Kothanodi Page #2

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Do you want to go to

the wedding, sweetheart?

Come inside.

- Whats this?

- Why did you pay more?

So I could meet you again.

No, no. You misunderstand.

What I meant was...

Can we sit and talk

under that tree?

Its about your outenga.

If youll take back this

extra money, I can leave.

I just want to help you.

In Maibong, they say a woman

once gave birth to a kitten.

In the far banks of the Bhoroli river,

I met a woman who was raised by a bird.

And in a village east of Sadiya...

...a ducks egg cracked one morning and

a girl hatched out of it.

Im a merchant.

I have traveled far and wide.

I have seen things, heard stories.

If I cant help you, I can

at the very least, understand you.

Tell me.

Tell me everything

from the beginning.

Will you stop your damned crying?

Is it my fault that youre cursed?

I need a child, not a vegetable!

Please... we...

we can try again...

Why? So that I can watch you

give birth to a lemon next?

Get out right now.

Or Ill brand you a witch.

Please... where will I go?

Here, take this! Cut it up and

make a nice curry for yourself.

It will cheer you up!

Kokai, please take me across.

- What the hell is that?

- Nothing! Lets go!

I wasnt scared to see it again.

I felt relieved.

And that was when I realized...

...that I was this wretched

things mother.

I can never get rid of it.

Im stuck with this vegetable for life.

Unless, inside this outenga,

lives your child...

Can such a thing even be possible?

It sounds unbelievable.

The world is a big place, Keteki.

Theres all kinds of magic in it.

But why would my own child

hide from me?

Why would it stay

inside the outenga?

Why wont it come out?

Maybe it cant, you know?

Or it could be scared.

Maybe it does come out,

without your knowing.

Thats impossible. It stays in

my sight every minute.

And at night?

When youre asleep?

Lets bring you out, little one...

Now, we wait.

I think you should let her go

for her friends wedding.

Dont tell me what to do.

Let her go.

Then you can be rid

of her forever.

Think about it.

Do you think shes going to keep quiet

when her father returns?

Shell tell him everything.

How you beat her, how you

starved her... everything...

So you see, you have to get rid of

her before he comes.

Yes!

What should I do?

Listen.

And that was how my own husband...

...killed all three of my babies.

But not this time.

I will not let them kill anymore.

My God!

Why didnt you tell anyone?

He made me promise not to.

He said it is his uncles advice.

He has always followed

his uncles advice.

But I have no faith in the old man.

This is all his black magic.

I knew you two were hiding

something from me.

Ive been delivering babies

since I was a girl.

I can make out if a baby is going to live

or die within a minute of its birth.

None of the babies were sick.

You said they died of fever.

You were lying!

It couldnt have been.

You think I wont see through it?

Today the baby turns one month.

This time too, he is going to

take her to his uncle.

And this time too, that evil old man

will say, "Kill it."

What will you do?

Not this time.

I wont let him heed the old man.

I have a boat on the other side.

When do you want to leave?

What are you saying?

I cant leave my husband

and run away.

I love him. I respect him.

What will you do then?

I will speak to him.

Has that done any good so far?

This time things will be different.

Ill demand my right.

Ill tell him to end the sinful

old mans lust for blood.

Ill make him see the reason.

Enough is enough.

What if he doesn't agree?

In that case, Ill kill his uncle!

There were no prints on the flour.

Your plan did not work.

Then how did it come here?

You brought it?

Yes, like every morning.

Why dont you freshen up?

Ill cook you some food.

I think I know why it did not

come out last night.

It heard us talk.

Maybe it understood us.

Have you ever tried

speaking to it?

Who on earth talks to

a vegetable?

Im not crazy!

Lets give it a try.

See what happens.

Outenga!

If you can hear me, understand me,

show me a sign!

Keteki, you call it.

Outenga, come here.

I really dont think it--

How could a vegetable

understand us?

Because Its not a vegetable.

I think its your child.

Your own flesh and blood.

I suspect it lives in the outenga.

Unwilling to come out into the world.

But why would it do that?

I have no idea. But I do know

that I can bring it out.

Bring it, out?

Yes! But for that youll have

to cook the meal of your life!

- A meal?

- Yes! A feast!

A most lavish spread!

A mouthwatering treat!

Can you do it?

Not a word about this

in the outengas presence...

Wheres my outenga?

Must be around.

This has never happened.

It never leaves my side.

What have you done?

Whatever possessed me

to listen to a stranger!

I only want to help you.

I have a child too.

My most precious treasure.

I can understand the pain of

separation from your child.

You should leave.

No need to do anything for me.

Leave me to my misery.

Have you told them

what they are to do?

Yes, ma'am.

I want everything to be perfect.

These boys are

experienced.

With pythons?

No ma'am. Brides, of course!

Ma'am?

Leaving?

Come back after the wedding

to see Bonlotikas glory.

You think that is jewellery?

Youve seen nothing!

Come back to witness my splendour!

Youll understand why

youll always be the unwanted one!

Want to go for the wedding?

You want to or not?

Good. Then you wear

this dress at the wedding.

It used to be my mothers.

When she wore it,

people used to be mesmerized.

Youll dazzle in it too.

Youll be more beautiful than the bride.

Ill pack it in a bundle.

Change into it

when you get there.

Go. Get ready.

Mother. Im ready.

And sos your dress!

Go. Enjoy yourself.

All right.

Tejimola...

...this is my mothers dress.

See that nothing happens to it.

Remember that.

They say I am an oddity.

That Im an object of mirth.

A rolling, wandering green enigma.

Yet I am much more

than just a curio.

I am sadness,

and this I can feel.

I am loneliness,

and this I can taste.

I am love, for I hurt too.

And so I roam and seek a home.

Night and day, day and night.

In this world, so wide and free.

Is there anyone

who will embrace me?

Son, my time is up.

You must always listen

to your uncle.

Obey him like you obeyed me.

He will protect you.

Which way today?

Which way do we go today?

Uncle has instructed us

to fish in the east today.

Turn it around.

Bon, you are called.

Just a minute.

Youre here!

How could I not?

But whats this I hear?

- The groom is a python?

- No, Tejimola!

The groom is an angel.

Hes just in a pythons avatar.

- How can you be so sure?

- Because mother says so.

It all began with Champaba.

Someone used to tease her

when she was tending the fields.

How?

"Ill eat the grain, and the rice, Ill marry

Champawati and take her away". Thats how.

Who?

No one could see who it was.

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