In the village of Akir, a maiden named Abik, the first daughter of Chief B, is shunned due to her appearance, which is affected by a condition known as alopa. Unlike her younger sister, Abik has no friends or suitors, and even her parents show her little affection, favoring her sister instead. Her mother often keeps her locked away during outings, and her father dismisses her, saying she would only ruin the family's appearance. The villagers see Abik as a curse and believe associating with her brings bad luck, leading to her isolation and mistreatment.