Uma Sharma, an only child, is cherished and spoiled by her family in India. At the behest of her parents she agrees to an arranged marriage and moves to California to start a new life with her "stranger" husband, Ravi and his family. As a teenager she has witnessed the trauma of Mira's, her cousin, failed arranged marriage and has vowed not to achieve any level of emotional intimacy with her husband. However, she soon realizes that Ravi is a patient and understanding man who tries hard to build a relationship and to establish a connection. The real challenge for Uma lies in Ravi's sister-in-law, Shobha. Shobha is nosy and interfering, uncaring and rude. There is also the intimidating task of learning and understanding the culture of United States. In the quest for finding a balance in handling Shobha and living in the United States, Uma discovers surprising truths about herself and about what she really wants in life.