Son-Mother plot
Leila is a widow. She lives in a rented room with her 12-year-old son Amir and 2-year-old daughter. The factory where she works is in trouble and she fears being fired. Marrying bus driver Kazem could be a solution to her financial problems, but Kazem has a daughter of 12 and according to an Iranian religious tradition, a boy who is not related by blood is not allowed to live with a girl under the same roof. Kazem suggests that Amir live elsewhere until his daughter is married, but Leila refuses. When Leila's daughter suddenly becomes very ill and only Kazem has money to pay for the expensive medication, Leila is faced with a heartbreaking choice.