The World of Apu Page #2

My aunt

It's a pity you didn't think of him

as a possible son-in-law

Where have I seen him before?

Lmpossible. He's never been here

But I know his face so well

Yes, I saw a picture of Lord Krishna

looking just like him

Lord Krishna...

...complete with his flute

Binu, my son, come out now

What's wrong? Isn't he well?

It's nothing. The sun was so hot

The long journey and the fasting

must have upset him

Bring water, and a fan

This is a fine wedding

That boy is insane

Who says so? He is perfectly sane.

The journey and the heat...

If you don't stop the wedding, I will

But the auspicious hour is passing

Leave this room!

It's you who is mad

When the hour has passed,

my daughter will never marry

Isn't there another auspicious hour,

at ten?

Don't ask me. This means ruin for me

Have I missed the ceremony?

There's no wedding

The bridegroom is mad

Apu, everything depends on you now

Are you joking?

What is all this?

If the wedding does not take place

at the auspicious times...

...the bride is cursed

But what can I do?

We have to find another husband for

her and you are the obvious choice

You want me

to be a substitute bridegroom?

Is this a play or a novel?

What do you take me for?

Are you still living

in the Dark Ages?

Calm down and listen to me

No, I won't listen

to a pack of lunatics

Everything depends on you

It's no use, let's go

Come here a moment

Can you really get me that job?

You'll have to lend me a shirt,

and I must have a shave

Your daughter

didn't worship Shiva in vain.

A curse became a blessing

The moment I saw him,

I knew he was nearer to me

than my own kin

Pulu has brought many

of his friends here...

...but I've never felt so drawn

to anyone

There are a few things

that I must tell you

I've had no opportunity before

How much do you know about me?

Has Pulu told you anything?

Yes

What did he say?

You're an orphan

Yes.

I lost my father when I was ten

Mother died seven years later

I had a sister, too

What else did he tell you?

You write well

He told you that, did he?

Can you read?

Yes. Bengali

I'm writing my novel in Bengali

I know

What else did he say?

Nothing else

That's not very much

You know little

of the man you married

I have no means, no job...

...and almost no future

What kind of home

shall I take you to?

You've been brought up

in these surroundings

A spacious house, servants,

fine rooms

This marriage was forced on me.

I was against it, but...

Something changed my mind,

I felt I would be doing a noble thing

Everything became confused

Why don't you say something?

I can't decide

until I know your mind

Aparna, will you be able

to endure poverty?

Can you live with a poor husband?

Yes

Can you really?

Why not?

Then I'll take you with me.

If your father objects,

I'll ignore him

- Will you object?

- I don't know

- I wonder what they'll say

- Who?

My neighbours.

I went to a wedding,

but I shall return with the bride

I'll come back for the luggage

This is my room

Sit down. I won't be long

You must be very sad

Really not?

They want to see us downstairs

Make way. Let's see the bride

What a lovely bride!

Why gawp? Am I new?

Only after meals. You promised

Do you lament your decision?

What?

I don't know such difficult words

Will "regret" do?

Yes

- Do you regret it?

- Regret what?

- Do I have to explain that too?

- Yes

You missed out on a rich husband

- You're laughing!

- No, I'm crying

You must feel sorry

Of course.

I could have had an easy life

- I'm going.

- Where?

To look for a maid servant

Don't be silly. Come back, please

Who will pay for the servant?

I'll get more private lessons

Then send me back to my parents

One lesson is bad enough

after a hard day's work

What should I do, then?

I'll tell you:

Give up the lesson you have

And then what?

Then my poor husband

will come home early

Then I shall lament no more

God of Fire!

Destroy his meditation!

Are you cross with me?

Yes. Why do we always take a cab?

Buses are crowded. We're alone here

But it costs much more

Does it matter?

Soon you're going to your parents,

my expenses will be halved

Only for two months

Isn't that a long time?

What about the extra expenses

when we come back?

Ah, yes...

I wouldn't have let you go,

but your mother was so insistent

And I felt you'd rather be with her

at such a time

A relief for you, too.

No one to bother you for two months

One job will be done

I'll have time to work on my novel.

I haven't touched it since we married

Is that my fault?

No, it's your virtue. You know how

much my novel means to me, don't you?

- Well, you mean much more

- Really?

I shall dedicate it to you

You'll what?

I know what "wife" means

You don't. I do

I do, too

- What?

- The matches

What is there in your eyes?

Kohl

We'll expect you in the holidays

I'll do my best. Send a telegram

when you arrive; letters take so long

- Promise you'll come

- Haven't I given my word?

You must write twice a week

- You must write, too

- Not unless you do

Write to my office address,

or Mr. Ray will open your letters

I had so many things to tell you

Yes, I asked Pintu's mother

to make you some cakes

There's a bill to pay at the grocer's

I've left some jewellery behind

Please take care of yourself

You'll see her in a week,

so cheer up

I wish I knew your secret

How to be married and happy

on forty-five rupees a month

How do you know I'm happy?

I can guess

I don't know what your wife is like,

but mine...

I like them to be a little pert...

...a little saucy, a little naughty

It adds spice to a marriage,

don't you think?

My wife is just the opposite

Never quarrels, never complains,

never answers back...

...always meek and obedient

Utterly bland, tasteless

Plus this

You've promised to come on the 8th

If you don't,never spea

to you again, never, ever

You should have sent me

eight letters last month...

...and I only got seven

I should never trust you

And I feel jealous of that girl

next door

She sees you morning and evening,

and I don't

Do keep the window shut

What else is there to tell?

The more I write, the more

you will laugh at my mistakes

ut I don't care.

You are the writer, not me

Please take good care of yourself

I am well, but my heart is sick.

IT will heal when you come.

If you don't, I'll never speak

to you again, never, ever

What is it?

Aparna...

In childbirth...

She said:
"I'm leaving him

in your care, Mrs. Ganguly

"He's so absent-minded,

he forgets to eat sometimes"

Such sweet words

and such gentle ways

Well, it's a good thing

the baby was saved.

Fate works in strange ways

But a young fellow like you

shouldn't give up

"While Krishna has

his knot of hair and flute

there'll be women to serve him"

Why, you could marry ten times over

if you wanted

Dear Pulu. You must have heard

the news by now

I hear you're going abroad.

I Wish you success.

I'm going away, too

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