Bongo BOB, It starts with books. Season 02
So have you made up your mind on where you're getting admission?
You're talking as if every college is waiting for me to get admitted.
Come on, girl! The scores you've got, they'd love to have you.
You just have to apply.
Rafiq's father, where are you? Your tea is here.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
What? [suspenseful music]
Nadia! Wait!
Father!
Father! Father!
[people crying]
Nadia! Father is no more! He has left us forever!
[lamenting]
Based on Rahitul Islam's Novel "Kemon Ache Freelancer Nadia"
Freelancer Nadia
[birds chirping]
- What are you doing? - Wake up!
- Why? - Don't you have to go to work?
- I want to sleep a bit more! - You want to sleep more?
- I won't wake you up again. - I'll get up myself.
- You never woke up by yourself, Faisal. - Believe me, I will.
- Okay, I'm going then. - Hmm.
- Don't blame me if you get late. - I won't.
You keep sleeping! I'm going.
Did you sleep enough?
If you didn't sleep enough, then go sleep again.
I'm here to all the chores.
My son is married to a highborn.
She doesn't wake up before noon.
I was someone's wife as well.
I always woke up before my mother-in-law even had a clue.
I used to finish half of the chores before she woke up.
Now it's the other way around,
when I am the mother-in-law!
What are you so on about early in the morning?
What else? My life is all about misfortune.
What did they promise before the wedding?
They promised to buy Faisal a motorcycle and furniture.
They even assured us of getting Faisal a good job!
Instead, they sent her almost empty-handed.
She's all beauty... no brain.
See I'm an ordinary guy.
with an ordinary job.
I wasn't even good at studying.
Joint family.
You're very pretty.
I also heard you had good scores in your HSC.
- You had many dreams as well, right? - The thing is,
after my father died, my brother wants to wed me off fast.
As he is my brother,
I can not go against his wishes.
That's the truth.
I just want one thing from you.
I want to continue my studies after the marriage.
I assure you one thing,
I'll try my best to keep you always happy.
I will try to do everything I can to,
fulfill all your wishes.
That's enough for me.
Nadia!
Did you iron my blue dress like I told you to?
- I did. - Where is it?
It's in my room in the wardrobe.
Why did you keep it in your room?
You could've kept it in my room!
Can't you just get that yourself, Roshni?
But I'm late already!
[birds chirping]
Can you please come inside for a minute?
- I need your help with something. - What is it?
- It's that biology assignment. - Oh!
- Fine. I'll be right over. - Come fast.
There you go.
- Is it okay? - Yes, totally.
Write the name of the figures yourself.
- You'll be caught if I write it. - That's right.
I can't be caught.
Nadia!
- Heat up water for me. - Okay, mother.
- Write the whole thing under that. - Hmm.
Write up here.
Why don't you eat at the table?
What the hell did you cook? Where's meat?
There was no meat today.
But I don't eat this fish, don't you know?
I will fry up an egg for you in two minutes.
- Please come back fast. - Wait, I'll come back soon.
She was supposed to heat the water for bathing.
But as callous as she is, she forgot to bring it to the bathroom.
Where's the water?
Nadia!
- Hey Nadia! - Yes?
Come in here for a sec.
Yes mother?
Didn't I tell you to boil me some water?
- Did you do it? - I did. There it is.
- Where is it? - Here!
I did light up the stove, mother. Maybe it got put off by the wind.
Shut up! Don't give me excuses!
You don't have any interest in any of your work.
Where's your attention?
Did it grow wings?
Is it flying around now?
I'm going to cut your wings. Do you understand?
Now, why are you making that face?
Don't just stand there, answer me!
Are you cursing me, right?
Not at all.
- Didn't you tell me to shut up? - You're arguing with me again!
You have gone too far!
Ouch!
[gasping]
See it happens when you're not careful.
How did this happen exactly?
- I just fell to the ground! - Where?
In the kitchen.
Who falls in the kitchen?
The floor was wet.
