-
I would like to tell you something truthfully
-
Greetings.
-
And what if I refuse?
-
Then I won’t force you.
-
I know that our contract
-
doesn't cover this request.
-
and even if it did cover it,
-
I still couldn’t have taken you by force.
-
If Azka gets a divorce from that boy in one week
-
then we will get Zain and Azka married.
-
Otherwise
-
we’ll have to think of an alternate.
-
“Salat is better than sleep”
-
“God is Great”
-
“There is none worthy of worship except God”
-
You’re here so early in the morning, is everything alright?
-
Is Ma’am alright?
-
Yes, yes…she’s fine.
-
Then… why…?
-
I… uh… I wanted to offer my prayers.
-
So, go offer them.
-
I don’t know how to.
-
My mom taught me how to off my prayers in my childhood
-
but since I haven’t kept up with them in so many years so…
-
…I’ve forgotten them.
-
God is Great.
-
God is Great.
-
I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast devil.
-
I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast devil.
-
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
-
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
-
Azka?
-
Thank you.
-
I’m making coffee.
-
Would you like some?
-
Sugar?
-
Two spoons.
-
Okay
-
Being a doctor,
-
how come you have so much sugar?
-
I can’t drink unsweetened tea of coffee.
-
There you go.
-
What’s the matter?
-
Didn’t I get it right?
-
Its somewhat bland.
-
Here take this.
-
Shall I make you breakfast?
-
No.
-
Thank you.
-
uh…
-
All of us now know
-
that Azka went into a contractual marriage with you to give your mother a kidney.
-
Yes.
-
This is the very reason I wanted to speak to you…
-
you need to give Azka a divorce as soon as possible.
-
Why do you want that?
-
Not just I,
-
it’s the whole family that feels that way.
-
It’s because we can’t bear to see our Azka going through such suffering for too long.
-
And besides she’s now paid off her debt to you in full.
-
We wish
-
to get her married as soon as is possible.
-
Do you have a match in mind for her?
-
Yes.
-
It’s an excellent proposal.
-
Okay.
-
I’ll be leaving then.
-
Goodbye.
-
Goodbye.
-
Slowly… slowly.
-
Greetings, Greetings
-
Greetings.
-
A huge welcome back!
-
Please come inside.
-
I’m feeling so very happy that you’ve come back home all well again.
-
Please sit
-
I can’t be grateful enough to God.
-
He brought you as a blessing to our house.
-
We are grateful to God that He brought you back to the house well and in health.
-
Being back in this house after so many days I’m feeling such a sense of peace.
-
...And more than that
-
I feel that my home is now finally whole again.
-
My only wish for a long time was
-
that Azlan would have a loving partner in his life.
-
No matter how grateful I am to God, it can never be enough…
-
...because He sent you
-
into his life.
-
And now I’m going to fulfill all your dreams and wishes.
-
Azlan?
-
Yes?
-
The moment I’m well again
-
we now need to arrange a really fantastic a post wedding reception, to celebrate your wedding
-
Mom… a post wedding reception?
-
Yes, of course,
-
we do need to have one.
-
It was only because I ended up in hospital
-
otherwise, we should have had a reception by now.
-
Okay…
-
Greetings sister-in-law Kanwal, how are you?
-
I’m fine
-
How are you Zain?
-
I’m very well.
-
Did you speak to Azlan?
-
Yes, I did speak to him
-
but he hasn’t given me any answer as yet.
-
Have you spoken to Azka on this topic?
-
Yes, I have spoken to her, sister-in-law
-
but Azka is quite soft-hearted.
-
She’s silent because of Azlan’s mother’s illness.
-
Yes.
-
Its why I spoke firmly to Mr. Azlan.
-
Uh…
-
Sister-in-law, my family is really pressurizing me.
-
There’s lot of tension in my house because of this matter.
-
Uh…
-
It would be better if a solution could be found to this at the earliest.
-
I see, okay…
-
I’ll wait for a day or so and then have another word with him.
-
Yes, alright sister-in-law.
-
And sister-in-law, could you get a copy of Azka’s contract agreement at the time of the marriage.
-
My lawyer wants to have a look at it.
-
Why does he want to do that?
-
He wants to check that there aren’t any clauses
-
I mean
-
any terms that might worry and or create any problems for Azka and myself at some later date.
