My Blanket is So Lit

 

My Blanket is So Lit

It all started when I found myself trapped in the elevator after leaving my workplace. This experience left me utterly terrified of lifts. I began to tremble and decided to take the stairs to reach my office on the 4th floor. As I  climbed up, I got shaky, my heart started racing, and my legs felt weakened with each step. This became a daily struggle for me, making it feel like an uphill challenge to achieve my stair-climbing goals. Every day, I find myself wishing for something miraculous to occur, like a change in the office layout, the option to work remotely, or a vacation that seems completely out of reach. Once again feeling disheartened, I tried to concentrate on the task before me. While I was frustrated with the looming challenges of the English language in front of me, I was jolted back to reality by loud cheers coming from my workplace. I caught phrases like “Slay” and “Gas,” which seem to be popular among Gen Z and Alpha kids when they communicate. I assumed these terms might have a trendy context since the literal meaning of the first is rather harsh, and the second can be seen as inappropriate for a confined office setting.

Eventually, I heard HR and the team lead announcing one week of winter break. Putting aside all my “salty” feelings, including panic attacks and elevator phobia, I joined in the celebration. Amidst my deep thinking, a colleague asked me if I had any plans for the holidays. I replied immediately that I would just snuggle in my warm, cozy blanket and dream away, without a care in the world. After hearing this, most of my colleagues seemed to be in awe of my idea. I heard them say, “This is so lit. No cap.” Without waiting to decipher what it meant, I packed up and left.

 At home, I gazed at my blanket with great love. I had been so busy working what seemed like 25 hours a day that I had forgotten how much my old, faithful blanket meant to me. On the nights when I was exhausted after work, it was my blanket that gave me peace and comfort. The 5 hours of sleep that I managed to get every night were because of the calm and soothing effect that my blanket had on me. My blanket is my shining star, it’s an unsung hero! It deserves recognition. I hold my blanket in the highest regard. That night, while I was wondering how to get the world to appreciate the little things in life, my blanket helped me get a nice, relaxed, and peaceful slumber.

“Snuggling under a blanket is the coziest joy."

 I woke up feeling cheerful and refreshed, as happy as a lark. “ No work today! No Gen Alpha words to worry about!” I screamed at the top of my voice. I went back to bed and snuggled in my warm, fuzzy blanket. I began to plan my day with my blanket. What a great idea to start the day with breakfast in bed, sipping hot tea in the comfort of my blanket. It was a cold, chilly December morning after all! Later, I brought chips, cookies, dry fruit, and other munching stuff. You name it, I had it! All this while I was cuddling inside my blanket and reading a book. It was pure bliss!

I felt like getting some beauty sleep when the writer inside me awakened. I opened my laptop and started writing an appreciation note for my blanket, which was as pretty as a picture, helping me achieve my dream of a restful, tranquil holiday. Ultimately, I will be able to share with the world that blankets deserve recognition for their invaluable contributions to humanity.

 Well! My one week of winter break is almost over! I will share with you the formula that I adopted to keep me happy. First and foremost, never wake up when someone is forcing you to. Be determined and go back to sleep.  It’s your life, your rules, and your sleep. On the other hand, if there is an emergency, please do wake up. Next is to appreciate the little things in life that bring you happiness.

 In my case, it is my irresistibly soft, sweet-smelling, plush blanket that feels as smooth as satin, gliding over my skin. As I will be undergoing a hectic work week ahead with just 5 hours of sleep, all I can think of is to remember my mini-vacation from the world, nestled in the softness, with perfect coziness and tender connection.

 I hope you all have developed an emotional attachment to your blanket and felt that swaddling in a cozy blanket brings a moment of perfect peace and ecstasy! 

Final Review of Drama Jama Taqseem

                    

Final Review of Drama Jama Taqseem

“Zindagi ki bhaag daur main, main taqseem karna bhool gaya,

Aur yeh bhi bhool gaya ke taqseem karney se cheezain kum nahin hoteen, barhti hain “.

What beautiful lines! A heartfelt finale that truly touched our hearts.

Jama Taqseem, a compelling drama that depicts the intricacies of relationships within in-law dynamics and joint family structures. The play emphasizes the disparities in power and the conflicts between the two families, which also negatively affected the lives of the newlywed couple.

An engaging drama that quickly captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling and impressive acting. Mawra Hocane plays Laila, a member of a small, educated, and liberal nuclear family. She chose to marry Talha Chahour, who portrays Qais in the drama. Qais is the youngest son in a large extended family that includes his elderly parents, two older brothers with their families, and an eldest sister who is already married and established. Their family adheres to a patriarchal system and strictly upholds traditional family values. The father-in-law, Javed Sheikh, and mother-in-law, Beo Raana Zafar, are staunch believers in conventional family roles. They come across as simple and traditional, emphasizing the importance of a united family unit. Their sincere desire is for their sons to live together.

Following the wedding of Qais and Laila, tensions arose between their families due to differing behaviors and perspectives. Laila's family embraces a modern way of life and values, whereas Qais's family clings to strict customs and values, creating difficulties for educated newlyweds like Laila in adjusting to a toxic environment.  Hats off to the writer for gaslighting the major issues of the joint family system. The author, Sarwat Nazir, a prominent Pakistani writer, effectively depicts the real challenges faced by a new bride amidst a large joint family. The play emphasizes how conservative families with traditional beliefs can create a hellish experience for young married women. Laila, accustomed to a more carefree lifestyle, was taken aback by the conservative attitudes of her in-laws. She constantly faced criticism for her perceived negligence and inability to meet household responsibilities. The lack of privacy, relentless family interference, toxic dynamics, and family politics made her married life more challenging.

