-
There are many people in this world
-
who are actually more
-
generous of heart than me.
-
Who for example?
-
Ms. Shanaya.
-
Yes?
-
Azka…
-
but this what you need to understand.
-
Life is giving us another chance to be together.
-
The contract is now fulfilled.
-
All the conditions listed in it have been fulfilled.
-
and
-
your Mom
-
also has her kidney now.
-
So…
-
you can send the
-
divorce papers to my house.
-
And this…
-
this is some money that your mother gave me thinking
-
me to be her daughter-in-law.
-
I have no right to this.
-
Please return it to her when you think it appropriate.
-
Azka please…
-
Please, please, please take this.
-
Please.
-
Kindly take this Mr. Azlan.
-
Sister-in-law,
-
why don’t you take aunty to the car and I’ll get Azka
-
and her luggage.
-
Okay fine.
-
Ma, let’s go.
-
Thank you so much Zain…
-
for bringing Ma and my sister-in-law. It was a great help.
-
Did you just thank me and so distance yourself?
-
No, of course not.
-
Well even if you do want to do it,
-
I won’t let you.
-
Our days of worry are over now, Azka.
-
And very soon the time will come
-
When I will make you mine forever and take you home with me.
-
Shall we go?
-
Did you meet her mother and sister-in-law nicely?
-
Yup.
-
Now listen to me son,
-
girls are very sensitive about their families.
-
To give their families respect is like you giving them respect.
-
I would like you to respect Azka’s mother
-
and take care of her just like the way you do me.
-
Fine.
-
But why go into all this right now.
-
You’ve just had a surgery
-
so you need to rest.
-
Stop getting into all of this.
-
But one can’t help but think about such things you know.
-
She arrived and I fell ill.
-
Such a huge house
-
and her there all alone…
-
the house must be getting to her.
-
What must she be doing all day?
-
Look I’m telling you,
-
go and bring her home before my return.
-
Okay.
-
I’ll be back soon; I just have to give these files to the doctors…
-
okay?
-
I’ll see you in a bit.
-
Here you go,
-
some hot soup for you.
-
Here good girl.
-
Make sure
-
you get well as soon as possible.
-
Now the first thing you need to do after getting well is to end your
-
contractual marriage with Mr. Azlan.
-
Yes sister-in-law…
-
I’ve already told him to send across the divorce
-
papers as soon as possible.
-
But then I was also thinking that Ma’am is still unwell
-
so I don’t know if what did was right or not.
-
Oh hey,
-
what you did was absolutely right!
-
...You did a lot more in exchange for what they did for you.
-
Enough of this social work!
-
You don’t need to be so kind and thoughtful!
-
Besides Zain’s family is waiting to come over and you won’t be
-
going through the formal seclusion period as is normal...
-
…so we’ll get you married quickly.
-
Yes sister-in-law but
-
let Ma’am first recover and come home…
-
because one doesn’t know how she’ll react once she’s home.
-
Oh come now,
-
how long is it going to take her to get well again?
-
Tch…
-
What’s the rush sister-in- law?
-
Ma, can you please explain to her that everything will get done in
-
its own time.
-
Now listen to me Azka,
-
you’ve been doing as pleased long enough,
-
we aren’t going to allow you to have your own way now.
-
Kanwal?
-
Madam…..
-
really loves Azka a lot and she talks with such love to her…
-
when she finds out….
-
imagine how she’ll feel
-
Stop it Ma!
-
Are we responsible for everyone?!
-
Let her also find out about her son’s doings!
-
But my dear
-
it takes time to resolve such major issues.
-
Azka’s right in what she’s saying.
-
Fine!
-
Do as you see fit.
-
I’m going home now.
-
Zahid and the children must be worrying.
-
Listen,
-
I’ll make and bring you food every day.
-
Just do one thing,
-
I’ll be ever grateful to you for doing so, just get
-
Mr. Azlan out of your life now.
-
Goodbye Ma.
-
Bless you.
-
May you always be happy.
-
and prosperous…
-
Goodbye.
-
Goodbye.
-
I’m not going back to you house.
-
The contract is now fulfilled.
-
All the conditions listed in it have been fulfilled.
-
And your Mom
-
also has her kidney now.
-
So…
-
you can send the divorce papers to my house.
