""Nandu... wake up, son"" "Why do you wake me up "so early, Ma?"" ""The sun is up, son." And I have to go out too" "Freshen up and have bread." " Bread...?" "Bread and...?" " Jaggery" "Damn!" "Jaggery everyday." "I'm not eating" """If I had my way,"" I would buy you cream everyday" """Well, if you don"t like jaggery,"" go and buy some yogurt" "Take the money" "Come soon." " In a jiffy" "Farida!" "Get your chunk out of my way!" "Move" "I won"t." " No?" "Nandu!" "You pushed me on purpose." "I"ll go and tell your mother" """Go on, complain!""" "Whose shoes did you steal today?" " Who cares?" "It"s mine now" "It"d fetch enough to watch a movie." " Sneak!" "Someday you"ll get thrashed" "My foot!" "Yogurt for one anna." " Wait till I"m through with her" "Quick" "Help!" "Can"t you see a horse?" "Are you blind?" " You"re blind as a bat!" "Who do you think you are?" " Stop yelling and get lost" "Get off if you dare!" "I"m not Nandu unless I rip your belly" "Watch your tongue!" " What"s the matter?" """What is it, Nandu?""" " Look at this wrestler" "Firstly he runs his horse over us and then he yells at me" """Well fatso, what"s up?"" """ " Don"t meddle, Khairati." "I warn you""" """Really?" "Trying to scare a child, eh?"" Try taking me on" "I warn you!" "Don"t drag this matter." " You think that scares me?" "I challenge you." "Get your men too." " Really?" "So let"s fight it out" "Why are you crying?" "Are you hurt?" "My yogurt spilled" "You"re crying for such a little thing?" """Come, let me buy you yogurt""" "Get up" "Stop counting those papads!" "Do you want something else?" """Sardarji, yogurt for one anna."" ""Less curd, more cream""" "Smart boy" "I"ve never seen you here before." " l"m from Ambala" "I have come here to visit my uncle." " I see." "What"s your name?" "Kamli." " Kamli is a nice name." "I"m Nandu" """Nice name, isn"t it?""" " Take your yogurt" "Let"s go" "Careful" """Easy, easy""" "That"s my house" "You come to buy yogurt everyday?" " Yes" """Come tomorrow, I"ll give you guavas.""" " Okay" "Shall I leave?" " You want to go?" """Yes." "It"s quite late,"" aunt will scold me" """Okay, bye."" Go on" "The yogurt." " Oh yes." "Here you are." "T ake care" "Come here" "Yes?" " Are you engaged?" "Get lost!" "500 principal." "And only 1000 bucks ""interest amount has accrued, manager?""" "Kamli." "Return 2 paise 2 paise...?" " Right" """But uncle, I bought yogurt"" for one anna" "Yogurt worth anna...?" "Why?" "I told ""you to buy only for 2 paise, didn"t l?""" "Get lost" "You were told to buy yogurt only for 2 paise." "Why did you buy for an anna?" "Why are you scolding her?" " She spent an entire anna for yogurt" "Brother is angry." """- lt"s his habit." "Come, my child""" "But what made you so late?" """" " Know what happened today, aunt?""" "What happened?" "What happened?" "Tell me." """" " Nothing, Ma""" "Then why are you bruised all over?" "I"ve told you not to get into fights" """l did nothing, Ma." "Uncle Khairati"" got into a brawl with that wrestler" "I got caught in between." " Khairati is acting too smart of late" """Let him come, I"ll fix him""" "Where"s the yogurt?" " Yogurt...?" "I forgot" "And where"s the container?" " The container...?" "Yes..." "I left it at uncle Khairati"s place." "I"ll get it right away" """Kamli, where are you going?""" " To aunt Paro" """Come with me, let"s play in the swing."" """ " Not now, Farida""" "My aunt wants me back soon." " Will you come in the afternoon?" "We"ll go to the orchard and pluck berries" "Sure." """" " You must come, I"ll wait for you""" "All right" "Uncle..." """what happened, uncle?""" "You"re very naughty." "You started the fight and then you vanished" "Who says?" "Would I ever desert you?" "Don"t fool me." "You were nowhere around" "Who says?" "Who snatched his stick?" "You would have got your skull split... were it not for me." """" " Bravo, son""" """Uncle, looks like you got beaten"" black and blue" "I"m invincible." " Well said" "Let go!" "Lay off" """Uncle, is it hurting?"" """ " Very badly, son""" "Every inch is bruised." " Then let me have 2 annas" "I"ll get such a salve that will ease the pain in no time" "You think you can fool your uncle?" """You"ll vanish with the money, I know""" """lf I lie, may your pain increase.""" " Now don"t kill me." "Take the money" "Take it and get lost" """l"m taking this container, uncle.""" " Take it!" "And get lost!" "Kamli" """Aunt, where is Kamli?""" "She has gone to the station." "She"s going back to Ambala" "Why?" " Kamli"s father is sick" "He had sent a telegram" "There!" "The thread broke again." "Wonder what"s wrong with the machine today" "Nandu" "Where are you?" "Farida..." " Yes?" """Hold the rooster, I"ll be right back.""" " My hands are not free" """Hold it, will you?""" " How disgusting!" "Where were you?" "I"ve been yelling for you since an hour" "I"ve been here since an hour." " Liar." "You"re grown up now" "Will you get on to some job now?" "Or have fun and play all your life?" "Where"s the time for fun ""and play, Ma?" "I"m off." "It"s urgent""" "Listen..." """" " No time, Ma""" "Give it to me." """" " Conned your Ma, didn"t you?""" "I"ll tell her where you go everyday." " What did you say?" "You will tell Ma?" "Want me to shove you into the water?" " No!" "I won"t tell her." "Let me go" "Apologise." " l"m sorry." "Let me go now" "Go on" "I"m not sorry." " Damn you!" "Girdhari"s rooster is ready." " We"ll know now" "Fighting Nandu"s Noora is not easy." """" " Girdhari, are you ready?""" """l"m all set." "Nandu, are