"Mein" (ARY Digital) - Ayeza Khan, Wahaj Ali #2 - Page 91

Originally posted by: chicksoup

These flashbacks of Amir telling Zaid he was a nobody without his surname etc. I didn't understand how that played on his ego and made him agree to marry MJ.

I never felt he did it to spite Ayra.

Actually those flashbacks pushed him deeper into depression. It looked like he was swallowing it... whatever Asif said was true. He was a no one beyond his surname. That's exactly what Amir was telling. It was class difference thrown in the opposite direction...to tell someone they were just about wealth and there was no substance in the family. It was like Amir would marry his sister only among his acquaintances ... marrying her into Zaid's family was like throwing her to the wolves type...

Originally posted by: Autumn_Rose

Zaid's problem was, everyone got what they wanted except for him. His dad git him and his daughter married to the richer partner, his sister got Rayan, Mubahsra also got a partner who is good looking, educated, socially equal to her. He didn't get what he wanted. Dude is just sour.

Yes, absolutely. He is sour...all that bachpana going for parties and not letting MJ get what she set out to do was his response to that. She ended up paying most for it, that's all. He had every right to be sour. So far in this show I've felt for Zaid and Kash the most. They are very truthful and tells it as it is and won't be a scapegoat for anyone.

Originally posted by: Autumn_Rose

Is it ego, or is it the realization that life isn't same without the wealth and name

I was trying to explain it was not ego.

When he agreed to move on and marry MJ , there could be many reasons.

1. Out of ego to teach Ayra and her family a lesson.

2. Realisation he had only his family and MJ is a good choice because she's wealthy and secures a good future.

3. Go ahead with any choice his father or sister supports since his choice turned out messy.

I see it as option 3.

Originally posted by: anu41982

Thought I was the only one who felt this way. Both Zaid and Aira were having a relationship of convenience; at least that is how it looked like from the beginning. Zaid mentioned to Kashmala that it is respect and understanding that he expect in a relationship; ironically, it seems like those were exactly what Aira failed to bring in to their 'relationship'. She is more stubborn and selfish - it was always her way. Even in the last episode, it was her sister in law who showed her the mirror - not she understanding the precarious position she was putting Zaid in, especially, he has already left the house once and returned back on only Aira's insistence, so he has already burnt that bridge - there is no going on that path for him. Agreed, Asif played dirty. But Aira did not show an ounce of compassion towards her lover, who came to her doorstep, leaving behind everything (and at that time 'unmarried'!). She siding with her brother, who is her only family for the longest, is understandable. But not trying to contact Zaid later and trying to at least find a middle ground - that puts a huge question mark on the importance he has in her life. Also, the first thing Zaid does after her rejection to go directly to his father and get him married to Mubashira ASAP - Like seriously?? They both broke the thread at the first sight of turbulence. There are many scenes during their courtship period that showed she is a bit inconsiderate towards Zaid's feelings (as a matter of fact she was inconsiderate towards her bhabi's feelings as well!) - not revealing about their relationship to her family even though Zaid kept telling him, that food scene, making him going around and putting it under the carpet as 'I like to trouble you' etc- she was somewhat haughty at the fact that someone as Zaid was there at her whims and fancies, And it has not changed, if anything with all the tragedies and Zaid feeling responsible, I think it has increased. So, therefore, I still have hard time believing they love each other, despite the continuous proclamations from both. Currently, I feel Zaid has more guilt within him than love, and Aira, I am not really sure.

Originally posted by: chicksoup

I was trying to explain it was not ego.

When he agreed to move on and marry MJ , there could be many reasons.

1. Out of ego to teach Ayra and her family a lesson.

2. Realisation he had only his family and MJ is a good choice because she's wealthy and secures a good future.

3. Go ahead with any choice his father or sister supports since his choice turned out messy.

I see it as option 3.

You know in a way I feel that, the dysfunctional family set ups of both Asifs and Jaffars had Zaid and MJ turn out what they are. Asif clearly favours Kashmala over Zaid, though that is not as unhealthy as the dynamics between MJ and her father, Zaid it seems crave for his father's attention - becoming his star child had given him exactly that. So, when he put forth his romantic relationship in front of his father, he was fully convinced that his father would not have a problem with that - he had been making his father proud by his decisions in the business. So, I think it came as a crude awakening for him that Asif was not going to agree to that one single demand he is making - after all that he had done, he still is not allowed to make a life choice. Asif was clever here, he realised sooner that his son is going to be stubbornly hold on to it if the denial came from Asif's side. So, when the rejection came from Amir's side, it was as Zaid was proven wrong in his life choices in front of his father. The decision to leave everything behind and go to Aira initially came with Kashmala's insistence; not from his side. He went ahead with that almost as to prove to his father and sister, that he has made the correct decision. He was always the compliant one and he expected Aira to choose him this one time. Her rejection hurt him - he was not the priority in his family, and he was not a priority to Aira either. I think that is what probably drove him to make the decision of getting married to MJ - not ego, just agreeing to what his family, particularly his father, wanted, as always.

