Paava Kadhaigal

MY PRECIOUS

1981, KAADAMPALAYAM KOVAI DISTRICT

The fools smell ration day and camp here at sunrise.

Move aside.

Stop making noise and get in line.

One fucking word out of you and I'll shut the shop and leave.

Why don't you wait? I was here first.

- Give me way. - Sathaar, go back.

I've been waiting since morning. My kid's about to return from school now.

Come, sister, who's stopping you?

Give me your ration card next time and you too can avoid the line.

I'll get you the kerosene but take the wheat and sugar on your card.

- I can make a few bucks, right? - Don't touch me.

Kerosene, rice, wheat, sugar. I'll take them all.

Your paunch's getting bigger by the day.

- Can you even see it when you look down? - What?

- I meant your feet, uncle! - Who's your uncle?

Saravanan's uncle is my uncle.

I'm no uncle of yours, you wretch! Bugger off!

Look at uncle's temper, as if I'm asking for his house.

You have to give me the rations.

Talking the law, are we?

You have to stand in queue 25 times for these 25 cards. Now fuck off!

Get lost!

This fool thinks he's being smart.

Can't he just stand in line?

Go back, fool!

- Didn't you hear me? - Go back.

All the way back.

Don't wriggle back. Scoot!

Bro. Brother!

Brother.

Precious?

- Come, Sathaar. - Take the money, bro.

What's this, precious? A pimple?

Pimple?

They're ogling at you, hence the pimple.

Move aside!

Only I know who my precious desires.

So you're back from Coimbatore? I haven't seen you for so long.

I came yesterday.

Damn! Your dad's here.

Thirty rupees? Give me forty and fast!

I have to rush to get my kerosene.

Haven't I told you not to hang around here?

Give the stuff and scoot!

- Bye, Saravanan's dad. - Scram!

You! I've told you not to entertain that one here.

- Dad, he's harmless. - Get out!

- Why do you always abuse him? - You're getting snarky with me?

It's okay to even mess around with a whore,

but if you don't get a bride 'cause of that creature,

I swear I'll kill you and go to jail.

Why didn't you tell me it came?

We've caught him today.

Don't touch me.

Don't you dare touch me.

What do you call one that's neither a girl nor a boy?

You call it Sathaar!

Look at it blush.

Quit wagging it or I'll cut it off...

I meant your tongue.

Try it on for size then.

Guys, stop.

Stop harassing him so much.

Ask him why he keeps strutting around like a girl then.

Does he ask why we horse around like men?

Look, Sathaar's husband is angry. Come on, boys.

Saravanan's not gonna be around always.

Forget those dogs, Sathaar.

Listen, come to our spot later. I have some good news to tell you.

Saravanan!

Still talking to that tramp? Get back to the shop!

I'm here all dolled up and you're still reading?

Is that erotica?

Stop ruining your mouth with betel leaves.

This makes my lips ruby red, precious.

- Give me the damn bag. I'll throw it away. - No! Not my bag!

What do you keep in there?

What did you do?

What's this?

It took me eight years of hustling at ration shops for this 15,000 rupees.

Why do you need so much money?

I'm going to Bombay for the surgery.

Just 3,000 rupees more, and I'll leave.

We'll get married once I return.

Stop that!

Don't act like this with the others. They bitch about you.

Don't be naive.

Those creeps get off on the way I talk to them.

The henpecked fools get abused by their wives.

Let them have their fun with me.

But you never ask for anything.

Ask away, precious.

I was waiting to get a good job before saying this.

Now that I have a bank job, I'm ready.

A heart with an arrow through it and "I love you."

Can you give it to your sister, Sahira?

What about me then?

Stop joking. You're my only hope, man.

So this is why you've been friends with me? I'm a fool!

Shut up!

We've been friends since we were six. Your sister wasn't even born then.

You don't need to do shit. I'll take care of it. Give it back.

This is the first time you've asked me for anything.

How can I refuse? I'll do it.

No need.

Don't be angry, precious. Give it.

Thanks, man. Tell me what she says.

- I'll be here tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. sharp. - Okay, precious.

Devil! How many times have I asked you not to sleep next to the girls?

- Get up, go sleep outside. - Don't hit him!

This dimwit still doesn't understand!

My hand hurts hitting him! Devil!

Leave him alone!

He's scared of the dark.

You made him sleep out once and he wet his bed.

The whole street laughed at us.

- You're the one who made him a coward! - You go. Go!

The witch does look pretty. No wonder he's drawn hearts for her.

Couldn't you have found someone else to seduce?

Hey, Sahira.

You know Saravanan?

Who?

The dumb-faced, long-legged guy from the grocery store.

Why? What's dumb about him?

He's the only good-looking guy in town.

He's educated, too.

Why? Did he ask about me?

- No. Go back to sleep. - Please tell me.

Sleep, squinty-eyes!

- Let me-- - Don't touch me.

His perfume stinks up the whole street!

Sathaar!

What are you looking at? Open it fast.

Where's he running off to?

Stop!

Please move.

Sathaar! Stop!

Squinty-eyed witch!

Gotcha!

You playing games with me? I'll kill you! Did you give her the letter?

I'm talking to you. Did you or not?

I did.

What did she say?

I said you gave it...

And?

I don't know why, but she tore it up.

Let the witch be. She's arrogant 'cause she's fair.

With your looks and education, girls will line up for you.

All this time, I thought she liked me too.

I studied hard and got a job in the city just to take her with me.

Precious, are you crying?

I've never seen you cry.

Precious, wait!

Give me my torch.

Hey! Sit down, you idiots!

Who gave you the saree? Answer me!

I bought it at the fair.

I wanted to wear it when no one's around.

This one shames me daily.

You ride down every week from so far away just to see me.

You love your mother so much!

You showed him your face? He rides down every week just for this.

Sahira, see you tomorrow.

It's getting dark. Sahira will get scared.

You're the scared one, rascal.

Of course. They might spare her, but not me.

Stop, squinty-eyes.