Taking place mostly in the past, we are invited to explore the roots of Arfeen and Saba's relationship. Arfeen's family's resolute stance on his marriage proposal is only matched by his stubbornness in the matter. He falls completely head-over-heels over her and goes out of his way to meet and converse with her. The two are shown to have great chemistry and enjoy each other's company amid the displeased neighbourhood. They are like two roses intertwined together surrounded by a barren land. It seems as though Arfeen's parents have reluctantly begin to accept his longing for Saba as a wife, but they are met with some visibly devastating news in the form of a cliff-hanger which concludes the episode. Meanwhile the wires between Haider and Sara have begun to spark.
The situation with the Afreen and his family is hazardous though not uncommon in Pakistani culture. The family wants the son to be married to a respectable girl of their choice OR the son wants to be married to a hubba-hubba girl of his choice BUT the son is being stubborn and wants his freedom OR the family won't budge. It's like this dilemma is a compulsory part of your upbringing if you are from the subcontinent. It can often lead to grudges and discord. It's a shame that the inception of marriage, one of the most beautiful things in Islam and in life itself, can often be done through disharmony. Afreen's case is such an example.
I have reasons to side with the family's view but I also have reasons to side with Arfeen's. I won't go into that since we'll be here all day but its worth noting that if these people were following the Sunnah that they preach so much, they wouldn't be in this situation.
Arfeen's mother irritates me slightly. I can't tell whether it's because of the actress or the character but I feel frustrated at her. Every time Arfeen says something, she repeats it by putting emphasis on every single syllable before unleashing her Malcom Tucker-like response whilst spinning her Tasbi a little faster (without actually reciting anything). He could say "Mum, I'd like a cheeseburger" and she'd be like "You want a cheeseburger?! Then go and get your cheeseburger – just don't expect your mother to be here when you get back!" The character of the father, though not seen as much, appears much more restrained and his grief over the disobedience of his son seems realistic and, dare I say it, a tad touching.
The rest of the family play their part in acting superior and display their ignorance over the whole situation. After all, not a single one of them has acknowledged that Arfeen is in love with a woman. That's no small thing. Constantly cursing him over it is only going to strength his sense of unity with her because she'll be his only source of comfort.
The situation with the Afreen and his family is hazardous though not uncommon in Pakistani culture. The family wants the son to be married to a respectable girl of their choice OR the son wants to be married to a hubba-hubba girl of his choice BUT the son is being stubborn and wants his freedom OR the family won't budge. It's like this dilemma is a compulsory part of your upbringing if you are from the subcontinent. It can often lead to grudges and discord. It's a shame that the inception of marriage, one of the most beautiful things in Islam and in life itself, can often be done through disharmony. Afreen's case is such an example.
I have reasons to side with the family's view but I also have reasons to side with Arfeen's. I won't go into that since we'll be here all day but its worth noting that if these people were following the Sunnah that they preach so much, they wouldn't be in this situation.
Arfeen's mother irritates me slightly. I can't tell whether it's because of the actress or the character but I feel frustrated at her. Every time Arfeen says something, she repeats it by putting emphasis on every single syllable before unleashing her Malcom Tucker-like response whilst spinning her Tasbi a little faster (without actually reciting anything). He could say "Mum, I'd like a cheeseburger" and she'd be like "You want a cheeseburger?! Then go and get your cheeseburger – just don't expect your mother to be here when you get back!" The character of the father, though not seen as much, appears much more restrained and his grief over the disobedience of his son seems realistic and, dare I say it, a tad touching.
The rest of the family play their part in acting superior and display their ignorance over the whole situation. After all, not a single one of them has acknowledged that Arfeen is in love with a woman. That's no small thing. Constantly cursing him over it is only going to strength his sense of unity with her because she'll be his only source of comfort.