One String Attached

Set against the cultural landscapes of Ayodhya, Delhi and Dubai, the novel explores love across religious boundaries and the devastating impact of violence. Shivam and Aaina's relationship begins simply, but circumstances soon turn their romance into a story of survival and endurance.

After losing his shop, parents and Aaina during a riot, Shivam leaves Ayodhya and immerses himself in work in Delhi. Years later, the possibility that Aaina is alive gives him a new purpose. His search takes him across borders, transforming the novel into a journey about memory, hope and the extraordinary lengths to which love can take a person.

Pankaj Dubey is a bilingual novelist, filmmaker and writer. He has written several books for Penguin Books India and is known for combining romance with social and political themes, often using humour and contemporary settings. He has also worked as a journalist with the BBC World Service in London and has participated in international writers' residencies.

Shivam, a young man from Ayodhya who dreams of becoming a tailor, falls in love with Aaina, a Muslim college student. Their different religious backgrounds do not prevent them from forming a deep bond, and Aaina's request for a long orange kurti becomes a symbol of their growing relationship.

But just as they prepare to confess their love, a violent riot destroys Shivam's world. He loses his parents, his shop and Aaina, leaving him emotionally shattered. He moves to Delhi, attempting to bury his painful memories in work and the busy rhythm of city life.

Years later, Shivam begins to believe that Aaina may still be alive. Refusing to give up on her, he follows every clue he can find, eventually travelling to Dubai. His search becomes more than a quest for a lost lover—it becomes a testament to hope, resilience and the enduring power of human connection.