“Bikhray Moti” is a story that focuses on the different ways a child can be abused. Whether it be physical abuse by a parent, emotional abuse by an uncle, being thrown into the labor force at a young age or the marriage of a minor, this is not a show for the faint of heart. It’s emotionally heavy and difficult to watch. For the past few weeks, the story has been centered around Ayeza and Ahad’s relationship and the opposition from their fathers. In episode 9, Ayeza (Neelam Muneer) finds herself in a mess when her father (Waseem Abbas) confirms that he wants Ayeza to marry Zulfi (Yasir Nawaz). Ayeza weaves a plan with Ahad (Wahaj Ali) to elope, wanting to take her mother and the children with her. However, her mother tells her that she is content living out her life with her husband, but encourages Ayeza to leave and be happy with Ahad. Unfortunately, fate, her father and Zulfi all have different plans in store and just as Ayeza is set to meet Ahad at the train station, she receives a phone call.
Zulfi is not only interested in marrying Ayeza, but is adamant that this marriage happen. His brother and bhabi come to visit, leaving Jaanu behind to work at the store, telling the family that he was busy with school. With the support of his elder brother, the two plot how to trap Ayeza into a marriage. They place a phone call through Shehzaadi, telling Ayeza that Shehzaadi is being married off. In a rush, she abandons her plan to meet Ahad and runs to Zulfi’s home – with her father in tow. Seeing the angry spectacle, her father decides it’s time to marry Zulfi and Ayeza. The discussion has moved from Shehzaadi’s marriage to Ayeza and Zulfi’s marriage, which is disturbing since it’s clear that this Daadi (Samina Ahmed) has already taken money for Shehzaadi’s wedding. Shehzaadi’s wedding will happen at this point, whether Ayeza marries Zulfi or not.
The most unlikable character on this entire show is Waseem Abbas’s character, the role of Ayeza’s father. This man is not only brainless and dominating, he’s also simply unloving. He never bothered to understand the plight of Faiza (Nausheen Shah) and now, after her death, he is ready to throw Ayeza into the same situation Faiza went through. It’s frustrating to watch a character like this, because if he would have put his ego aside for even a moment and been kind to his family, this entire situation would never have unfolded. Of course, on the other end, Zulfi’s family is simply terrible. While it’s a relief to see that Zulfi’s brother, the Taaya, is mildly kind and supportive of Jaanu, he’s also robbing Jaanu of his childhood by not allowing him to go to school. Now with Jaanu alone, it’s unclear who is with him – is he alone? And if so, there’s a world of bad things that could happen and that’s not a comforting thought.
This show belongs to Neelam Muneer and she’s doing a wonderful job of making Ayeza a very likable character. Of course, the child performers are on a different level. The next episode seems to be much of the same with images of Ayeza and Ahad trying to make decisions and Ayeza’s father plotting. Will Ayeza sacrifice her love for the well-being of her sister’s children?
