- I'M STANLEY TUCCI, YOUR HOST OF INDEPENDENT LENS.

DID YOU EVER FEEL THAT YOU JUST DIDN'T BELONG?

ROCKY FELT THAT WAY PRETTY MUCH HIS WHOLE LIFE.

AS A BOY, HE WAS TAKEN FROM HIS MOM, AND HIS DAD WAS ABSENT FOR MANY YEARS.

HE FELT STUCK IN SCHOOL AND DIDN'T SEE MANY OPTIONS.

SO ONE DAY, HE DECIDED TO LEAVE.

- IF I MOVE THERE AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT OR IF IT'S JUST NOT A RIGHT FIT, I CAN ALWAYS MOVE BACK.

BOUGHT MY TICKET.

GOT EVERYTHING.

SOLD EVERYTHING I HAD.

WENT WITH A SUITCASE OF TOYS.

- INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER STEVE HOOVER FOLLOWED HIS BEST FRIEND TO INDIA TO DOCUMENT HIS NEW LIFE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE FOR CHILDREN WITH HIV/AIDS.

IN A PLACE FAR FROM EVERYTHING HE'D EVER KNOWN, ROCKY FOUND HIS HOME.

AND IN A GROUP OF FELLOW OUTCASTS, HE FOUND HIS FAMILY.

IN TURN, HE GAVE THEM THE ONE THING THEY NEEDED TO KEEP GOING.

BLOOD BROTHER, NEXT.

- ♪ YEAH ♪ female announcer: THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, THE JOHN D. AND CATHERINE T. MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

[man speaking foreign language over loudspeaker] [all speaking foreign language] [man speaking indistinctly] - [speaking foreign language] - [speaking foreign language] [engine turning over] [motorcycle buzzing] [alarm droning] [train whistle blaring] - NO, NO, NO.

TRAIN OPEN.

- [speaking foreign language] - HOSPITAL.

- GOT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

- NO, NOT--COME.

- GET--GET HER ON THE MOTORCYCLE.

GET HER ON THE MOTORCYCLE.

- [speaking foreign language] [bell dinging] [gate creaks] [motorcycle buzzing] [crickets chirping] [all muttering foreign language] [crickets chirping] - WHEN ROCKY MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE TO INDIA, I THOUGHT HE WAS BEING IMPULSIVE.

BUT I TRIED TO BE SUPPORTIVE.

WE'D BEEN BEST FRIENDS FOR TEN YEARS, LIVED TOGETHER FOR SEVEN.

I ASSUMED HE WOULD ALWAYS BE AROUND.

IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE HE LEFT.

HE'S ASKED ME TO COME SEE HIM, BUT I HAVEN'T GONE.

WE'VE KEPT IN TOUCH THROUGH EMAIL AND SKYPE.

HE TALKS A LOT ABOUT THE KIDS AND THEIR STRUGGLES WITH HIV.

HIS VISA WAS REJECTED, SO I'M ON MY WAY TO PICK HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT.

ROCKY REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE INDIA, BUT I THINK IT'LL ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR HIM.

TO BE HONEST, A PART OF ME HOPED ROCKY WOULDN'T MAKE IT IN INDIA.

- IT WAS SUMMERTIME.

LISA CAME HOME FROM WORK, AND THE KITTEN THAT ROCKY LOVED JUMPED UP INTO THE CAR.

AND WHEN SHE TURNED THE CAR ON, IT CUT THE CAT'S FACE OPEN.

JUST SPLIT HIS FACE WIDE OPEN.

AND SO ROCKY WASN'T HOME.

HE WAS AT SCHOOL.

I TOOK THE KITTEN, AND I PUT IT IN A BOX.

AND I GOT THE SHOVEL BECAUSE I KNEW THIS CAT-- THERE WAS NO WAY THIS KITTEN'S GONNA MAKE IT.

IT WAS JUST A LITTLE SMALL KITTEN.

AND WHEN ROCKY CAME HOME, I SAID, "ROCKY, I HAVE BAD NEWS.

"YOUR KITTEN WAS IN THE CAR.

IT GOT ITS FACE CUT OPEN.

"HE'S NOT GONNA MAKE IT.

HE'S IN THE GARAGE IN A BOX.

"TAKE THE BOX AND THE SHOVEL AND GO OUT BACK AND DIG A HOLE AND BURY THIS CAT."

SO ROCKY GETS OUT THERE, AND I SEE HIM-- I'M WATCHING HIM OUT THE KITCHEN WINDOWS, AND HE'S GOT THE HOLE BURIED, AND HE'S GOT THE CAT SITTING THERE, AND THEN HE BENDS OVER, AND HE JUST STARTS PRAYING.

I'M THINKING-- I TOLD MY WIFE, I'M LIKE, "WHY ISN'T HE PUTTING THAT CAT IN THE HOLE?"

SHE'S LIKE, "WELL, MAYBE IT'S STILL ALIVE."

ROCKY COMES IN THE HOUSE, AND HE'S LIKE, "DAD, THAT CAT'S STILL ALIVE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"

AND I TOLD HIM, "WELL, JUST HIT IT WITH THE SHOVEL AND PUT IT IN THE HOLE."

WELL, I'M WORKING ON A CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND IN THE BOX, THERE'S THAT CAT.

ROCKY'S GOT SALVE ALL OVER ITS FACE SO IT WON'T BLEED ANYMORE.

[cat purrs] ROCKY HAD PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO THAT KITTEN, AND IT ENDED UP-- THAT CAT ENDED UP SURVIVING AND BEING WITH US FOR YEARS AFTER THAT.

I WAS PRETTY IMPRESSED.

[car horn honks] - YOU SMELL LIKE A NEW GARDEN HOSE, IF YOU KNOW THAT SMELL.

NO WAY... ROCKY DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN ON HIS FIRST TRIP TO INDIA.

HE JUST SAID HE WAS SEEKING AUTHENTICITY AND THAT HE WANTED MORE OUT OF LIFE.

THAT'S WHEN HE MET THE KIDS.

HE'S NOT EMPLOYED THERE BUT RECEIVES DONATIONS FROM HIS FRIENDS.

HE'S BEEN LIVING BY HIMSELF IN A VILLAGE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW.

[children chattering] - DO YOU HAVE, UH... - IT ALMOST SEEMED LIKE ROCKY HAD NEVER BEEN IN AMERICA BEFORE WHEN HE CAME BACK.

HE WAS COMPARING EVERYTHING TO INDIA.

THE VERY FIRST THING WE DID WAS GO TO AN INDIAN GROCERY STORE, SO HE COULD COOK US AN INDIAN MEAL.

HE SEEMED REALLY DISENGAGED FROM LIFE HERE.

- WHEN I HAD GOTTEN THE NEWS THAT I HAD TO LEAVE, WHICH WAS REALLY DISCOURAGING, IT SLOWED DOWN MY PACE.

I WAS, LIKE, LOOKING AT THE TREES AND AT THE RICE PADDIES AND LOOKING AT THE GROUND AND LOOKING AT ALL THE ANIMALS, AND I WAS, LIKE, "MAN, THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

"LIKE, LOOK WHERE GOD HAS BROUGHT ME.

"LOOK AT THIS PLACE.

"LOOK AT THE INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I SHARE WITH THESE PEOPLE."

AND THEN GOING AND BEING AROUND THE KIDS, SEEING, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH THEY HAD GROWN AND HOW MUCH THEY HAD HEALED AND HOW EXCITED THEY WERE THAT I WAS THERE-- HOW UPSET THEY WERE THAT I WAS LEAVING.

I WAS LIKE, "MAN," LIKE... WHAT IF THIS WAS THE END OF ME HERE?

LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IF I GO BACK AND, IN SIX MONTHS, I'M IN THE SAME BOAT?

YEAH, I'M IN AMERICA NOW.

I MADE IT SAFELY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM AMERICA?

- ME ONLY?

YOU DON'T WANT ANY GIFT?

- YEAH.

- [laughing] OKAY, BYE.

- KIDS CALL ME ROCKY ANNA IN INDIA.

"ANNA" BASICALLY MEANS "BIG BROTHER."

THEY'LL CALL YOU STEVE ANNA.

IT'S A TERM OF ENDEARMENT.

I WAS NEVER INTENDING TO GO TO THE AIDS ORPHANAGE.

IT WAS NEVER MY PLAN.

AND I DIDN'T REALLY LIKE KIDS, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

SO I THOUGHT THE ORPHANAGE WOULD BE, LIKE, STUPID, LIKE, KIND OF LIKE GOING TO A DAY CARE OR SOMETHING.

YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT, "OH, I'LL SEE THESE KIDS, AND I'LL MOVE ON."

BUT BEING THERE, SEEING THAT THEY'RE IN DESPAIR AND THEY'RE HOPELESS, AND YOU'RE LIKE, "MAN, THEY'RE KIDS."

YOU KNOW, WATCHING THEM CRY.

AS THEY GOT CLOSER TO YOU, SHARING, LIKE, "YEAH, I DON'T HAVE A MOTHER.

I DON'T HAVE A FATHER."

EVERY CHILD DESIRES A MOTHER AND FATHER SO MUCH.

I WAS REALLY MOVED BY THE KIDS.

THESE PHOTO BOOKS THAT I'D SAW, ALL THESE FACES, DIFFERENT VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THEY'D BEEN SEEING FACES THEIR WHOLE LIVES, JUST PEOPLE WHO WERE IN AND OUT.

AND I WAS LIKE, "MAN, I DON'T WANT TO JUST BE A FACE IN THE BOOK."

LEAVING WAS REALLY HARD THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE, LIKE, ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS KEPT COMING UP TO ME, AND SHE WAS LIKE, "ROCKY ANNA, I'M AMERICA GOING."

SHE KEPT GIVING ME LITTLE CARDS WITH, LIKE, LITTLE PHOTOS OF FAMILIES ON THEM AND STUFF.

SHE WAS TRYING TO, LIKE, STAND OUT.

WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO THE DAY TO LEAVE, SHE ACTUALLY HAD HER BAGS PACKED, AND SHE LIKE, CAME OUT, AND, LIKE, EVERYBODY, LIKE, LAUGHED AT HER, AND SHE WAS, LIKE, CRYING.

- WHO WAS THAT?

- ANITHA.

- [laughs] AH, BYE.

- SHE ENDED UP STAYING THERE, AND I SAID-- SAYING GOOD-BYE TO HER.

BUT ON THE TRAIN, I JUST HAD, LIKE, TWO DAYS TO JUST SIT AND THINK.

I THINK WE HAD RESERVED ABOUT 20 DAYS AT THE END OF THE TRIP, AND THAT WAS, LIKE, OUR TRAVEL TIME, WHERE WE WERE GONNA SEE THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S REMARKABLE.

EVERYTHING'S, LIKE, SO BEAUTIFUL.

LOOKING AT ALL THE BUILDINGS AND SEEING ALL THE STUFF, LIKE, SEEING ALL THESE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE AND THESE CHILDREN AND THESE NEAT HOUSES, AND THE COLORS ARE SO ENTICING, AND YOU'RE LIKE, "OH, I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT," AND KNOWING THAT YOU'RE NOT A PART OF IT.

YOU'RE JUST A TOURIST.

BUT IN CHENNAI, I HAD BEEN FAMILY TO THE KIDS.

THE TREASURE WAS THE KIDS, AND I FELT I WAS WASTING THE LAST 20 DAYS SEEING THIS STUFF THAT I KNEW WASN'T GOING TO MEAN ANYTHING.

THEY GAVE THEIR HEART TO ME, AND I GAVE MY HEART TO THEM, AND WHAT AM I DOING?

I GOT TO GET BACK AND SEE MY KIDS.

AND THEN I WENT BACK AND SURPRISED THE KIDS.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

THAT LAST TEN DAYS WAS SO INSTRUMENTAL, THOUGH.

I GUESS I WAS KIND OF WORKING IT OUT, LIKE, "WELL, COULD I ADOPT ONE OF THE KIDS?"

BUT THEN WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE OTHER ONES?

COULD I GO AND VISIT THEM EVERY SIX MONTHS, LIKE, REALLY?

NOTHING SEEMED ENOUGH.

AND THEN I MADE A DECISION.

I WAS LIKE, "MAN, LIKE, "I CAN'T TAKE ANY OF THEM OUT OF THAT SITUATION, "BUT I CAN PUT MYSELF INTO IT.

I NEED TO MOVE THERE."

I STARTED WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET MONEY.

BECAUSE I KNOW MY TENDENCY TO JUST FLAKE OUT, I HAVE TO MAKE ALL MY DECISIONS QUICK.

IF I MOVE THERE AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT OR IF IT'S JUST NOT A RIGHT FIT, I CAN ALWAYS MOVE BACK.

BOUGHT MY TICKET.

GOT EVERYTHING.

SOLD EVERYTHING I HAD.

WENT WITH A SUITCASE OF TOYS.

THIS--ALL CHILDREN HEALTH FINE, UH?

- I'M COMING QUICKLY, MA.

- ROCKY'S TIME HERE IS PRETTY UNEVENTFUL.

WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT MY HOUSE.

- THIS HOUSE IS GOOD.

- AND HE COMES TO THE OFFICE WITH ME.

BUT OVERALL, THERE'S NOT MUCH FOR HIM TO DO HERE.

A LOT HAS CHANGED FOR ME SINCE HE LEFT, AND I FIND MYSELF WONDERING WHAT HE THINKS OF MY LIFE NOW.

HE'S PRETTY MUCH JUST WAITING TO GO BACK.

WHEN HE GETS HIS VISA RENEWED, I'M GOING TO RETURN WITH HIM.

- YEAH, WHEN I WAS ABOUT...

I MEAN, I WAS BORN ROBIN JAMES BRAAT.

MY GRANDFATHER, HE WOULD ALWAYS BE LIKE, "ROBIN'S A GIRL'S NAME.

"WHY DO YOU HAVE A GIRL'S NAME?

I'M NOT GONNA CALL YOU THAT.

I'M GONNA CALL YOU ROCKY."

I WAS... BORDERLINE RETARDED IN SCHOOL.

I WANTED TO BE POPULAR.

I WANTED TO BE COOL.

BUT I WASN'T.

I WAS IN, LIKE, ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES.

THEY CALLED ME, LIKE, A SPED.

I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I WAS A SPECIAL ED KIND OF GUY, BUT, LIKE, I STRUGGLED HARD TO LEARN.

WELL, ORIGINALLY, I'M FROM GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, OHIO.

I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO HAVE, LIKE, A CLOSE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND A CLOSE FAMILY SETTING, AND JUST--WE COULDN'T MANUFACTURE IT.

WE COULD NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN IN OUR FAMILY.

DIDN'T HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MY DAD.

HE HAD LEFT WHEN I WAS THREE.

I HAD ENDED UP IN THE CUSTODY OF MY MOTHER.

DURING THAT TIME, MY MOTHER WAS, YOU KNOW, ABUSING A LOT OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

SHE WOULD HAVE BOYFRIENDS OVER, AND THEY WOULD JUST BEAT THE TRASH OUT OF ME AND MY SISTER, AND IT WAS JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

MY GRANDPARENTS INTERVENED.

- WE WENT TO CLEVELAND TO GET YOU AND... BROUGHT YOU HOME.

YOUR SISTER WAS STILL THERE, AND YOU LIVED WITH US FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

- I HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF MY FATHER AT ALL.

ONE DAY HE SHOWED UP.

HE HAD A WIFE THAT I'D NEVER MET.

HE HAD A SON I HAD NEVER MET.

HE WAS LIKE, "HEY, I'M YOUR DAD, AND I'M HERE.

I'M GONNA TAKE YOU."

I JUST REMEMBER THAT BEING, LIKE, A REALLY SCARY PROCESS.

- ROCKY WENT TO SEE HIS DAD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE MOVED TO INDIA.

THEY GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT, AND ROCKY LEFT.

YOU MISS HAVING HIM AROUND HERE AT ALL, OR... - OH, I--I MISS HIM.

I CAN'T CALL HIM ON THE TELEPHONE AND TALK TO HIM.

HE CALLS ME THROUGH HIS COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I WRITE HIM A LETTER IF HE'D EVER EVEN GET IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

I HAVE NO COMMUNICATIONS WITH HIM.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF A BIG FUTURE YOU REALLY HAVE GOING TO A COUNTRY LIKE THAT AND DOING THE JOB THAT'S HE DOING.

IT'S MORE OF A GIVING THING FROM YOUR HEART THAN IT IS TO MAKE MONEY, FOR SURE, BECAUSE I KNOW HE'S NOT GOING TO BE A MILLIONAIRE DOING THE JOB HE'S DOING, YOU KNOW?

HE'S SURVIVING, AND I'M GLAD THAT HE'S ENJOYING LIFE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW?

ENJOY LIFE.

- FOR ME TO GO HOME AND LIVE IN MY HOMETOWN AND THROW MY TIME AND MY LIFE AWAY SEEMS INCREDIBLY WASTEFUL.

I WON'T DO IT.

- YOU MISS THE KIDS?

- YEAH, I MISS THE KIDS A LOT.

IT'S HARD TO BE AWAY SO LONG.

YOU KNOW, WITHIN A MONTH OF LEAVING, LIKE, WE HAD A DEATH.

WE HAD MULTIPLE KIDS LEAVE THE HOME.

SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE I DIDN'T GET TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO.

YOU KNOW, AND IT'S HARD NOT TO GET BITTER AND BE LIKE, "MAN, WHAT'S UP WITH PEOPLE?"

EVERYONE WAS LIKE, "OH, WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU."

AND, LIKE, NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING.

LIKE, I'M JUST KIND OF SITTING BY MYSELF LIKE AN IDIOT.

YOU KNOW, EVERYONE'S WORKING AND PURSUING RELATIONSHIPS AND CAREERS, AND YOU CAN'T JUST SLIP RIGHT BACK INTO THE MIX.

I STILL LOVE MY FAMILY.

I STILL LOVE MY FRIENDS.

BUT I DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY NEED ME.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, I HAVE A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP TO YOU.

LIKE, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE BONDED.

WHY AM I INSECURE ABOUT EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE?

I MEAN, I'M SO MUCH OF A PEOPLE-PLEASER THAT IF, LIKE-- IF ANYONE IS NOT ON BOARD WITH IT, I GET VERY WEIRDED OUT.

I GET VERY AFRAID.

AND I START TO HAVE ANXIETY THAT, YOU KNOW-- THAT IN SOME WAY, THAT IT'S A MESSAGE THAT I'M NOT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT AND THAT, UH, YOU KNOW-- THAT I'M JUST SOME KIND OF ROGUE WHO'S LIVING SOME KIND OF WACKY LIFE OR SOMETHING.

- YEAH, MY SISTER IS COMING TODAY.

- I WAITED ALL DAY FOR HER.

IT'S NEARLY 12:00.

LIKE, AM I JUST SUPPOSED TO WAIT UP ALL NIGHT TO FIND OUT THAT SHE'S NOT COMING?

- EMOTIONALLY, BEING HERE WAS, LIKE, REALLY HARD.

IT BROUGHT OUT A LOT OF JUST, LIKE, HURT, UNFORGIVENESS TOWARDS MY DAD AND MY FAMILY.

- YOU HAD MENTIONED A COUPLE NIGHTS AGO THAT YOU HAD KIND OF A FEAR OF RETURNING.

WHAT IS YOUR FEAR COMING FROM?

- I GUESS THE SAME PLACE.

JUST THE FEAR OF FAILING, FEAR-- I MEAN, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH RIDING ON IT.

YOU KNOW, GOING BACK MEANS SUFFERING.

I MEAN, INDIA'S PRETTY BRUTAL.