-
Okay…
-
Don’t worry, I’ll speak to them about it.
-
Don’t worry.
-
God willing, I will make sure you and Azka married.
-
Thank you so much, sister-in-law.
-
Goodbye.
-
Kanwal,
-
the job you’re thinking is going to be an easy job,
-
it’s not as easy as you think it is.
-
When Madam finds out.
-
Imagine what will happen then
-
Have you given that any thought?
-
No, I didn’t actually think about that.
-
Alright look leave it, Ma and you don’t think about it either!
-
God willing, everything will be fine.
-
Okay so aunty your blood pressure is a little high...
-
so you will take this medicine
-
and with that… this one.
-
If you take both these medicines you will be absolutely fine!
-
I’ll get the soup for her.
-
Yes, okay.
-
Azka you look after me so much that you never allow me to feel the lack of a daughter.
-
Okay so tell me something,
-
I haven't seen Samra around.
-
Where is she?
-
She actually had some… work at her own house so I said its fine, no worries.
-
And then the cook is there so don’t worry; we’re all there to look after you.
-
Yes, yes, that’s true.
-
Now why don’t you go and get some rest for a little while.
-
You’ve been sitting with me for so very long.
-
I will rest.
-
And
-
the thing is that I really enjoy sitting and talking to you.
-
To tell you the truth
-
even I enjoy it.
-
I feel a lot of peace when you’re sitting with me.
-
How’s Mom feeling?
-
She’s better.
-
I’m going to sit with Mom.
-
Why don’t you go get some rest?
-
Go on then.
-
Promise me
-
that you’ll take great care of my daughter-in-law.
-
And you need to promise me
-
that you will take care of yourself.
-
And I mean it, okay?
-
Fine then,
-
give me a small baby Azlan
-
because then I won’t need a doctor.
-
May I come in?
-
Yes.
-
Has your Mom gone to sleep?
-
Yes.
-
I had to speak to you about something.
-
Yes?
-
I went over to your house today.
-
Why?
-
Your sister-in-law asked me to come over.
-
She wants me
-
to give you a divorce as soon as possible.
-
And what reply did you give her?
-
I’m confused…
-
I have no idea what to do in this situation…
-
or what to say.
-
I don’t know
-
My family knows that this is a contract marriage.
-
And they want you to end this contract as quickly as possible.
-
Do you also want that?
-
I don’t have any reason to want otherwise.
-
And besides you made the particular contract for your safety.
-
Yes, but I didn’t know then that -
-
As to how to tell your mother the truth.
-
Mr. Azlan, I …
-
understand your problems,
-
understand your situation…
-
but
-
my living here in this house like this is inappropriate.
-
Your Mom and your sister-in-law want to get you married.
-
Of course!
-
Every mother
-
wants that her daughter should be happy.
-
That she has respect wherever she lives.
-
And the status I have in this house….
-
who would know better than my mother?
-
Are you trying to shame me by reminding me of the past?
-
Not at all.
-
It was never my intention to do that.
-
I’m
-
only stating the reality.
-
Look
-
I don’t want to beat around the bush
-
All I want to say is that we should continue with this marriage my mother’s sake.
-
Till when?
-
Forever.
-
I can’t lie to you.
-
After Shanaya’s death
-
the chapter of love closed for me.
-
But I will promise you this,
-
that as your husband
-
I will fulfill all my duties.
-
I will fulfill all your needs.
-
I promise.
-
You’re just forcing yourself to this because of your circumstances.
-
You don’t love me, Mr. Azlan.
-
You should not have said this to me.
-
Only…
-
because of your mom
-
You’re only pressurizing me to stay in this relationship
-
Mr. Azlan,
-
you will not speak to me like this again.
-
You might be in a situation of helplessness but not I.
-
It would be best
-
if you sent across the divorce papers at the earliest…
-
so that this contract can be terminated.
-
Hmm?
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
What brings you here first thing this morning today?
-
Have a seat.
-
I haven't slept all night that is why.
-
I realized as much.
-
May I speak from my heart to you?
-
Why not, go ahead.
-
Somewhere in the confines of my
-
of a religious cleric coming to our house.
-
His teaching me how to read the Quran.
-
Mom teaching me how to offer my prayers.
-
These memories are still there
-
I even remember a little of how to offer my prayers.
