoption made Emaan feel better, and I hope they seriously consider it. I really liked the way Sheheryaar responded to Humayun when the latter came to visit him. Sheheryaar takes offence when his parents insult his wife, and I like the way he defends Emaan in front of Humayun. He is not one of those gutless husbands who can’t gather the courage to stand up for their wives, and that, I tell you, is a relief.
There is almost nothing genuine, interesting or realistic about Sheheryaar’s family. First off, Sajal’s behavior is NOT normal! A lovely young girl who literally has her whole life ahead of her and can do just about anything she wants to, chooses to spend her day cleaning the store to discover some long forgotten pictures of a guy she was supposed to get married to – wakey,wakey, Zareena: your daughter needs to see a psychiatrist! Then, the way Sajal gets hold of the reports was downright stupid! Who on earth displays medical reports like that? And Sajal, who is perhaps one of the most bubble-brained characters I’ve come across, turns out to be so sharp that it took barely a minute for her to read and interpret the report! Sheheryaar’s family always finds something new to obsess over; previously it was Sheheryaar and Sajal’s shaadi, and now it’s the waaris.
Naturally, Emaan has started to spend a whole lot more time with Shahnaam. Rohail’s sister will be making her entry soon and I am guessing it’s Zainab Qayyum (ZQ). Let’s see how the story unfolds now. Did you watch this episode? Voice your thoughts!
Maryam Mehdi
