Abha, sitting before her stove, blowing air to keep the fire going. Krishna, unexpectedly focused on the book before him. Rani was out serving fodder to the cows.
Nana: (Arrives wiping his sweat with the towel around his neck) Long day. (Sees Krishna studying, shocked) Oh dear God! Who is this? Krishna!! How can you be this kind to me? What a miracle!
Krishna: Looks like I am not educated enough.
Nana: (sits swinging the towel to fan himself) You realised now.
Krishna: Apparently, I don't know that fracture and broken are the same thing.
Nana: So you are studying about that in the book.
Krishna: No, I am actually reading a different thing.
Nana: So you are pretending to study before me just to make me happy.
Krishna: What are you saying Baba? I am actually studying for knowledge.
Nana: If you are studying for knowledge then why aren't you reading about the fracture and so which prompted you to study in the first place.
Krishna: I am just starting from the basics. Why would I jump straight to the advanced part? You just don't want to accept that I can study too. It is always your Rani daughter.
Nana: (Chuckles) Anyways, how did you come up with that word?
Abha: Bijju got hurt that's how.
Nana: What? How?
Abha: He was climbing a tree and fell. They are making some kind of swing they saw in the capital.
Nana: Oh no! So he broke something.
Abha: Yeah! A little, the doctor says. He wrapped his forearm with that white stuff. What is it called again?
Krishna: Plaster!
Abha: Yes! That.
Nana: These children! I am worried they will kill themselves playing like that.
Abha: What are you saying ji? How can one kill oneself while playing?
Nana: Just like one can break oneself falling from a tree. You don't know how reckless they can be.
Abha: They are old enough to take care of themselves.
Nana: Old enough to fall and break.
Abha: Accidents happen. For that they should stop going out of the house?
Nana: I don't know. Maybe.
Abha: (Chuckles) You talk like kids sometimes ji.
Krishna: Everyone has a time of death, that no one knows of.
Nana: Is that so?
Krishna: Where? When? How? Nothing. Nobody knows.
Nana: Tell me something new.
Krishna: But one can always delay the time, by exercising caution and making good judgements. Not by hiding in his home.
Nana: You just need an excuse to go out and play. This philosophy is all about that.
Krishna: Is that so? I can tell you of my time.
Nana: Really? But earlier you said no one knows about their time.
Krishna: But I know.
Abha: What are you two talking about? It is terrifying, please stop.
Nana: You know him, he will just say a random number to scare us. Tell us Mr. Astrologer.
Krishna: It is July 7, 2014.
Nana: (Claps) Wow! Did you see, Abha? Our astrologer gave us an exact date. Give us the judgement too that we will need to make in order to prevent this disaster.
Krishna: You and I will not have the good fortune to make that judgement.
Nana: Oh yeah! Who will then?
Krishna: (Smiles as Rani enters the hut).
Rani: Ma, I served the fodder to the cows. Anything else?
Abha: No, you can take it easy now.
Nana: Well, I should go and see how Bijju is doing (gets up), before I have dinner.
Abha: Make sure to calm down his father so that he doesn't get mad at him.
Nana: You don't have to say. I will talk to him. Just keep the meal ready by the time I return. I have to go to the construction site early tomorrow as well (leaves).
Rani: (Looks at Krishna looking at her smiling) What! What did I miss?
Abha: Nothing. You too bring out your book and study. Enough with all that ominous discussion.
Next morning…
In Bijju's hut…
Bijju: (Sitting on the floor)
Bijju's mother: (Puts a meal plate before him) Son, try to eat by yourself. I will go see your father off and put fodder for the cows. Then I will feed you by hand.
Bijju's father: (Yells from outside) Bijju's Ma, where is the tiffin?
Bijju's mother: (Carries the tiffin bag and rushes out) Your father is still angry at you getting hurt. Let's not make him more grumpier.
Bijju: (Tries to eat from his left hand but struggles).
Bijju's father: (Waiting with his bicycle in arms) You know I have to leave early. What were you doing inside? You still have not fed the cows.
Nana: (Arrives with his tiffin bag in his hand) Why are you so irritated this early in the morning? Take it easy. Her son is hurt. She has to take care of him.
Krishna: (Goes towards Bijju's hut while everyone was busy)
Bijju's father: He is not focused on his studies. And gave us more trouble by breaking his hand. Let him suffer. Only then will he know what we have to go through.
Nana: Now, now, he is just a kid. Sister give me the bag (takes and sits on the bicycle carrier). Hurry, we don't want to be late or the contractor might cut or pay.