SO, I MEAN, I KNOW THAT IT'LL BEAT ON ME, AND THERE'S NO TELLING HOW DISCOURAGED I'LL GET.

YOU'RE RECORDING ME PIZZA-EATING?

- [munching] - WE'RE LEAVING FOR INDIA FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

I'M NERVOUS BUT EXCITED TO SEE HIS LIFE THERE.

- WE'RE GOING TO INDIA.

- 7:00, MORNING.

EXACTLY 7:00.

MUST--BYE.

I'M GOING AIRPLANE.

- YES!

I LOVE YOU, ROCKY ANNA.

- I LOVE YOU TOO.

[kids cheering] - YEAH, I MEAN, I'M DEFINITELY READY TO GO.

IT'S BEEN MUCH HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.

I GUESS I EXPECTED TO JUST COME BACK AND EVERYTHING BE THE SAME AS IT WAS.

I FEEL LIKE THAT I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING HERE ANYMORE.

I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE.

I DON'T DESIRE THIS LIFESTYLE ANYMORE.

I FOUND MY PURPOSE.

I'M NOT CONFUSED ABOUT THAT.

[speaking indistinctly] MY HOUSE IS OVER THERE.

MY HEART IS IN INDIA.

[upbeat drum music] ♪ [man singing in foreign language] ♪ [birds chirping] - WE GOT FOUR MINUTES TO GET THERE, SO LET'S GO.

[cow moos] OOP!

ALMOST RAN INTO THE-- - HOLY!

- OH!

- I TOLD THEM 7:00 EXACTLY.

IT'S 7:00.

WE'RE WALKING THROUGH THE GATE, AS I SAID WE WOULD.

LOCKED.

[gate thuds] [grunts] - BROKEN LEG.

[birds chirping] [Rocky sighs] [gate thuds] [clatters] [creaks] [clattering and squeaking] [door creaks] - [speaking foreign language] - HOW IS MY SWEET SISTER?

- [laughs] - WOW, LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE.

WHAT?

- [gasps and sobs] - OOH, IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU'RE FIRED UP, HUH?

- YEAH.

- [scatting] WHAT UP, DOG?

OH!

HEY, MAN!

- HI.

- YEAH.

HEY, BUDDY.

YEAH.

NICE TO SEE YOU TOO.

[kids chattering] - HI.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

- HI, I'M STEVE.

- STEVE?

- YEAH.

- STEVEN ANNA.

- YEAH, STEVEN ANNA.

- OKAY.

[kids chattering] [all speaking foreign language] - STEVEN ANNA, THERE.

OH-- OH!

ALL RIGHT, MAN.

- NICE, CHECK IT... - [speaking foreign language] [speaking foreign language] HEY, LOOK WHO IT IS.

- I'M GONNA HAVE TO HAVE-- GET EVERYBODY TO WRITE THEIR NAMES DOWN.

- AH.

BEN HERO, AH?

- DID YOU MISS ROCKY?

both: YEAH.

- YEAH?

- LOOK AT THIS GUY.

- LOOK AT THIS GUY.

- MM-HMM.

HOW ARE YOU, MAN?

[both speaking foreign language] DID YOU MISS ME?

SMALL, AH?

BIG?

- [laughs] - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROCKY.

- ARE YOU-- ARE YOU TAKING BREAKS?

- [speaking foreign language] - I'M REFRESHED.

I'M MUCH MORE GRATEFUL FOR BEING IN INDIA.

I'M MUCH MORE EXCITED TO BE WITH THE KIDS JUST BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO APPRECIATE THEM.

I DEFINITELY HAVE JUST BEEN EXCITED 'CAUSE I DID WANT TO SHARE INDIA WITH YOU.

[streamer pops] - WHOA, OH, OH, OH!

[people yelling] - WHEN I MET THE KIDS, THE WHOLE IDEA OF THEM HAVING AIDS MADE ME CAUTIOUS, AND I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT THEM TOUCHING ME.

JUST WATCHING ROCKY HELPED ME TO PUSH THROUGH IT.

HE DOESN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT AIDS.

THAT WHOLE TIME WAS JUST-- IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

IT'S ALMOST STUPID TRYING TO DESCRIBE IT.

EVERYTHING JUST STARTED TO MAKE SENSE.

THE KIDS ARE JUST-- THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE NEAT.

THEY'RE JUST HAPPY THAT YOU'VE COME TO VISIT.

I'M SURE THEY'RE LIVES ARE REALLY HARD, BUT THEY'RE NOT IMPRESSING THAT ON YOU.

IN FACT, IT'S THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE.

- [speaking foreign language] - [speaking foreign language] - I'M HERE.

- [chuckles] - THE HOME IS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN AFFECTED AND ABANDONED BY AIDS AND HIV.

THE MAIN FOCUS IS A REFUGE, YOU KNOW, A PLACE OF PEACE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

ALL THE CHILDREN, ALL THE WOMEN HAVE HIV, EXCEPT THE COOK AND MYSELF.

THEY SHARE MEALS TOGETHER.

THEY, YOU KNOW-- THE AUNTIES ARE THERE AS MOTHERS, AND I TRY TO BE THERE AS, LIKE, A FATHER AND A FRIEND AND A BROTHER.

AND WE JUST WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

I THINK IT'S VERY UNIQUE IN THE WAY THAT IT OPERATES.

YOU KNOW, WE TAKE FAMILY TRIPS TOGETHER.

[all singing in foreign language] ♪ [car horn honks] YOU KNOW, WE CELEBRATE EACH OTHERS' BIRTHDAYS.

[clapping] [people cheering] - [squeals] [all speaking foreign language] - [squeals] - YO, GIVE ME SOME CAKE.

[laughter] WE, YOU KNOW, WATCH MOVIES TOGETHER.

- AND ASKED HIM TO COME ALL THE WAY OUT IN INDIA... - WE TELL JOKES AND CRY TOGETHER AND DO ALL KINDS OF STUFF TOGETHER.

[upbeat orchestral music] ♪ [kid yelling] - NO.

- NO, NO, NO.

GO PICK SOME FRUIT.

[kids chattering] - NO TEA.

- HEY, NO TEA.

[water splashing] - COME, I'M GONNA TEACH YOU HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH.

THIS.

GOOD JOB.

[toy squeaks] SO WE'RE ABOUT TO COOK SOME HOT DOGS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

MUTTON DOGS?

WHAT THE CRAP IS A MUTTON DOG?

[all speaking foreign language] - [coughing] - [laughing] OW!

AWESOME.

TONGS... KOWSALA, I WANT YOU TO GO PLAY.

GO DO SOMETHING.

BUY YOU A DOLLHOUSE, AND YOU'RE PLAYING WITH THE SEWER.

- IT WAS EXHAUSTING TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH ROCKY, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS A MOMENT.

ANYTHING HE HAD TO SHOW ME, I WANTED TO SEE IT; I WANTED TO EXPERIENCE IT.

[car horns honking] WE TOOK A TRIP TO CHENNAI TO VISIT DEVI IN THE HOSPITAL.

SHE'S ONE OF THE GIRLS FROM THE HOME, AND SHE'S BEEN HERE FOR A FEW DAYS.

- DO YOU WANT US TO GET YOU PIZZA?

HE TOOK ME TO THE SLUMS.

WE STAYED THERE FOR THE NIGHT.

[laughter] - BLOOD BROTHER.

- [speaking foreign language] - IT SEEMED LIKE HE HAD FRIENDS EVERYWHERE.

- [laughs] [motorcycle buzzing] - MAKE ONE SENTENCE WITH THE PIZZA.

- I LIKE PIZZA SO MUCH.

- GOOD JOB.

READY?

LET'S GO.

EVERYONE TOGETHER.

all: I WAS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL.

- WOW.

[groans] [kids yelling] [clapping] - ROCKY ANNA.

- UM... - ROCKY ANNA?

[smack] - IT'S OKAY.

NO, NO, NO.

- YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

- NO, NO, NO.

- YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

- THAT'S RAT POISONING.

IT'S NOT CHOCOLATE.

[upbeat orchestral music] ♪ - [speaking foreign language] ♪ [laughter] - ROCKY ANNA.

ROCKY ANNA.

ROCKY ANNA!

- ROCKY ANNA!

AH!

- [speaking foreign language] AND BIG BROTHER ROCKY.

[both clapping] - [laughs] - WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

- MY NAME IS SURYA.

- I KNOW.

- YEAH?

- I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THAT ON CAMERA.

SAY IT FOR ME AGAIN.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

- SURYA.

- SURYA?

- YEAH.

- SAY SU-SU-SURYA.

- SU-SU-SURYA.

- SURYA ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE AROUND.

I LOOK DOWN, AND HE'S THERE, WANTING TO USE THE CAMERA OR SOMETHING.

HE'S LIKE A LITTLE SIDEKICK.

KOWSALA GAVE ME PHOTOS OF HERSELF FROM WHEN SHE WAS A KID AS A GIFT, AND I COULD TELL THOSE PHOTOS MEANT A LOT TO HER.

SHE WAS VERY EXCITED TO GIVE THEM.

SATHISH WALKED ME THROUGH HIS PHOTO ALBUM.

HE TOLD ME ABOUT HIS MOTHER DYING AND HOW HE HAS A BROTHER IN ANOTHER HOSTEL THAT HE HASN'T SEEN FOR YEARS.

IT'S AMAZING TO BE HERE AND TO HEAR THEIR STORIES.

EACH ONE IS SO TRAGIC BUT INCREDIBLE.

I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO JUST KNOW THEM.

- I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LOT OF GOOD THINGS, MA.

BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST TAKE.

I WANT YOU TO BE GRATEFUL.

EVEN THOUGH LIFE IS HARD AND THEY HAVE SOME CHALLENGES, I MEAN, THEY HAVE TO BUILD CHARACTER.

