The story begins on an imaginary island called Sia with protagonist Manu as the narrator. The island is sparsely populated, and is inhabited by sailors and dacoits. Manu, an artist, has a dark past (mother eloped, father is dead) and is now catching rats. Manu and his admirer Neela are at a bar counter. Neela tells him how she liked his paintings, but slaps him when he touches her back. She thinks that he misunderstood her admiration towards his work as a sign for desiring him. Manu later beats up three guys who try to steal a diamond from an old man who is having drinks in the bar. These three moments are explained later in this non-linear structured thriller that is full of abstract ideas.