Chand Ki Roshni (The Moonlight’s Glow)

Episode 10

Scene 1: Ali’s Office – Evening

Ali is pacing nervously in the office after the call with Zoya, his face a mix of anxiety and determination. Danish watches him closely.

Danish: (concerned) Yaar, ab kiya karoge?
(Friend, what will you do now?

Ali: (frustrated) Yaar, kuch toh karna hoga. Mein Sara ko nahi kho sakta. Mujhe apni ami ko samjhana hoga ke meri khushi Sara mein hai.
(Man, I have to do something. I can’t lose Sara. I need to make my mom understand that my happiness lies with Sara.)

Danish: (supportively) Haan, sahi hai. Usko bhi haq hai apne khwab poore karne ka. Jo wo karna chahti hai, wo kare.
(Yeah, that’s right. She has the right to fulfill her dreams too. She should be able to do what she wants.)

Ali: (nodding) Haan, tum sahi keh rahe ho. Lekin meri maa toh…
(Yeah, you’re right. But my mom…)

Danish: (interrupting) Sun, unse aram se baat karo. I’m sure wo samjhenge. Unhe bhi toh pyaar hai tumse.
(Listen, talk to her calmly. I’m sure she will understand. She loves you too.)

Ali: (taking a deep breath) Tumhe nahi pata, kabhi kabhi toh lagta hai ke wo meri khushi nahi samajhti.
(You don’t know, sometimes it feels like she doesn’t understand my happiness.)

Danish: (reassuringly) Wo maa hain, samajhengi. Tum bas apne dil ki baat unse keh do.
(She’s a mother; she will understand. Just speak from your heart.)

Ali: (thinking) Tumhara kehna sahi hai. Mujhe apni feelings unke samne rakhni hongi.
(What you’re saying is right. I need to express my feelings to her.)

Danish: (encouragingly) Bilkul! Tumhe pata hai, agar tum apne liye nahi khade hoge, toh kaun karega?
(Absolutely! You know, if you don’t stand up for yourself, who will?)

Ali: (determined) Theek hai, main kuch karunga. Sara ki khushi mere liye sabse pehle hai.
(Alright, I will do something. Sara’s happiness comes first for me.)

As they talk, Ali’s tension starts to ease, replaced by a newfound determination.

Scene 2: Later That Evening – Ali’s Home

After his conversation with Danish, Ali reaches home late. The house is quiet, and he can hear the distant sounds of his family settling into their respective rooms.

Ali takes a deep breath, his heart racing as he contemplates his next move.

Ali: (to himself) Abhi to meri himmat nahi hoti apni ami se baat karne ki. Bas thodi der akele rehna chahunga.
(I still don’t have the courage to talk to my mom. I just want to be alone for a little while.)

He quietly walks towards his bedroom, the weight of the conversation he knows he needs to have lingering heavily in his mind.

Scene 3: Breakfast at Sara’s Home

The morning sun streams through the windows as Sara, Zoya, and their parents gather around the breakfast table. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air, but tension hangs thick as Sara’s father, Mr. Ahmed, starts the conversation.

Mr. Ahmed: (seriously) Razia, aap please aaj phone karke hamari taraf se inqar kar dijiye ga. Mein nahi chahta ke waqt guzre aur unko koi umeed bane.
(Razia, please call and reject their proposal today. I don’t want to waste time and give them any false hope.)

Sara’s heart drops at her father’s words. She freezes, her grip tightening around her fork, unable to respond.

Zoya: (trying to interject) Baba, lekin…
(Dad, but…)

Before Zoya can finish, Sara quickly presses her hand against Zoya’s arm, silencing her.

Sara: (staying silent)
(She remains quiet, feeling the weight of the situation.)

Mr. Ahmed: (continuing) Mujhe Sara ki khushi azeez hai aur mein janta hoon k meri beti aage parhna chahti hai.
(I care about Sara’s happiness, and I know my daughter wants to continue her studies.)

