Malika and Raza’s relationship in Pamaal feels painfully familiar – it’s the story of countless households across South Asia. The drama doesn’t just show us what a toxic marriage looks like; it also holds up a mirror, reflecting the struggles so many women face behind closed doors.
If you’ve been keeping up with Pamaal – and especially if you’ve scrolled through the comment section – you’ve probably noticed something striking. Nearly 60–70% of the comments come from women saying, “This is my life.” They talk about being stuck in marriages that might not be completely toxic but are undeniably suffocating – relationships where love fades, respect disappears, and walking away isn’t as simple as it sounds.
So the question naturally arises: why don’t they just leave? If the relationship drains you, if it feels toxic, why is it so hard for a woman to say, “Enough, I’m done”?
Watching Malika’s journey so far, many of us have asked the same thing: Why does she keep going back? Why doesn’t she walk away from a marriage where only she has to bend, adjust, and sacrifice?
Here are three reasons why Malika couldn’t leave Raza – and why so many women find themselves trapped in the same cycle.
1. It Takes Time To Realize You’re Being Hurt
As an audience, it’s so easy to judge and ask, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” But the truth is, a girl often enters a marriage full of hope and dreams. When that hope is crushed, it’s not something she can process overnight.
The reality is that whether a girl is educated or not, victims of emotional abuse often go through the same gradual process: first denial, then confusion, and slowly understanding that what’s happening to them is wrong. From the outside, it seems obvious – “Why didn’t you just speak up?” – but for the person living it, it’s a slow, painful awakening. It takes time to even acknowledge that the love they believed in has turned into something harmful.
2. The Thin Line Between Possessiveness And Control
At first, Malika thought Raza’s behavior was just possessive love. He couldn’t stand her being frank with her cousin, didn’t want her stepping out of the house, always wanted to “protect” her – all of it seemed caring, even romantic.
But what Malika didn’t realize is that possessiveness and control are not the same thing. Raza wasn’t just possessive; he was controlling. And like many women, she didn’t process it immediately. The first time he crossed the line, she was happy that he was “protecting” her. Even when her mother warned her, “Dekho Malika beta, mard ke is rawaiyye se, aurat bohat jaldi bezaar hojati hai.” Malika didn’t fully understand.
This is a pattern seen in many relationships: early on, controlling behavior can feel like care, and it takes time – and repeated experiences – to recognize it for what it really is.
3. Love Bombing Keeps You Trapped
One of the hardest things to see from the outside is how some partners keep their victims trapped with love bombing. It’s when someone hurts you, then overwhelms you with affection, gifts, or apologies – making you forgive and forget, even when the behavior is repeated.
In Pamaal, Raza does this with Malika. He might shout at her, act controlling, or make her feel small, but then he immediately apologizes, showers her with love, or does something “sweet” to make up for it. For example, after a big argument where he oversteps her boundaries, he might later bring her a gift or say something like, “I just want to take care of you, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Malika forgives him almost instantly, forgetting the hurt, and the cycle continues.
This pattern – hurt, apology, love bomb, repeat – makes it incredibly difficult for anyone to step back. It creates confusion: you feel loved one moment and trapped the next. And over time, even intelligent, educated women like Malika can find themselves stuck in a relationship they know isn’t healthy, simply because the love bombing keeps them holding on.
Pamaal is initiating conversations that are long overdue. About love, control, abuse, and the subtle ways relationships can suffocate someone without them even realizing it. It makes us reflect on what’s normal, what’s toxic, and how society often overlooks these struggles.
What do you think? Have you noticed these patterns in real life or in other stories? Share your perspective in the comments, this conversation is important for all of us to have.
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