As the narrative unfolds, Laila endures manipulation and family politics. She attempts to adapt to a challenging environment, sacrificing her sleep, relaxation, and personal choices, while striving to contribute to household tasks such as making breakfast, washing clothes, and preparing dinner. However, the hostile and uncooperative attitudes of Qais' elder brother’s wives and mother continue to bring Laila heartache and distress.  

The drama authentically portrays sensitive topics such as sexual harassment within a joint family. Zeeshan harassed his cousin, Sidra, during a shared study session. The manipulative sexual actions of Zeeshan were overlooked until Laila brought them to light, which resulted in turmoil and confrontation among family members.

 

The narrative took an unexpected turn when Qais' father unjustly allocated family assets, granting the entire business to one son while disregarding the other. As a result, family ties were severely damaged, leading the two brothers to choose to live apart. Qais' father fell gravely ill and required hospitalization.

Eventually, Qais’ parents moved to Qais' apartment, where Laila's parents were already staying with their daughter. The best scenes in the drama were watching both parents with different values and lifestyles have discussions and disagreements regarding family customs and traditions. The most striking moments depicted the challenges faced by Qais and Laila's parents in navigating modern expectations while maintaining traditional values

The final episode was outstanding; it focuses on reconciliation and emotional growth. The whole family forgave each other’s mistakes and began to move forward with positivity and understanding under the same roof. A blissful culmination to see the whole family united. The ending scenes were marvelous. The director, Ali Hassan,  focuses on creating a nurturing environment that allows families to keep a balance between tradition and personal space and recognize each other’s need for autonomy. The brothers asked forgiveness from their father, a positive that fosters mutual respect, understanding for each other. It leads to a joyful connection that strengthens their relationship. As it was realistically shown how the brothers and sister communicated through WhatsApp.

A compelling narrative that resonates deeply with them. Its thought-provoking themes reflect the life experiences of many viewers, highlighting real-life familial struggles, dynamics, and the harsh truths present in joint families, including the mistreatment of a daughter-in-law.

A poignant production that delivered an emotional closure by emphasizing the significance of family values and family bonding that lead to a harmonious family life. Another aspect highlighted was how a daughter-in-law from an educated and open-minded family positively changes household dynamics.

 

Thanks to the entire team of JaamaTaqseem for a deeply affecting performance! The play will live on in the audience's memory for years.

 Those who missed watching this true-life story can watch complete episodes on  Hum TV's website and YouTube (Hum TV)

Review of Drama Jama Taqseem

 

Review of Drama Jama Taqseem

A compelling drama that depicts the intricacies of relationships within in-law dynamics and joint family structures. The play emphasizes the disparities in power and the conflicts between the two families, which also negatively affected the lives of the newlywed couple.

Jama Taqseem is an engaging drama that quickly captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling and impressive acting. Mawra Hocane plays Laila, a member of a small, educated, and liberal nuclear family. She chose to marry Talha Chahour, who portrays Qais in the drama. Qais is the youngest son in a large extended family that includes his elderly parents, two older brothers with their families, and an eldest sister who is already married and established. Their family adheres to a patriarchal system and strictly upholds traditional family values. The father-in-law, Javed Sheikh, and mother-in-law, Beo Raana Zafar, are staunch believers in conventional family roles. They come across as simple and traditional, emphasizing the importance of a united family unit. Their sincere desire is for their sons to live together.

Following the wedding of Qais and Laila, tensions arose between their families due to differing behaviors and perspectives. Laila's family embraces a modern way of life and values, whereas Qais's family clings to strict customs and values, creating difficulties for educated newlyweds like Laila in adjusting to a toxic environment. The author, Sarwat Nazir, a prominent Pakistani writer, effectively depicts the real challenges faced by a new bride amidst a large joint family. The play emphasizes how conservative families with traditional beliefs can create a hellish experience for young married women. Laila, who was used to a more carefree lifestyle, was taken aback by the conservative attitudes of her in-laws. She constantly faced criticism for her perceived negligence and inability to meet household responsibilities. The lack of privacy, relentless family interference, toxic dynamics, and family politics made her married life more challenging.

As the narrative unfolds, Laila endures manipulation and family politics. She attempts to adapt to a challenging environment, sacrificing her sleep, relaxation, and personal choices, while striving to contribute to household tasks like making breakfast, lunch, washing clothes, and preparing dinner. However, the hostile and uncooperative attitudes of Qais' elder brother’s wives and mother continue to bring Laila heartache and distress.  

The drama authentically portrays sensitive topics such as sexual harassment within a joint family. Zeeshan harassed his cousin, Sidra, during a shared study session. The manipulative sexual actions of Zeeshan were overlooked until Laila brought them to light, which resulted in turmoil and confrontation among family members.

The narrative took an unexpected turn when Qais' father unjustly allocated family assets, granting the entire business to one son while disregarding the other. As a result, family ties were severely damaged, leading the two brothers to choose to live apart. Qais' father fell gravely ill and required hospitalization. Eventually, they relocated to Qais' apartment, where Laila's parents joined them to stay with their daughter. It was fascinating to observe both sets of parents cohabiting, as their discussions and disagreements regarding family customs captured viewers' interest. The most striking moments depicted the challenges faced by parents in navigating modern expectations while maintaining traditional values.

The audience enjoys this poignant drama for its compelling narrative that resonates deeply with them. Its thought-provoking themes reflect the life experiences of many viewers, highlighting real-life familial struggles, dynamics, and the harsh truths present in joint families, including the mistreatment of a daughter-in-law. The strong message conveys that, whether it’s a son or daughter getting married, families should seek a match with similar values, open-mindedness, and a blend of traditional and contemporary ways of living. Regardless of whether it’s a love marriage or an arranged marriage, mismatched values can lead to a distressing married life.

For those who missed watching this true-life story, watch the first episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZtt5cjWyqI