Sara listens intently, her heart heavy, knowing her father’s intentions are good but feeling trapped.

Mr. Ahmed: (with concern) Lekin wo Ali k sath reh kar yeh sab nahi kar payegi. Uski parhai pehle aati hai, aur shaadi ke baad sab kuch badal jaata hai.
(But she won’t be able to do all this if she’s with Ali. Her education comes first, and everything changes after marriage.)

Zoya: (trying to break the silence) Baba, mujhe lagta hai ke aapko itni jaldi faisla nahi karna chahiye.
(Dad, I think you shouldn’t make such a hasty decision.)

Mr. Ahmed: (firmly) Nahi, beta. Der hogi toh umeed bandhegi. Mein nahi chahta ke koi false hope don. Hamari Sara us ghar mein kabhi khush nahi rehegi.
(No, dear. If we delay, it will give them hope. I don’t want to give any false hope. Our Sara will never be happy in that house.)

Zoya opens her mouth to say something, but her father interrupts her.

Mr. Ahmed: (decisively) Bas, meine keh diya. Razia, aap unko mana kar dijiye izzat se.
(That’s it, I’ve made my decision. Razia, you should respectfully decline their proposal.)

Sara listens quietly, feeling the weight of her father’s words as the tension in the room builds. She struggles with her emotions, wanting to defend her dreams but also wanting to honor her father’s wishes.

Razia: (softly, trying to mediate) Aap dono ko samajhna hoga, hum chaahte hain ke aap ki zindagi khush rahe.
(You both need to understand, we want your life to be happy)

Sara swallows hard, feeling the pressure but remaining quiet, determined to keep her thoughts to herself for now. The tension at the table thickens as they all reflect on the uncertain future ahead.

Scene 4: On the Way to College

Zoya and Sara walk side by side, but the atmosphere is tense. Zoya’s face is scrunched in frustration, and she finally bursts out.

Zoya: (angrily) Kal toh tum bara Ali se keh rahi thi ke “I trust you,” aur subha baba ke samne kuch nahi bola!
(Yesterday, you confidently told Ali, “I trust you,” and this morning, you said nothing in front of Dad!)

Sara: (defensively) Haan, I trust Ali, lekin mein baba se bhi pyaar karti hoon. Aur mujhe pata hai ke wo meri mohabbat mein yeh sab kar rahe hain.
(Yes, I trust Ali, but I love Dad too. And I know he’s doing all this out of love for me.)

Zoya: (scolding) Bewaqoof! Tumne kyun nahi kaha ke tumhari khushi Ali mein hai? Kyun khamosh rahi? I’m sure baba will understand!
(You fool! Why didn’t you say that your happiness is with Ali? Why did you stay silent?)

Sara: (sighing) Mujhe pata hai, lekin shayad agar mein yeh bolti ke “aap galat soch rahe hain” ya “mein Ali ko pasand karti hoon,” toh unka maan toot jata.
(I know, but maybe if I said, “You’re thinking wrong,” or “I like Ali,” it would hurt him.)

Zoya: (frustrated) Tum pagal ho, Sara! Aage kya socha hai tumne?
(You’re crazy, Sara! Have you thought about what’s next?)

Sara: (quietly) Pata nahi, jo Allah chahe. Agar wo meri kismat mein hoga, toh meri shaadi usi se hogi.
(I don’t know. Whatever Allah wills. If he is my destiny, then I will marry him.)

Zoya shakes her head, torn between concern and frustration.

Zoya: (softening) Lekin tumhe apni khushi ka khayal rakhna hoga, Ye! Tumhari zindagi hai.
(But you need to think about your happiness, sister! It’s your life.)

Sara: (with a faint smile) Tumhe samajh nahi aata, Zoya. Kahi na kahi, mujhe lagta hai ke sab kuch theek hoga.
(You don’t understand, Zoya. Somehow, I feel that everything will be alright.)

Zoya looks at her sister, concern etched on her face, realizing that Sara is stronger than she seems, yet still worried about her future.

