A Hindu refugee in Lahore writes a letter to his love Zahira in Lucknow to say goodbye. He describes being badly beaten, with cuts and a concussion, and a broken back. After 11 years of failed attempts to return to India, he has decided to kill himself by hanging. He has prepared a bedsheet rope and stool and will take his life shortly after finishing the letter. He thinks of their last happy moments together nine days ago and his plan to propose marriage that day, but froze when he saw her joyful face.