Also, just a small thought here about Ehtisham. When his mother realised despite Ehtisham's public outburst, any anger that he felt was very momentary and he actually loves Zoya, she realised that any long term negative actions or words against Zoya (like what Nimi, the vile idiot, was thinking and planning) would backfire on her. Ehtisham's scene is very illuminating to its core too. When she says she regrets what had happened with Zoya, Ehtisham quietly and firmly asserts that she should express her regret directly to Zoya and not to him, confirming that he is not as easily manipulated as I originally thought he was. His mother then makes a whole case out of how he should not have been harsh to Zoya and daughters-in-law should be respected and in the same breath, asserting that how Zoya will her only real bahu and will be the only one to properly receive the status of DIL in her home while Sitara is just an add-on (despite the fact the fact that both Zoya and Sitara are her nieces, albeit from different sides of the family). This angers Ehtisham and really illuminates his character very well.
Ehtisham is not a bad person. He is mostly a decent person with some shades of grey like not necessarily wanting to stick his neck out or shouting at his wife in public and apologising to his wife in private. Prior to the defaming, he did visibly care about Sitara, playing the part of the nice older cousin-brother. However, at the same time, Sitara was, quite understandably, not in the list of his priorities. She is being fed, sheltered, educated and cared for and there is not much to think about her beyond perhaps buying her small and occasional gifts as an older brother figure and enquiring about her studies. He does not think bad of her like others in bad situations like the theft accusations but he does not really care about her like ensuring her emotional well being after the fiasco got over. Even after the public defaming, he expressed his doubts because Sitara didn't seem that kind of girl. It was only after the humiliation at the second wedding that he was furious at Salman's suggestion of the latter marrying Sitara. He does however warm up to it and clearly cares for his brother's 'happiness' and wants to ensure that things return to normal. Now, hearing that his mother is already planning to mistreat Sitara even before she and Salman are officially wedded angers him. He may not like the circumstances that Sitara is brought to their house as a bride but he still does care for her as an older cousin.
That "this is the best deal for you" is such a good and roundabout way of telling his mother that Sitara deserves better than his nikkamma brother. Had things never gone bad, Salman would not even have been an option for Sitara, much like Qasim himself who got rejected by her Taya, let alone being considered for her. People already do not want to give their daughter as a bride to Salman because of his reputation. Ehtisham knows that Sitara's education is going to be cut off soon, so frankly he does not have much hope for her to have a good life. The fact that his mother intends to make her life even more miserable and that too intentionally pisses him off because it shows that he is firstly still a decent human being unlike his siblings and secondly still cares for Sitara as a cousin albeit in a more diminished capacity than before.
Zoya is already hitting sixers so I hope Ehtisham comes through especially in the later arcs involving the family's redemption. He is present in BTS pics of Sitara-Salar wedding, so I am hoping that this family has some redeeming members and qualities left.
Edited by roopshas1 - 1 years ago
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