~Zindagi Gulzar Hai~ 3rd Anniversary Celebrations

The story revolves around the lives of Kashaf Murtaza and Zaroon Junaid , who are poles apart. Kashaf comes from a lower middle-class family and lives with her mother Rafia and her two sisters, Sidra and Shaniela. Rafia had separated from her husband, Murtaza, because she could not give him a hier. As a result, he married another woman Nigar, who did eventually give birth to his son Hammaad.

Rafia works as the principal of a government school, and also gives tuitions, along with her daughters, during the evenings to support the family's meagre income. Kashaf, her eldest daughter, has turned very bitter due to everyday struggles and betrayal of her father.

"Humari zindagi mein aane wale maslo ki wajah aur koi nahi mera apna baap hai..."

"Rupiya paisa ek taraf... kabhi hausla afzai ka ek lafz bhi nahi kaha unhone...aur aap hume unki mohabbat ke kisse suna rahi hai..."shows how much hurt and disgust she had for him.

She has always supported her mother like a son. She is exceptionally intelligent and gets admission in one the biggest university of Karachi on merit basis.

On the other hand, Zaroon's family consists of his laid-back and patient father, an independent working mother, and his sister Sara, who has the same qualities as her mother. Zaroon's circle of friends consists of Asmara and Osama. He is a charmer with his oh-so-flirtatious nature. He too gets into the same university as Kashaf.

On the first day itself, both Zaroon and Kashaf get into an argument which goes on increasing with passing days. Both of them hate each other to core and we see them mentioning the same in their diary entries as well. For Zaroon, Kashaf is an irritating egoistic woman while for Kashaf, Zaroon is nothing short of bade baap ki bigdi hui aulaad !

After Maria, it is Osama with whom we see Kashaf getting along with and at many instances we find Zaroon and Asmara teasing him regarding that.

One day, while having a friendly chat with Maria, she comments,

" Maine kabhi bhi Kashaf se Zaroon ke liye koi achhi baat nahi suni... Aur woh isliye nahi ke Zaroon usse lift nahi karata.. I feel agar woh usse lift de bhi toh bhi Kashaf won't give a damn about him ! "

This hurts his male ego, and he is now determined to woo her and prove his mantle to Maria. He sees it as an easy task and qoutes, "Sawal Yeh nahi hai ki woh impress hogi yaa nahi...sawal Yeh hai ki usse kitna time lagega meri taraf attract hone mein.. Chand din, hafte yaa mahine !" Kashaf is taken back by sudden change in his behavior and we witness some light hearted conversations among the two. Zaroon counts them in a step towards his motive while for Kashaf it is nothing but a relief from khamakha ki tension. Asmara too doubts his intentions and confronts him to which replies, "Tum toh janti ho main pakka flirt hu!" *wink*

But the act doesn't lasts long, as Kashaf overhears his conversation with Asmara and Osama in which he accepts that he is just flirting with her. "Kashaf jaisi ladkiyaan dil lagane ke liye nahi hoti !" Kashaf takes it as an insult and confronts him that every moment. They have harsh face off. Things take an ugly turn when Zaroon is about to hit her but Osama comes in between and pacifies them. The audacity with which Kashaf confronts him proves that she is different from other girls.

Meanwhile the talks are on for Zaroon and Asmara's wedding. Zaroon who was avoiding it from a while agrees on a condition that he won't marry for at least 2 years. Zaroon and Asmara get engaged in a grand ceremony.

While Zaroon is preparing for CSS exams, Kashaf takes up a job to help her mother with Sidra's wedding. Next year, Kashaf too appears for the CSS exam and qualifies with flying colours. She is now posted as deputy commissioner in Badin.

Rafia is now paid back of all her hard work with three of her daughters well settled in their lives.

"Mere toh din he phir gaye ! " exclaims Rafia. With this we also get an insight of how society changes their attitude towards people once they detested. Like we see Murtaza trying to improve his relations with his daughters which doesn't go well with three of them. We find Kashaf saying once,

"Humne udna sikh liya hai... abb unke pakho ki koi zaroorat nahi hai... abbu se kahein ki woh abb bhi utne he indifferent rahein jitne pehle the.."

