So the Devi's wrath really fell upon Ahilya?
Aaji, please tell me this is a nightmare.
This is just the first day.
The Devi may curse her anytime in the next fifteen days.
Husshh!
What is it? Are you OK?
Are you getting cramps?
No, not at all.
Then what is it?
I had a bad dream.
I thought you're hiding your period from me.
But I guess I was wrong.
Now go to sleep.
When you entered the sanctuary last night...
I had kind of guessed.
You already know...
that you can't enter the sanctuary if you've had your period.
And if you do, the Devi unleashes Her wrath.
You'll start coughing up blood within fifteen days--
Enough of that. Let's sleep!
The sun has risen like a crimson flame in the sky
Like the vermilion on Vesai’s brow
The red of pain, the red of death
The red of curse and sin, the red of Vesai’s wrath
The red of prayer and the sacred bath
The red of the corner where women sit apart
The red of shattered dreams, the red of womanhood
The red of the anger within, the red of sleepless nights
The red of fearful eyes, the red of a woman’s fate
The red of pain, the red of death
Any girl who's had her period is strictly forbidden!
Break the rule and you'll be gone in fifteen days!
Only maidens!
The red of love, the red of bond
A mother and child entwined
Break the rule and you'll be gone in fifteen days!
It is the gift of life, cherish the red you wear
Vesai grants her grace
A mother speaks for her children
The red of power, the red of the cord
The red of courage that keeps life alive
Red is the gift of life, cherish the red you wear
Cherish the red you wear
The sun has risen like a crimson flame in the sky
Like the vermilion on Vesai’s brow
Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
I've been through hell for fifteen days!
Why would you do that to me?
Did you do it on purpose?
I mean...
I know you were protecting me.
And no one found out about my period.
You do want me to...
keep studying, don't you?
I'm sure you do.
That's why it's all going well for me.
But next time...
you better tell me the truth or else...
Never mind.
Just watch over me!
OK?
I'll see you soon!
Aaji!
Check the other side.
Ahilya! Did you see the old woman?
Wonder where she went.
Oye!
What happened to her?
Hello!
I don't know what's so exciting about a grandchild.
Is that how you break this good news to me?
Just ask the Devi for what you want.
I know She will grant it.
Saraswati!
Ahilya!
I don't know what I was thinking asking for sarees and jewellery.
I should have asked what you asked for.
What are you saying?
She can’t stop crying tears of joy!
Please bless her, Mai!
Ahilya!
You can go now.
You should go!
You're late for school.
Ahilya! You'll be late!
Come here, child.
Do you want to miss school?
Go on!
I said go!
May Vesai Devi keep you blessed in marriage!
And may you have plenty of children!
Here, take this.
Hail Vesai! Hail Vesai!
Pay your respects.
How many times have I told you!
Stay away from that barren girl.
She's in her teens...
and she's still not got her period.
No one knew her secret, but she kept going.
She’d let go of the village...
but would the village let go of her?
What does that mean?
[students reciting The Pledge]
Sit down, everyone.
You again?
The Devi has cursed your womb...
it just won't let you bloom!
You still haven't got your period?
That means you'll never get it.
Ahilya.
You act possessed anyway.
Why don't you keep that old priestess company?
You might just pick up some black magic.
After all, that's what the future holds for you.
Why do you care if I’ve grown up yet?
You have, and for what? Solving crosswords all day?
Let me worry about my future.
I'll bloom when I have to.
Now get on with the class or I'm calling the other teacher!
Woah! Did she really say that to him?
Not really.
But she really wanted to.
You might just pick up some black magic.
After all, that's what the future holds for you.
Isn't it?
Moving on to the next chapter!
I know you've been protecting me, Mai.
Please continue watching over me.
And...
you really need to set Gopal Master straight.
Or give him a brain at least.
What is it?
Why are you staring?
What were you saying about Gopal Master?
And since when did you become an ardent devotee of the Devi?
I was always a devotee!
Where Vesai breathes, no one leaves.
Wait! Stop!
Devi, I know my girl made a mistake.
She's naive.
Punish me, not her!
Please forgive her!
What...will I tell her father?
What do I do now!
Please forgive her!
Take my life instead!
This isn't funny!
You entered the sanctuary despite having your period?
My girl's going to cough up blood!
Aai!
- Please forgive my girl! - Aai!
Aai!
Aai, listen to me!
It's been more than fifteen days!
Please!
Are you listening to me?
Please spare her and take my--
Aai! Listen to me! It's been more than fifteen days!
I even entered the sanctuary many times.
And nothing happened.
It didn't happen in fifteen days.
But what if...
what if it happens now?
Please spare my girl and take my life, Mai!
Aai!
It's been more than fifteen days!
Nothing has happened and I don't think anything will!
The Devi might spare you but...
what if people find out?
They will certainly not spare you.
Especially your father!
Aai.
They'll punish me...
only if they find out.
No!
I won't hide this.
- Aai! - I can't!
- Please don't, Aai. - Spare my girl!
Fine!
Go tell everyone!
Even I'll tell them...
I got my period a long time ago and...
I entered the sanctuary and broke all rules!
I'll slap you!
I'm going to tell your father.
He will do...
what needs to be done.
Let me finish class ten. Please don't tell him.
He'll marry me off immediately!
Aai!
Aai, listen to me!
Aai!
Aai, listen to me.
Please!
Please don't do this, Aai!
Aai!
