So, back to this one after a year and half. Isn’t that something?
So, episode 15 is here. For a refresher course, check old episodes.
Since I barely recall anything except for a few character names, here is a recap:
In my last post about Maala (Maala Episode 14 review), I had noted how fast time flew in 2023. That was in August 2023, and it’s exactly a year and a half. eighteen months, can you believe it?
Maala Episode 15 Recap & Review
Disclaimer: This isn’t a proper review. These are just thought dumps at 2:47 AM. Don’t be fooled by the format. I use the same format for all the reviews.
Spoiler Alert
In classic Nemrah style, the story takes two steps forward and several steps back. After all it’s her non linear narrative and shocking revelations that make her young reader’s favourite author. If I talk much about the plot, I might spoil it for others but then what’s the point of writing s review if not summarising the story and spoiling it, haha.
Alright so here are the few things that stood out.
Ain’t My Cuppa
I still remember why I didn’t want to read this novel anymore.
A. because the whole jaadu and uloom bit was too heavy for me and
B. It seemed like the author was trying to promote the idea of “not having” a family whether it’s the use of contraceptions (I think it was episode 12?) or abortion.
Written words have the power to influence young minds, and I feel that even the slightest hint of this was offputting to me. I don’t know what nemrah has planned. This was just now I felt after reading the episode (again, was it episode 12?).
I might be wrong, and the author may not have wanted to perpetuate these ideas. All of this might just be a plot device to further the plot, but it somehow put me off and I stopped reading the novel. There may be other reasons but now is not the time to delve into my personal life.
Maala’s Fears
Maala didn’t want to start a family, and yet…
We all saw it coming, though, didn’t we?
That Maala would be expecting and she would have doubts about keeping the baby. Just to recap what we have been reading through the episodes,
- Ziyad and Maala married because of Sehr-e-Ishq and
- Sehr-e-Ishq ke nateeje mein hone wali aulad ke peechhe jadugar hamesha aata hai.
Now that Maala knows the truth about Nageena (about time huh?), she wants to be rid of her unborn daughter. How does she know it is beyond me. If it was mentioned somewere, I may have skipped over that section.
Needed a bit more proof reading
There were a mistakes that could have been refined with one more round of proof reading. Switching from tum to aap when Sabreena was talking to Mahir (yeah, she’s alive). In one place, it was chali gayin instead of chali gayi. One ‘n’ at the end makes a lot of difference. These were the two I noted. There were a couple more.
Me Time is Important, Peeps!
The conversation was between Mahir and his therapist Yasmeen was interesting . Yasmeen repeatedly told Mahir to stay away from Maala as her divorce is being finalized, give her space and not be the rebound (not that our boy mahir would listen). I liked how she emphasized the importance of working on yourself which could be after a divorce or after any bad relationship; after dealing with any shitty situation in general.
Birbal’s Funny One-Liners
Birbal was awesome as usual.
There was one scene where Birbal was figuratively rolling his eyes over Zara’s tantrums. Zara was shown to be that person who leaves your side during crisis. It touched a nerve reminded me of people who are exactly like Zara. Birbal doesn’t like Zara for that very reason. #relatableAF
Fear No Human or Jinn
Mahir Farid conquered his fears. Usko kisi insaan aur jinn se dar nahin lagta. Uska Allah pe bharosa bahot mazboot hai aur hamara nahin. Yehi hamare ma’ashre kiasab se bada fitna hai filhal. Hum insanon se darte hain, Allah se nahin.
Flashback Time
We learn about the day this novel had begun. Mahir Farid and Malik in that hotel room, searching for Maala.
Nageena’s Audacity
Kashmala confronted nageena and Nageena swung the blame on Kashmala for everything. When a person deviates from the path of righteousness they find a million reasons to justify their actions. Nageena proved it. A lesson for all of us.
And Misc
- Malik was na enigma as usual.
- I want to know more about Hilal and what Badr has turned out to be.
- Maala goes through the “procedure”. Khel khatam.
- Reading about Vancouver and granville island brought back memories. Those were the good times, yaaw.
Dil chahta hai mera bachpan meinlaut jaun
~
Let me know how you felt about this episode. You can comment, or email me.
~~~
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