I slipped.
How did you hurt yourself here just by falling? Does it make sense?
- Come closer. - What is it?
- Go stand there. - Hmm.
I'll give you a hard push. When you fall, check the places you get hurt. How ab' that?
Smart ass!
Now, put up the mosquito net.
It's Sunday. It's your turn.
I got hurt, didn't you see?
[indistinct chatter]
I was thinking,
I could really use a job or something.
What kind of job do you have in mind?
That's the thing I don't know.
What can I do with just an HSC certificate?
I wish...
I wish I had got something that I could do from home.
How can you work if you stay at home?
Then what's the point of asking you if I knew about it already?
As you know,
Faisal doesn't earn much.
All the money get spent over the family.
We have to get through the month somehow.
How long can you live like this?
Once the family gets bigger
the responsibilities will grow as well.
What will happen then?
I forgot to tell you.
While scrolling away, something got my attention. Let me show you.
- What? - Check this out.
It's called Earning and Learning. They conduct courses on freelancing.
How about you take one of these courses?
But... will I be able to do it?
Of course you can.
Next month, they will start a ten days long training.
Before that there will be a seminar.
Faisal has a computer, right?
He does have a computer, but no one used that for a long time.
It's old...
though it may still be usable.
Ok, computer and... what else do I need to get started?
- Internet. - You mean... mobile data-based?
Nope. You need something faster where you'll be continuously online.
[murmuring] Where would I get that?
I'm sure it will be expensive.
Do one thing, give them a call and get all that you need to know, ok?
I'll manage everything else.
But what will I be doing in freelancing?
What do you mean?
You can do so many things.
It would help if you searched on the internet.
You can't even imagine the types of work available for freelancers.
Just have a look.
[door opens]
[inaudible]
Ok. I'm off.
- Safe travels. - Greetings.
Where's the princess of the castle?
Hmm? Do you know what time it is?
It's 10 in the morning already. Won't you have to cook breakfast?
Mother!
I have a fever, mother.
You have a fever, so what? Fevers never stopped us from working.
Huh? Now get up.
Take pills and get to working.
How would I do all the chores with my waist pain?
Okay mother. I'm coming.
coming.
Nadia, your friend Jinia is here.
Jinia?
- Tell her to wait. I'll be right out. - Okay, come fast.
What's up, girl? Roshni told me you have a fever.
[groaning]
Yeah. A bit feverish, that's all.
Did you take pills?
I did earlier in the morning.
Remember I told you about that freelancing?
I came with all the information today.
I have a cousin, you know?
He is making good money doing freelancing.
From what he said, if you are good at communicating in English, you can earn better.
And you're being good at English gives you a head start, isn't it?
I gathered a lot of details from him.
You can also learn from YouTube.
There are plenty of tutorials available on YouTube that you can use.
Oh okay.
But... do you think I can do it?
Of course you can.
You must learn it well before you start working. Okay?
It's a matter of our reputation.
But there's still a big issue.
What is it?
You also talked about getting a fast internet connection. Where would that come from?
Well. Then check this out.
I owed you a gift at your wedding, remember?
Here's your gift. A modem.
Make do with it for now.
If you can do something with it, no one will be happier than your friend.
Thank you.
- Tarek? - Greetings.
Greetings
- How are you doing? - I'm fine.
Where's your brother?
Where's your mother?
- What's up, Nadia? - Greetings, brother.
Greetings. How are you?
How're things at home? All good between you and Faisal?
Why are you asking?
Well. Seeing you suddenly at this time of the day made me suspicious, that's all.
- I just wanted to see mom! - Oh.
- Why do you always suspect the worst? - Oh, okay. I apologize.
Mother! Mother!
Greetings mother.
- Greetings. - How are you feeling today?
I'm not feeling very well, dear.
There's no strength to these bones.
I have lost appetite completely.
All my joints hurt so much!
Huh.
How will she keep healthy?
She doesn't take her medicines timely.