-
What if you try to blackmail me tomorrow?
-
You could take the marriage certificate to court and make
-
unreasonable demands of me.
-
This contract will be a reminder to you
-
of the terms on which we contracted this marriage.
-
I don’t need to read even a single clause of this contract because
-
my God knows my intentions.
-
He will protect me,
-
This contract won’t
-
Why did you bring such a lot of fruit, Zain?
-
And why not?
-
All I’ve done right now is brought it
-
but if I had my way I would feed it to you with my own hands…
-
...so you could get better sooner and then -
-
May I make a request of you?
-
Sure.
-
Don’t come here, Zain.
-
What?
-
Things were different before, Zain
-
but now the circumstances have changed.
-
I’m married.
-
Azka, you know very well that this marriage of yours holds no
-
importance for me.
-
But it holds importance for other people
-
because for them this is a normal marriage and not a contractual marriage.
-
What do you mean?
-
Mr. Azlan doesn’t visit my house.
-
So if you come here like this,
-
you will be noticed by my neighbors
-
and I don’t want
-
anyone to question my character.
-
I don’t want anyone to raise questions about my mother’s respectability.
-
Do you understand what I mean?
-
I understand.
-
People never try to find out the truth.
-
They only believe what they see.
-
I can totally understand.
-
And Azka your honor is far more important to me than my own.
-
Don’t worry,
-
I won’t come back now until you want me to.
-
Thank you.
-
But
-
I can speak to you on the phone, can’t I?
-
Yes.
-
Fine then
-
I guess speaking to you will have to do for now.
-
But may I say something?
-
My time doesn’t pass until I’ve seen you.
-
Get used to it now.
-
Maybe I might influence you.
-
Who knows.
-
...Or maybe you’ll leave all this.
-
One who starts to walk down this path,
-
never turns back.
-
Why?
-
What’s so special about it?
-
It’s because I’ve seen it.
-
When all the paths in one’s life are closed to one,
-
this is what then guides a person towards the right path.
-
This has the answer to every question.
-
And until you don’t open it…
-
you won’t understand what it’s like
-
God’s most sacred and respected book,
-
a book full of wisdom
-
the Holy Quran.
-
...His master piece, the noblest of all creations is mankind.
-
And mankind’s best virtue, it’s being able to talk
-
and to declare.
-
It starts off with,
-
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.’
-
Here He has presented three of His names as an introduction…
-
Allah ,
-
Rehman ,
-
Raheem
-
Rehman ,
-
communicates with His humans via the Quran.
-
And then a person
-
after understanding it,
-
first follows the path outlined in it...
-
...and then
-
...and then he goes on to speak of it to others.
-
I feel so proud of you.
-
If God
-
would give every parent a daughter that thought like you,
-
then their heads would never bow in shame.
-
Ma, I sometimes wonder
-
as to what’s going to happen with me.
-
And then I think and am convinced that
-
as long as my intentions are okay,
-
my thinking is fine.
-
God will never leave my side.
-
My Lord is very Gracious to my Azka.
-
He gave you the courage to walk down the straight path, my child..
-
I am very grateful to God for it.
-
And then you
-
and daddy
-
also brought me up well.
-
Daddy counseled me every step of the way
-
and you stood by me every step of the way.
-
May the Lord always keep you in His protection.
-
May He always make you walk the straight path.
-
Always be happy.
-
Amen.
-
Bless you.
-
Shanaya,
-
today is the first time that I am raising my hands to pray
-
for you at your grave…
-
...otherwise, you know how I’d lost all my belief in prayer.
-
You always wanted
-
that like you, I should feel the pain and happiness of people…
-
that I should care about people and help them.
-
But I in my arrogance, devotion to money and continual success
-
kept on making mistakes.
-
I don’t know where to start.
-
How do I atone for my sins?
-
But I promise you one thing Shanaya,
-
Zain?
-
Tell me, son…
-
When are you going to take me to Azka’s house?
-
Not yet.
-
Now what’s the problem?
-
For God’s sake please don’t tell me that there’s some other new problem now!
-
No mummy, there’s no problem.
-
She’s just a little unwell.
-
She’s unwell?
-
What happened to her?
-
Uh…
-
Azka had a small surgery.
-
She had a surgery???
