Kafeel just made a case for second chances at life, love and happiness for women like Zeba and we are not sure whom we want to give a shout out to the most – Sumera, Subuk, Usman or even Jami himself. And if this wasn’t enough to make us smile and tear up all at the same time, Daneen’s father addressing Subuk’s concerns about his marriage to Daneen just sealed the deal – Kafeel you have our heart, all of it.
Subuk approaching Sumera about his mother was what we had secretly hoped for but thought too good to be true. His understanding, that although he is fully able to take care of his mother and not back off, but still wanting his mother to have a second chance at a fulfilling relationship seemed to address all of society – women like Zeba have every right to dream again. If Zeba wants, she can seek another chance at life and love, and the least we can do is facilitate her if there is even the slightest chance that she can.
Jami approaching Zeba’s mom (the correct protocol in a traditional household), to propose to her daughter checked all the right boxes. And while Zeba’s mom echoed the voice of ‘log kya kahenge’ continuously repeating that she (Zeba) is a mother of grown daughters who will soon be of marriageable age, and how can a self-respecting woman think of her own marriage now, we felt the urge to tell her that if she had not hurried with Zeba’s marriage to Jami earlier, her daughter might still be happily married to the right Jami. Not just that, but now, she has a chance to correct her mistakes and say yes to Jami – so just do it!
Jami’s response and insistence that Nikah is the right of every woman, and one should not deny her that right, was a fitting answer. But what really won the conversation was Usman trying to make his mother realize that Zeba has every right to a second chance in life. And, how wrong she was to get his sister married hurriedly when Zeba should have pursued her studies instead. How, even if she, Zeba’s mother could not correct the wrongs done to Zeba, Usman was in a place now, and old enough to make it all right. Usman, you snatched the words out of our mouth, and it was all we could do not to give you a standing ovation. Zeba needs a brother like you, and we hope you’re sending goals to every brother who’s looking out for his sister.
Subuk and Daneen’s relationship had reached breaking point, and we wondered how the script could set it back on the course of a ‘happily ever after’. All we needed now was for Daneen’s father to tell Subuk about his own life journey and how, marriage to the right person can mean a blessing for everyone, that there is a reward for hard work and that he trusts Subuk will be able to eventually provide for Daneen and give her the lifestyle he feels she deserves. Subuk’s tearful eyes expressed his emotions in ways perhaps that words might have failed him. He seemed to feel an immense sense of relief, as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest—the whole moment was captured and performed sensitively. The best part? Nothing seemed forced and the audience held on to every word – one must trust and believe in the goodness, intention and abilities of others, and that’s what Daneen’s father conveyed to Subuk, to trust in himself – and perhaps this is what Subuk needed to hear in order to instill confidence in himself and to motivate himself to work for a happy, fulfilling life for Daneen.
We have not forgotten the lighthearted conversation between Jami and Zeba where Jami invited her to come drop off the groceries herself, so he could meet her once more, and their earlier conversation in the grocery store as well. Jami meeting up with Zeba’s children was another endearing scene that felt totally organic and natural. This, followed up by Subuk reading the message on Zeba’s phone by chance was the cherry on top.
The wheels have been set in motion, and now perhaps the most challenging task will be to convince Zeba to say yes. The idea that a woman, a single mother, cannot allow herself to contemplate a second marriage is so ingrained in our mindsets that Zeba has completely denied herself the liberty of even thinking that this is at all a possibility. We wait for the script to give us yet another winning episode as everyone in Kafeel wins over Zeba. The message will go a long way in shifting our perspectives as a society.
Kafeel has shown the way to multiple families and single mothers that life must not end for a woman if her marriage does not work out. A second chance at love is something every woman deserves if that is what she wants. Allow the Zeba’s of this world to dream once more, and make those dreams a reality. All we need to do is stand by them – be the Sumera, Subuk, Usman or even Jami in their lives!
Drama Kafeel is penned by Umera Ahmed and directed by Meeesam Naqvi featuring Sanam Saeed, Emaad Irfani, Hasan Khan, Aashir Wajahat, Areeka Haq, Nooray Zeeshan and more.
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