Bijju's father: Tch! (Begins paddling the bicycle with Nana a tow).
Bijju's mother: (Sighs).
Bijju: (Slowly eating with his left hand still struggling).
Krishna: (Standing at his door) Hey Bijju brother! What's up? Having a meal? (Enters).
Bijju: (Surprised) Brother Krishna!
Krishna: I came to see how you are doing.
Bijju: As you can see. It is tough to do even the smallest things with your non-dominant hand. I can't even eat without my mother's help. I am causing her more work. She has to bear my father's scolding.
Krishna: Oye! You have your brother Krishna here. No need to trouble Mai for every little thing. I will feed you by my own hand (goes and sits before him). My little brother will not struggle with me here.
Krishna Lifts his hand up to feed him. Bijju, graciously opens his mouth to be fed. Bijju's mother secretly watches from the door with a gentle smile on her face.
After breakfast, Bijju follows Krishna out.
Bijju: I left the rope back at the riverside on the tree.
Krishna: Don't worry, I went and brought it back with me in the evening.
Bijju: I am sorry, I can't be of any help to you like this.
Krishna: You have done your part. You just sit there and give me satisfaction of not being alone here.
Bijju: (Sits on a bamboo chair and watches Krishna work).
Krishna carries on with his saw work. Rani, peeks out of her hut upon hearing the sawing sound and approaches Krishna all curious.
Rani: (Hands behind) What are you doing?
Krishna: (Moving the saw back and forth) Sawing!
Rani: I can see that. But what are you making?
Krishna: A plank.
Rani: A plank!? What is that for?
Krishna: For a new game we came up with.
Rani: A new game! I wanna know too. What is it about?
Krishna: Let me make the plank first. Then I will show you. You won't understand if I tell you about it.
Rani: Is that so? Umm, I feel like I wanna do something too.
Krishna: (stops) You wanna do something!? Wanna give this a hand?
Rani: Definitely (moves Krishna aside and grabs the saw's hilt) Let me see.
Krishna: Don't ruin it now. It is the most important part of the game.
Rani: Don't disturb me. I am working (begins moving the saw).
Krishna: Straight, straight, don't go sideways. You will carve it thin.
Rani: (tongue out, tries to pull the saw but struggles) It is tight.
Krishna: (Laughs) You won't make it. You need man power for this. You are too weak for this.
Rani: I will get this. Don't call me weak.
Krishna: (Steps behind her and grabs the hilt over her hands) Sorry Radhe. Here, let me show you how it is done. Put your left foot on the log and push.
Rani: (Follows) Like this?
Krishna: Yes, now pull the saw with me.
Rani pulls the saw very strongly and stumbles back while Krishna helps her steady.
Krishna: (Laughs) Not this hard idiot.
Rani: Oh sorry!
Krishna: Let's do it again. Listen to what I say.
Bijju sits there smiling, resting his chin on his left hand, watching the two enjoying sawing the log. Sometimes seriously teaching her, then sometimes teasing her, making her angry to hit him, then again getting together and continuing the sawing. I mean rarely does someone enjoy like this while doing woodwork. Finally they saw a plank from the log.
Krishna: (Picks up the plank, inspects) Wow! This plank can definitely take your weight.
Rani: What do you mean, my weight? Are you insinuating that I am heavy?
Krishna: For being more intelligent than me, you are surely stupid. It means you are light enough that even this thin plank can hold your weight.
Rani: (Annoyed, chases him with a first in the air while Krishna runs away laughing) That plank is thin, that plank is thin huh! Let me tell you how thin it is. Not thinner than my fist.
Abha: (Yells) Rani dear!
Krishna: (Stops) Ma is calling you, hear her out.
Abha: You both are squabbling again. Rani, leave him. Go fetch some clean water from the river before the sun sets.
Rani: Ok ma, I am coming. Ma saved you, or I would have let you taste this thick fist of mine.
Krishna: Some people just like to make themselves happy by lying to themselves.
Rani: (Clenches her fist in anger) You just wait here. I will show you what Rani is (walks away stomping).
Krishna: (Looks at Bijju and both laugh).
Bijju: Why do you tease Rani didi so much?
Krishna: To make her remember me later.
Bijju: Is she going to forget you or something?
Krishna: Are you going to?
Bijju: I will never forget you brother.
Krishna: (Smiles) Of course not. Neither will she. Anyways, let's go to the carpenter uncle and return the saw and we have got one more thing to do on the plank.
Bijju: You sure you want me to come like this.