Originally posted by: anu41982

You know in a way I feel that, the dysfunctional family set ups of both Asifs and Jaffars had Zaid and MJ turn out what they are. Asif clearly favours Kashmala over Zaid, though that is not as unhealthy as the dynamics between MJ and her father, Zaid it seems crave for his father's attention - becoming his star child had given him exactly that. So, when he put forth his romantic relationship in front of his father, he was fully convinced that his father would not have a problem with that - he had been making his father proud by his decisions in the business. So, I think it came as a crude awakening for him that Asif was not going to agree to that one single demand he is making - after all that he had done, he still is not allowed to make a life choice. Asif was clever here, he realised sooner that his son is going to be stubbornly hold on to it if the denial came from Asif's side. So, when the rejection came from Amir's side, it was as Zaid was proven wrong in his life choices in front of his father. The decision to leave everything behind and go to Aira initially came with Kashmala's insistence; not from his side. He went ahead with that almost as to prove to his father and sister, that he has made the correct decision. He was always the compliant one and he expected Aira to choose him this one time. Her rejection hurt him - he was not the priority in his family, and he was not a priority to Aira either. I think that is what probably drove him to make the decision of getting married to MJ - not ego, just agreeing to what his family, particularly his father, wanted, as always.

Yes. He agreed because it looked like he made a bad decision putting all his trust on Ayra. She broke it in a minute.

Asif's kids- I have no idea how they turned out pretty well in spite of him actually. I wonder what manipulation he must have done on the mother of his children...🤭 Anyway, both the kids are sweet. Until Ayra's issue came up, they were the perfect family. Zaid actually doesn't need his father's approval, I feel. He's quite independent actually. He doesn't crave for acceptance as such because that issue was probably never there in the family. I love the sibling bond even now when Kash doesn't want to talk to Zaid.

This family matters to him a lot. That's for sure. In one of the promos I remember Zaid telling- probably Ayra- that he doesn't want to feel alienated from his family. He will only go to some extent till his self respect is questioned, beyond that he doesn't have ego and even when he spells out his requirements and expectations, he still cares a lot for them.

Right now his self respect has been hurt due to his dad reminding him he's where he is because of his tag, disowning him so easily and Ayra refusing marriage without the family involved...and now compounded by maaldaar beevi getting the major shares. Will have to see how MJ eases this for him... actually he's the biggest asset this company has- hope MJ realises this now when she's partly serious about her responsibility towards the company too. It was not just getting shares...she has taken a decision regarding putting her brains into it and Rayyaan still seemed unbothered about where the shares go. They have other businesses too and with Rayyan's careless attitude it's better MJ manages some of the business at least. Both the fathers seem to have faith in her even though the inciting factor was Ayra.

Both Jafar kids have some serious issues. Probably Asif knew to pamper the kids just the right amount. 😂He had only 2 rules for the kids- make money and get married to money ... True businessman.

I feel like this drama is kind of all over the place and the way it’s handling some important themes is dangerous if not handled responsibly at the end.

I might be one of the few folks who are okay with him ending up with either Ayra or MJ under the right circumstances but man do the themes need to be done justice !

There’s the whole love versus social class commentary going on with Asif - his classist and criminal behavior should not go unpunished. He has been the most horrible parent to Zaid and also ruined a family. I don’t care if Ayra and Zaid don’t end up but Asif needs to be proven wrong in his mentality and get what he deserves. He can’t be proven “right” in his opinion that class matters more than feelings. So if they turn Ayra evil (which I don’t think they will, whatever she will do will be justified), and prove asif right then that’s bad story telling.

The theme of marriage equating success. I swear if the writer pulls some regressive shit at the end, I’ll riot lol. At SOME point Mubashira HAS to realise her self worth. I’m sorry but her obsession with marriage as some kind of label is super regressive and that thinking should not win. She has to decide to leave zaid at some point, whether they’re endgame or not. That amount of self insight and change is required for her character. She can’t get zaid as a trophy husband, she has to actually love him and be selfless in this love instead of scheming to guilt him and get her on her side.

Watta Satta and how it ruins two families. If anyone doesn’t know what that means it means how Kashmala and Zaid were traded into the same family and how Mubashira kind of still controls Kashmala and Rayyans relationship. First through threats and now through taking rayyans shares. Our society is filled with this menace that destroys homes all the time. So some acknowledgment at the end of how terrible this idea was to begin with.