YOU KNOW, ONE DAY, THEY'RE GONNA LEAVE THE PLACE.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS I WANT THEM TO BE LOVING AND KIND TO EACH OTHER, I ALSO WANT THEM TO BE, LIKE, RESPECTFUL AND HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY GET.

- YEAH.

- NO.

- SOMETIMES, THOUGH, YEAH?

SOMETIMES ROCKY ANNA SHOUTING?

- YEAH.

SHE SAID SORRY.

THERE'S TIMES I JUST FLIP OUT.

I GET ARROGANT, I GET RUDE, OR I GET IMPATIENT OR UNLOVING.

DEEPA, SHUT UP.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T PRESUME TO BE PARENT OF THE YEAR OR ANYTHING, BUT I DO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GROWING WITH SOME SORT OF CHARACTER.

NO HUG?

I LOVE YOU, MA.

OKAY?

- HOW YOU DOING?

YOU KNOW, I COULD PROBABLY LIVE IN A NICER HOUSE AND GET THE AMERICAN TOILET AND GET AN AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT.

[dog whimpers] I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY I DON'T DO THAT.

I THINK IT CREATES A SEPARATION.

LIKE, "THERE'S THE WHITE KING, "AND HE'S GOT EVERYTHING HE WANTS, AND I CAN'T HAVE THAT STUFF BECAUSE I'M POOR."

OTHER PEOPLE CAN'T TURN OFF THEIR SUFFERING, YOU KNOW, OR MEDICATE THEIR SUFFERING WITH MONEY.

WHEN YOU PUT THOSE SAME STANDARDS ON YOURSELF, IT ALMOST FORCES YOUR HEART TO CHANGE.

[peppers sizzling] [laughter] [fire crackling] [birds chirping] [goat bleats] - [imitates goat bleating] I THINK WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE VILLAGE, PEOPLE WERE SUSPICIOUS AND SKEPTICAL AND PUT OFF BY ME.

PEOPLE WOULD ALWAYS LOOK AND SCOWL, AND I JUST MADE A PLAN, LIKE, COMING OUT-- TRY TO SERVE PEOPLE.

[motorcycle buzzing] WINNING THE HEARTS OF THE MEN AND WOMEN BY WINNING THE HEARTS OF THEIR CHILDREN.

- HI, ANU.

HOW ARE YOU?

MM... YOU HAPPY?

WOW.

- YES.

- [speaking foreign language] STARTED TEACHING AT THE SCHOOL, TEACHING COMPUTERS AND TEACHING ENGLISH, AND THAT OPENED UP A LOT OF DOORS.

MOUSE.

all: MOUSE.

- DAYS AND VEGETABLES.

I'LL BUY, LIKE, THE POOR FAMILIES VEGETABLES AND FISH AND DIFFERENT THINGS TO, LIKE, HELP THEM OUT.

[traditional Indian music playing] ♪ YOU KNOW, I GET INVITED TO PEOPLE'S WEDDINGS, PEOPLE'S FUNCTIONS.

I FEEL LIKE THERE'S VERY LITTLE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ME AND ANYONE ELSE.

THE KIDS ARE, YOU KNOW, EXCITED WHEN I COME AROUND, AND THEY KIND OF MAKE A BIG ORDEAL ABOUT IT.

BUT I FEEL LIKE, IN GENERAL, LIKE, PEOPLE JUST ACCEPT ME AS BEING A PART OF THE VILLAGE.

IT'S PROBABLY 70 TO 80 YEARS BEHIND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

NO ONE IN MY VILLAGE HAS RUNNING WATER INSIDE THEIR HOUSE, INCLUDING ME.

IT'S JUST KIND OF FROZEN IN TIME.

[kids chattering in the distance] [goats bleat] - IT'S WEIRD BECAUSE YOU JUST CAN'T PUT IT ON CAMERA.

- WHAT?

- JUST THE EXPERIENCE.

YOU CAN'T CAPTURE IT.

ROCKY HAS FOUND INTEREST IN A WOMAN NAMED NIMMY, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING HIM TO TALK ABOUT HER.

- CAN WE COME BACK TO THAT, OR DO YOU WANT ME TO FOCUS ON THAT NOW?

- WHY?

- UH...

UH, IT JUST SEEMS PREMATURE.

NO?

- YOU MEAN, LIKE, BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T DECIDED TO MARRY HER YET?

- UH, JUST-- [chortles] [bell rings] WE'VE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THIS RING OFF OF HIS HAND.

IT'S, LIKE, INDESTRUCTIBLE.

WE'VE TRIED SOAP, OIL.

IT JUST-- IT WILL NOT COME OFF.

KOWSALA GOT A PEARL STUCK IN HER EAR.

SHE SOMEHOW DROPPED IT IN THERE.

THAT BALL IS STUCK IN THAT EAR FOR SIX MONTHS.

I'M GONNA PUT SUPERGLUE ON THE END OF THIS Q-TIP.

I'M GONNA PULL THAT THING OUT OF HER EAR.

OH, GOD, THIS IS SO SCARY.

- [speaking foreign language] WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

IT'S ON IT.

IT'S ON IT.

OOP.

MAN, SO CLOSE.

OH, IT CAME OFF.

- [speaking foreign language] [sawing] - COME ON, GOD.

HELP US GET THIS.

COME ON, YOGURASH.

LET'S GET THIS.

YOGU, COME ON.

I KNOW IT'S HOT.

IT'S COMING.

- [cries] - IT'S COMING.

- [wailing] - NO.

OH!

- [gasps] - ALL RIGHT, READY?

HERE'S THE SEASON FINALE.

OH, MAN.

[sawing] - [speaking foreign language] - THIS RING... MAYBE A WEDDING RING MADE OUT OF IT... HEY!

all: YEAH!

- [whimpers] - OH, MAN, WE JUST GOT A SMALL CUT-CUT TAKING IT OFF.

HERE, BUDDY.

FIRED UP?

- YEAH.

THANK YOU, ROCKY ANNA.

- YOU'RE WELCOME, MAN.

I WAS SERIOUSLY JUST ABOUT TO GIVE UP.

FELT LIKE SUCH AN IDIOT.

I WAS LIKE, "I'M A MORON.

WHAT AM I DOING?"

- WHY DON'T YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS GIRL?

- I DON'T KNOW, MAN.

- YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT NIMMY, NEVER.

- WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

- COME ON, MAN.

DON'T BE A TOOL.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, AND YOU'RE DODGING IT.

DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

- WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT... - ALL RIGHT.

[clears throat] - WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.

- UM, IS IT SO HARD TO DECIDE TO MARRY NIMMY?

- I'M GONNA PUNCH YOU IN THE-- - [snickers] - THAT FEVER COMING?

THEY'RE CHECKING THAT FEVER.

- YEAH, DOCTOR ROCKY ANNA.

YEAH.

- THIS IS IMPORTANT TO GET IT--TO, LIKE, LOVE IT.

WHAT IS THAT?

THAT'S CHOCOLATE STAIN.

- ROCKY ANNA, NO.

- HEY.

- [laughs] - THEY'RE LIKE, "I'M HURT."

THEY, LIKE, GO AND RUN INTO A WALL.

[speaking foreign language] NO, NO.

BAND-AID DUTY.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL GET TO YOU NEXT.

- [speaking foreign language] - [sighs] - YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.

DON'T TOUCH IT, OKAY?

OH, MAN.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S, LIKE, JUST GETTING ATTENTION OR-- WATCH.

I'LL ACT REALLY EXTREME.

[speaking foreign language] OH, SHE LOOKS SO TROUBLED OVER THIS SCRATCH ON HER HAND.

SHOW ME.

[blows] READY?

[inhales] OH, AH, MY GOSH.

OKAY.

I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COME, AND THEY GET FREAKED OUT.

THE CHILDREN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE WHO'S GOT A DISTANCE, DOESN'T WANT TO EAT OFF THEIR PLATE, TOUCH THEM OR PICK THEM UP OR, YOU KNOW, FREAK OUT IF THEY HAVE, LIKE, BLOOD OR ANYTHING.

I THINK WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE REALIZE THEY'RE DOING IT, THE CHILDREN KNOW.

WE HAD A STAFF MEMBER WHO WORKED IN THE CITY, AND KEERTHI TESTED THIS GIRL'S LOVE FOR HER.

SHE BASICALLY OFFERED FOOD, AND SHE SAID, "YOU WON'T EAT THIS OFF OF MY PLATE BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID."

IT HUMBLED THAT STAFF MEMBER SO MUCH BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID.

BUT SHE ATE IT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT KEERTHI TO FEEL THAT SHE WAS AFRAID OF HER.

BEING IN SITUATIONS WHERE YOU NEED TO STEP UP-- YOU KNOW, KIDS ARE BLEEDING.

KIDS HAVE LIKE-- YOU KNOW, WET THEMSELVES.

THEY NEED HELP.

YOU KNOW?

AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO YOU TO HELP THEM.

IT'S NOT A TIME TO, YOU KNOW, PUT 'EM OFF AND BE LIKE, "OH," YOU KNOW, "FIX YOURSELF."

IT WAS DEFINITELY HARD IN THE BEGINNING.

YOU'D HAVE KIDS COME TO YOU, AND THEY'D HAVE, LIKE, SORES ALL OVER THEIR FACE.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT A BLOOD FAN.

I'M NOT A VOMIT KIND OF FAN.

THAT KIND OF STUFF TOTALLY WIGS ME OUT.

SO THE KIDS WOULD COME UP TO ME, AND THEY'D JUST EXPECT YOU TO SEE THEM AND NOT THEIR SORES.

AND JUST ALSO SEEING HOW MUCH IT HURT THE KIDS-- IT MADE THEM FEEL EVEN WORSE.

SO I HAD TO, LIKE, OVERCOME THAT, AND-- BUT IT TOOK SOME TIME.

IT TOOK SOME TIME TO TRAIN MY MIND NOT TO SEE THAT BUT TO SEE THE KIDS FOR WHO THEY WERE.

