So, episode 13 is here. For a refresher course, check old episodes. Let’s quickly cover the ground.
I know, you are looking for link of episode 12 review. That’s because I didn’t do it, I don’t remember why. Things are quite hazy, cuz it has been a lot. Heck, I missed episode 13, and came back here while drafting a review for episode 14. Crazy, huh?
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Maala Episode 13 Review
How long has it been? Ages? I don’t even remember reading the previous episode, and I had no intention to read this one, because… But, my sister told me that the new episode is out, and asked me to read it until I relented. When it comes to coercing me to read something, my younger siblings are awfully perseverant.
Let’s quickly cover the ground.
Maala: Main iss duniya ki sab se bewaqoof aurat hoon.
I couldn’t agree more, Maala.
And to think that jer stupid act of confronting Ziyad for his lies hadn’t even come into play when she said that.
I wouldn’t recap much because a lot happened, from Mahir’s arrest to Maala’s domestic abuse, but there are a few things that stood out.
1. Al Haram and how you feel when you see Kaaba.
Nemrah is a word wizard and whatever she writes hits our heart ekdum thhah kar ke. How she has explained about the gates of Al Masjid Al Haram, and feeling when you suddenly spot Kaaba and forget to ask Allah’s blessings, it is all so true, but it is also what I have noted in my little journal that I don’t share with anyone. It proves that:
Everyone feels almost the same way upon ziyarat-e-kaaba.
And it isn’t about the words you use to describe that feeling, it’s the feeling itself. No matter how I describe it, you will never feel it until you see Kaaba with your own two eyes.
And this was the best part of this novel, reminding me of my stay there, as if I need more reasons to recall those days. I’ve been blogging about the same for the past week, come to think about it. What is about Makkah? Is this all a sign? Am I going back there soon? Allah, meri soch to sach bana dey. Ameen.
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2. A husband’s superiority over his wife
Whether it’s our heroine Maala or her bestie Rameen or her yet-to-be-mother-in-law Rabail, sab apne shauhar se haari hain. There is nothing truer about Muslim society. Whether it’s India or Pakistan or anywhere else in th world, the husbands never fail to assert their superiority over their women, not just wives.
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3. You’re your own savior
We got the first dose of this medicine in Haalim and now this. These are very profound word by Maalik and the interweaving of his word with the actual abuse happening with Kashmala makes it a fun-read. Nemrah is doing the interweaving very often in Maala, kinda like two frames showing two different events at the same time. Loving this technique
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4. Repetition
Because it’s gets the point across but puh-leez, we got this. I think Nemrah went a little overboard with the repetition of Ziyad’s words and then… Ziyad’s words-tum jante nahin ho mere baare mein. It was just his words we read repeatedly. Kuch zyada hi nahin ho gaya?
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The thing about Hilal and Badr
Hilal isn’t just a character. This episode introduced the concept of the moon’s transformation from Hilal to Badr and back. There is more to Mahir’s sister Hilal than meets the eyes. I’m curious to know more about her. Also, I’m curious to know about moon phases. I’m sure more is coming.
There is one more quote that I loved, apart from the one I started the review with:
Maahir: Maalik se kehna main uske malka ke mulk wapas aane ke liye tayar hoon.
Nice allteration, and also a nice deceit (I never said this review will be spoiler-free).
Let me know how you felt about this episode. You can comment, or email me. I’m on to episode 14 now.
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Until we meet again, check out my books on Amazon. You can subscribe for Kindle Unlimited for free for the first month, just saying 🙂
Shabana Mukhtar