I wanted to rant after Ep. 33 (and the feeling continued after Ep. 34) and since there was no one to listen I thought I’ll put my rant on a paper saying that why I still am OK with Meerub’s character. The key point of all TB’s characters is that they are neither completely white nor black (Please exclude the obsessive Haya, the psycho Rohail and villainous Zubair Malik!) – all of them are grey of different shades. So, depending on our likes and dislikes, we can take sides. I believe both Meerub and Murtasim are perfectly flawed – a trait that makes them relatable and identifiable. Why do we expect them to act ideally at all given circumstances? They act wise sometimes, then do something totally stupid if you see from third person’s eye. But that makes them real and their journey to become better individuals worth following.
So here is my take on ‘The perfectly flawed Meerub’ (I started writing this a week back and edited after today’s episode – Ep. 35, so if there is any discrepancy, well, If the TB script can have so many loopholes…. who am I to do better than that!). So currently, Meerub is a pendulum of emotions, swinging back and forth to the extremes, and keeps frustrating us in the process. But with everything said and done, I wish we could see her for what she is and what all the circumstances made her become!
Meerab (Waqas Ahmed) was a pampered and protected girl. She was cherished by her parents, given the freedom (as much as they could) to soar to heights. She was shown as a carefree girl with sensibility and was righteous. But due to all the pampering and protection by her parents, she was naïve. She had an understanding of the adversities of the world, but she was not worldly! Her naïve idealism was so much so that, it seems she was impractical at times. Moreover, she was impulsive – she reacts to situations strongly! She spoke her mind always without any fear, which many times reached the point of being rude. But she claimed to be fearless and confident because in her heart she knows she could fall back to the security net of her parents’ and will be protected. Her confidence was really rooted in the love of her parents. She was proud to be their daughter; she was what her parents were, her treasured identity. She wanted to be a lawyer like her father. Her dream; her focus was solely on that. A single-minded focus that she declared proudly so many times to her parents (and also to her girl gang once). At the time, marriage was not on her agenda. She wanted to achieve her goals first (and then bring a husband who would settle in her parents’ house 😉). And let’s add the Khan family to her mix. It would have been safe to say she despised them, and the system they represent. She verbalized many times that she hates being there; that the house suffocates her and that she doesn’t like them, especially Murtasim. As she mentioned to Anila once, she could not understand how people can live there, bowing down to unnecessary rules.
This was her world before the misery hit her life shaking the core of it and leading to the apocalypse (whether it is actually an apocalypse, is a point to be considered later!). Come to her birthday - She was betrothed to someone. The ‘someone’ is not only from a system she loathed, but he is also the ‘leader’ of that system – someone she claimed to dislike without batting an eyelid. So she put all her efforts to fight against the alliance and seek help from her ‘tested-and-tried’ source. But alas! Her parents are in line with the idea of her marriage to the feudal lord. When all her sources were exhausted, she even her reached out to her ‘fiancé’ himself to ‘order’ him to say no to the rishta! She was a fighter with a never dying attitude! But once again, she was thrown out of balance by revealing the truth of her birth!
Meerab (Anwar Khan) was an unwanted child by her father. He held the infant Meerab responsible for her mother’s death. Anwar was under the trauma of his wife’s death, he was guilty of his actions later, he cared for her, etc., etc. – but these had no relevance in Meerab’s eyes. He discarded her, so she didn’t want anything to do with him – Period! But this revelation made her strongly bound to a household and a family that she detested. She refused to accept the change in her identity. In the middle of her identity crisis, her parents left her alone in a place that she considers a prison. And if that was not good enough, they closed the door of her childhood home in her face. This was her safe haven – gave her ‘sukoon’, which was now closed for her. She trusted her parents, especially her father; to support and love her. Her ‘secured’ life was shattered. Nowhere to go, no one to trust, no one of her own – she grasped the only anchor she had to save herself; to keep herself afloat. This was not by her choice, rather due to her vulnerability!
If someone fails to understand her suffering, Meerab crying at her parents’ doorstep would be the apt place to look for. What would you do if suddenly everything that defined ‘you’ falls apart? How would you react? In E07, after her saying ‘yes’, there was a small interaction between Meerab and Maryam, which is really significant to understand her mental strength, and her never-giving-up attitude. After the roller coaster of incidents, she still had the strength to face everything heads on. She was confused, but the girl was ready to make lemonades from the lemons thrown her way. She oh-so-casually gave away her state and her actions in the preceding and proceeding episodes - ‘The funny thing is even I don’t get myself these days’ and ‘What seems like a drama to you was a battle for me. I tried my best to survive but failed (where she also promised to be with Maryam if a similar situation arises, well!!!!) These lines define everything we see of Meerab now.
