The Muslims of north Kerala practise polygamy as a time-honoured custom. The different wives live together in the same house, and divorce, when desired by the husband, is easy, unemcumbered by legal hassles. Shahina is an intelligent and assiduous student but totally unaware of the ways of the world. She is married off, despite her violent protests, to a man who already has a wife and children. When her husband tries to consummate their marriage, she asserts her individuality and refuses. but he drugs her with the help of his other wife and rapes her. Then, without any qualms, he divorces her and sends her back to her mother. And Shahina has to pick up the threads of her shattered life...