So, Abu Bakar takes Zaryab out, tries to do small talk but she’s sitting there like a mannequine (a very pretty one at that) but she does respond eventually…when Abu Bakar mentions “you like Pasta, right?”

Abu Bakar: Hamare rishte ki ma
Zaryab: Mere hi kehne pe ho rahi hai.

Zaryab’s reasons for marrying Abu Bakar and her internal commentray. She doesn’t say the real reason: just to prove Zamil wrong, ki ek practicing Muslim kabhi Zaryab se shaadi nahin karega.

Abu Bakar talks about his conditions, she agrees; he says he can’t afford the lifestyle Zaryab is used to, she agrees.

I like how she’s shattering inside, almost breaks down but recovers. Direction is so nuanced (except some pronunciation mistakes that have slipped in, several times).

When he comes to drop her home, he gifts her a very pretty chador (baqayeda odhata hai). And leaves Zaryab to ponder over herself, Zamil and Abu bakar.

~

The Answer is No

Kishwar Jahan sees Zaryab, asks about Abu Bakar, and then Zaryab:

“they don’t know that America mein main aur Zamil ek dusre ke saath rehte thhe.”

Kishwar Jahan is shocked. How could she not know? I mean, I understand “hum dono saath rehte thhe” had a different meaning than “we were roommates”, and in that regard her shock and hurt was justified.

By the way, since Abu Bakar has not asked her anything (objections that Zamil raised, noob muslim), Zaryab doesn’t want to marry Abu Bakar now.

On the other hand, her parents are planning to ask Abu Bakar to do the exact same things that he doesn’t want to: moving to Karachi, moving abroad.

Later, Kishwar Jahan ponders if she should keep the “truth” to herself or let Khushbakht know. I like the reference to “islam to nuqs wala maal bechne bhi batane ki takeed karta hai” in this case. I think Abu Bakar kinda knows on some level?

Khushbakht comes to see Kishwar Jahan and Kishwar Jahan tells her without saying anything out loud.

Kishwar Jahan: “Main Zaryab ko tumhare bete ka naseeb nahin bana sakti.”

Khushbakht: “Aapko parda rakhne chahiye thha, jaise barson pehle aap ne mera rakha thha. Zaryab ke liye bhi aur hamare liye bhi.”

And then Khushbakht takes off Z&Z ring off Zaryab’s finger for naap.

Review

Very interesting episode. I have problems but I’m liking it.

One thing that I didn’t mention last time but it bothered me a lot, a LOT, was the contrast: Abu Bakar bahot mazhabi hai but he doesn’t mind hugging a person from opposite gender, or holding hand. I know we all make compromises on “our” standards of Islam (shame on us) but this felt too contradictory for me.

UA sort of addresses this by saying “I’m not pious, I’m not fully practicing, and I’m not virtuous”. But khatak raha hai phir bhi.