you ready?""" " Cent percent ready." "Come on" "Here goes mine." """" " Go on, son""" """Kill him, Rakha""" """Bravo, Noora." "That was great""" "Wonderful." "Bite him again" """Bravo, my tiger""" "Are you trying to escape?" """Noora, great!" "Bless you!" "Save Rakha,"" Girdhari." "Or he"ll lose face" "I"ll have your blood ""if you say that again, Nandu!""" """Let"s go on and on,"" ""till the road ends""""""" "This world is ours... this world ""under the lovely blue skies""""""" """We shall not be tied down,"" ""we shall not be scared...""""""" "wherever we go." """for, we"re raring to go""""""" """We"re courageous,"" ""we"re one of a kind...""""""" "we"re masters of our own wishes" "We light up the world" "We bring Spring along the way" """Let"s go on and on,"" ""till the road ends""""""" "This world is ours... this world ""under the lovely blue skies""""""" """Move it, sonny""" """This fresh journey of life,"" ""let"s undertake with gusto""""""" """O those who are left behind,"" ""have you failed in your endeavour?""""""" "T o our caravan clings the one who ""takes on the world, never looks back""""""" """Let"s go on and on,"" ""till the road ends""""""" "This world is ours... this world ""under the lovely blue skies""""""" """Move it, sonny""" "Drinking 5 glasses of lassi is no big deal." "Let"s see if you can have 6" """Yes, come on!""" " Drink it up" """Go on, drink it up!""" " Bravo" "Give me 8 annas." " I bet only 4 annas" "It was 8." """" " I said, 4 annas""" "Horseman!" " Who the hell...?" "Get your cart out of the way?" " Does the road belong to you?" """Shut up!" "You"re no pprince, are you?""" " Do you know who I am?" "I"ve dealt with many of your types." """" " Then come on, try me out""" "Don"t argue with them." "Take the ""cart back, let"s take the other road""" """l"ll deal with you next time, sonny."" """ " My foot, you will!""" "Bloody crook" "What did you say?" " Scoundrel" "Forget it." " She calls me a scoundrel" "Forget it." "Don"t argue with a girl." " Girl...?" "Is she?" "Brother..." " Bless you" """l have no one now, brother."" """ " Don"t say that, Geeta""" "I"m still alive." "I won"t let anything worry you" "Kamli!" " Aunt!" "I could die for such a beauty." "You"re so grown up" "You kept me waiting." "But why did you come by this train?" "The train we were supposed to take ""was full of soldiers, so we left it""" "Good you didn"t take that one." " Will you just keep talking?" "Won"t you take them inside?" """" " Come on in." "Come, Geeta""" """Geeta, I hope the jewellery is safe.""" " Yes brother." "Here you are" "Goodness!" """You had me scared!" "What"s this, Nandu?"" """ " Look what I"ve got for you, Ma""" """A shawl, and..."" close your eyes first" """Close your eyes, please""" "Wonderful." "It looks so good on you" "I can see everything so clearly now." """Nandu, you look more handsome, son""" "And..." " Let me see" "Show me your hand." " Here" "Take it." " My necklace?" "How did you release it?" "I paid the moneylender in cash." "He did no favour" """May you live a million years, son""" "But Nandu... where did you get so much money?" """Ma, I made good bucks"" at the cock fight" "What did you say?" "You gambled?" "You bought all these with that money?" """Who gambled, Ma?"" It was an even contest" "You think I"m a fool?" "Today it was a ""cock fight, tomorrow you"ll play cards""" """And soon, you"ll end up as a thief.""" " Nonsense." "You"re getting me wrong" "Think." "Uncle Khairati earns from his ""horse-cart, you stitch clothes...""" "to earn two square meals a day." "What"s the big deal if I use a rooster?" """No matter what you say,"" it doesn"t befit a decent family" "I thought you"d grow up and find a lucrative job and be my support" "But..." "I"m hurt at the signs you have begun to show" """l"m certain, you"re on the wrong path.""" " Ma!" "I don"t want anything that illegal money buys." "I hate to even touch it" "What is it?" " I promise not to gamble again." "Never" "You promise?" " I swear" "My darling!" "Your words I"ll treasure" "Now come and eat" "Daddy will kill me if he finds out." " How will he know?" "We"ll return before sunset." " You said that last time too" "I"m not buying that." "And why will I go with you?" "Who are you to me?" "We"ll be related soon." "Why don"t we make the most of it?" "Uncle!" " Goodness!" "Damn you!" "What is it?" " l"m going to the temple" "Don"t you take the cart!" " l"m not going sightseeing" """Stop!" "Stop it, will you?""" "Vazira!" "You!" """Nandu, catch you later.""" " Thief!" "You"re expanding your business" "You"ve reached the temple now." " This is how I earn my bread" "Give me the shoes!" "Else..." " Hush!" "If I"m caught..." "I"ll be thrashed." "Take it." """" " Come here again, and I"ll thrash you""" "My shoes!" "This is the limit!" "These thieves don"t spare the temple too" "My brand new shoes!" "My wife is not going to spare me" "There"s the thief." "Get him" "Would a thief come walking to you?" "I grabbed your shoes from the thief" "Where are my shoes?" " Must be here." "Take a look" "So it"s you?" "I had no idea you were adept at thieving too" """Lady, watch your tongue."" Know who you are talking to?" "To a thief." " Come again!" "Didn"t you hear?" "I"m talking to a thief." "Bloody thug" """My, my!""" "Say it again." " lnsolent!" "I could die for that." " l"ll get you thrown behind bars" """Go on, do it." "But I must say,"" you look prettier when you"re in rage" "Where"s the other shoe?" " You must have forgotten at home" """Lady, the