Krishna: Like this, like what? It is just a small cast. We shall go and have a walk around the village to freshen up the view. Come, let me get some money from Ma (wraps his arm around Bijju's shoulder).
Bijju: (Walking) You are not going somewhere, are you?
Krishna: Nope. Why do you ask?
Bijju: Then why did you say that earlier? Is Rani didi going somewhere?
Krishna: Don't know.
Bijju: You are really not going anywhere, right?
Krishna: Idiot, I have been here before you were even born and I will stay until the end.
Bijju: Until the end!? End of what?
Krishna: (Laughs)
Bijju: End of what? Tell me.
After sometime, Rani walks into the hut with a pitcher full of water and puts it in a corner.
Abha: Rani! You are back.
Rani: (Looks around) Where is Krishna?
Abha: He went to the town. He said he had something he had to return.
Rani: He went without me (rushes out).
Abha: Rani! (She disappears, smiles) This girl! She is crazy for that boy.
At the carpenter's…
Carpenter: (Hands over the plank back to Krishna while Bijju standing beside watches) Here! This pair of narrow channels will hold the ropes. Fine wood work sonny.
Krishna: Looks good. Thank you uncle. Here! (Brings out the money).
Carpenter: Keep it, it is on me, sonny.
Krishna: Really!?
Carpenter: How did you get yourself hurt boy?
Bijju: I fell from a tree.
Carpenter: Ooh! A menace, are you? (Laughs) Don't worry, it will heal. Eat dairy products and it will heal quicker.
Krishna: Is that true?
Carpenter: Yes, I heard it has something called calcium, it makes bones stronger and aids recovery. Did you not read about it?
Krishna: Only if I could focus on studies.
Carpenter: You are a quick learner, sonny. But if you can't focus on studies, you can always come and work here with us. We will teach you the art of woodwork. What do you say?
Krishna: Sounds enticing. I will think about it.
Carpenter: (Laughs) You do, sonny. And again, fine work on the plank there being a novice and all.
Krishna: Thank you. See you again uncle.
Carpenter: Take care. And no falling from the trees again, alright.
The boys walk out.
Krishna: Well, well, well, we got some money to spare. Wanna eat something?
Bijju: Hmm! Maybe.
Krishna: Let's go brother. We have an achievement to celebrate.
Rani walks alone through the unpaved road looking around to find them and sees them coming from the front. Krishna ate one chip then fed one to Bijju. They notice Rani at a distance looking at them in anger.
Rani: (Starts quickly walking towards them) You! You two dare eat that without sharing it with me.
Krishna and Bijju speed up eating.
Rani: (Shocked, runs) Why you?
Krishna shoves a few chips into Bijju's mouth then the leftover in his mouth and crushes the packet. Rani comes and stands before Krishna with jaw hanging and eyes popping out. She looks at the packet then looks at Krishna in awe who chews then gulps.
Rani: (Grabs Krishna's collar and shakes vigorously) You greedy dog! You ate all the chips alone. You didn't even think about me, huh?
Bijju: Rani didi calm down, we have got one for you.
Rani: (Stops shaking him) What?
Bijju: (Takes out a chips pack) It is all for you. Brother Krishna said the bigger pack is for Rani.
Rani: (Quickly takes) Really! I thought you forgot about me.
Krishna: For you I was born, for you that I walk
It is you all I see, It is you all I talk
Before Krishna there is always Radhe
And you thought I forgot you, what a shock!
Rani: Ok Mr poet.
Krishna: You are welcome. Now give me some.
Rani: You just ate one pack. I am not giving any.
Krishna: Look at her, a moment ago she was angry at us for not sharing.
Rani: (hesitant) Ok, you can have some.
Krishna: (Opens his mouth)
Rani: (Chuckles, takes a chip to his mouth then swings it around and shoves it in Bijju's mouth)
Bijju: (Shaken) Umm! Didi! What the!
Krishna: Yo!
Rani: You thought I would only share it with you.
Krishna: (Smiles) I knew you won't.
Rani: Your smile is so adorable. Isn't it Bijju?
Bijju: (Gulps) Yes, it is so soothing.
Rani: I just love it.
Krishna: If you like it that much, then I will keep smiling no matter what, for you.
Rani: Please do, my Krishna (feeds him a chip).
During the evening…
Abha again before her stove preparing dinner for tonight. Krishna rips the cloth into two and begins wrapping them around the rope.
Rani: (Comes and sits before him) What is this about now?
Krishna: (Wrapping) For the game I told you about.
Rani: This is a part of the game too.
Krishna: Yes, Radhe.