- [speaking foreign language] - THREE TIMES EVERY DAY.

- YEAH.

- TAKING THAT?

- YEAH.

- THAT MANY?

[can clinks] - [speaking foreign language] - WAIT, WAIT-- YOU HELPING?

- CAN I?

- [speaking foreign language] [pills clatter] - [clears throat] - AH.

[both speaking foreign language] - WHICH ONE IS THAT?

IS THAT SKIN?

- NO.

- UH-OH.

- [speaking foreign language] - [gasps] - GOOD?

- YEAH.

- ALL DONE?

- YEAH.

- WHAT WAS THE BIG ONE?

- YOU TAKING?

- YEAH.

- THAT'S IT?

- YEAH.

- THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD OF A.R.T.

TABLETS.

AND ROCKY TOLD ME THAT THEY'RE A COCKTAIL DRUG COMPOSED OF THREE OR FOUR OTHER DRUGS.

AS WITH ANY DRUG, THERE'S SIDE EFFECTS.

SOME OF THE KIDS HAVE LOST THEIR VISION.

SOME CAN'T SLEEP.

THEY GET ULCERS IN THEIR STOMACH.

THEY HAVE SKIN REACTIONS.

IT'S UNPREDICTABLE WHAT CAN HAPPEN FROM THESE PILLS.

BUT THIS IS BASICALLY KEEPING THE KIDS ALIVE.

- [speaking foreign language] - UM, BEFORE THE A.R.T.s, I MEAN, THEY WERE, LIKE...

KIDS WERE DROPPING LIKE FLIES.

THERE'S TIMES WHEN THEY BURIED, LIKE, TWO IN A MONTH.

HEY, AT LEAST THE DOGS CAME OUT AND GREETED ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY?

BLACK DON'T CRACK.

BUT IT CAN CRACK IF YOU DON'T PUT OIL ON IT.

SO THAT BLACK DON'T CRACK.

- BLACK DON'T CRACK.

- GOOD JOB.

WE HAVE TO REALLY, REALLY MONITOR THEM ALL THE TIME.

THEY HAVE TO GET A LOT OF BLOOD TESTS, HAVE TONS OF HEALTH FOOD.

THEY GOT TO GET TONS OF REST.

EVERYTHING CAN BE GREAT.

THEY CAN LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

CLEAR SKIN, CLEAR EYES, BE HAPPY, BE EXCITED.

AND THEN THE NEXT MINUTE, IT'S LIKE A TRAIN WRECK.

YOU KNOW, THEIR SKIN JUST FLARES UP.

THEY GET SORES ALL OVER THEIR SKIN.

YOU GOT TO CUT THEIR HAIR.

THEY GOT TO GET ADMITTED INTO THE HOSPITAL.

A SORE TURNS INTO A-- YOU KNOW, A FULL-BLOWN INFECTION.

A LITTLE FEVER TURNS INTO SOMETHING FATAL.

BETTER, AH?

- YEAH.

- NICE?

- YEAH.

- I HATE HOW FRAGILE THE SITUATION IS.

I HATE THAT.

EVEN THOUGH I'VE BECOME FAMILY TO THEM OR THEY'VE BECOME FAMILY TO ME, I HATE THE IDEA OF DEATH BEING ABLE TO SEPARATE.

- YOU ARE MY AWESOME BROTHER, AND YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND.

[blues guitar music playing] ♪ - ♪ TROUBLE COME MY WAY all: ♪ TROUBLE COME MY WAY - ♪ GOTTA CRY SOMETIME all: ♪ GOTTA CRY SOMETIME - ♪ OH, TROUBLE COME MY WAY all: ♪ TROUBLE COME MY WAY - ♪ GOTTA CRY SOMETIME - WE TOOK A BUSLOAD OF KIDS TO A HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI, AND ROCKY WANTED TO GET THEM PIZZA.

- HOW MANY-- HOW MANY PIZZAS?

HUH, 17 PEOPLE?

17 PEOPLE.

- ROCKY HAD US CARRY THE PIZZA THROUGH THE HOSPITAL, WHICH FELT INAPPROPRIATE BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE BEGGING FOR OUR FOOD.

THE AWKWARDNESS REALLY FRUSTRATED ONE OF OUR FRIENDS BECAUSE OF THINGS HE WAS ALREADY FEELING.

- IT JUST SEEMS LIKE SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO RELATE WITH ANYONE.

IT'S FUNNY, 'CAUSE EVEN WHEN AMERICANS COME, I FIND IT HARD TO RELATE TO THEM.

I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST THINK I'M CRAZY.

I THINK IN TIMES LIKE THAT, I FEEL REALLY ALONE.

I'M NOT JUST SOME SORT OF WEIRDO AMERICAN TRYING TO ENFORCE HIS AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.

PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS CRITICIZE.

YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN THE APPROVAL OF EVERYONE.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

LIKE, EVEN WITH THIS IDEA OF MARRYING AN INDIAN WOMAN, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGING IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE, "WE DON'T THINK AN INDIAN GIRL WILL SUIT YOUR CULTURE."

I DIDN'T WANT TO DIVIDE WHAT I WAS DOING HERE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO, LIKE, WESTERN CULTURE AND FELT A DESIRE FOR, LIKE, THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE.

- ROCKY AND NIMMY HAVE ENTERED A COURTSHIP PROCESS, WHICH MEANS THEY'LL GO ON A SERIES OF SUPERVISED DATES AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY WANT TO BE MARRIED.

HE WANTED TO GO FOR A WALK BECAUSE HE SAID HE WAS FINALLY READY TO TALK ABOUT HER.

- I JUST TALKED ABOUT, LIKE, EXPECTATIONS.

YOU KNOW, I TOLD HER HOW IMPORTANT THE KIDS ARE TO ME AND HOW I WANT TO LIVE IN THE VILLAGE.

NO, AND WE WERE, LIKE-- AND IT WAS GOOD.

IT WAS A GOOD TIME.

THERE WAS A CONNECTION.

I FELT AT PEACE WITH IT.

[laughs] - WE WERE PASSING THROUGH THE VILLAGE ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE HOSTEL, AND WE NOTICED A CROWD AROUND THE TEMPLE.

WE LOOKED INSIDE AND SAW VEMITY, WHO IS A YOUNG VILLAGE GIRL AND ONE OF ROCKY'S STUDENTS.

VEMITY AND HER SISTER OFTEN COME TO THE HOSTEL WITH THEIR MOTHER TO PICK UP SCRAPS FOR THEIR PIGS.

AND WHEN THEY CAME, I WOULD FILM THEM BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE VERY BEAUTIFUL.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

HI.

ROCKY HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THESE KINDS OF TRAGEDIES.

I JUST NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EXPERIENCE ONE.

[man speaking foreign language over loudspeaker] - I ASKED HIM, "WHY HAS NO ONE TAKEN HER TO THE HOSPITAL?"

THEY KEPT SAYING THAT THE MOTHER GODDESS WILL HEAL HER.

THEY HAD BEEN BRINGING HER TO THE TEMPLE FOR TEN DAYS, AND NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.

LIKE, "I HAVE MONEY.

LIKE, DON'T WORRY."

SO HE STARTED TO LIFT HER UP.

THE CROWD WAS LIKE, "NO, NO, NO.

PUT HER BACK DOWN.

PUT HER BACK DOWN."

AS WE DROVE, I COULD JUST HEAR HIM TALKING TO HIS DAUGHTER, "STAY WITH ME.

STAY WITH ME.

STAY WITH ME."

I KEPT HOLDING HIS KNEE, AND I SAID, "WE'RE ALMOST THERE.

IT'S GONNA BE OKAY.

IT'S GONNA BE OKAY."

AND I JUST BEGGED GOD, "PLEASE, DON'T LET THIS GIRL DIE."

THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST TIME FOR THE GATE TO BE DOWN.

THE TRAIN IS TAKING JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH TIME, AND HER HEAD JUST FALLS BACK.

MY--MY THROAT TIGHTENS.

MY EYES JUST START TO WATER.

AND I'M LIKE, "OH, MY GOD.

LIKE, THIS GUY'S DAUGHTER JUST DIED."

HE'S LIKE, "I'M GOING TO MY HOUSE.

I'M GOING BACK TO THE VILLAGE."

EVERYBODY'S SHOUTING.

I GET BACK ON THE BIKE.

THE FLOOR DOCTOR'S, LIKE, "HOW MANY DAYS HASN'T SHE EATEN?"

FIVE DAYS.

THEY'RE LIKE, "WHY DIDN'T YOU BRING HER SOONER?"

AND THEN THEY PICKED UP THE OXYGEN MASK, AND EVERYONE JUST STOPPED.

HE JUST SLUNG HER OVER HIS SHOULDER, AND HE JUST STARTED TO WAIL.

YOU KNOW, BRINGING VEMITY BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL, BRINGING HER INTO THE HOUSE, SETTING HER DOWN, HAVING EVERYONE COME AND MOURN, JUST FEELING LIKE A TOTAL FAILURE.

THERE WAS A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE LIKE, "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

THAT'S YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR TAKING HER, YOU KNOW?

JUST SCOLDING THE DAD AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY MAKING SURE THAT HE FELT LIKE A FOOL.

- [crying] - SHE DIDN'T HAVE VEMITY TILL SHE WAS 40 YEARS OLD.

SHE GRASPED ME, AND SHE JUST SAID, "SHE ALWAYS USED TO CALL YOUR NAME, 'ROCKY ANNA.'"

AND THEN THE HUSBAND GOES, "ROCKY ANNA, ROCKY ANNA, ROCKY ANNA."

[motorcycle buzzing] IT'S VEMITY.

- ROCKY ANNA!

- HI, MA.

WHAT DO YOU-- WHAT DO YOU THINK, STEVE?

I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

- I WAS BLINDSIDED TONIGHT.

REALIZING WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP A CHILD ALIVE HERE, I JUST LOST IT, MAN.