Where does the post-marriage Meerab (Murtasim Khan) stand?
The (fading) grudge – It was clear that Meerab held Murtasim responsible for their forced marriage. Although he had told her that even he did not want to marry her, she had never known that he did the same in front of the family matriarch. He is a man of power and authority, the leader of his clan; she knew that unlike hers, his word would hold a greater impact if he refused the alliance. But he didn’t (as for her), so she had credited all the misery that fell upon her into his account. She walked into the marriage with this bitterness (she said this before his infamous slap) and I think, continued to believe so up to a certain point. The resentment seemingly faded away – the last time she said something in line with this was during their conversation after her post-accident homecoming and it did not have the usual solidity. His continuous support and protection may have resulted in the dimming of this resentment.
Meri biwi and meri Meerab – Amidst her identity crisis, her marriage to Murtasim has thrust her into another predicament. She always valued her ‘individuality’. So it was not surprising that she would react strongly when she was identified only for being someone’s wife. Initially, she was always clearly irked when she was reduced to that – there were harsh words, stomping, eye rolls, and what not’s! However, the two times when Murtasim emphasized her for solely what she is (post-walima terrace discussion and ‘Meerab ho, meri Meerab! – I seriously wish he would say something of this sort now!) needed consideration. When he acknowledged her for being Meerab, her expression changed positively and she started paying attention to what he said. And to a certain extent, listened to his advice as well - I am not sure if it is me, but her interactions with MB became less rude and less caustic after this, she looked somewhat nicely dressed - appropriate for her position in the family, and generally, was comparatively well-behaved (maybe, it is me being optimistic!) Do I need to say anything about the ‘Meri Meerab’ scenario - she literally bloomed during this scene, though she tried to cover up and later very unsuccessfully tried to remind herself that she cannot fall in love with him! So she wanted to be known for herself! So, is it a complete ‘no’ for being known as Murtasim Khan’s wife – Have we not noticed her change of attitude on this? Her metamorphosis in this regard was stark; from accepting Murtasim as her husband in front of Rohail, to inclining his right to question her in Karachchi, to her rubbing her authority on Haya’s face as Murtasim’s wife was given. Some might say that she did this in front of Haya to just irritate her, but it was evident that she was quite proud of being the ‘Khaani’ and enjoyed every bit of it (I love that scene, can watch it on repeat mode at any given day!). It is also worth noticing her replies to Haya’s claims – from being indifferent to her statement on the first morning after her wedding, to telling Haya can take her out Murtasim’s life, to being jealous, to then telling no one cannot take her out Murtasim’s life unless she herself decides – if that is not progress of her feelings!
True, a hearty acceptance from her side of her position in Murtasim’s life is needed, especially in front of her husband. She is getting there (Maybe a wakeup call, something very vigorous, may be needed to expedite her reaching the culmination!).
The (mis)matched pair – Are they mismatched? Maybe or maybe not. They were brought up with a contrasting set of core values, which reflects in the differences in their ideologies. The feudal lord, despite being a loving husband/ son etc., and an honorable and respectful gentleman, has some very regressive set of beliefs. On contrary, Meerab’s upbringing has made her progressive. So, they have conflicts of interest! Naila’s situation was a classic example. Though Murtasim realized his fallacy later, he was positively convinced of his judgment at the time of its deliverance. The same is true with the current Mariam track. So, yes, one could say that these two are mismatched. Apart from the differences in beliefs, I believe that they are perfectly matched to be mismatched. They both have confident, domineering, and strong personalities – alphas! They both have beautiful hearts and are genuine. And Murtasim is more experienced, logical, and practical (at least that was how he was presented, barring some inconsistencies) for her naïve and somewhat impractical, irrational self. She was always sheltered, whereas he was always raised to be a protector – A perfect ying for his yang. Does Murtasim know that they are matching to be mismatched this way? I don’t know. But I feel his dislike for Haya (and also Ma Begum’s preference for Meerab over Haya) stems somewhere from this. Haya would not have worked for him. He needed an assertive partner with a genuinely kind heart; not a submissive and a sly one! And does Meerab know this? Definitely NO, she is still busy figuring everything out and stepping into troubles many at a time! So, we may need to give them some time (a lifetime may be!) to figure this out!