cart is ready.""" " Let"s go" "Scoundrel" """Who is the scoundrel, lady?""" " That one." "He steals shoes" "He also has a foul-tongue." """" " That one?" "He is Nandu, lady""" "Who...?" " Nandu." "Paro"s son" """He"s not a thief." "Yes, he is a bit"" naughty." "He"s the talk of the town" "Nice boy." "He"s a simpleton" "Where to?" "Where...?" " To the moneylender"s house" "Goodness!" """So lady, have you brought the police?""" "Is aunt Paro in?" " No" "I want to get a dress made." " She"ll b4e back in the evening" "Listen... where are you going?" """" " I told you, come back in the evening""" "Can"t you talk properly?" "Is this how you treat clients?" "That"s right." "This is how I treat people like you." "Any message for Ma?" "Yes" "Tell aunt Paro that Kamli had come here" """Kamli had come, really?"" Such Kamlis come here everyday" """You are Nandu, aren"t you?""" " Any doubts?" "Don"t you recognise me?" " Why should I care?" "I"m Kamli." "Remember ""those times, Nandu?" "You saved me...""" "from being knocked off by a horse." "You bought me yogurt." "Remember?" "You remember nothing?" " I don"t" """l fell off a hill, you see." "Ever since"" ""l lost my memory, albeit I survived""" """ls it...?" "When aunt returns,"" tell her I was here" "Hey lassie..." "listen" "Are you engaged?" "Get lost!" "Kamli...?" """Lassie, I won"t spare you"" during the festival of colours" """Please, let me paint you...""" " Uncle!" "Damn you!" """" " Come on, let"s play Holi""" "Farida..." " Nandu?" "What are you doing here?" "Where is Kamli?" " How would I know?" "Don"t be vain." "Tell me." " Honestly?" """Yes, tell me.""" " She went back to Ambala" "Kamli has gone back to Ambala...?" " Yes." "She took the morning train" """She told me,"" ""l"m going, take care of Nandu...""" "Where to...?" " Let me go" "Listen..." " Let me go" """Oh, how will I?" "Won"t you"" sprinkle colours on me?" "No!" "I don"t play Holi with strangers" "It was fun!" " We coloured the girls all over" "You aren"t better off" "My bangle...?" " What happened?" """My bangle is missing, Farida.""" " Where did you lose it?" "I must"ve dropped it while playing" "Or did you give it to Nandu?" " Don"t be funny." "Get my bangle back" "I...?" "No way." "I don"t want to get into this hassle" """You are my good friend, aren"t you?"" Please get my bangle back" "Let"s go and ask him." """" " Go on, I"ll stay here""" "Then I"m not going" """All right, let"s go""" "Go on" "Move it" """No, I"m not going.""" " Why are you scared?" "What if aunt sees me...?" " She"s at the temple." "Go on" "I"ll sneeze if I see her coming." """" " No, I"m not going to him""" "Damn you!" "Coward" "Goodness!" """You were running away from me, right?"" What makes you come running to me?" "Return my bangle." " What bangle?" "I don"t have it" "Don"t lie." "Return my bangle." " You mean this?" "Yes." "Give it to me" """Give it to me, please.""" " On one condition" "What condition?" " Promise to come to the lake tomorrow" "I won"t." " Then I"m not giving it to you" "Please return my bangle." " After you promise" """All right, I promise." "Give it to me.""" " Swear by me" "I swear." """" " Swear by me, I said""" "All right." " What?" "I swear by you" "I"m dead!" " What happened?" "Your mother is coming." "That"s why Farida sneezed" "Get inside!" """Farida, I hope all"s well?""" " Absolutely not" "It seems you"ve caught cold playing colours" "I think so." "But I had to come here." " What"s the matter?" "My Mother wants the scissors." " It must be in Nandu"s bedroom" "Aunt!" "Come home first." "Mother wants you" "Let me take the scissors." """" " No, come home first""" "The scissors will come later." """" " It won"t come walking, will it?""" "I hope you aren"t running a fever?" " Fever...?" "Not yet" "But it"s going to grip me soon." " Silly girl" """Nandu, what are you upto?"" """ " Nothing, Ma""" """What are you looking for, Farida?""" " Scissors" "What"s wrong with you today?" "Why will I keep the scissors there?" "It"s in the trunk." " Why do you need scissors?" "Farida"s mother wants it." """" " But it"s in your bedroom, Ma""" """No, I remember keeping it here."" """ " No, I"ve seen it myself""" "I"ll find it for you." " What was that?" """Nothing, Ma""" """Kamli, all clear."" Get out of it" "Damn you!" "You almost got me killed!" " Hush." "Just get out of here" """What"s the matter, Farida?" "Why are"" you both sneaking away like a thief?" """lt"s nothing, uncle""" """l told you,"" the scissors is in your room" "Who"s that girl?" """" " She is Kamli, aunt""" "Kamli...?" "The moneylender"s niece?" " Right." "She went home to see me" """Not finding me there, she came here.""" " Very good" """But Farida, you don"t live here.""" " What do you mean?" "I saw you both coming out together." """" " Are you drunk, Khairati?""" "Farida was here alone." "Kamli must"ve have come looking for her" """Do you remember me, dear?""" " Yes." "How wouldn"t I recognise you?" "But I didn"t recognise you." "You"ve grown up" """Nandu, come outside."" Look who is here" "Who is it?" " lt"s Kamli" """Kamli...?" "Who is that, Ma?""" " Hear that?" "You don"t remember her?" "The moneylender"s niece." "Your childhood friend" "That girl with a small nose?" "The one who cried when her yogurt spilled?" """You"re great, son."" As if you don"t know her..." "Vazira is throwing a party tonight." """" " Are we going, nephew?""" """Yes, of course.""" " Come on" "Don"t mind Nandu." "He"s got mischief running in his veins" """Farida, I"ll get the scissors""" """With