But things are not well at Zaroon's end. We see both Zaroon and Asmara struggling with each other. Their opinion conflicts are pretty much visible. From Zaroon's view, Asmara is way too liberal and over-frank with her male friends. When he point outs his dislikes regarding the same, she calls him chauvinist and conservative! At the same time, Sara's marriage is on the verge of breaking, reason being the same as Zaroon and Asmara's conflicts. This fuels up the things furthermore. Once while talking to Osama about his issues with Asmara, Osama asks him to quote an example who is somewhere near to his ideal. Zaroon after thinking a while replies, "Kashaf!"to which Osama point outs about Kashaf still being in his subconscious. Later Zaroon too thinks about the same, as he quotes

"Kya na pasandeeda hone ke bawajood woh ladki uss ideal ke bahout close hai jisse main pasand karta hu ??"

A leap is observed...

Zaroon and Kashaf comes face to face at professional front. Over there they exchange their numbers on Zaroon's insistence. Once again, Zaroon's attempts at friendship are repeatedly turned down, as Kashaf believes him to be the same flirtatious and irresponsible person as before. Also Zaroon is surprised to know about Kashaf and Osama still in touch with each other. Osama proposes to Kashaf, who in turn rejects his proposal saying that she has no plans to get married anytime soon.

While in Zaroon's family, Sara is divorced now! But she is in deep depression. Everyone is worried for her. Counselling sessions are on.. Gazala and Junaid tries to distract her... but nothing is helping! We see a different Sara now... a quiet and depressed one who much like her brother point outs flaws in their upbringing.

Later Zaroon talks to Sir Abrar, who is a mentor to Kashaf and Zaroon's close family friend. Zaroon confesses to him that he wants to marry Kashaf and asks him to talk to Kashaf on his behalf. To say Abrar is shocked would be an understatement. He quotes,

"Tum aur Kashaf...? Tum dono ko saath mein sochne ke liye bhi mujhe zehmat karni padh rahi hai.."

On being questioned about why this sudden decision to marry and specifically Kashaf, Zaroon says, "I like Kashaf's strength of character!"

After initially rejecting his proposal, the two agree to meet at Sir Abrar's house, where Zaroon pours his heart out to her. Kashaf is still not sure about him but when he saves her from getting scalded by hot tea, she agrees to marry him.

"Ek chai ka cup tha jo mere haath par girne wala tha magar usne bacha liya... aaj zindagi mein pehli dafakoi meri shield bana hai!"

Both the families grants their consent for the marriage and they get engaged in a simple and sober ceremony. Osama when receives the news of Zashaf's engagement is shocked ! Eventually they get married in a lavish wedding. A new phase of life begins for both of them as husband and wife. They utilize their honeymoon phase of marriage to build a better understanding and compatibility! Kashaf for the first time realizes how it feels to be loved and wanted. All the little things he does for her and her happiness touches her heart. After marriage, they discover a completely different side of each-other. Like Zaroon realizes that beneath her hard outer-appearance lies a sensitive Kashaf who craves for love and attention and Kashaf realizes that there is much more to him than just being a flirt. Slowly and steadily, she too starts to fall for him but is inexpressive of her feelings. She quotes..

"Aur usse nafrat karne ke kaabil ab main rahi nahi...tum mujh se puchhte ho ki mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat pasand hai.. main yeh tumse kaise kahun ki mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat nahi pasand..?!"

Although Kashaf faces some problems with Gazala because of the class difference but with Rafia's advices she soon overcomes that issue victoriously!

Later Zaroon and Kashaf have a fight as he comes to know about Osama's proposal. For that they don't talk to each other for weeks. Kashaf thinks that he insulted her by doubting her character while Zaroon is angry that she didn't told him beforehand. Kashaf tries to seek help from Sir Abrar regarding the issue which only worsens the already ugly situation. Meanwhile Sara is all set for second marriage. Zaroon and Kashaf helps the family in wedding preparations where Gazala praises Kashaf for being a dutiful daughter-in-law !

After all the wedding chaos, Kashaf brings in another good news... she's pregnant. They finally reconcile and prepares for parenthood. Soon, Kashaf's insecurities begin to surface again. Despite of knowing the fact that Zaroon and his family don't believe in gender discrimination she couldn't help but think what if Zaroon turns out like her father. She tries to raise this topic many times but couldn't as she feared his answer. One day, she finally with all her courage asks him what would be his reaction if they were blessed with twin daughters. Zaroon's reply brings all her doubts to rest. He is not like her father is proved. He also asks her to tell him the gender whenever doctor informs her.