Come, dear.
In Class Ten this year, right?
That's enough education, Aaba.
She really likes it. So I've let her continue.
The things is, Aaba...
the groom is a class nine dropout...
and the girl is in class ten.
It will be embarrassing.
I mean...
modern farming is one thing...
but you can't possibly be modern about this.
Well, it's...
only till she gets her period.
Isn't that what our tradition is about?
She'll stop going as soon as she gets it.
Please have some.
Listen. She's already--
What?
What is it?
Go on!
Aaba!
It's our tradition.
Your family has always protected it.
And she won't go too far with her qualification.
Remember Kalindi?
She tried to run away.
We banished her from the village.
And she still lives beyond the border.
You and I know the world is a scary place.
You're right.
Our girls won't survive it.
Tatya.
They're already following the tradition.
This is the tradition, right?
As in?
As in...
the tradition is that the girl is married off when she gets her period.
And then she stops going to school.
Right.
That's what they're doing.
But Aaba...
you don't want people saying things about her.
- That's she's-- - She's not barren!
Every girl is different.
Yes, I agree.
We were worried about her, that's all.
And we don't mind if she continues her education.
Right, Tatya?
- Right? - Yeah, I guess.
You're right.
Thank you for being so understanding.
I know you'll take good care of her.
We should get going!
I hope you don't misunderstand.
It's a matter of few days.
Don't worry. We won't.
I'll take your leave.
I'll see you soon.
Tatya.
What's the matter?
Nothing.
What do you really want?
What do you mean?
We came here because you brought up the wedding.
And now you're saying you're not in a hurry.
Listen.
Here's what I think.
Why do you want a barren girl?
She's still not got her period!
You'll find plenty of other options.
I don't want options, Tatya.
I want her.
She's an only child.
The father has plenty of land.
We need to be patient.
But why do we need to be patient?
And why are you interested in his land?
Your greed will only bring the Devi's wrath upon us.
This is about our village tradition!
Tatya.
A little more patience.
Until I win over her father.
And get his land.
And what good is a tradition...
if we can't use it to our benefit?
Right?
When you get your next period...
we'll tell them it's the first.
Listen!
We'll tell Aaba.
If you tell him the truth, I won't keep quiet either.
I'll tell him you knew all along.
Is that a threat?
Fine. But I won't keep quiet.
Now take this!
Aai!
Listen!
Are you really going to rat me out?
Right. Off you go!
Here?
This is as far as I can drop you off!
Consider yourself lucky!
That you're the wife of a smart, educated man.
Yeah, right!
I'm still waiting for that luck to shine.
Rukmini!
Better be careful, OK?
Can you go by yourself or do you need me to come?
Be safe, OK?
Be on your guard!
Whatever.
Well, well. Look who it is!
The Devi’s finally blessed you!
Wait! Wait for me!
Listen to me!
I've been telling her for ages now.
That she can quit school...
and learn to be a wife!
They say a woman’s grace lies in obedience.
In short, marry her off and be done with it.
Right?
So when are we celebrating?
- Celebrating? - Well!
Just because you keep mum...
doesn't mean we don't know what you're hiding.
So what if it was a bit late?
At least she got her period!
What...what are you talking about?
I mean it's time to quit school.
It's time for cooking...
scrubbing...
and childbearing!
Watch your mouth, Master!
Why will she quit school?
No girl goes to school after her period!
What girl?
Whose girl? And what period?
That one.
Isn't that why she's helping you out?
Let's go.
Wait!
I'm worried about you.
Really worried.
First, you took your time giving birth.
Then...
you gave us a girl.
And now...
the girl won't even bloom!
Clearly, the Devi never liked your family and never will!
What use are these girls to anyone?
Tell me!
They're of no use.
I mean they just sit...
sleep...
and drain you dry!
I feel very bad for Aaba.
Shut up, you broken radio!
Stop blabbering!
She'll scrub all day or go to hell!
Why the hell do you care?
She can certainly go to hell.
But not to school.
Who do you think you are?
I will send her to school!
But why?
To finish Class Ten!
Not only will she attend school...
but she'll also go to Class Ten.
Don't stay mum! And repeat!
Yes...I'll go to Class Ten.
Louder!
- I'll go to Class Ten. - Repeat it!
- I'll go to Class Ten! - Did you hear that?
So she won't go to hell?
Now buzz off or I'll send you to hell!
Should I?
She's gone mad!
You're crazy!
Shut up!
Let's go.
I'm going to go to Class Ten!
Aai, wait for me!
Aai!
I'm hungry!
Not this please, Aai.
Am I not helping you with everything else?
Then do this for me.
Here.
I want you to drink this herbal tea every month.
You need to be healthy.
A period is a woman's destiny.
Stop grimacing!
I won't make you quit school.
Put your feet in it.
Even after six years of marriage...
we were childless.
The entire village pushed your father to remarry.
But your Aaba was adamant.
He ignored everyone.
He said he’d rather stay childless.
And then one day...
you came along.
He wept like a child that day.
He was planning...
a grand celebration for you.
A celebration to remember!
We were really excited about it!
But now this is our little secret.
Aai!
I didn't mean...
to make you cry.
I know you didn't.
I'm sorry you had to bear the pain all by yourself.
With no one to look after you.
How stupid of me to not notice!
I hope you'll tell me everything now.
Of course, I will.
I used to tell the Devi all my secrets.
But now, you'll be my Devi.