desires rising within me, I wait"" ""for you, with my arms stretched out""""""" """My love, my throbbing heart"" ""beckons you... come to me""""""" "My heart holds me back ""to say...""""""" """that I must meet you in secrecy,"" ""away from prying eyes""""""" "You and I alone ""will make my heart blossom""""""" """With desires rising within me, I wait"" ""for you, with my arms stretched out""""""" """My love, my throbbing heart"" ""beckons you... come to me""""""" "Deep in delightful thoughts ""of our meeting...""""""" """l wait for you, my love...""" "as the garden desirously ""expects the Spring""""""" """With desires rising within me, I wait"" ""for you, with my arms stretched out""""""" """My love, my throbbing heart"" ""beckons you... come to me""""""" "The war has begun again." "Inflation is on the rise" "And the Rupee is falling." "Now you ""tell me, Mr Ramlal, at this rate...""" "wouldn"t my business incur losses?" """" " You"re right, Lala-ji""" "The situation seems really bad." " Exactly." "If you could help me..." """rake some money, I"d buy"" some things and stack them up" """Why not, why not?" "War has made"" millionaires out of paupers" """Besides, you have a booming business."" Getting you money is not difficult" "So find some scapegoat and get me the loan" "I"ll try" """l"m not lying, in the last 20 years"" I have handled money in millions" "Not a single soul has complained ever." " That is why I have picked you" """As for your brokerage, you will"" have it the moment I get the money" """Lala-ji, who is that lass?""" " She"s my niece." "Kamli" "She"s pretty." "You"re very fortunate." " My foot!" """The war is going on,"" and I"m worried about her wedding too" "Do not worry." "Listen..." "What is it?" " Forgive me." "I know you"re furious" "Why would I be furious?" " I kept you waiting at the lake" "Wrong." "I never went there." " Granted." "As I was about to leave..." "I saw Ma shivering with fever." " Is aunt unwell?" "She was." "She"s fine now." "That"s why I"m going to make offerings to God" "Where are you going?" "Listen..." " What is it?" "I have many things to tell you." "Will you see me at the lake tomorrow?" "I don"t have the time." " Strange girl." "Haven"t I apologised?" "Yet you"re so vain." """" " I told you, I don"t have the time""" """Busy, eh?" "All right, I"m busy too."" You need not come" "For you" "Come..." "come on" "With a lilting beat ""of the raindrops...""""""" "the night is rapt in love" """My love, listen to"" ""the rustling breeze""""""" "Listen to the cricket sing" """ln this wilderness,"" ""as the night revels...""""""" "I dream a thousand dreams" "And my heart rocks ""as the clouds thunder""""""" "With a lilting beat ""of the raindrops...""""""" "the night is rapt in love" """My love, listen to"" ""the rustling breeze""""""" "Listen to the cricket sing" """Come, let me embrace you""" "Let me behold you forever" "Let me hide you away ""from the eyes of the cruel world""""""" "With a lilting beat ""of the raindrops...""""""" "the night is rapt in love" """My love, listen to"" ""the rustling breeze""""""" "Listen to the cricket sing" "May my arms be in yours forever" "May our promises we keep forever" "May we be together forever" "With a lilting beat ""of the raindrops...""""""" "the night is rapt in love" """My love, listen to"" ""the rustling breeze""""""" "Listen to the cricket sing" "Geeta..." " Yes brother?" "Here are some sweets." " Who gave them?" "I bought it." "Today is the festival of Baisakhi." "While returning... from the temple I thought of buying sweets for you" """Sister-in-law, have a sweet."" """ " No, let Kamli have it first""" "Your uncle got sweets for you" "Only two?" """" " Here, take one more""" """No, give me two more, Ma."" """ " All right, here"s one more""" "Where are you going?" " T o Farida." "We"re going to the fair" "Come back soon" """Neelu, you came alone?"" Come with me" "The shoes!" " l"ll pay for it" "My love..." " Return the shoes!" "Where were you?" "I"ve been looking for you." "Come on" "And Farida?" " She"ll follow." "Come on" "What"s your problem?" "I don"t understand" "Not only did Ramlal tell me about the ""Subedars, I"ve also done the enquiry""" "They are very decent and rich too." """As for the boy, he"s in the army""" """He holds a nice position,"" earns well too" "These days parents ask their children about their daughters" wishes" "They ask who can"t tell what"s good and what"s bad" "Forget Kamli"s choice." "I gave a good thought before choosing this family" "She"ll rule like a queen." "She"ll forever play in golds and silver" "But..." """lf I heed you,"" l"ll end up in the asylum" """l tell you, not to interfere"" in my matters" "Listen..." "What is it?" "You won"t talk to me?" "Then I"m off" "Nandu!" "Listen to me" "Are you cross with me?" " l"m not talking to you" "Wait." " What is it?" "May I say something?" "You look more handsome when you"re furious" "And this dress on you!" "I could die!" """You won"t refuse me, will you?""" """You won"t annoy me, will you?""" "You will?" " Never" "And you won"t ""stay away from me, will you?""" "I"ll never stay away from you." "Never" """Honestly, Kamli?""" "I don"t understand what"s come over me" """When I"m with you,"" I feel like staying with you forever" "When I am away..." " What do you feel then?" "I feel like coming to you" "You"ve made me happy" """Nandu, let me go""" "Yes?" "Come here" "Sweets?" "For whom?" " For you" "Not like this." "Feed me" "Else I won"t eat" "Will you marry