The (un)fulfilled dream – This I believe is the crux of all Meerab’s emotional turmoil! If a strong-willed person is single-mindedly working towards one goal, if all his/ her energy is focused to just this one goal, what will happen when you take away that goal itself from her? You can readjust when your axis is tilted, but what happens when you lose the center of your orbit? You become hopelessly, cluelessly aimless! A kite with a broken string – will just flow with the wind. That is how I see the Meerab whose dreams that were taken away. A one with similar dreams would be able to relate with her mind. The despondency one would feel under such circumstances would be unfathomable. You don’t want to see anything good about the current situation if it has resulted the loss of your center. Some may say this is wrong, you can give a chance to everything that is good in your life – a good household, a loving and caring husband etc. Maybe it is! But that is how Meerab has been portrayed – she is stubborn, and strong-willed. Becoming a lawyer and bringing justice to people who are suffering was what she aspired to become. Not only that has been taken away from her, but she may not be able to foresee any possibility for this within the family that she is married to. Maybe one day she will change her priorities and may refocus, who knows? But I believe, Murtasim allowing her to become what she wanted will be the deal breaker! How will he do that Herculean task with surrounding conservative familial mindsets is something to be seen!
Edited (after Ep 36 promo) – So he is taking upon himself to fulfill her dreams! The writer herself mentioned in her interview that one of her friends only changed once her husband started supporting her higher education – So I knew she will have something like this in the plot (it seems she has drawn lots of similarities from people around her while writing Meerab!), but to see that happen is completely a different feeling. Murtasim is clearly decoding his biwi one step at a time and it is heartwarming! Hopefully, his wife will readjust and refocus her life to clearly see the good things that have been fallen into her lap without even asking (her words to Haya, not mine ;)
Meerub and her blunders
Contrary to Meerub’s promise to herself to make everyone cry (or was it exclusive for Murtasim, I am not sure!), since her marriage she has done nothing of that sort. She accepted that her dance at Walima was not done with the intention of dishing insults to the family. She deliberately cooked ‘fishy – meal’, but in her defense, I don’t think she initially knew Murtasim was allergic to fish. And the afterward panic and guilt affirm that despite her claim of ‘balki ab rulaongi’, she would not purposefully put him in mortal danger. She is kind-hearted – a good person who will not wish anything bad for anyone (Unlike Haya!).
The kidnap and the gun emptying stunt – what can I say, Meerub is just naïve. She was not exposed to the big bad world of her husband’s. She would need to weather herself through trials and tribulations to understands the brutality of his world. Again, in her defense, he tries to keep her unaware to protect her from his adversaries – a wrong move! Meerab needs explanations – proper ones with evidence (remember Murtasim, she wanted to become a lawyer! So, bring it on!) if not, she would wander and get lost in a maize trying to figure things out in her naivety. Her actions during the Naila’s case were completely justified. Again, a serious case of miscommunication between the two has led her to barged into his court. But even then, as I mentioned earlier, his decision was hands down an injustice to a completely gullible woman who has nothing to do with all the bad things that happened in Khan’s world!
Rohail track: This is where I have issues with Meerub! Meeting her friend when he visited was completely OK. But sharing some intimate details about her marital life with him after his love proclamation (was it before or after, I only saw this scene once!) was completely unnecessary. And her refusal to his advances is somewhat feeble and lacks any punch. I can understand that she becomes speechless when Rohail throws her lost aspirations and dreams on her face, but I wish she finds it in her to see that her supposed friend is a deranged psycho! And why she let him drag herself to his apartment is something I cannot comprehend! No, this is the only time, I failed to justify her actions.
Mariam – Zubiar’s track: I thought, overall, Meerub acted very maturely here. Except for her not asking some important questions from ZM like about his family, whereabouts etc. and also allowing that blasting ring ceremony, in all other circumstances she was direct and very precise with her warnings/ advice. She was authoritative, a true wife of the Khan. What is more significant was that her unwavering trust and confidence over her husband. She knows him; knows that he would listen and understand her POV.
Edited after Ep. 35 and Ep 36 promo – And she is right. He aggressively condemned her but seems he would come around.). It is completely a different scenario that she is digging her own grave in this matter – but again she doesn’t know who Anas is. But she stopped Mariam from eloping and finally made Murtasim agree to meet the guy. From a neutral point of view – A right move!
Is there a progress in her character? She is falling for husband (if she has not already), that is a given. She wouldn’t cry for him, wouldn’t trust him, wouldn’t feel jealousy, would not go to lengths of jumping off the cliff (literally and figuratively) to justify herself to him; if there is no worth of his in her life. He and his love slowly and steadily have become the cornerstone of her life, she is just yet to figure that out. So, I would not want to believe the common POV that Meerub’s character has no arc into it. There can be many loopholes, inconsistencies; but she is a perfectly flawed individual, journeying to conquer world that is hers, and sooner or later she will realize that it is her man that has laid that world at her feet. And given the chance, they would be formidable together – a force to be reckon. So, I will wait and let the story unfold. Hopefully, we will get to see that in the TB world (Otherwise, I will be truly disappointed and disheartened with the Madam Writer!).
Edited by anu41982 - 2 years ago
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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