Unconditional love

Aarav is the central figure of this novel, which draws on real events. As a boy whose gentle, feminine manner set him apart, he suffered sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of people close to him, people he had every reason to trust.

Aarav grows into an educated man, qualifies as a doctor and becomes a public advocate for HIV prevention and human rights. In his search for affection and comfort, however, he meets only deception from a series of partners, who in turn hold him responsible for what was done to him. He buries his pain and withdraws into silence. Over time his femininity fully emerges as Arohi, and her transgender identity brings brief relief before she finds love and begins to take charge of her own life.

As Arohi struggles to move past her history, she receives an HIV diagnosis. Pleading with God, she asks what she has done to deserve such suffering. Overwhelmed, she falls into depression and attempts suicide. The novel asks whether this latest blow will break her or help her become a stronger person.