I stay busy all day. I can't give her medicines every time!
Can't brother do it when you can't?
You must be dreaming. You expect that good for nothing with this task?
I know what he does all day. He doesn't care about anything.
He doesn't care about his family at all.
Sometimes he stays out all night!
Says he has business meetings.
Who knows what kind of business that is! I never see him bring a penny!
You expect him to take care of her! Good Lord!
Hey!
Stop talking nonsense in front of Nadia.
I warn you! Don't give her a wrong idea about me!
Who is talking nonsense? Huh?
And what's the shame in sharing with her? Isn't she family?
What do you mean I don't do anything? I do everything here!
- You do nothing! - Shut up!
Stop it, both of you! I will give her the medicines if needed.
Of course you should! Isn't she your mother too?
Why do I have to do everything in this house?
Who do you think I am? Wonder woman? that I have to manage this house, his family, and his mother all simultaneously?
[birds chirping]
Mother!
My mother...
has been sick for a while.
Take her to a specialist.
My brother already did that.
She has to take medicines regularly.
But she is not cooperating, you know?
Come on!
How would she expect to get well otherwise?
You have to make her understand.
I don't know why she has become this way.
She doesn't want to listen to us anymore.
This morning, I myself went and gave her the medicines.
She doesn't take it when my sister-in-law gives them to her.
Not even from my brother. She only took them from me.
Really?
You're trying to say she doesn't take medicines from anyone
other than you? Why?
Do they taste better if taken from you?
I'm sure it's not like that.
She is just stubborn because she is old.
Mother,
doctor has given her medication for 10 days.
I thought, what if I
stay with her for this period and see if her condition improves.
[call for prayer]
Alright. Go.
As it's only for 10 days.
Make sure you finish all the chores before going.
I'm off to say prayers.
♪ ♪
Wait!
Where were you?
Roshni. Go inside!
Why aren't you speaking?
She asked you something, didn't she?
Where did you go?
Can't you speak?
I went to my mother's house.
Really?
Are you sure you're telling the truth?
Are you sure you're not fooling around in the neighborhood all day long?
Do you know how I know? My neighbors told me.
Where you go every day, What you do, we hardly have a clue!
Didn't I tell you not to marry this girl? Now see.
Mother, please.
Let's not make vague assumptions!
- Fine. Drop it. - Why would I drop it? Huh?
I've blindsided enough in this long span of thirty years. Okay?
What did I get in return? Huh?
Your son has simply taken after you. That's it!
Come on!
Can you guys please stop and let her say her piece.
- I think you're misunderstanding, mother! - Listen, young lady!
Enough of that nonsense.
It's time for the truth. What are you up to for the last eight days?
Mother, I...
- I am taking a course on freelancing. - What?
- I'm learning to use the computer. - You're learning what? Computer?
And who is financing your fairy tale? Your rich ass dad?
You think you can be a genius using that bloody computer?
And what about the chores? Who will take care of this house?
You conjure up a new fantasy every other day and waste our time! What the hell, girl?
I'll see how you go through with this fairy tale.
Where's that bloody computer? Let me take care of it. - Mom, wait.
There it is. Let go of me!
Mother! No!
♪ ♪
Hello!
That's right. This is my Bkash number.
Yes, I'm at the shop.
Yes. Send it right way, and listen,
I will pay you back within six months.
- Come here. - I am busy right now!
- Sit here for a bit. - Why?
I have a surprise for you. Sit here.
[door closes]
Did you bring flowers?
Will you be happy with flowers?
I have brought something
which will make you happy.
- Laptop!? - Yes!
You need to work as you've done the training, right?
- Where did you get this? - I bought it for you.
- Is it new? - Hmm.
Must be expensive!
But what if your mother gets to know?
No one will know.
[giggling]
[gasping]
- Faisal? - Hmm!
I got my first job, Faisal!
- What? - I got a job!
- What job? - Oh! You understand nothing!
- [gasping in joy] - Hmm.
What's up, girl?