-
I can read Arabic…
-
but not properly.
-
The truth is that…
-
I’ve never read the Holy Book.
-
Shanaya would do her recitations every morning.
-
I never felt the need to do so.
-
You were right when you said
-
that I can’t see anything beyond my success and wealth.
-
But I read the Holy Book the other day.
-
And I don’t know why…
-
but between that day and today,
-
everything seems suddenly meaningless.
-
I don’t enjoy anything anymore.
-
The Holy Book isn’t meant for any one person, son.
-
The one who choose to pick it up and read it.
-
It becomes a source of guidance for that person.
-
Seems as if God has decided to show His generosity to you.
-
I’m not worthy of God’s generosity.
-
I’ve been very unfair to Azka.
-
Listening to all that you’ve told me,
-
I understand your dilemma.
-
I’m glad that you’ve realized
-
that you’ve been unfair to an innocent girl.
-
That you used a chaste relationship that was sanctified by God in
-
an inappropriate manner for your own ends.
-
Its why I feel such guilt.
-
I had a commitment to Azka.
-
But Sir, Mom is still quite unwell
-
so to tell her right now –
-
I don’t know…
-
how.
-
Now listen to me son,
-
the first thing you need to understand is that life and death are in God’s hands.
-
If there is life
-
then she will definitely live it.
-
Take all these fears and doubts
-
out of your heart.
-
But Sir -
-
Thank you.
-
Sir, her family wants to get her married…
-
to someone else.
-
And they’re pressurizing me to give her a divorce as soon as possible.
-
Divorce is something that is not encouraged and disliked yet permissible
-
God says in verse 229 Surah Al-Baqarah of the Holy Quran
-
either keep in an acceptable manner or release her with kindness.
-
But I don’t want to do this.
-
In the relationship between a husband and a wife Where did this ‘I’ come from?
-
Be it in any religion and or any society world over
-
This is an agreement between two people
-
You alone cannot take this decision.
-
Does Azka want this as well?
-
Yes…
-
I think so.
-
Before taking any decision
-
ask your heart
-
as to what it wants.
-
I get the feeling
-
that you don’t want to leave her.
-
And that you have come in search of an acceptable, moral reason to not do so.
-
Sir…
-
if this is the case,
-
then what should I do?
-
If you start your sentence with ‘If’
-
then
-
how will you ever arrive at a decision?
-
Son, God created the relationship of a husband and wife first in this world.
-
And through this relationship.
-
He creates love between two different people
-
And then
-
they spend the rest of their lives in a state of happiness in that relationship.
-
Which is why God has given the husband and wife the status of raiment for each other.
-
Which is why
-
they are an adornment and a complement for each other.
-
Which is why they are a happiness for each other
-
and a sorrow and comfort for each other as well.
-
You will follow this routine every day.
-
Fry the eggs in mustard oil,
-
brown sugar -
-
Uh… Where is the peanut butter kept, Samina?
-
That finished yesterday.
-
Alright then go tell Omar to get it from the market.
-
Yes Sir.
-
I…
-
need to speak to you about something.
-
But I don’t want to speak to you about anything.
-
Are you angry with me?
-
I have no right to be angry with you.
-
You do have a right.
-
I hurt your feelings.
-
I’m really sorry.
-
It’s okay.
-
May I come in, Aunty?
-
Come in my dear, come in.
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
I’ve been waiting for you forever.
-
I was getting your special diet breakfast made.
-
Mr. Danish,
-
I am very ashamed at my behavior and treatment of you.
-
The way I behaved with you wasn’t right.
-
Please forgive me.
-
I can’t believe it, Sir
-
That you actually remember an ordinary man like me
-
No one is ordinary, Mr. Danish.
-
And you are very special to me.
-
I’m the one that took long to understand and appreciate it.
-
What I don’t understand Sir is…
-
how did this change come about in you all of a sudden?
-
May I make a request of you?
-
You have only to command me, Sir.
-
Please forget everything that’s happened
-
and join the office from tomorrow.
-
Mr. Danish.
-
I promise you
-
that I will never disappoint you again
-
I promise.
-
Thank you Sir.
-
So, what do you think,
-
will you join the office from tomorrow?
-
Yes Sir.
-
Thank you so much.
-
Thank you so very, very much.