SOME LITTLE BOY STOOD THERE AND WATCHED ME CRY.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT MAKES YOU THINK OF, LIKE, SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH AND UNDERSTANDING IT A LITTLE MORE NOW.

[all speaking foreign language] [shovel clanking] [all speaking foreign language] [all speaking foreign language] [keys jingle] - [sighs] [chortles] SUBBU.

HEY, MAN.

HI, BUDDY.

YOU SLEEPY?

HUH?

- YEAH.

- AND GET DOWN, A TRAIN COMING.

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING.

MY BIKE-- THAT GIRL DEAD.

THE FATHER, SO MUCH CRYING.

I AM-- [sobbing] I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

- I LOVE YOU TOO.

- CRYING?

GOT IT.

- ROCKY WANTED TO LEAVE THE VILLAGE AND JUST PROCESS EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON.

AND WHILE WE WERE RIDING, I TOLD HIM THAT I HEARD VEMITY'S LITTLE SISTER KONCHINA WAS ALSO SICK AND THAT IT MIGHT BE THE SAME THING THAT VEMITY HAD.

ROCKY JUST STOPPED THE BIKE, AND HE'S LIKE, "WE NEED TO HELP HER."

WE WENT STRAIGHT TO THEIR PLACE AND PLEADED WITH THE FATHER TO TAKE KONCHINA TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT WAS AMAZING THAT HE TRUSTED US ENOUGH TO TAKE HER AFTER LOSING VEMITY THE NIGHT BEFORE.

WE WERE DENIED BY TWO HOSPITALS BEFORE WE FINALLY GOT HER ADMITTED.

AND DURING THAT TIME, SHE HAD A TEMPERATURE OF 104.

WE FOUND OUT SHE DID IN FACT HAVE THE SAME THING AS VEMITY.

SHE ENDED UP BEING IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 22 DAYS.

[birds chirping] - I KNEW THAT AT SOME POINT, I WAS GONNA HAVE TO BURY SOMEBODY.

OUR FIRST DEATH WAS BUGANAH.

SHE BASICALLY HAD GOTTEN SOME SORT OF LUNG INFECTION.

I WOULD JUST SIT BY HER BED AND, UH, PLAY DOMINOS.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS A WEEK LATER SHE ENDED UP DYING.

UM, SHESHU'S DEATH WAS MUCH MORE CHALLENGING BECAUSE I WAS MUCH CLOSER WITH SHESHU.

I JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE SUCH A HARD LIFE.

SHE ALWAYS FELT LIKE SHE HAD NOTHING TO LIVE FOR.

YOU KNOW, I CARRIED HER CASKET.

WE SET IT ON THE SIDEWALK.

WE SAID OUR LAST WORDS, AND THEN WE PUT THE LID ON AND, LIKE, HAMMERED IN THE NAILS.

LOWERED THE CASKET, AND I PUSHED THE DIRT.

I HAD ALWAYS ENVISIONED DOING THAT.

I DON'T LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DAY.

BUT IF THEY ARE TO DIE, THEN THEY SHOULD DIE WITH SOMEBODY BY THEIR SIDE.

I HAVE TO FACE THE FACTS THAT THAT'S WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR.

IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

IT'S, LIKE, FUNNY, THOUGH, 'CAUSE IN AMERICA, WE ALWAYS HAVE, LIKE, HAPPY STORY AT THE END.

BUT INDIAN STORIES ARE, LIKE, OPPOSITE.

IT'S ALWAYS, LIKE, A LOT OF SAD ENDINGS.

HE SAID CAREFUL IN THE VILLAGE RIGHT NOW.

HE SAID--'CAUSE PEOPLE MIGHT BLAME YOU FOR HER DEATH.

SO SWITCHING SUBJECTS, DID YOU GET ANY FEEDBACK ABOUT THE DATE WITH NIMMY?

I FELT LIKE THE CONNECTION WAS GOOD.

WE HAD SOME GOOD JOKING.

WE HAD SOME VERY SERIOUS TALK.

EVEN WITH THAT DATE, I COULD-- I COULD EASILY MOVE FORWARD AND FIX-- FIX WITH THAT GIRL.

[motorcycle buzzing] YOU KNOW, I THINK WHY I'VE BEEN DESIRING A WIFE SO MUCH IS BECAUSE, LIKE, HANGING ON TO THE KIDS IS, LIKE, TRYING TO HOLD SAND.

LIKE, THEY'RE NOT MY KIDS.

I DON'T HAVE ANY POWER TO PUSH OR PULL ANYTHING.

WHEN THEY GO, THEY GO.

WHEN THEY DIE, THEY DIE.

AND I THINK IT JUST CREATES, LIKE, A SENSE OF LONELINESS.

NO ONE ELSE CAN TAKE MY WIFE AWAY OR MY KIDS AWAY.

BUT IN THIS SITUATION, PEOPLE CAN TAKE THESE KIDS, WHICH IN MY HEART ARE MY KIDS, BUT THEY'RE NOT ON PAPER.

THEY'RE NOTHING.

- VEMITY'S FATHER CAME TO ROCKY'S HOUSE.

HE WANTED TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF HIS DAUGHTER.

- [speaking foreign language] [sobbing] - [murmuring] [gate clatters] - HEY, SUBBU.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

HUH?

- PLAYING WHAT?

- YES?

- YEAH.

[toy clatters] - WHAT ARE YOUR SYMPTOMS RIGHT NOW?

- MY EYES REALLY HURT.

LIKE A SLIGHT COUGH.

MY HEAD HURTS.

MY KIDNEYS HURT.

MY LUNGS FEEL REALLY WEAK.

I FELT A LITTLE BIT NAUSEOUS, BUT THAT'S GONE AWAY, WHICH IS GREAT, BECAUSE I HATE FEELING NAUSEOUS.

- AND YOU THINK IT'S ALL STRESS-INDUCED?

- ABSOLUTELY.

- WHY?

- UM, SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT, AND I PRETTY MUCH BELIEVE ANYTHING PEOPLE TELL ME.

THAT WAS A JOKE.

SORRY, I USED TO BE A LOT FUNNIER.

- MY TRIP'S COMING TO AN END.

APART FROM HIS HEALTH, HIS SPIRIT IS CRUSHED.

SOME OF THE VILLAGERS WERE HAPPY TO LEARN THAT ROCKY WAS SICK.

THEY SAID, IF HE HADN'T TAKEN HER OUT, THAT SHE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

I KNOW HOW DAMAGING CRITICISM CAN BE FOR ROCKY.

IT'D BE HARD FOR ANYONE TO BEAR THAT.

I PROMISED HIM I'D COME BACK FOR HIS WEDDING, WHENEVER THAT WOULD BE.

- I'M SAD.

I'M SAD YOU'RE LEAVING BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S GONNA BE HARD.

YOU GAVE SO MUCH.

BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE GONNA COME.

I'LL BE THE ONE TO FACE THEM.

- OH, WOW, MAN.

- WHAT?

WHAT?

[murmuring] - OH, COOL.

BYE.

BYE.

- BYE.

- BYE.

- BYE.

- BYE!

- BYE, STEVEN ANNA.

all: BYE!

- YEAH, IT DEFINITELY SUCKS FACING THE CHALLENGES ALONE.

THE VILLAGERS FOUND OUT THAT THE CHILDREN WERE HIV POSITIVE.

PEOPLE ARE UNEDUCATED, SO THEY HEAR "HIV" AND JUST FREAK OUT.

THE VILLAGE WAS VERY OFFENDED.

LIKE, "HOW COULD YOU MOVE THESE PEOPLE "INTO OUR VILLAGE WITHOUT US EVEN KNOWING?

LIKE, HOW COULD YOU DECEIVE US LIKE THAT?"

THAT WAS THEIR WORDS.

"YOU ENDANGER OUR CHILDREN BY PUTTING YOUR CHILDREN IN WITH THEM."

AND THEY JUST FELT LIKE, "WE DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS TROUBLE, "AND YOU BROUGHT THIS INTO OUR LIVES.

"YOU EXPECT US TO ACCEPT THAT?

THAT'S TOO MUCH."

NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE AIDS-- THE STUDENTS, THE TEACHERS.

SO THEY'LL SAY STUPID COMMENTS TO THE KIDS LIKE, "YOUR BLOOD IS POISONOUS," AND, "YOU'RE SICK; YOU'RE GONNA DIE."

AND ALL THIS, LIKE, STUFF THAT JUST MAKES THE KIDS FEEL LIKE GARBAGE.

EVERYONE SEEMED TO START REJECTING ME.

PEOPLE WOULDN'T TALK TO ME.

NO ONE WAS COMING TO MY HOUSE.

MY HOUSE WAS LIKE A GHOST TOWN.

AND THEN I FIGURED OUT PEOPLE STARTED TO ASSUME, BECAUSE I WORK IN THE HOME, THAT I ALSO HAVE AIDS, SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM ME OR YOU'LL GET AIDS.

THAT'S JUST INDIA, MAN.

INDIA, IT'S JUST-- IT'S CRAZY.

YOU'RE WATCHING JUST INJUSTICE HAPPEN.

IT'S LIKE, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

YOU'RE JUST, LIKE, LOOKED AT AS IDEALISTIC.

JUST CRAZY THAT YOU COULD BE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING GOOD AND BE MET WITH SO MUCH OPPOSITION.

THEY HAVE A PROCESS IN INDIA WHERE YOU KIND OF DECLARE IT TO OTHER PEOPLE, KIND OF LIKE A VERBAL AGREEMENT.

YOU KNOW, WE WENT TO THAT, AND I WAS PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT SHE WAS GONNA SAY YES, AND, UH, WHEN I GOT THERE, SHE SAID NO.

SHE FELT LIKE, "WELL, HE JUST WANTS TO STAY IN INDIA SO BAD.

HE DOESN'T CARE WHO HE'LL MARRY."

UM, I DIDN'T FEEL THAT WAY.

AND AFTER THAT, I WAS LIKE, "MAN, I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS."