me?" """Come to me,"" ""let me see you blush""""""" "Let me see you sway ""as you walk...""""""" "Iassie" """Come to me, let me see you blush."" """ " Come to me""""""" """At every crossroad, I see her smiling"" ""under her veil as she looks at me""""""" "Her gaze pierces right through ""my heart... makes life hell for me""""""" """He"s a fun-loving guy,"" ""he stand out in a crowd""""""" """On the sly he whispered to me,"" ""let"s make love tonight""""""" """Do not refuse me, for,"" ""you are one who ushers the Spring""""""" """Come to me,"" ""let me see you blush""""""" "Let me see you sway ""as you walk...""""""" "Iassie" "At first sight ""l blushed turning away from him""""""" """Then God knows what got into me,"" ""l couldn"t sleep the night""""""" """l know you"re pining too, don"t"" ""turn me down, else I"ll go away""""""" """Come to me,"" ""let me see you blush""""""" "Let me see you sway ""as you walk...""""""" "Iassie" """lt"s true, Lala-ji." "Anyway,"" it"s the thrill of the festival" "No wonder if Kamli was having fun" """She"s a kid, she doesn"t understand"" the delicacy of the situation" "Now that she"s going to marry into the Subedar family..." "I don"t want any rumours to reach the boy"s father" """l agree, Mr Ramlal." "You won"t have"" complaints anymore." "I"ll see to it" "I hope you don"t mind." """" " Oh no, not at all""" "I"m happy that you considered her your own daughter and advised me" "I must leave now" "Why was Ramlal here?" " To complain" "About whom?" " About Kamli" "He saw her dancing with the girls." " What"s the big deal?" "It"s the festival." """" " You will stand by her, I know""" "You never spare a thought for..." "Where have you been?" "Tell me." "Aren"t you ashamed to dance before everyone?" "Don"t make an issue out of it." """Go on, I"ll make her see reasons""" """Get this clear, Kamli." "You will not"" step out of this house anymore." "Dig?" "If I get complaints." "you"ll have to face it" "You"re grown up yet you"ve no brains." "Don"t you have any regard... for the family"s honour?" """" " Come off it, Geeta""" """Kamli, your uncle thinks in your"" interests." "That"s why he felt bad" """Well, you"re mature enough"" to understand the ways of the world" "You have a horse-carriage and you make a rupee or two everyday" "Hey you... make a yogurt-shake." "Quick!" """Ramlal, don"t instigate me too much."" ""Else, I"ll get married right now...""" "even if I have to sell the carriage!" """" " Hello, Kartar Singh""" "Make some yogurt-shake for me." """" " Nandu, you look very happy today""" """Yes, I"m very happy today, Uncle."" l"ve got the moon and the stars" "You are incomparable." " lsn"t he Paro"s son?" """Oh yes, he"s the one."" Large-hearted young man..." "like me" "What do you do for a living?" " Work...?" "Nothing" "Give me that yogurt-shake." " So you"re unemployed?" "An able bodied man like you goes without work?" "You do look healthy and strong." "You also look fearless" "Why don"t you join the army?" " The army?" """Yes, join the army..."" and your life will be made" "What did you say?" " Nothing..." "I said nothing!" "When did I ask you to join the army?" "Get lost!" " Good God!" """Nandu, you"ve ruined it all."" """ " What"s up, uncle?""" "I was getting married." """" " Married...?" "Bless you, uncle!""" """l"m ruined, I"m doomed."" ""- l"ll have you married, uncle""" "You...?" "You won"t let me down?" " Not at all" """Kartar Singh, get that"" yogurt-shake quick!" "Mother..." """" " Come, son." "Had you been to the fair?""" """Oh yes, Mother." "It was great fun.""" " I see" "Why must you take the trouble?" "Step aside..." "I"ll get it out" "Step aside" "Let me keep it." """" " What"s up, son?""" "You"re taking a lot of care today?" """" " You need rest, Mother""" "But who will help me when you"re out all day?" "I"ve made arrangements for that." " Really?" "Let me know what you"ve arranged." """" " You"ve often said, mother...""" "that you find the house very lonely." "I thought about what you said" "The house is indeed very lonely." " Nandu boy..." "looks like you"ve found a wife." """" " Yes, Mother""" "How did you guess?" " How did I?" """Who"ll know how the son thinks,"" if not his mother?" "Quickly tell me who she is." " That crooked-nosed girl... who started crying." " Kamli?" "Yes." " You"ll make a nice couple" "Let me go." "I"ll fall" "Mad!" """- l"m a mad-hatter, all right""" """But, my son..."" """ " No buts, Mother""" "Go and talk to Lalaji." "I"ll ask the priest to fix a date" """Have patience, mad boy."" What"s the hurry?" "You don"t decide on such things at night-time" "I"ll arrange it with Lala tomorrow and we"ll go to the priest then" """Very well, mother""" """You"re right, Lala."" We are indeed very poor" """But I assure you, Kamli will be"" dearer to me than my daughter" "She"ll rule my family." " Rule indeed!" """Rule that dilapidated hut,"" with rags for beds?" "And she"ll be queen to that wastrel who hasn"t earned a penny till today!" "Had Kamli been your daughter... would you have married her to a loafer like Nandu?" """Lala!" "You think he"s a loafer,"" but Nandu is my son" "Silence!" "You dare talk back at me!" "How dare you even bring this proposal to me?" """Go away, or I"ll have you"" thrown out!" "Mother..." """what happened, mother?""" "What is the matter?" "Won"t you tell me?" "What do you want me to tell you?" "How they treated your mother... how she was slapped in the face and humiliated?" """What are you talking about, Mother?"" What for?" "Because my son is a