The way Jaffer as a father is to MJ - a constant enabler. And it’s made her into the narcissistic person she is, thinking only of herself and how she can control everything because “she’s Mubashira Jaffer” - and how he’s always favored her over his son. This drama’s theme of how parenting can go really bad is another theme. I’ve seen people be supportive of Asif and Jaffer as parents and it baffles me every single time. They have as much growth to do as their kids lol. Jaffer is an enabler and asif is just a toxic control freak.

Lastly. The vague theme of mental health and how the threat of divorce and societal pressures can make it worse. Mubashira has to be shown to conquer this at the end. She’s in hibernation now and thinks her change is temporary but she needs to adapt and change for the better permanently- without any agendas. And actually FEEL the freedom and peace that comes with letting go of control and just loving yourself. This fear of divorce is crippling her to the extent that she picked her husband marrying another woman to getting a divorce ! Totally illogical. So she needs to be free of this fear and save her mental health.

I need these themes to be dealt with responsibly more than who ends up with who at the end. You can’t have their wrong decisions and toxicity be swept under the rug like they never happened.
And this is my biggest concern with the end - if the writer is capable of sorting out the messy themes she’s created. And to a satisfactory extent. Otherwise not hard to imagine the end lol. Zaid and Ayra are either gonna sort out their issues and priorities and be endgame with MJ realising her self worth and walking out at the end OR Zaid and MJ will be endgame with Ayra either dying/or parting ways with Zaid. I don’t think Zaid will end up alone (although he totally deserves to be lol). So my concern is mainly how that ending reflects on THEMES

https://www.wattpad.com/story/358424186-zaira

I came across this 3 part wattapad story and I quite liked it.

Wish a track was shown like this where zaid would find out about mubashira's medical condition and he'd have been a supportive friend cum husband to her and helped her get back to normalcy

I feel most of it will be tackled well.

Asif not winning - that can only be possible if Mubashira and entire Jafar clan ends up pauper na...😄how else will he be proved wrong if Zaid and MJ is end game.

Watta Satta - ever since Mubashira promised there won't be manipulation from her side, nothing has happened. She has understood it was bad behaviour on her part and Jafar also promised bahu there's no trade off here. It was only Mubashira's revenge. The share deal might upset Kash since she's constantly insecure until Zaid gets together with MJ- that's her only guarantee to long lasting happiness with Rayyan. The only way this exchange offer can be nullified is only if Kash divorced Rayyan who is pretty useless anyway...or he proves worthy of her .. don't know if they will invest so much time in him..

The share deal is purely Mubashira's venture into business world- really hope they will build on it. The way she was barking orders for dinner at home itself shows she's a meticulous planner and Asif has told her she needs to work on skills since Ayra is already smart.

MJ fearing divorce - Yes, they are heading towards solving that probably... marriage is not equated to success in this show till now...where is it portrayed that marriage is success and happiness...that seems to have happened to only Mohib and his current begum.

Mental health- letting go- loving yourself... problem with MJ is she adores herself too much. The counseling sessions are actually very progressive thought...and if MJ learns to love someone above herself to let go.... that'd be nice actually.

Jaffer as enabler: yes, his narcissist was not loved by anyone until she decided to calm down and get some help... everyone was fed up of screaming Mubashira. That theme has already been established that Jafar himself said though his daughter was a star in every other way, she needed to be toned down. He has told her to work on her marriage than her into fits of rage. Rayyan- God help him- hope something changes him.

Asif's toxic contro freak- befitting reply given by Zaid who asked Jafar to convey to his father that his lifestyle has not changed one bit after he was disowned. So that bit handled too.

Actually to me as a viewer, there's only one theme in this show and that is Mein...Will Mein win over love or love win over Mein is the main theme as it appears to me. Rest all just situations created- some will be tackled some may not be.

If Asif begging Ayra on his knees for forgiveness or Asif dying is the only way to get Zaid and MJ together, then what's the role of love in this story.

I feel love has won over class difference already here. Whatever Zaid calls his love has won over every rock class difference threw at his face. MJ also tells every now and then- Ayra, you got your love etc.

Now we are on the main track of Mein, dealing with Mein.

Notable was the use of Saad in the last episode - it was used wrt the female leads. First we have Mubashira reflecting on how she never thought a person of her class would worry about keeping her husband- she thought that was a middle class thought, but here she was finding herself standing in the same line...for the first time she was forced to examine her sense of self. Here we have a Mubashira who to an extent still believes the whole world worships her, thinking about her current circumstances...oh how the mighty have fallen.

Then at breakfast table Ayra mentions she gives equal importance to her self as she does to her other relations( including Zaid).

Is self important over love or does love conquer all sense of selfishness? I am honestly reading the show only in this aspect and if they can answer it well, the writing wins. So far, except for the irritating MJ reactions, less screen space shared by leads and last episode was a little weary...other than that the writing has continuity for me as an audience.