[crow squawks] I JUST FELT LIKE AN IDIOT.

I WAS LIKE, "WHAT AM I DOING?"

DON'T WANT TO GET CLOSE TO ANYONE.

I HATE BEING CLOSE TO PEOPLE.

SO DUMB.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE TO ANYONE.

JUST LIKE-- UGH, LIKE-- I DON'T WANT TO GET SET UP AND GET BLOWN OVER, LIKE-- THERE'S FREEDOM IN NOT BEING CLOSE TO ANYONE 'CAUSE, LIKE, YOU DON'T GET HURT.

THERE'S A TEMPTATION TO JUST BLOW THIS THING OFF.

YOU KNOW, THE ONLY THING IS, IT'LL-- ALL THE CHILDREN WILL SUFFER.

HEY, GUYS, SORRY, I COULDN'T MAN UP.

I HAD TO-- I HAD TO BAIL OUT.

THEN I-- YOU KNOW, THEN I GO BACK ON MY MOTTO TO NOT RETREAT.

IT'S JUST HARD TO WATCH EVERYTHING YOU'VE BUILT OVER THREE YEARS JUST FALL APART.

- ROCKY HAD TO LEAVE INDIA AGAIN.

UNAWARE OF THE UPRISINGS OCCURRING IN EGYPT, HE BOOKED A CHEAP FLIGHT INTO CAIRO.

THE RIOTING FORCED HIM OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND ONTO A BUS TO JERUSALEM.

AND THROUGH ALL THIS, ROCKY AND NIMMY HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH, AND HE CONVINCED HER THAT HE CARES FOR HER.

WHEN HIS VISA WAS RENEWED, HE WENT BACK TO INDIA.

- SO STEVE WAS ADAMANT ABOUT ME SHARING ABOUT JUST WHAT I'VE BEEN FEELING LATELY.

BEING OUT OF THE COUNTRY, IT WAS MUCH MORE EASY.

I WAS MUCH MORE AT PEACE, AND... COMING BACK HERE, IT JUST-- ALL RIGHT BACK IN YOUR FACE AGAIN.

WOW, I SUFFERED THROUGH THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE-- BEST THREE YEARS OF MY LIFE-- BUT JUST ALSO A VERY CHALLENGING THREE YEARS OF MY LIFE AND, YOU KNOW, TO ACCEPT THAT I'M GOING TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE THIS IS GONNA BE THE NORMAL FOR MY LIFE-- LIKE, I'M GOING TO BE SUFFERING ALL THE TIME-- EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY.

I DON'T WANT TO FLAKE OUT ON THE KIDS, AND I AM TRYING TO COME TO A VERY SINCERE CONCLUSION.

AND I THINK THAT'S FAIR, TO BE AFRAID.

YOU KNOW, IF I MARRY THIS GIRL, THAT MEANS THAT I'M-- I'M MARRYING INDIA.

IT'S NOT JUST HER.

THAT MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, I WILL HAVE ROOTS-- LONG TERM, 15, 20, 30 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

TAKE THE KIDS OUT OF THE PICTURE.

CAN I LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY?

CAN I MARRY INDIA?

STEVE, YOU KNOW ME REALLY WELL.

YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

- WELL, UH, DO YOU WANT TO MARRY NIMMY?

'CAUSE THAT SHOULDN'T HINGE ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO BE IN INDIA.

'CAUSE IF IT DOES, IT'S A MEANS TO AN END.

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A HARD TIME NO MATTER WHAT.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA GO THROUGH STUFF THAT'S GONNA MAKE YOU DRIVE YOUR HEAD THROUGH A WALL.

THAT'S WHY YOU GOT TO ASK, DO YOU--DO YOU LOVE HER?

SO WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, MAN?

YOU WANT TO MARRY HER OR WHAT?

ROCKY AGAIN ASKED NIMMY TO BE HIS WIFE, AND THIS TIME, SHE SAID YES.

I PROMISED HIM I'D BE AT HIS WEDDING.

TWO DAYS BEFORE MY FLIGHT LEFT, I RECEIVED THIS PHONE CALL.

[sobbing] - WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

- SURYA.

- SURYA?

- YEAH.

- ♪ LOVER MINE, SOME DAY YOU WILL DIE ♪ ♪ AND I'LL BE CLOSE BEHIND ♪ I'LL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK ♪ ♪ IF HEAVEN AND HELL DECIDE ♪ THAT THEY BOTH ARE SATISFIED ♪ ILLUMINATE THE "NO"s ON THEIR VACANCY SIGN ♪ ♪ IF THERE'S NO ONE BESIDE YOU AS YOUR SOUL EMBARKS ♪ ♪ THEN I'LL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK ♪ YOU KNOW, RATHER THAN PRAYING FOR HIM TO SURVIVE, WHICH I HAD ZERO FAITH THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN, I JUST PRAYED THAT GOD WOULD MAKE HIS DEATH SPECIAL.

[solemn piano music] ♪ - I DIDN'T KNOW IF SURYA WOULD STILL BE ALIVE WHEN I GOT TO INDIA.

MY FLIGHT LANDED AT 3:00 A.M. WE GO STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL.

AND, YOU KNOW, ROCKY'S DIRTY.

HE'S SWEATY.

HE HAD BEEN STAYING IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FIVE NIGHTS WITH SURYA, JUST TIRELESSLY WORKING.

AT FIRST, I WAS JUST REALLY TAKEN BACK BY HIS WOUNDS.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT AIDS.

I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T JUST GET IT, BUT I WAS AFRAID, AND I TRIED TO HIDE IT.

I WAS EVEN AFRAID TO TOUCH HIS BLANKET.

I MEAN, REALLY, I WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT MYSELF THAN SURYA.

I'M ASHAMED OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, WATCHING ROCKY TAKE CARE OF SURYA WAS REALLY HUMBLING.

HE WOULD CLEAN AND OIL HIS WOUNDS THREE TIMES A DAY, AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THESE BOUNDARIES AND LIMITS.

HE JUST KEPT GOING.

I WANTED TO DO WHAT HE WAS DOING.

IT REALLY CHANGED MY HEART.

WHAT IS THAT, ROCKY?

- THIS IS A-- IT'S A COLD PRESS FOR HIS EYES.

BASICALLY, IT'LL KEEP THE, UH-- HE'S GETTING A LOT OF, LIKE, UH-- IT'LL BASICALLY KEEP IT FROM GETTING INFECTED ON HIS EYES.

AND IT'LL HELP HIS EYE OPEN, BECAUSE IT'S, LIKE, CRUSTED SHUT.

SO THE DOCTORS DECLARED HE WOULDN'T SURVIVE SUNDAY.

THAT WAS BASICALLY THE STORY ALL THE WAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

YOU KNOW, WEDNESDAY, HE STARTED TO RUN INTO A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO PASS URINE.

HE NEEDED TO TAKE DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS ORALLY.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO DO THAT.

HE HAD NO SIGNS OF VEINS.

COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN HIS ARMS OR HIS HANDS.

THEY HAD TO, LIKE, SEARCH IN HIS LEGS.

AND FOR, LIKE, DAYS, THEY WERE TRYING TO GET, LIKE, BLOOD-- NO BLOOD SAMPLES.

HE ALSO GOT TB.

HE GOT TWO INFECTIONS ON HIS EYES.

HE HAD TO GET TWO SURGERIES.

I MEAN, HE WAS JUST A MESS.

I MEAN, THE STUFF JUST KEPT GOING WRONG.

I WASN'T PREPARED TO GO AS FAR AS SURYA HAD NEEDED ME TO GO.

ACTUALLY, I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, SUNDAY, HE'S NOT GONNA MAKE IT AND WAS EXPECTING TO LEAVE, YOU KNOW, MONDAY.

AND IT WAS DEEP 'CAUSE I SAW HOW, LIKE, SELFISH I WAS BEING.

STAYING IN AN INDIAN HOSPITAL IS ABSOLUTELY A NIGHTMARE.

HE HAD ASKED ME TO STAY, SO I MADE A DECISION DESPITE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE WAS SAYING.

'CAUSE EVEN OTHER PEOPLE FELT KIND OF UNCOMFORTABLE, LIKE, "AHH..." YOU KNOW, "YOU'RE NOT REALLY HIS FATHER.

"YOU'RE NOT REALLY HIS RELATIONSHIP.

"YOU DON'T REALLY WORK FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

SO YOU'RE JUST KIND OF THIS VOLUNTEER."

AND EVEN THE DOCTORS WERE CONFUSED BY THAT, LIKE, "WHO ARE YOU?

LIKE, WHAT IS YOUR-- WHAT'S YOUR ROLE?"

AND I'M LIKE, "I'M NOBODY."

- [whimpers] - I'M SORRY...

I'M SORRY.

SMALL PAIN WILL COME.

I'M SO HAPPY WITH YOU.

COME ON, YOU'RE SO STRONG.

COME ON, YOU'RE DOING AWESOME.

ALL RIGHT, READY?

READY?

CAN YOU OPEN IT?

OPEN.

ONE MORE.

ONE MORE.

ONE MORE.

ONE MORE.

- DOES THAT HURT HIM?

- NO.

LOOK, STEVEN ANNA.

- HEY, BUDDY.

HOW ARE YOU?

- HI.

- HI.

- LOOK WHAT HE GOT YOU.

- LOOK AT IT.

- LOOK AT YOUR GIFT.

WHAT IS THAT?

CAN YOU TELL ME WHO IS THIS?

- WHO'S THIS?

- [speaking foreign language] HE'S SO FIRED UP.

LOOK AT HIM.

[laughs] - WHO IS THAT, BUDDY?

both: HUH?

- BEN 10.

GOOD JOB.

LET'S--LET'S SPIT.

[speaking foreign language] [gurgles] [speaking foreign language] WHO IS IT?

BEN 10.

[laughs] GOOD JOB.

YOU GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR NOSE.

- YOU STILL LIKE BEN 10?