-
After Shanaya’s death the chapter of love closed for me.
-
But I will promise you this,
-
that as your husband
-
I will fulfill all your needs.
-
I promise.
-
Are you angry with me?
-
I’m really sorry.
-
You have a right to be.
-
I hurt your feelings.
-
Hello?
-
Hello, greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
Yes?
-
Yes….I spoke to you about the divorce with Azka.
-
What have you decided with regards to it?
-
I haven’t decided anything as yet.
-
And I would like you to request you to
-
not rush this matter.
-
And why do you want to delay this?
-
My mother has just recently come back from the hospital.
-
She still hasn’t recovered completely.
-
I don’t want to give her any kind of shock
-
that will affect her heart right now.
-
Please try to understand this.
-
But how long can you put this matter on hold?
-
I can’t comment on that.
-
But we cannot wait that long.
-
We’ve arranged Azka’s marriage with Dr. Zain.
-
And have you asked Azka for her opinion on this?
-
You could say that!
-
And his family is in a rush!
-
Either you give her the divorce yourself or
-
Or we’ll get an annulment from the Court.
-
Look I need to speak to Azka about this first
-
and I will give you an answer only after I’ve done so.
-
It would be best if you didn’t pressurize Azka!
-
And another thing,
-
we need a copy of the agreement that you and Azka made between you.
-
Why?
-
We want to see if you’ve written anything untoward in it in order to make Azka suffer more!
-
There’s nothing like that.
-
Fine, if that’s the case then send us a copy of it
-
because we also want to consult our lawyer about it.
-
Loook….I will give Azka a copy of the agreement
-
and you can take it from her.
-
Fine.
-
Thank you.
-
There you go Ma, another new problem!
-
What’s happened?
-
Its doesn’t seem as if Mr. Azlan is going to divorce Azka.
-
Why?
-
Did he say something to you?
-
He didn’t say anything but that’s the impression I got.
-
He’s only doing this to get revenge of us and irritate us.
-
I know that man’s nature well enough!
-
So, what’s going to happen now?
-
What’s going to happen?
-
We’ll fight for our rights of course!
-
Who does he think he is?
-
Where is that contract?
-
Where have I kept it?
-
My dear benefactor,
-
today was my first day at college.
-
And I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a wondrous feeling
-
as I did today.
-
I feel as if my feet aren’t touching the ground - it’s as if I’m flying.
-
I’m very grateful to you
-
for not only giving me the opportunity to become a doctor…
-
but I’m grateful to you for also taking me out of this vortex of poverty
-
...And the credit for this too goes to you.
-
Thank you so very much for giving me
-
the confidence and support to walk down this path of belief.
-
these letters of mine will show you
-
just how very grateful I am to you
-
and how I was praying for you.
-
I was at first convinced
-
that all rich people were cruel and heartless…
-
but after seeing the many kindnesses you’ve done me,
-
my views have undergone a change
-
Thank goodness
-
you’re not like Mr. Azlan… actually not like him…
-
May God always keep you in happiness and blessed.
-
Your well-wisher,
-
Azka Rehman
-
Greetings Zain.
-
I’ve been calling you all morning. Why haven’t you been answering your phone?
-
I was… busy with aunty
-
is why I couldn’t answer your calls.
-
Were you busy
-
or did you not want to answer my calls?
-
I don’t think that you understand my situation, Zain.
-
Perhaps no.
-
But Azka…
-
love is something which is insecure.
-
When you don’t answer my call,
-
I feel as if you don’t want to speak to me.
-
If you feel like that then…
-
I’m really sorry Zain.
-
Who is it?
-
May I come in?
-
Yes Mr. Azlan.
-
May I speak to you in a bit Zain?
-
Alright?
-
Okay, goodbye.
-
This is the first time that I’ve read these letters of yours…
-
something that you wrote with such love and admiration.
-
Had I not known that the benefactor was Shanaya,
-
I would have felt quite jealous of the person.
-
Why?
-
I don’t have an answer to your why.
-
But what I do want to say is…
-
that however I may have misbehaved with you to date…
-
...the kind of pathetic attitude I adopted towards you,
-
the way I humiliated you,
-
I want to ask you for your forgiveness for all of it.
-
I’m not the same Azlan I used to be.
-
I’ve totally changed.