Later, Kashaf discovers that Zaroon is secretly in touch with Asmara, his ex-fianc. Thinking that Zaroon is having a romantic affair with Asmara, she confronts him about it! Zaroon tries to convince her that he is not having an affair but in vain. She leaves his house and returns to her mother's home. Zaroon is angry and doesn't bother to stop her. Soon enough, she starts missing him. Rafia tries to solve their feud by asking Kashaf to call him and sort to their matter but both are adamant. Kashaf once dreams of Zaroon sending her divorce papers.

"Zaroon se alaidgi ki toh khwaish nahi hai meri.. woh chahe kuch bhi karta hai phir bhi!"

In Islamabad, Zaroon is totally fed up! His things are not on place, he is not getting meals according to his taste, he needs formals for office but they didn't arrive from laundry yet and his servant is good for nothing. He too misses her but his ego is coming in way of reconciliation. Zaroon changes caller ID of Kashaf to Woman and Kashaf changes his to Man. Kashaf gets to know that she is expecting twin daughters which add up to her insecurities. She is of opinion that Zaroon will never accept her again. The reasons being their fight and twin daughters. After Rafia's insistence she decides to call him last time. Woman flashes on his mobile screen but he rejects the call thinking it to be unknown. Kashaf on the other hand is left heart broken. The very next moment Zaroon realizes that it was Kashaf who was calling. He immediately calls her back. She picks up the call and informs him about daughters. He too gets emotional.

Kashaf: "Main wapis aana chahti hu.. apne ghar aana chahti hoon"

Zaroon: "Aa jao!"

The very next morning she finds Zaroon sleeping besides her. At first she thinks it to be a dream but then she realizes that its him! He flew down all the way from Islamabad to Karachi to take her and their daughters back with him. She confesses her love for him.

"Tum meri zindagi mein aane wale pehle aur aakhiri mard ho.. tumhaare ilawa maine kabhi kisi se mohabbat nahi ki aur tumhare baad main kisi se mohabbat nahi kar paungi"

"I know!"

Kashaf gets back to their home sweet home. After months, Kashaf gives birth to two healthy daughters who completes their family. In the last scene, we get a glimpse of their sweet little family and how both of them are thankful to god for giving them each other and two lovely daughters. We see Zaroon pampering their daughters and Kashaf finally out of all her insecurities. She signs off with...

First Phone call after engagement !

A very domesticated, everyday mundane happening. Zaroon being a typical husband, irritating Kashaf by flinging his wet towel at her, Kashaf being the typical wife and reprimanding him and telling him not to expect her to pick after him, but doing exactly that.



Zaroon wanting to spend time with Kashaf, but Kashaf tidying up the room and later on the bathroom and thinking that his bad habit of leaving things as they are would be one of the reasons for breaking up, if they ever do. This could be the scene out of the life of any married couple anywhere! And den Kashaf's thoughts and u realize she isn't as blase as she wld hv Zaroon believe and how much her married life is already more than she ever wished for, but her insecurities are never far away and ends up thinking how it would be a big problem if this man exits from her life!


This scene was too adorable !!

Kashaf's Love Confession

After a lot of introspection and heart-to-heart talks with her mother Rafia, Kashaf comes to the conclusion that she can't stay without Zaroon and finally calls him up to end their fight and to inform him that he is going to have twin daughters. Zaroon simply states aa jao' and that's all that Kashaf needed to hear from him. But Zaroon further shows how much he loves and cares for Kashaf, that he does not wait for Kashaf to return, but catches the first available flight to fetch her. No ego, no hassle, just pure love for his wife and kids. Initially when Kashaf wakes up and sees Zaroon sleeping next to her, she dismisses it as a dream, but when she accidentally touches him, she realizes that it is really Zaroon in person. Her smile says it all. And when she finally confesses her love for him in her inimitable style, all he says is dat he knows. And yes he does know coz she has shown her love for him at various times, in various ways...only the words were left unspoken!

Zindagi waqai Gulzar Hai

Finally Kashaf's life has come full circle and her journey from Shikwa to Shukr is complete. For her it was never about having the most handsome husband and being married to a very rich and high society family. For her the most important thing was she being accepted as she always felt rejected by her father. Zaroon made her feel secure and loved her unconditionally that she came full circle and as it was said in the end her journey.

For Zaroon too his life has come full circle. He finally has the kind of family life he always yearned for. He is a typical demanding husband, but at the same time pampering and loving his wife and his twin daughters and he feels his life is complete and blessed.