Scene 5: Breakfast Table at Ali’s Home

The breakfast table is set, and Ali, feeling the tension in the air, takes a deep breath and initiates the conversation.

Ali: (trying to lighten the mood) Toh, Mom, aapka kal ka dinner un logon k sath kaisa raha?
(So, Mom, how was your dinner with them last night?)

Ali’s mother, Zubeda, hesitates for a moment, a faint smile gracing her lips.

Zubeda: (with a hint of concern) Acha tha, lekin mujhe lagta hai wo kaafi azad khayal log hain. Unhone apni beti ko bhi waise hi rakha hai.
(It was good, but I feel they are quite liberal. They have raised their daughter in a similar way.)

Ali looks confused, trying to understand her words.

Ali: (curiously) Kiya matlab hai apka “azad khayal se”?
(What do you mean by “liberal”?)

Zubeda continues, her tone revealing her worries.

Zubeda: (frustrated) Bahi, unki beti ghar ka koi kaam nahi karti. Bas parhayi ki hi baatein karti rehti hain. Mujhe toh lagta hai wo toh ghar par bhi nahi baithengi, job karegi.
(Well, their daughter doesn’t do any household work. She only talks about her studies. I think she won’t even stay at home, she will go for a job.)

Ali listens, gathering his courage to respond.

Ali: (firmly) Mom, is mein burayi kiya hai? Agar wo aage parhna chahti hai aur apna career pursue karna chahti hai toh?
(Mom, what’s wrong with that? If she wants to continue her studies and pursue her career?)

Zubeda’s expression hardens, her frustration boiling over.

Zubeda: (angrily) Acha, tum ye sab jaante ho? Beta, ghar ko sambhalti hui larki hi acchi lagti hai. Yeh kya, ghar ko suna kar kar bahar job pe chali jaye?
(Oh, so you know all this? Son, a girl who manages the home is the one who is good. What’s this, going out for a job while neglecting the house?)

Feeling the need to connect with her, Ali moves closer, sitting next to her and gently holding her hand.

Ali: (softly) Maa, Sara bohot zaheen hai. Wo har saal top karti hai. Agar uski parhayi chorwadi toh wo khush nahi rehpayegi. Aur wo khush nahi rahegi, toh mein kaise khush rahonga? Meri khushi toh us mein hi hai.
(Mom, Sara is very bright. She tops every year. If she stops studying, she won’t be happy. And if she’s not happy, how can I be? My happiness is in her happiness.)

At this moment, Ali’s father interjects, trying to calm the situation.

Father: (thoughtfully) Ali theek keh raha hai, Zubeda Begum. Waqt badal gaya hai. Ek padhai likhi samajhdar maa hi aage behtareen nasal ko parwaan chadha sakti hai. Aur jahan tak Sara ki baat hai, mujhe wo larki bohot samajhdaar lagi. Thora aap compromise kar lijiye, wo bhi karegi, aapki aur is ghar ki khushi ke liye.
(Ali is right, Zubeda. Times have changed. An educated and understanding mother is the one who nurtures the next generation. And as for Sara, I found her very sensible. You should compromise a bit; she will too, for your happiness and the happiness of this home.)

Zubeda looks at both her son and husband, her expression softening.

Zubeda: (smiling) Haan, ab ap dono ne team up kar liya hai, mein kiya kar sakti hoon?
(Yes, now you both have teamed up against me; what can I do?)

All three share a laugh, the tension dissipating a bit. Just then, Zubeda’s phone rings, interrupting the moment.

Zubeda: (answering the call) Hello? Razia?
(Hello? Razia?)

After listening for a moment, her expression suddenly changes, and she looks worried.

Ali: (concerned) Kya hua, Maa?
(What happened, Mom?)

Zubeda: (in a shaky voice) Unhone inqar kar diya rishtay se.
(They have declined the proposal.)

Ali’s heart sinks, and the laughter from a moment ago feels like a distant memory.