After the film ended, Ammachi fell asleep, still smiling. Arjun and Nidhi stood on the verandah, the monsoon rain beginning to fall in thick, silver ropes.
Arjun looked at her – at the girl who had fought him for a DVD and given him something far more valuable. He smiled. Hum Tum Malayalam Subtitles
The film began. The opening credits rolled. And then, the first Malayalam subtitle appeared on the screen. After the film ended, Ammachi fell asleep, still smiling
"My mother," Nidhi said, quieter now. "She's in palliative care back home. In Thrissur. The last film she watched in a theatre with my father before he died was Hum Tum . She doesn't remember English anymore. Or Hindi. Just Malayalam. And sometimes, she forgets I'm her daughter. But she remembers the songs. 'Hum Tum…' she hums it. I wanted to play it for her. With subtitles she can read." He smiled
"It's Saif Ali Khan, Ammachi," Nidhi said, adjusting her blanket.
"I'm sorry," Arjun said, not sorry at all. "I was here first."
Mohan chettan shook his head slowly. "Last one. License-wallahs raided the pressing plant last month. This is the final piece ."