It was then a strange thing happened. Firdaus forgot her own pride. She forgot herself. She even forgot Khawar- and only saw the
lonely suffering woman, and remembered Khawar’s words that his mother had tried to take her own life as a result of that unfortunate
episode….on an impulse, she flew to Kaniz’s side. Squatting on the floor in front of the older woman, she placed her head in Kaniz’s
leap Qaisra: 280.
Based on that citation, readers can see that Firdaus for a moment could ignore her pride and esteem elder, however, it does not signify that she loses her
pride. She is still a proud woman and keeping her principle. Even though Kaniz had proposed her, as the marriage arrangement procedure in usual, she, for her
pride, favours Khawar proposing her by himself. She pretends that she wants to marry not only for parents’ sake but also for theirs.
“Don’t forget to mention that without Khawar’s personal proposal, I’ll not be able to marry him, she sadi firmly. In your own feverish
delight, don’t forget my pride Qaisra: 289.”
Physically, Firdaus is described as a woman who is not too beautiful and not too tall as Zarri is. She has brown skin, long hair and there is certain elegance
and an aura of feminity about a woman with a plait hanging down gracefully behind her shoulder Qaisra: 276. In addition, she also has high taste on
decoration. She decorates her office in Karachi tastefully which Kaniz is impressed with.
8. Khawar
Khawar is the son of Chaudarani Kaniz. As the only son, he grows as a young landlord in Chiragpur and inherits all of his mother’s wealth. Being a
young landlord, he becomes an important person in the village as well as in school committee.
Khwar’s family ranked second in the village hierarchy after the Siraj Din’s. They had some land to their name, a large house and
two comfortable places of residence in the nearest town. As the only son and heir, Khawar had taken over the responsibilities of
running the family business, which consisted of leasing out acres of fortitude land to the village tenants….so begun to play a prominent
role in the village management committee, overseeing and governing the school Qaisra: 61.
As a landlord, however, she loves Firdaus, a daughter of a servant- her mother’s foe. He loves her much though Kaniz disagrees with that idea. Because
of his love toward Firdaus, he leaves his house and his mother. “If you are so small minded and petty, then I’ll be forced to act
alone and do what is right. I don’t want you to chase other rishtas for me. I’ll not lose Firdause to some city slicker. She belongs here,
in the village with me and in my home. Either come to your sense, mother, or I’ll walk out of this house. He gave her the ultimatum,
his eyes totally hostile Qaisra: 73.”
Physically, Khawar is characterised as a handsome man aged about 27 years old. He is also an educated, intelligent and humorous man.
9. Sikander
Sikander was Zarri Bano’s fiancée who later is going to be Zarri’s brother in law and at last to be Zarri’s husband. He is a business man from Karachi.
Because of his wealth and his good look, many parents have proposed him. However, he finds out that Zarri is a different woman who can make him fall in
love. People ran to do his bidding. Financial success, popularity and
good looks had made him a very eligible bachelor. Since his early twenties, parents from the upper strata of Karachi society were
forever parading their daughters in front of him. Yet, here in connection with Zarri Bano, he felt both belittled and inadequate. It
was a new phenomenon in his life and he didn’t relish it one iota Qaisra: 88.
Loving Zarri Bano doesn’t mean he could not love other women. After Zarri Bano being a Holy Woman, Sikander marries Ruby, Zarri’s sister, and he
loves Ruby too. Sikander and Ruby have a son named Haris. However, during his marriage life, Sikander always remembers Zarri. He always thinks about her and
is always envious of every man approaches her. “All I can say in my defence is that I want to marry Zarri Bano
very much- just as I wanted to marry Ruby. I have loved both of your daughters. I don’t know how it was possible to love both
sisters but I have and did Qaisra: 237.”
Citation above is spoken by Sikander to Shahzada when he wants to marry Zarri after Ruby passes away. In addition, he is also an enduring man. He
endurely waits for Zarri Bano from identity transforming, from a Holy woman into a wife.
10. Ruby
Ruby is Habib’s daughter or Zarri’s sister. As her sister, Ruby is physically beautiful and perfect. However, people consider that she is the pale
shadow of Zarri. “She is just as nice and nearly as beautiful. I know you both partial
to Zarri Bano’s beauty, but in looks you can hardly the difference between the two sisters apart from Ruby’s hairstyles and color of
her eyes. …Ruby is very attractive and eligible girl. She is an intelligent, beautiful, graceful woman and has a warm sunny
personality Qaisra: 152.”
Ruby is also Sikander’s wife and Haris’ mother. As Zarri Bano, Ruby also loves Sikander much. Offered marrying Sikander, Ruby forgets about her sister’s
feelings and gets married to Sikander. Because of her love, she is sometimes envious of her sister whom her husband loves.
