Thread by @bluemagicboxes

Sometimes I think about the fact that Farjaad immediately turned to see Umeed's reaction to what everyone in this moment thought was a marriage proposal on Farjaad's behalf before he let himself smile and I suddenly get so many thoughts.

https://twitter.com/kanthonyily/status/1647652840805134336

This boy has *just* realized that he was wrong in his assumption about why Umeed is the way she is.

All this time he had thought she acted so rashly, with so much self-importance because she was spoilt.

It was just *today* he found out that she acted this way in rebellion.

It was just *today* he found out that her father can get her married off to a good-for-nothing loser without *her* consent.

That she wasn't a selfish liar. She was alone. She was protecting herself because no one else does. She claims her life because everyone tries to steal it

from her. He also knows if she is unwilling, she will let it show. She will go into this kicking and screaming. She will not relent.

And her father will not relent either. It was *Farjaad* who had just convinced her father to let her speak to the man his father was marrying her

off to without her consent. And he hadn't even done anything but repeat her words to him. Her father does not listen to rationale, he listens to the person.

Her father can bully her, but he perceives Farjaad to be a successful businessman and thus worthy of respect.

When Umeed pretends to be all coy in the scene following this one, saying she does not want to marry Farjaad, Haya clearly states that there is no way her father will let her get out of this one.

In this moment, there is only one person who cares about what Umeed wants.

And that is Farjaad.

Even though *he* wants *her* so much. His first instinct is to turn back and see if she is happy.

Pair this up with the line at his home, where he asks his mother how she could extend a proposal for her marriage without asking her.

What a thing to say when you think about what had led to their first meeting.

She had hidden in his car, forced him to offer her protection, from a proposal she didn't want.

He asks his mom if she even stopped to think what Umeed would be put through because of the proposal.

Now couple this with the fact that he is still too afraid to tell her he loves her. That he is still fearful of a rejection from her.

He has seen that she was blushing at the idea that she might be engaged to him, but he still does not take for granted that she likes him.

Umeed has just gotten out of a bad marriage prospect. She has been offered a better one. She is happy about it, not entirely opposed. But that doesn't translate into her wanting *him*.

Even if she was happy in that moment, his mom has still extended *his* proposal without Umeed

having consented to that.

He does not take for granted that just because he is a better prospect, and Umeed is in a situation where her father doesn't listen to her anyway, that translates into Umeed's happiness, no matter how happy *he* is.

He also has his guards up. This girl could absolutely shatter his heart. So when she asks him why she should reject Asadullah's proposal, he does not have it in him to tell her *he* wants her.

Nope. What gives him the final push is finding out about that painting.

Narratively, that is such a choice.

Umeed doesn't get cornered into choosing Farjaad. He still fears her rejection.

Until there is a *positive action* from Umeed, independent of every pressure that she could be put under regarding his presence in her life.

What a time to bring that painting into play. Farjaad is not a better marriage prospect put forth by their parents.

She independently chooses him. THAT is Umeed's indication of consent. Not just that smile.

When he goes to her house, and she implies that she is upset at the -

idea that he hadn't extended his own proposal, at this point this boy knows he has her consent.

And he tells her, that he isn't here to talk to her dad about their marriage prospect. He is here to end the marriage proposal she currently is dealing with.

He does not extend a proposal that her father would have accepted on his behalf, even if he knows she would have been happy with it. Even if she has indicated that she wants it.

Nope. My guy makes the effort of wooing her. He brings her flowers. Takes her out on a date.

Apologizes to her for his past misdeeds. Wins over her trust.

Umeed is not someone to be given away in marriage because she is too big to handle my the men in her house.

Nope. Umeed is worthy of courtship. Of being shown that she is wanted. Of being loved.

What her father wants is irrelevant to Farjaad. He has already won over that man. And he doesn't matter.

Umeed matters. What she feels matters. She should not be tied to a convenient marriage proposal. She should be given the opportunity to choose him. Independent of everyone.

Turning around to see what she feels before he expresses his own joy is only the first step Farjaad takes towards making sure that from now on, Umeed does not have to rebel anymore.

That she gets the abundance of love that he had mistakenly assumed made her the way she was.

That she does not have to fight for her life because everyone keeps attempting to steal it from her.

She chooses him. Regardless of what he feels, what his mother feels, what her father feels.

Anyway.

I have a research paper to write. Which was due yesterday. Send prayers.