Avalude Ravukal

Raji loses her parents at an early age and takes on the responsibility of raising her younger brother Sudhakaran. With limited skills and opportunities, she is drawn into prostitution and ends up living in a slum with Mariyaamma Chedathi and a cycle-rickshaw driver named Damu who acts as her pimp. These circumstances set the stage for the tough choices she will face throughout the story.

Raji becomes a regular visitor at Babu's flat after developing feelings for him. Babu, worried about his reputation, repeatedly tries to throw her out and deny the relationship. She declares her love but refuses to have sex, choosing to sleep on the floor when visiting, challenging social norms.

News of Raji and Babu spreads and people mistake them for lovers rather than a prostitute and her customer. The mistaken assumption amplifies social stigma and complicates their already fragile bond. The gossip begins to push their situation toward crisis.

Chandran, Sudhakaran's teacher, experiences remorse after a beggar steals his wristwatch and Sudhakaran is arrested as a suspect. He is beaten and dies from the injuries after release. In remorse, Chandran offers money to Raji as compensation, but she refuses to accept it or forgive him completely.

Karunakaran, Babu's father, arranges to marry Babu to Radha, daughter of Damodaran. When Damodaran, Radha, and Karunakaran visit Babu's hostel, they see Raji in Babu's room and wrongly assume a sexual liaison. The engagement is broken off and Radha marries another man.

Jayan, who struggles with a severe drinking problem, dies of liver-related complications. On his deathbed, he urges Babu not to abandon Raji, insisting that her love for him is pure even if society deems it impure.

Raji is gang-raped, a brutal assault that shocks those around her. Chandran arrives in time to save her from further harm and resolve the immediate danger. This event marks a turning point in their relationship.

In the wake of the assault and the complex history between them, Raji begins to forgive Chandran for past judgments. She recognizes the sincerity of his intervention and their shared pain, even as the truth of their situation remains contested.

Babu's mother Lakshmi learns of her son's denial of impropriety with Raji and visits both Babu and Raji. She takes pity on Raji for her past and her son's blind love, and she decides to accept Raji as her daughter-in-law.

Following Lakshmi's acceptance, Babu's father is also compelled to accept Raji as his daughter-in-law. The family begins to integrate Raji into their household despite social stigma.

Raji moves into the family as Babu's wife-to-be and daughter-in-law, becoming a central figure in their efforts to navigate society's scrutiny. The relationship persists amid continued challenges but gains a new legitimacy through family support.

The story closes with Raji integrated into the family and Babu's life, with the couple facing stigma together. The social environment remains harsh, but the loyalty of family members offers a path toward stability for now.