-
But then we must go to her house to ask after her health, son!
-
Why don’t you do one thing,
-
take your father and me along with you in the evening.
-
No mummy not right now.
-
What is the issue son?!
-
First there was some other problem and now there’s this.
-
Why don’t you just tell me honestly as to what the problem is!
-
You can say that right now isn’t the right time.
-
I will myself tell you when the time is right and so take you there.
-
and
-
please don’t ask me any more questions now.
-
Goodbye.
-
There’s definitely something going on.
-
He’s hiding something from me
-
and isn’t telling me anything properly.
-
Ma?
-
Azka?
-
Aunty!
-
How are you???
-
Greeting Kanwal.
-
Greetings Ma.
-
Bless you….
-
Bless you.
-
Grandma!
-
How are you!
-
I’m very well.
-
Alright everyone listen up.
-
We’re going to have some guests over so I’ve brought all these
-
things for them.
-
Oh really? Who’s coming?
-
It’s some special guests Ma.
-
Special guests?
-
We should also know who these special guests are sister-in-law…
-
you aren’t about to give us a surprise are you?
-
Yes, yes, you can say that.
-
Wow,
-
I’ve never seen Kanwal this happy!
-
Who’s coming over?
-
Wait Ma, let’s ask her.
-
Do you know who’s coming over?
-
I have no idea.
-
Mummy’s not telling me a thing since this morning.
-
Why are you being so impatient?
-
You’ll meet them when they come and then you can be happy.
-
Come on Kanwal, now tell us who’s coming over.
-
Oh Ma…You’ll meet them when they come.
-
Just have a little patience!
-
Aliha, Azka - just put this in the fridge.
-
Put this inside.
-
For the first time today I’m seeing peace and calm on my son’s face.
-
You’re right.
-
I don’t know why…
-
but I’m experiencing a strange kind of peace from within.
-
What could be the reason for it?
-
It’s because you’re well again…
-
by the Grace of God.
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
Both mother and son seem to be in a happy mood today.
-
Absolutely.
-
Well, I have good news for you as well.
-
Your kidney is working really well.
-
God willing, we will be discharging you by tomorrow.
-
And
-
although Dr. Azka will be at home to check you but even so
-
you need to come to me for a follow up regularly.
-
Alright then…
-
okay.
-
Thank you.
-
Have a good morning.
-
So, my daughter-in-law should be back home before tomorrow evening.
-
It is my heartfelt wish to see my son and daughter-in-law
-
together and happy.
-
Sure.
-
I’ll immediately send the chauffeur for her.
-
No.
-
You will go and pick her up from there yourself.
-
Okay.
-
Please come in.
-
Come my dear.
-
You all are here from Zain’s house, right?
-
Yes, that’s right.
-
Welcome
-
I’m Azka’s sister-in-law.
-
...And this Azka’s and my Ma.
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings… greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
I am Zain’s sister Zunaira and this is my mother.
-
Okay, okay… please come in.
-
Please have a seat…
-
These people are your guests!
-
Yes Ma.
-
Zain phoned me and told me not to tell you or Azka anything.
-
He said that his mother wanted to ask after Azka’s health.
-
You knew the situation did you not?
-
I do know it Ma.
-
…But she was being stubbornly insistent on wanting to meet Azka
-
so what was Zain to do?
-
I just don’t know what to do now.
-
Azka is fast asleep after her medication.
-
Don’t worry.
-
You go and sit with them, I’ll put the kettle to boil for tea and then
-
go wake up Azka.
-
Go on, nothing’s going to happen.
-
Azka?
-
...Azka?
-
Wake up Azka.
-
You’ve been sleeping for so long now….wake up!
-
Wake up.
-
Sister-in-law,
-
the medicines I’m taking…
-
they really make me sleepy.
-
Alright doesn't matter.
-
Now get up and fix your appearance.
-
We have guests downstairs so come meet them.
-
You mentioned them in the morning as well sister-in-law so who
-
are these guests?
-
Its Zain’s mother and sister.
-
Why have they come over?
-
You
-
should have told me sister-in-law… you’re just so -
-
I didn’t tell you because you would have said no!
-
Zain phoned me.
-
He said that my mother and my sister are saying that they want to
-
meet Azka and ask after her health.