You seem fed up. What's wrong, honey?
Did you fail in your exam? [laughing]
You failed in mathematics only.
You're laughing at my failure?
Of course not, dear. If you've failed this time, you'll pass the next time.
Who knows, probably your efforts weren't good enough to get you across the line.
So double your efforts next year. I'm sure you'd pass.
You can not move up in the world,
if you are bobbed down by the hate-talk from your surroundings.
Now give me a smile, come on!
[screaming]
- What happened? - Faisal!
I've got mail!
I have earned Dollar 150!
This is my first earning!
[laughing]
How much is dollar 150 in our currency?
That money is yours. You can do anything you want with it.
What would I do with this much money?
It's your first earning, you're supposed to spend it.
I don't want anything. I'd rather buy it for you.
Dollar 150!
Are you going to give me the picnic's fee or not?
You've been saying you will for two days!
I can't even manage your exam fee!
And you're asking us to pay for recreation too.
We're running short of money. So you can forget about that picnic now.
What are you saying? And you want me to stay at home,
when all of my friends are going?
My business isn't going well.
We are behind on two month's rent.
I don't even know how we'll get through this month!
And you're worried about your goddamn picnic! Are you nuts?
When were you ever solvent, father?
You always gave me the same excuse. Did I ever get anything from you?
- Mind your manners. I'm your father. - Father?
Calm down.
How much is it?
And may I know why you ask?
Will you be able to pay his fees?
From where? It's not like you got a fortune from your dad at the wedding.
I only need Taka 2000, that's all.
And what about the bills, father? How much are you short?
It's somewhere around Taka 50000. What's the point of telling you?
Look at her. Speaks as if she has conjured up the genie in the bottle!
She is ready to provide whichever amount we ask from her. All we've to do is ask. Huh!
Here it is.
I have Taka 32000 here. I can get you the rest tomorrow,
from the bank.
Where did you get so much money from?
- I did... - Pretty surprising, isn't it?
Hmm?
She didn't steal it from anywhere.
Those are her hard earned money.
After doing the chores during the day,
she has been doing graphics designing all night that got her this money.
You're seriously not telling me...
that she earned this money using just a computer?
That's right. You can earn from anywhere in the world using the internet.
Clients from Europe, USA places order. She receives and works on those all night to deliver on time.
Nadia earns in dollars now!
Mother, I'm talking about dollars here! Dollars!
But how can we...
live on the income of our daughter-in-law?
It doesn't look good, son.
Come on, mother. You shouldn't think of it this way.
Am I just your daughter-in-law? Aren't I a part of your family?
I'm family too.
So this money belongs to you too.
Feel free to spend it on our family.
Keep it mother.
May God bless you, girl. Our prayers are forever with you.
5 YEARS LATER...
Now we will call this year's National ICT Freelancer winner
freelancer Nadia Chowdhury to come on the stage.
[all clapping]
We're requesting Nadia to share some of her feelings with us.
Greetings everyone.
Firstly, I want to thank the Government of Bangladesh for this award.
The contribution of freelancers in building a digital Bangladesh is undeniable.
House makers are learning to be self-reliant
by doing freelance works besides their daily chores.
A woman can do anything if she wants.
All she needs is to put in an effort.
Thankfully I was able to put in that effort.
Because of my family, who always supported me.
I want to them thank as well for helping me.
[all clapping]
ICT Ministry's Freelancing Workshop was the beginning of my journey.
But we still don't have any substantial learning center in our town.
More of our women would have joined this sector if we had more learning centers.
It would've been easier for them to learn, you know?
This is all I wanted to say.
Thanks, everyone, for giving me such an honor.
- Greetings. - [all clapping]
Now, I would like to call upon The Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology
Junayed Ahmed Polok to come on stage and say a few words.
Thanks for inviting me here.
Of all the inventions in this world,
half was invented by women, and the other half was invented by men.
Nadia Chowdhury has proved that once again.
The way she became successful in her life,
proved us, getting married isn't the end of everything.