wastrel and hasn"t earned a penny on his own" "The one I treat like the apple of my eye... is known as a loafer in the whole village" "Strange games destiny plays with me" "Parents bring up their children with such great hopes" "They go through so many difficulties to give them a good upbringing" "They see such beautiful dreams... that their sons will grow up to be educated men... and be a support in their old age" "I had a dream for my son too" "But I had to be humiliated for my dream today" "Where had you been?" "You haven"t even eaten all day" "Why aren"t you answering me?" "Where are you going?" "What"s happening here?" "Where are you going?" """Are you angry with me, my son?"" """ " No, Mother""" "I"ve found a job." "I"m leaving." " Leaving...?" "Leaving me?" """l can"t help it, Mother.""" " No" "You don"t have to take up the job." "I"m still alive" "I"ll work hard to feed you." " That"s just what I don"t want" "I know I have hurt your feelings" "I spoke so much of nonsense in a fit of rage" """Forgive me, my son."" """ " Don"t make me feel guilty, Mother""" "My heaven lies at your feet." " So promise me... that you"ll never leave me." "Promise me" """l"ve decided to leave, mother.""" " What for?" "You feel so bad at what I said?" """" " No, mother""" "You did me a favour by telling me all that." "You opened my eyes to reality" "I want to achieve something now." "So you can proudly hold your head high in the future" """Please don"t go away, my son..."" I can"t live without you" "Please don"t leave me" """Don"t be upset, mother."" l"ll come back soon" "My son..." "Meet him once before ""he leaves, Kamli""" "How can I even face him?" "My uncle treated his mother so badly" "What will Nandu think of me?" " He holds no grudge against you" "Come with me" "Come" """Kamli, where are you going?"" Come on inside" "I can"t see Kamli"s suffering." "She thinks you"re angry with her" """You"re not angry with her, are you?""" " Whom am I to be angry with her?" """For God"s sake, don"t break her heart."" She loves you very much" "You mean the world to her." "She lives only for you" "Farida!" """- lt"s true, Nandu""" """Whatever happens, she"ll wait for you."" I hope you return soon... with lots of money to silence her greedy uncle" """Farida, you have really"" given me courage" "I will surely return." "And very soon" "Heard the latest?" " What?" "Another group of soldiers has arrived." " Where are they?" "In the barracks next to ours" "Oh yes!" "No..." "You...?" " Nandu!" """Whenever shoes are stolen,"" be sure you"re around!" "And you come along to spoil the show for me everywhere!" "How long have you been here?" " A year" "A year?" "The training is only 6 months" "The Commander made me stay back." " Have you passed?" """No, I"ve failed""" "That"s the bugle... hurry up!" " My shoes!" """Sorry, but hurry up""" "You"ll be taught to stand to attention and stand-easy positions" """To revert to your earlier position,"" this is what you"ll do" "You will now practice this step" "You"ve put on weight." "Do some exercises" "You"re getting engaged ""today, my child""" "But..." "I am told that you don"t approve of the proposal I"ve brought" """My child, I have brought you up"" like my own daughter" "I have always cared for your happiness" """And even today, I want"" you to be happy" """lf you don"t approve of this alliance,"" it"s okay." "I"ll refuse them" "I accepted the alliance because it would make your life easier" """Besides, we can also repay the loans"" your father and I had accrued" "But you needn"t care for me." "My house will be auctioned" "What will I do with the house when I don"t have any respect?" "But at least you will be happy and that is what I want" "Even if I have to commit suicide." " Uncle..." "I have told you the truth." "You are a wise girl" "I don"t want to put any sort of pressure on you..." "I leave the decision ""to you, my child""" "You have put in a lot of hard work in the last six months of training" "You are on a leave of 21 days from today" "Those of you who want to go home can visit your folks" "Aren"t you coming?" " Who do I have there?" "You go on." " What will you do here?" "I"ll take my orders and proceed to the regiment" "I"ll spend my vacations there." " Could you give me my shirt?" "Can"t you pick it up on your own?" " Aren"t you my friend?" "Friend indeed!" "You"re always ordering me around" "Hurry up." " This is not fair" "Lovely knife... may I keep it?" """Oh, get lost." "This isn"t a knife,"" it"s my life" "I"m your life too." " How come?" "You"re my buddy." " Wow!" """So long, feller.""" " Go on" "Listen..." """you"re returning, aren"t you?""" " Sure" """Don"t lie to me." "He"s a liar,"" he"s always fibbing" """And look at me, I"m not"" even taking a holiday" "See you at the regiment" "Nandu!" "Give my regards to your mother." " Sure" "Convey my regards to Uncle Vilayati" "Hey Nandu!" "Listen..." """Give that to me, uncle""" "So you"re back!" """Hold this, let me play"" a prank on your mother" "Sister-in-law..." """" " What is it, Khairati?""" "I want to ask you something." " what?" "What do you love most in the world?" " What a silly question" "I love nothing more than my son Nandu." " Suppose I brandish a wand... and produce Nandu right here?" """" " You aren"t drunk, are you?""" "Try the magic on yourself first """ " Listen to me, sis-in-law...""" "My son!" " Mother" "My darling son!" "Wow!" "You do look like a gentleman" "You scared me!" "You really look human now." " Uncle... here you are." " What is