-
How could I have possibly refused!
-
Tch…
-
But sister-in-law -
-
Its okay, nothing will happen.
-
There’s always some betterment in God’s ways.
-
Now just go and fix yourself up and quickly come downstairs.
-
Zain should not have done this.
-
Now don’t go calling him up.
-
So, what, doesn't matter;
-
it’s okay if they’ve come….It’s no big deal.
-
Come get up and fix your appearance.
-
Come downstairs quickly.
-
God be praised,
-
She’s lovely.
-
I’m very happy to see my son’s choice.
-
She’s exactly the type of daughter-in-law I wanted.
-
I couldn’t come earlier due to the circumstances…
-
my apologies for that.
-
Yes, yes,
-
but by the Grace of God the situation is all sorted now isn't it?
-
Yes, absolutely.
-
I want to get my son married immediately…
-
but
-
Zain was telling me that Azka wasn’t well and that she’d had a surgery?
-
I thought that I would come and ask after her and it would also give
-
me an excuse to come meet you all.
-
Sometimes circumstances do become such, Sister Munazzah.
-
...And one has to face some tests and tribulations in life.
-
It is God’s wish.
-
Yes, you’re right.
-
But I would like to get them married in the next month or two.
-
Yes, yes, God willing.
-
Azka’s father used to say
-
that one should never leave the path of truth.
-
I would like to tell you something truthfully -
-
Greetings.
-
Greetings.
-
How are you feeling?
-
I’m fine.
-
Shall we go?
-
I’ve come to take you back home.
-
Uh… I’ll just be back in a minute, Aunty.
-
Kindly come with me.
-
What is this way…
-
you should have at least called before coming.
-
Uh… I’m sorry.
-
You’re absolutely right.
-
Actually, Mom is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow
-
morning and she’s expecting to see you at home,
-
which is why, I…
-
This condition was not a part of our contract, Mr. Azlan.
-
I know.
-
But what was I supposed to do?
-
Mom isn’t in any condition for me to tell her the truth right now.
-
Just for a few days…
-
Please.
-
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.
-
Give me…
-
five minutes.
-
I’ll just go and get my things.
-
I need to go right now, sister-in-law.
-
It’s necessary.
-
Uh…
-
Look
-
the whole situation is before you.
-
Ma was just about to tell you the truth but -
-
But she didn’t tell us did she!
-
Anyways,
-
there’s no point in sitting here now.
-
Get up Zunaira.
-
At least hear me out!
-
Azka did not get into this marriage because she wanted to or
-
because she was happy to do it.
-
She could only give a kidney to Mr. Azlan’s mother on the basic
-
status of a relationship!
-
I’m telling you the truth –
-
this –
this really is only a contractual marriage and it will end very soon!
-
So will…
-
Azka get an annulment from that boy?
-
No, he will himself give her the divorce!
-
But I didn’t get that feeling from the boy’s words and or attitude.
-
That it would happen
-
He took her with him as if he had all the right…
-
like that of a husband.
-
...And she went.
-
You have to believe us that whatever I’ve told you is the absolute truth!
-
Azka has no relationship with him!
-
Azka will get a divorce from him the moment his mother’s condition is better.
-
I don’t understand a thing.
-
I’ve never heard nor seen such a thing.
-
Anyways,
-
I’m willing to believe you.
-
But I also have a condition.
-
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.
-
Get up Zunaira.
-
Let’s go.
-
Yes, yes,
-
don’t worry…
-
everything will turn out okay.
-
Let’s go quickly
-
Goodbye.
-
See!
-
This is what I was afraid of!
-
Why do you not understand things when I explain them to you?
-
Come, give that to me.
-
Mr. Azlan had never visited our house before, after or during.
-
But his walking in today in front of the guests ruined the whole matter!
-
Kanwal,
-
you really rush things.
-
Azka is already stuck in a situation
-
so you should have waited for a bit.
-
What was I supposed to do Ma???
-
Zain’s the one who called and insisted.
-
And now we have this new problem...
-
to get a divorce in one week.
-
I don’t know what’s going to happen now.
-
What can happen?
-
One will have to have speak to Mr. Azlan in a firm manner!
-
And forget Azka doing it!
-
She’s the one who spoilt her own situation in the first place!
