Which part of the story do you relate to – the loveless marriage or the love story? The poetry continues but this time … Sakina has finally managed to get under Maqsood Sahib’s skin & Hajra was there to see it – great timing there! Insha struggles with relationship woes & a father who fails to notice her.
When Maqsood Sahib reached out for Sakina, we understood the full reality of the drama in the lives of the occupants in Hajra’s home. “If this were my home, you wouldn’t be here”, utters Hajra to Sakina, and THAT said it all – a precursor to the final show of affection from Maqsood Sahib that drove home the impact of 20 lost years in one instance!
Can you really resent the other woman when you are trapped in a loveless marriage yourself?
Very well played Hadiqa Kiani and Sania Saeed jee! Hajra makes Sakina realize that if you’re not in love with your husband (as Sakina surely isn’t) and if your husband isn’t in love with you (as Maqsood Sahib surely isn’t), then the other woman is less of a threat & more of a friend, a companion with whom you exchange notes on the man in your life.
Women become territorial about their husbands when they are loved, or are in love with them. Hajra is surely in love with Maqsood Sahib (remember Hajra inhaling the cologne in his room), but she’s defeated in the love department from his side. Hence she can’t fight for a man who was never her’s to begin with.
Maqsood however, is totally in love with Sakina – even so, and is definitely fighting for her … uh huh get it now?
It’s all about love, folks. Bee Gul is asking us to step out of our pre-defined notions of husband-wife relationships to acknowledge that love, oh well, love – written about forever, does not always come from within the confines of a married relationship, or many years of companionship. First love is a mad kind of love, an unforgettable kind of love, …and if it stays unfulfilled, we will always pine for it, and return to it throughout our lives.
And that, my dear readers is Raqeeeb Se in a nutshell. Whatever else happens is just part of the love story between these 2 unfortunate people – Maqsood & Sakina.
Oh Insha, You’re Exactly Like Your Father, Can’t You See It?
Insha follows in her father’s footprints without knowing it. Can you really resent your father & yet, be a carbon copy of him? Insha when she tends to Sakina gives us Maqsood Sahib shades. In the way she cares for Abdur Rehman, becomes impatient with her mom, and manages her own life independently – Insha is Maqsood Sahib – honest, forthright & always wanting to do the ‘right’ thing.
Insha is unforgivingly faithful, committed & perhaps, as emotional as Maqsood Sahib was at one time, when he was young & in love. But Insha can’t see that, can she? If only daughters could see their fathers at a younger age, they might spot the glaring similarities. Great character development there from Bee Gul.
Insha and Abdur Rehman Future Dynamics
Do your father’s words play on your conscience despite your staunchest resolve for them not to?
Insha wants to believe that Abdur Rehman will make it in the big bad world, but will he? She might not be as sure now as she was before her father warned her. There’s something about confident young girls – it only takes one token of fatherly advice to create a doubt in their minds.
Ameerah Jee, You Are Blatantly Crushing On Maqsood Sahib?
And finally, the toughest one … can you really have a crush on your mom’s ex? Ameerah, Ameerah, Ameerah … how will Maqsood Sahib deal with your full-on action, dialogues & (over) enthusiasm? And more importantly, will you be successful in moving in to take over Hajra & Insha’s place in Maqsood Sahib’s life? Seems like there’s going to be a showdown very soon, and this time it will be the women in the house who will instigate it.
For now, many Hajra’s, Sakina’s & Maqsood’s all over the world might be watching their own life story unfold, or relate to a part of the love story (or loveless marriage) as their own. Raqeeb Se is a drama that tells us what it means to do the right thing in life & to sacrifice your happiness for other’s wellbeing. Keep watching, coz we need more of that in 2021!