it for?" "Your fare" "You pay me fare?" "Aren"t you ashamed?" """You just said he looks human,"" but he"s still an animal!" "He pays me fare." " Uncle..." """forgive me, uncle.""" " Forgive you?" """lf I were angry, I"d have"" given you a slap!" "What are you staring at me for?" "Pick up your stuff and go in" "And listen... come to the liquor den this evening" """Nice day you"ve arrived, son."" Today"s the festival of Diwali" "Great!" "I"ll bring a lot of firecrackers." "We"ll have fun" "Where are you going?" " l"ll be back soon" "Listen..." "Nandu..." "Aunt..." "What is it?" " Has Nandu returned?" """Yes, and he went out immediately.""" " That"s terrible" "I wonder what will happen now" "Listen..." " God!" "Is Lalaji in there?" " They"ve gone out" "Everyone?" """" " No, Kamli"s upstairs""" """l"ve looked for you everywhere,"" and you"re hiding here?" """Take a look, Kamli."" l"ve returned so soon" "Why aren"t you talking to me?" "Look at me" "Like my uniform?" "I"m a big man now." "I earn a huge salary" "Nobody can snatch you from me anymore." "Hey... what happened?" "Are you angry with me?" "Look... what I"ve got for you" "Won"t you talk to me?" "All right" "Are you engaged?" "Yes" "I"m engaged" "Can"t you see...?" "the shawl of silk?" "Where have you been?" "I"ve been waiting for you... to come and light the first lamp." """The house is so dark, Nandu""" """Let the darkness remain, Mother""" """Put out the lamp, mother""" "I can understand how ""hurt you are, my son""" "I know what you"ve been through" "But that doesn"t mean a man must give up hope in life" "Man is lost in the darkness ""of his sorrow, mother""" """Don"t say such things, my son."" Do not be disheartened" "I"ll bring you a bride better than her" "Bride...?" "For me?" "You"ve drunk again?" """" " Yes, mother""" "I"ve had liquor today." "Lots of it." "For my broken heart" "Coward!" "Has liquor ever put a broken heart together?" "I feel ashamed to say that you"re my son" """Don"t talk like that, mother.""" " I will!" "You have hurt my feelings." "You are not my son!" """Mother... kill me, mother!""" "But don"t ever that I"m not your son." "Mother..." """Greetings, aunt."" """ " May you live long, my child""" """You"re cooking great things, I see?""" " My son has returned after many days" "Mustn"t I make even so much?" " Why not?" "Where is Nandu?" " He came late last night" "He"s still sleeping." " l"ll go and wake him up" "How long will you sleep?" "Wake up" "Aunt!" "What happened?" "What is the matter?" "Why are you crying?" "What letter is this...?" "I can"t read" "Where"s Nandu?" """" " He has gone away, aunt""" "Gone away...?" "Without even meeting me?" "No... that"s impossible" "Nandu... my son!" """Listen, I"m a new recruit."" Where do I report?" "Meet the Havaldar in the quarters there" "Havaldar saheb..." "Go to the office and report to the Company Commander" """Where is the office, sir?""" " On the left." "Fifth room" """Hello, Ram Singh.""" " Kulwant Singh!" "Welcome" "You"re all set" "You look very eager to leave for your marriage" "Not at all." "I"ve got to make arrangements there" "How many days are you on leave?" " Few days" "Leaving by this evening"s train?" """" " Yes, at 4""" "Don"t forget to bring your marriage-sweets for me" "Certainly." " God bless you" "Nandu!" "Great to have you back!" "How did you return early?" "Why aren"t you answering my question?" "What"s wrong?" "What have I done?" """Nandu, tell me..."" what wrong have I done?" "What"s gotten into you?" """lf you"re angry with me, here you are."" Slipper me" "But at least talk to me." "...so you won"t?" "All right." "Don"t talk" "Your folks all right?" " Yes" "Khairati Uncle must still be ""plying his horse-cart, eh?""" "Aunt!" "How I miss her!" "She used to make terrific yogurt-shake" "I"m the only one talking..." "am I out of my mind?" """Don"t talk to me, it"s all right.""" " Listen..." "What is it?" "Here you are." " The knife?" "You"re giving it to me?" "But you loved it so much." """" " Yes, I did""" "What one loves need not necessarily be with him always" "Kamli... open the door" """Open the door, my child""" """lt"s me, Kamli..."" open the door" """lt"s me here, Kamli...""" """Kamli dear, open the door""" " What is the matter?" "Kamli isn"t opening the door." "What am I to do?" "The bridegroom has arrived." " Go on downstairs..." "I"ll bring her there" """Open the door, my dear""" """Open the door, my child."" ""lt"s me, Nandu"s mother""" "Open the door" "Open the door" """Kamli, my child...""" "I know your predicament" "But there are times in the life of a woman... when she does not know what to do" "I know what a severe test you are being put to" """But may I say something, my child?"" There is great peace in giving" "If your sacrifice is going to break a heart..." """but save the honour of many,"" my child..." "let him be heart-broken" """Look, my child." "I have brought"" a bridal-dress for you" """Many years ago, a little girl"" came to my house... and I promised her..." "I couldn"t make her my daughter-in-law and take her to my house" "But God is kind." "He gives me the pride... of seeing off my daughter today." " Aunt!" """Get ready quickly, my child""" "I"m not keeping well" """My respects, aunt."" """ " May you live long, my child""" "Why are you sad?" "What are you thinking about?" "My heart was divided in two parts" """One left me, and the other..."" I entrusted to another man" """Do not be disheartened, aunt."" This is all a matter of destiny" """True, my child." "Had