-
We’re not going to let Mr. Azlan ruin her life
-
and that’s it!
-
I already know exactly why she went into this marriage, mummy.
-
What?!
-
She’d told you?
-
No, she hadn’t told me.
-
I saw the rich boy she’s married to at their house!
-
...And no way did it look like a contract marriage to me!
-
And Zain,
-
son listen to me.
-
Do you realize the kind of gossip this will start in the family if we
-
got you married to this girl?
-
Your mother’s right son.
-
People don’t know the true reality of what’s what.
-
...And then you don’t even know the actual problem.
-
Exactly!
-
And then this debt could have been paid off in some other manner as well!
-
I just don’t understand anything.
-
I’m ready to face everything, mummy.
-
And if you all have taken a decision now, then stay true to it.
-
If I marry anyone, it will be Azka and only Azka!
-
Fine.
-
I’ve discussed the same thing with them.
-
I’ve told them to get a divorce within one week and get you two married immediately.
-
It’s just
-
I don’t want to keep this matter hanging for too long now
-
I’ve sent Samra off on vacation…
-
because I don’t want her to tell Mom
-
that we’re living in separate bedrooms.
-
I also stopped her cleaning your bedroom so your things wouldn’t
-
get into a disarray.
-
It makes no difference to me
-
because everything in that room is yours
-
and I have no right over them.
-
Even so…
-
if you need anything
-
I’ll be in my room.
-
I’ll tell Azka to have a firm word with Azlan.
-
I’ll just speak to him myself.
-
She has a long life.
-
Hello?
-
Greetings sister-in-law.
-
Is everything okay at home?
-
Zain’s mother didn’t say anything did she?
-
Gosh Azka, it was a total mess out here!
-
Zain’s mother was getting really angry!
-
She made it very clear that you needed to get a divorce within a
-
week and only then would she allow this marriage.
-
Now you listen to me!
-
You don’t need to speak to him!
-
We’re your elders
-
so we will speak to Mr. Azlan ourselves to give
-
you the divorce immediately!
-
You are not to interfere in this matter now.
-
Yes, that’s fine… but…
-
but sister-in-law,
-
his mother’s still ill…She isn’t well.
-
If she’s unwell then let him look after her himself!
-
You’ve done all you could!
-
Enough of this social work!
-
And if she stays sick her whole life, are you going to keep living there forever?
-
There’s a limit to paying ones debts!
-
Enough of doing things your way!
-
We’ll talk to him ourselves!
-
...If she had her way, she would be paying off debts her whole life.
-
What is this way…
-
you should have at least called before coming.
-
Mr. Azlan.
-
This condition was not a part of our contract
-
I know.
-
And what if I refuse?
-
Ahem…
-
Hello?
-
Greetings,
-
this is Kanwal - Azka’s sister-in-law!
-
Greetings.
-
Yes?
-
I needed to discuss something important with you.
-
Yes, go ahead I’m listening.
-
Uh…
-
This can’t be discussed over the phone.
-
I would like to meet with you.
-
But not in front of Azka.
-
Fine.
-
I’ll come to you before going to the hospital.
-
Yes,
-
Yes fine.
-
I can’t believe that this is the same Mr. Azlan.
-
Azka,
-
he’s using the excuse of his mother’s illness to exploit you!
-
Why would he exploit me, Zain?
-
It’s not like he cares for me or there’s some intimacy and or that he love me.
-
He himself wants to get out of this contract marriage as soon as possible…
-
...it’s just
-
that his mother’s health isn’t allowing him to do so.
-
If that’s the case
-
then why doesn't he divorce you!
-
You can live in his house as guest as well you know.
-
Yes…
-
I never thought about that.
-
Azka, please try to understand.
-
This is Azlan’s habit.
-
He likes to own everything.
-
He likes to have things go his way
-
And he’s doing this with you as well.
-
We can’t bear to see our Azka in this painful situation.
-
...And besides
-
she’s already paid your debt now.
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What we wish
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to do now is get her married
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as soon as possible.
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We now need to arrange a really
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fantastic post wedding reception
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Ma… a post wedding reception?
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Yes, of course.
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My family knows that this is a contract marriage.
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And they want you to end this contract
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as soon as possible.
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as soon as possible.
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Is this what you want as well?