- FAVORITE?

HE'S FIRED UP.

EVERYONE ON HIS WARD DIED EXCEPT HIM.

[ethereal music] ♪ - MY LAST TIME, LIKE, DOING THAT WAS, LIKE, UH, 2001, SO AFTER THAT, NO.

- 'CAUSE THEY SAID I SHOULD GET TESTED, SO MY MARRIAGE IS THIS MONTH, SO THEY SAID, "YOU SHOULD GET TESTED, JUST TO BE SAFE."

IT'LL BE A REAL-- IT'LL BE A REAL SURPRISE IF, YOU KNOW, IT COMES BACK POSITIVE.

I WOULD CALL OFF THE MARRIAGE.

I MEAN, SHE'S PERSISTENT THAT WE WOULD STILL GET MARRIED, BUT I WOULDN'T DO THAT TO HER.

I MEAN, EVEN IF THAT WAS HER WISH, I WOULDN'T.

AND ALL THESE PEOPLE IN THESE HOSPITAL BEDS JUST, LIKE, WASTING AWAY-- I MEAN, IT IS NO JOKE.

IT'S VERY, VERY DEVASTATING TO LOOK AT AND TO WATCH SOMEBODY SUFFER THROUGH IT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GET THE RESULTS FOR THE HIV TEST.

HUH?

- HELLO?

- NIMMY, HOW ARE YOU?

- YEAH, I'M GOOD.

DID YOU HAVE YOUR BREAKFAST?

- DID YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH?

- HUH?

- YEAH, I'M GONNA GO TO THE SHOP AND GET SOME THINGS.

I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER, OKAY?

- YEAH, HI.

- WHAT RESULTS?

- TB RESULT, AH?

- AH.

- [laughs] - BOTH, AH.

- AH.

- NO, BOTH NEGATIVE.

- BUT STILL, WE CAN'T GET MARRIED.

- [speaking indistinctly] - BUT STILL, WE CAN'T GET MARRIED.

- WHAT?

WHAT TIME SHOULD I BE THERE?

5:00, AH.

- HEY, STOP PLAYING, AH.

- SORRY.

I'LL BE THERE-- WHAT DAY IS THAT, THURSDAY, AH?

I'LL BE THERE ON THURSDAY THE 25TH AT 5:00 FOR THE MARRIAGE, OKAY?

THERE'S, LIKE, A SENSE OF MADNESS THAT COMES WITH LOVING THINGS THAT CAN COME AND GO IN REAL LIFE, LOVING THINGS THAT ARE FRAGILE AND UNSTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU PLANNED ON LOVING LONG-TERM.

THE DESIRE TO HAVE A WIFE-- WHEN YOU STAY TOGETHER, YOU WORK TOGETHER, YOU FIGHT TOGETHER, YOU CRY TOGETHER, AND HOPEFULLY YOU DIE TOGETHER.

I THINK THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGH I HAD WAS WHEN SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, "I'LL BE WITH YOU UNTIL MY DEATH."

AND I WAS JUST LIKE, WOW, LIKE, IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT SHE WILL BE WITH ME AND CARE ABOUT ME.

PUT YOUR HEAD BACK.

AW... YOU'RE LOOKING SO SAD.

YOU SAD?

HUH?

YEAH.

WHY?

HUH?

[speaks indistinctly] HE'S SAD BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF PAIN.

I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE I COULD DO IT ALONE.

BECAUSE WE ALL NEED LOVE.

- ANITHA WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL, BUT NO ONE REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER.

- OKAY.

LET'S GO.

- BYE.

- SURYA LEFT INTENSIVE CARE.

HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE FOURTH WARD WITH ANITHA.

THE HOSPITAL STAFF WAS AMAZED THAT HE SURVIVED.

ROCKY BELIEVES THAT GOD SAVED SURYA'S LIFE.

THE DOCTORS AND NURSES SAY THAT ROCKY SAVED SURYA'S LIFE.

- ♪ HOW'S IT GONNA BE ♪ WHEN IT ALL COMES DOWN YOU LOOK GOOD, THOUGH.

RIGHT?

NO?

THAT FACE IS NICE, NO?

HEY, FACE IS NICE, NO?

SEE?

IT'S COMING NICELY.

"I AM BEAUTIFUL."

- I AM BEAUTIFUL.

- I AM BEAUTIFUL.

- CORRECT.

JUST TALKED TO THE NURSE, AND THE NURSE SAID THAT SURYA'S OUT OF DANGER, WHICH IS PRETTY AWESOME.

- OUT OF DANGER?

- OUT OF DANGER.

NO LONGER IN DANGER.

DO WE HAVE TO BE AT THE MEETING?

DO WE HAVE TO BE AT THIS MEETING?

- IT'S YOUR WEDDING... [murmurs] YOU SHOULD BE THERE.

- NOW, CAN YOU--UH, YOU BE-- - HE IS DOING THE VIDEO.

- KIND OF DOING THE VIDEO, OKAY.

- I WILL BE THERE SUNDAY AT 5:00.

- ONE TIME, NO?

- SUNDAY IN THE SIDE VAN.

SUNDAY, MY MAN.

- [speaking foreign language] - [laughs] - LOVE YOU.

- BIG?

I MEAN, HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FOUR MONTHS, AND I WAS THERE FOR AS MUCH AS I COULD BE, YOU KNOW, IN REGARDS TO ALSO GETTING MARRIED AND ALL OF THAT.

OH, MAN.

YOU LOOK AWESOME.

- I GOT TO GIVE UP MY BEST FRIEND, BUT I'M HAPPY FOR YOU, MAN.

I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND BECAUSE, UM, YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD FRIEND.

YOU'RE REALLY GONNA LOVE YOUR WIFE.

I THINK YOU'RE GONNA SERVE HER.

I THINK SHE'S GONNA BE VERY HAPPY TO BE MARRIED TO YOU.

ROCKY ALWAYS WANTED ME TO FILM HIS WEDDING.

I WANTED TO BE A PART OF IT, BUT, OF COURSE, I'D FILM IT ANYWAY.

- I WANT TO SHARE ABOUT MY BEST FRIEND, STEVE, THE CAMERAMAN.

HE'S AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE FRIEND AND INCREDIBLE BROTHER TO ME.

AND I WANT TO SHARE ABOUT THE WOMEN IN THE HOME.

YOU WOMEN LAY YOUR LIFE DOWN EVERY DAY FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

IT'S HARD WORK, BUT YOU NEVER COMPLAIN.

YOU'VE BECOME MOTHERS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN.

I WANT TO SHARE ABOUT THE GIRLS IN THE HOME.

YOU GUYS ARE TRULY GOD'S ANGELS.

YOU GUYS ARE DAUGHTERS TO ME.

I WANT TO SHARE ABOUT THE BOYS IN THE HOME.

YOU GUYS ARE SONS TO ME.

YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.

YOU'RE HEROES TO ME.

I'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE TO MEET YOU.

MY WHOLE LIFE, REALLY.

[applause] - THAT NIGHT, I KEPT THINKING HOW I COULD HAVE LIVED MY WHOLE LIFE AND MISSED ALL OF THIS.

AND THAT ALMOST HAPPENED.

WHY DID IT TAKE THREE YEARS FOR ME TO COME HERE?

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THIS NOT BEING A PART OF MY LIFE NOW.

I'M GOING.

- YOU'RE GOING, AH?

- THE BUS IS GOING.

- YEAH, I'M HAPPY.

THIS IS A PRETTY EMOTIONAL DAY.

BUT OVERALL, VERY ENCOURAGING, VERY INSPIRING.

SHE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL.

IT WAS-- IT WAS REALLY AWESOME.

SO... LOVE YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING.

[piano flourish] - [speaking foreign language] [piano flourish] [laughter] - IT'S ME.

- OH, YES.

OKAY.

- THAT WAS A JOKE.

[solemn piano music] ♪ - ♪ TURN DOWN THE LIGHTS ♪ TURN DOWN THE BED ♪ TURN DOWN THESE VOICES ♪ INSIDE MY HEAD ♪ 'CAUSE I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE ME ♪ ♪ IF YOU DON'T ♪ YOU CAN'T MAKE YOUR HEART FEEL ♪ ♪ SOMETHING IT WON'T ♪ HERE IN THE DARK ♪ IN THESE FINAL HOURS ♪ I WILL LAY DOWN MY HEART - NO CHILD EVER GROWS OUT OF THEIR NEED FOR FAMILY.

I MEAN, EVEN LITTLE KIDS HAVE STARTED CALLING HER MOMMY AND STARTED CALLING ME DADDY.

YOU KNOW, THE CHILDREN HAVE INVESTED THEIR TRUST.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING THEY CAN GIVE, IS THEIR TRUST AND THEIR LOVE.

TO JUST LEAVE I THINK WOULD BE INCREDIBLY SELFISH.

SO I DON'T SEE AN END TO THE MISSION.

I DON'T SEE AN END TO THE NEED.

I DON'T SEEN AN END, FOR SURE.

I'M FINE WITH THAT.

♪ - ♪ LOVE IN THE NICK OF TIME ♪ - I THINK IT'S GONNA BE HARD FOR YOU TO LEAVE, BIG-TIME.

JUST KNOWING YOUR CHARACTER AND KNOWING WHAT THAT PLACE WAS LIKE, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT.

HE'S GONNA TOTALLY FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.

BEST FRIEND.

- ♪ LOVE IN THE NICK OF TIME ♪ [solemn piano music] ♪ - I'LL NEVER LOSE FAITH IN YOU GUYS, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.

[people cheering] [cannon blasts] - I MEAN, BULLETS ARE FLYING RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD.

- THE AVERAGE GOWN COSTS AROUND $15,000.

- I WANT TO BE A WOMAN WHO'S NOT AFRAID TO SAY WHAT'S ON HER MIND.

- IF I CONTINUE TO DO THIS, AM I GONNA GET MY SON KILLED?

- WHOO!

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