I been fortunate,"" I wouldn"t have seen this day" "Haven"t you lit the oven today?" "For whom will I light it?" " Aunt..." """if you keep crying like this,"" you"re going to fall sick" "I"ll get some food for you" "I wonder what"s gotten into Nandu nowadays" """Yes, he"s an absolutely changed man."" He fights over everything" "We nearly got into a brawl yesterday." " You"re always fighting with everyone" "With everyone around!" " You"re Nandu"s old friend" """Hi, Nandu." "Come on...""" " Who are you talking about?" "Forget it" """He always wears a long face, as if"" his fiance has eloped with someone" "Not me... what have I done?" "What"s happening here?" """- lt"s the Havaldar, Nandu!""" "Why"re you hitting him?" "You"re the one I"m talking to Answer me!" "I have nothing to say." " Really?" "Come with me" "I"ll teach you a lesson for breaking the discipline." "Come!" "The Company Commander gives you 2 hours of extra duty" "You"ll do that right now" """l don"t have any right to say this,"" but you are an able soldier... and the army has hopes pinned on you." "Your behaviour is therefore very wrong" "I have received a telegram." "Your mother is ill" """Nothing to worry about, is there?"" """ " No, she"s all right""" "But remember one thing." "She must not receive any shock" "She"s very weak at heart." "And give her the medicines I"ve prescribed" "Sensational news!" "Japan launches an attack" "The Japanese are quickly advancing." " The war is hotting up" "What happened?" " The Japanese have bombed Singapore" "Thousands have been killed" "Our country is in danger of being attacked too" """Nandu, mother has sent food for you."" Come and eat it quickly" """No, I"m not hungry.""" " My son..." """go and eat, my son." "You haven"t"" eaten anything all night" """Go on, son." "Eat""" """How are you now, aunt?"" ""- l"m all right, my dear""" "The two of you have taken such good care of me" "I"ve done nothing." "Nandu was the one who was always at work" "God will bless you for this" "The doctor says you must eat a lot of fruits" """Farida, could you come here please?"" """ " Take a look, dear...""" """he isn"t short of bread, is he?""" """What is it, Nandu...?"" Haven"t you eaten yet?" """l"m terribly worried, Farida."" I don"t know what to do" "What is it about?" "Your mother is absolutely all right" "It isn"t about her." "I must return immediately" "But you arrived only four days ago." " My leave has been cancelled" "I"ve received a wire to report to Ambala immediately" "What for?" " Maybe I"ll have to leave for war" "For the war...?" "What are you talking about?" "Have you considered what will happen of your mother?" "That"s just what is making me nervous" """Farida, I have no one but you...""" " No" "I"m an enemy to you." "I can"t do this anymore." "Not anymore" """l understand, Farida." "If mother gets"" ""to know that I"m going to war, she...""" """What crisis is this, Allah?"" What happens now?" """However you do it, you will"" have to hide it from mother" "She must never get to know that I"ve gone to the battlefield" """Farida, he isn"t short of bread is he?"" """ " No, aunt""" "Go and sit with mother" "Where are you going in that uniform?" """My leave is over, mother."" l"ve got to return" "I haven"t even had enough time with you and you"ve got to return?" """This time I"ll return soon, mother."" """ " Do that, my son""" "Take a leave of at least a month the next time" """Certainly, mother""" "I must leave now" "May God protect you" "May you live long" """What is the matter, son?"" Why have you stopped?" """l don"t know, mother." "I don"t"" feel like leaving you" """l understand, my son." "But you"re"" not going away forever" """Farida, are you crying there?"" """ " No, aunt""" """Don"t cry, my child."" Nandu will return soon" """Aunt, may I see Nandu off?"" """ " Of course, dear." "Go on""" "I think of the hardships you have ""to put up with, for my sake""" "But I have no one except you." "I"m leaving mother in your care" "Do look after her" "I must leave now" "I know Kamli has hurt ""you a lot, Nandu""" """But Allah knows, she"s innocent""" "Her greedy uncle inflicted so many atrocities on her" "He threatened her that if she did not agree to the wedding... he would commit suicide." "On one hand was her world and her dreams... on the other was the fear of her family being ruined" "What can a girl do after all?" """For the sake of her family,"" she sacrificed her own happiness" """l understand her difficulties, Farida."" Maybe this is what was pre-destined" "May Allah protect you" """l feel as if, in the next birth...""" "How is your mother?" " She"s fine" "She misses you very much" """Nandu, you"re back?"" How"s your mother?" "She"s fine" "This is my wife" """Nandu, she"s greeting you."" """ " The Major wants you, Havaldar""" "Nandu... you"re leaving for war" "Do look after yourself." "And..." "And?" "And look after my husband" "Ask the soldier that leaves..." """where he is going?""""""" "Love kills life... in blood is written ""its story""""""" "Memories of the ""innocent childhood...""""""" "haunt a shortlived youth" """Ask the soldier that leaves,"" ""where he is going?""""""" "Everything around is cautious... everyone walks in fear" "Youth is being slain... everything is reddened ""in blood""""""" """Ask the soldier that leaves,"" ""where he is going""""""" "Which grief-stricken ""woman sings...""""""" "who is it that consoles ""her hungry children?""""""" "The stench of burning bodies... makes life worse ""than hell"""""""