She successfully got through all her life's challenges...
with the help of her talent and technology,
Becoming a freelancer not only made her self-sufficient,
but also helped her family come out of a financial debacle.
We want more women like Nadia to come out as successful freelancers...
from the ICT division, who'll become self-employed regardless of the region, she comes from.
In the process, they will empower the whole country
with knowledge based innovation of the digital economy.
I, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, assuring Nadia Chowdhury
there will be a permanent IT training center
at her town within three months by the grace of God.
Besides, we will provide...
permanent training under the Learning Earning Development Project...
in all the hills, mountains,
remote places, and islands all over Bangladesh.
Good luck to everyone.
We will be victorious, we will be strong, technology is our tool in moving forward.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu
It won't take long. Okay.
Okay.
Serial number 30.
Nadia Chowdhury.
Is there no one with you?
I couldn't match the time with my husband So I had to come alone.
It would've been better if someone close to you was here.
Why doctor?
Is something wrong?
You can tell me.
Well, I checked your report.
There's a 99% probability of you having colon cancer.
The good thing is that it's in the early stage.
There are good treatments for cancer in Bangladesh.
You can also get treatment from somewhere else.
Reports come out wrong sometimes.
You can get your reports checked to be assured.
If you stay mentally strong,
you can still recover from this cancer.
[alarm blaring]
- Greetings mother. - Greetings.
Dear?
What happened? Why do you look so pale?
I'm just exhausted because of the heat outside. That's all.
Oh. Then lay down under the fan. Take rest.
♪ ♪
[crying]
[sobbing]
What's up babe?
Which way did the sun rise today?
Oops! It should be the moon.
Which way did the moon come out today?
- Faisal. - Hmm?
You need to promise me something.
What is it?
You've to give up smoking from tomorrow.
Fine. I've quit smoking.
I won't smoke anymore. Cool? Never ever again.
What are you doing?
If I swear on your life that I won't smoke and then mistakenly break it,
something bad might happen to you.
That means you did break a swear before.
Then let bad happen to me.
I'm bound to get punished for that.
But you won't smoke anymore.
Swear on my life.
Okay. Fine.
My wife asked something of me, how can I refuse?
I swear on your life, I won't.
Are you happy now? Hmm?
Mom, where are you? Get in here fast. We're going to cut the cake.
You badly want to cut the cake aren't you?
- I'll go, get the candles. - Okay.
Happy anniversary, buddy!
Is this the time for you to come?
- How're you doing, sweetheart? - I'm fine!
- She has dressed as a red angel. - Totally!
We need a match box.
I'm sure your husband has one.
As in this house, he is the one who smokes.
Faisal, do you have a matchbox on you?
- Excuse me. - Yes, sure.
I don't have a matchbox. Okay?
- Nadia? - Yes?
I forgot to get something for you. So keep this money.
Don't be shy! Keep it.
Light it.
Happy anniversary. [all together]
[all clapping]
Come forward.
Hold the knife.
Mother, hold the knife with us.
Eat a bit. A little bit!
[indistinct chattering]
Faisal!
- Faisal! - Hey! What happened to her?
- Nadia! - What happened?
Nurse! Nadia, don't pass out, don't pass out.
You will be alright! Doctor!
Faisal.
I...
I don't want to die. I don't want to die...
♪ ♪
Dear Pori,
by the time you're reading this letter, I might not be alive anymore.
Do you feel sad as I'm not there with you?
Don't be sad, my dear.
Remember that, your mom didn't live long.
In this short time, I made people around me smile.
I've had a lot of obstacles throughout my life.
But I faced them with a smile on my face.
Cz' I knew,
You learn something new with every barrier you break.
And you should use that learning to your advantage.
Though I'm not fortunate enough to see
you grow up and the things you do with your life.
Whenever I close my eyes and try to imagine your happy face,
I feel so relieved.
If my red angel puts smiles on...
thousands of faces one day, I will rest in peace.