Namal (Episode 25 Nemrah Ahmed)- Novel Review by Shoby

Namal (Episode 25 Nemrah Ahmed)- Novel Review by Shoby

Dr. Seuss said “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”  Martin Luther King Jr said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Bob Marley said, "Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do." My personal favourite John Green in #TFIOS said “As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” and story continues as for many of the philosophers, scholars, speakers & writers the feeling of Love is sweeter than honey but STOP we are in the #Namal world where things are always unanticipated So Nemrah quotes a very unorthodox monologue written by C. JoyBell C. about love.

Check the lines depicting a very unique & dynamic yet true hallmark of intense love. Joybell said, “They say a good love is one that sits you down, gives you a drink of water, and pats you on top of the head. But I say a good love is one that casts you into the wind, sets you ablaze, makes you burn through the skies and ignite the night like a phoenix; the kind that cuts you loose like a wildfire and you can't stop running simply because you keep on burning everything that you touch! I say that's a good love; one that burns and flies, and you run with it!”

Probably its needless to further explain these self explanatory lines. I just want to add up here that Love for Joybell & our Namal characters is different (read sui-generis). Remember Zumer saying, "I Hate You" and Faris replying "I Love You Too". Recall what Aabi said, "Woh (Zumer) tumharey liye Faris Ghazi, Aisa kabhi nahi karey gi." Last but not the least, what Hanna felt for Hashim & how she tackled with her emotions & affection. So this is the type of love for which Joybel said, "the kind that cuts you loose like a wildfire and you can't stop running simply because you keep on burning everything that you touch".

Now lets begin our journey in the state of hypnosis. When I first read the title of episode 25, the first thing that strike to my mind was the 19th episode of 3rd season of Fringe (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), where Waltor, Peter & Olivia walks into an altogether different world with the help of hypnosis using LSD (drugs used to alter awareness of the surroundings, perceptions, and feelings).  But this, obviously, is not Fringe, it is Namal. So lets see, who, why & how someone got hypnotised in Namal this time around :p

Episode 25 starts with the beautiful description of a court room. (Side Notes: Apart from many other traits, I am the biggest fan of Nemrah as far as her scene detailing skills are concerned). Nemrah shuffles multiple scenes forth & back while focusing on the primary court procedures. I feel she has a superbly talented screenplay writer hidden somewhere within her.

Few weeks backs Aabi challenged Hashim, "If you want me, earn me" and the price she quoted for acceptance of wedding proposal is way too high, way too complex. She wants Hashim to follow the court trial and prove his innocence in the court. Meanwhile, Zumer shares the complete past of Sadi highlighting how "Humara #innocent Saadi" converted  into this newly emerged ruthless character.

Zumer tells Faris about the proposal of Haroon Ubaid and in return Faris reveals the actual reality behind Haroon's interest in the case. "Woh dil se chahta hai ke Hashim is muqadmey mein uljhey. Is ke liye woh tumhain or Aabdar dono ko istemal ker raha hai". The very honest & beautiful inner self of Zumer gets sad hearing this.

I loved the way, how Nemrah mentioned the short notes taken by Hashim during the oral arguments by Zumer.

After Zumer, here comes the Hannibal himself. Fastened your seat belts for some very cunning remarks from him. Hashim almost thrashed Saadi by besmirching his innocent character. Thank you Nemra for reminding us the Real Day of Judgement in the meantime.

In the midst of all this, entry of Aabdar is a game changer for a while. Hashim looks at Aabi and this mere glance was noticed by Hanna. Mohabbat rahey ya nahi... Yaaden to akhri saans tak rehti hain... Nemrah makes sure that we do not forget the love-effected super cool girl Hanna. (What a bunch of characters Namal has. I shall miss all of them once Namal concludes and it is a fact). 

Aabdar is angry with Haroon reason being she is now fed up of being misused by him. However he assures her that whatever he has done, its for her and then he presents her Zumer's nose pin.

I personally enjoyed this little informal written correspondence between Hanna & Aabi in the courtroom. (Remeinded me of how we used to talk to each other in our school & uni life :p ).

Aabdar cunningly informed Faris about the deal which was cemented between Zumer & her father Haroon. Aabdar's statement "Baat cheez ki nahi hai... us ne #aap ko 3 din tak girwi rakha tha" is followed by a stunner response from Faris, "Us ne mujhey 4 saal tak jail mein bhi rakha tha... Main us ko hazaar dafa muaaf ker sakta hoon". (This is the type of love that Joybell talked about). This scene featuring Faris, Aabi & Zumer (in the backdrop) is a masterpiece. Took place at #FoodlyEverafter this one is an excellent rendition of love... Love that speaks out loud in the words of Joybell... A good love is one that casts you into the wind, sets you ablaze, makes you burn through the skies...

Hashim consludes his initial arguments. Arguments that were full of false statements, misinterpreted scenarios, twisted incidents & every bad notion that can be accounted for in the books. And if this is not enough Hashim has disclosed his future plans to Sheru. He literally wants the innocent  family of Saadi to bite the dust. He is in full swing to thrash the tag of nobility from their forefronts.

Statements of Saadi Yousaf in the witness box forced Hashim to "think out loud' #TooPoetic. I loved the remarks though...

Thank you Nemra... Thank you very much for providing the poor couple a much needed opportunity to leave all other tensions behind and visit a hill station. Zumer says it all in just one sentence, "Mujhey qeemti zewar chahiye tha... Mehenga nahi". A line with a beautiful blend of romance & honesty. (Love that John Green talks about).

As per tradition of Nemrah Ahmed & Namal, words of wisdom are here, "Jab insan ke baap dada ko saza nahi milti... Walden ko in ki seyah kariyaon ke bais koi nahi pakarta... Ya khud humarey maazi mein humarey gunaahon pe koi pakar nahi hoti... To humain lagta hai ke woh gunaah justified they...  lakin ALLAH ki Shariyat flexible nahi hai...".

Back in the hotel located in the beautifully hill station, while playing word scrabble, we have a new addition in the dictionary... Zumerized will be tackled with Farsisism... Ha ha ha... Brilliant...

Episodes ends with the start of Hashim's interrogation while Saadi Yousaf is still in witness box... (To Be Continued...)...

Unlike the last one, this is a very beautiful & powerful episode. Nemrah has beautifully wrapped up the proceedings of all previous episodes here. Nemrah deserves a big applause for writing this episode in a very unique manner.  

The whole episode looks like filmed in a drone rotational mode in the state of virtual hypnosis. This episode is a milestone in current Urdu literature considering the fact that it is unique in its treatment & projection. Congrats to Nemrah Ahmed for being a pioneer in writing in this style as far as Urdu digest writing is concerned.