Rani: Let me help you.
Krishna: Baba must be returning soon. If he sees you playing with me instead of studying, he will beat me like a drum.
Rani: But two people will do it quicker. Let's finish this before he returns.
Krishna: As you wish.
Rani: What do I do? (finds tiny thin plastic threads beside her) What's this for?
Krishna: Those are for tying the cloth firm to the rope so it doesn't undo itself easily.
Rani: I see. How about you let me tie them while you wrap them.
Krishna: That would be helpful and quick alright. Go ahead. I am holding it in place.
Rani: (Ties) How's this?
Krishna: Keep it tight as much as possible and give two to three knots.
Rani: Ok (gives another knot and goes up).
Krishna: More, take it up, up, a little further. Yes, perfect. Keep that much of a difference between them.
Rani: Got it. You just keep holding the rope up. I won't be able to string around the rope properly if it is laid on the ground.
Krishna: Don't worry about it. I got this. You just keep the strings tight.
After some time…
Rani: Finally, done.
Krishna: (inspects) Nice. This turned out pretty good. Let's just hope I don't make any mistake setting it up tomorrow.
Rani: Setting what up?
Krishna: The game of course.
Rani: I can't wait to see what it is about.
Abha smiles as she witnesses them working together.
Krishna: Let's hide this before Baba shows up.
Rani: Oh, yeah! Right. You do that. I am gonna open my books.
Krishna hides the rope and takes out his book too. After a while Nana arrives.
Nana: Phew! Abha, what is in dinner for today? (Sees Rani studying along with Krishna, wanting to say something but brushes it off).
Krishna: You wanted to say something Baba. Like what a surprise! How do you have a book in your hands again? Or like how I am pretending to study or something.
Nana: I am just surprised to see you with a book two days in a row that I forgot what I wanted to say. But I think it was along the line what you just said.
Krishna: You just wait. I will score better than Rani over there in the winter tests.
Nana: (Sits in a corner swinging his towel to fan himself) Son, one should not lie to themselves that much or it will start hurting your stomach.
Krishna: Is that a joke?
Nana: Am I laughing? But I am laughing at what you said though, see, hahahaha..
Abha and Rani laugh. Krishna embarrassingly brings the book closer to his face.
The next morning…
Krishna again goes to Bijju's house after his father leaves. After feeding Bijju by his hand, the two boys again hop out, pick up the plank and the rope from Krishna's hut and head out for the river.
Krishna: Ma, I am going to the riverside.
Rani: (Serving fodder to the cows, heard what Krishna said).
Abha: Be careful. Don't go very far.
Krishna: (walking) Ok. Bijju, how's the wrist?
Bijju: I don't like this cast on my hand.
Krishna: Gotta deal with it. Just 13 more days.
Bijju: I never thought doing things with your left hand would be so difficult.
Krishna: You never know until you experience it yourself.
Bijju: Let me see the rope. Woah! Looks good.
Krishna: Let's hope it holds up good too.
The two vanish away in the distance. Rani hurries up with her daily work so she can go join them.
Rani: Ma, I am going to the riverside as well.
Abha: You finished feeding the cows?
Rani: Yes (looking for her slippers).
Abha: Hung the wet clothes on the line?
Rani: Yes.
Abha: Swept the front yard?
Rani: Yes Ma. I am going now.
Abha: Ok, don't play for too long.
Rani rushes towards the riverside, ripping through the crop fields following the chirping of the birds. The view of the riverside is always breath-taking as she escapes out of the huge plant crowd and steps into the open. Krishna was hugging the branch fixing rope over it while Bijju was holding the plank standing on the ground giving Krishna directions. Little children were curiously watching them trying to understand what they were doing jumping back and forth. Rani smiles and moves towards them.
Krishna: (Hugging the branch, adjusting the rope) How's this?
Bijju: (Holding the plank tied to the ropes on both ends) Still not balanced. The right side is still a little higher.
Krishna: Hmm (pulls the rope a little) Now?
Bijju: (presses on the plank) Better.
Krishna: (ties up the rope).
Rani: (approaches them) So this is the game you were talking about.
Krishna: Nice timing Radhe, why don't you climb on it and check it out if it's set up properly or not?
Rani: Me? You sure?
Krishna: Don't act, you know we made it for you. Just give us the test run.
Rani climbs on the swing and begins to swing back and forth. As she slowly increased her speed, the nervous look slowly transitioned into a smile, then into laughter making it obvious how much she enjoyed it. Krishna slowly slips down off the tree and watches Rani with a smile knowing that all he did was worth it.