Breaking Ties (Chandragiriya Teeradalli) by Sara Abubakar is a powerful feminist critique of Muslim patriarchy, specifically focusing on the subaltern experiences of women in the South Asian community.
Liam arrives home two hours late, barely acknowledges the setup, and critiques the wine choice. When Emma gently expresses hurt, Liam responds with a cold, logical dismantling of her feelings: “You’re being dramatic. I had work. You don’t work, so you don’t understand pressure.” breaking ties by sara abubakar summary
: Through manipulation and influence, Khan tricks Rashid into uttering Breaking Ties ( Chandragiriya Teeradalli ) by Sara
Mahammad Khan: Nadira’s father and the antagonist; he prioritizes his own ego and patriarchal laws over his daughter's happiness. I had work
The climax arrives when Emma discovers that Liam has been secretly recording their conversations to use as “evidence” of her instability. She finds a hidden camera in their bedroom. This violation shatters the last thread of her denial.
The story concludes with a sense of bittersweet liberation. While the protagonist successfully "breaks the ties," the ending is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. Abubakar does not promise a "happily ever after," but rather the beginning of a self-authored life.
The marriage quickly sours. What begins as minor disagreements escalates into psychological manipulation and emotional abuse. Musa controls Zainab’s finances, isolates her from her friends, and monitors her movements. He belittles her ambitions, mocking her desire to work as "a waste of time when you have my money."