Nisha is a twelve-year-old girl living in Mirpur Khas, India, just before the 1947 partition. She is academically minded and highly observant but suffers from severe anxiety around speaking aloud. Because her father is Hindu and her late mother was Muslim, the approaching division of the country leaves her confused about her place in the world. She relies on writing in a diary to process her thoughts and maintain a connection to her deceased mother.

Amil is Nisha's twin brother, an extroverted and naturally happy boy who struggles with an undiagnosed reading disability. He expresses himself through detailed charcoal drawings and maintains a confident demeanor despite being bullied at school and criticized at home. He is fiercely protective of his sister and easily handles the social interactions she avoids.

Papa is a highly respected doctor and a secular Hindu living in Mirpur Khas. He works long hours to provide for his family and his mother, carrying the heavy burden of keeping them safe during growing political unrest. Though he believes people are the same regardless of religion, he struggles to show emotional warmth to his children.

Dadi is Nisha and Amil's paternal grandmother and the matriarch of the household. She is a traditional Hindu woman who frequently prays, sings, and oversees the children's daily routines. She provides practical care, like braiding hair and making cardamom milk, though she lacks the physical affection Nisha longs for.

Kazi is the family's longtime Muslim cook who has worked for them since before the twins were born. He is playful, warm, and highly attentive to the children's individual needs, effectively filling the void left by their mother. As the political climate worsens, his religious identity complicates his place within the Hindu household.

Rashid Uncle is Mama's younger brother, a Muslim man who lives in the house where Mama grew up. He manages his family's furniture business and shares several traits with the twins, including artistic talent and a quiet demeanor caused by a cleft palate.

Mama was a Muslim woman and a talented painter who died giving birth to Nisha and Amil. Though she is absent, her memory heavily influences the household dynamics. Her past marriage to a Hindu man required immense bravery, forcing the couple to relocate away from disapproving relatives.

Sabeen is a school friend of Nisha's. She serves as a point of comparison for Nisha, who observes Sabeen's close relationship with her living mother and feels a deep sense of longing for a similar connection.

Dr. Ahmed is a Muslim colleague and friend of Papa's. His hushed, serious conversations with Papa signal the escalating danger in their community as the partition approaches.

Malli is Nisha's cousin who remains unaware of the impending partition and the family's plans to flee to the new India. Her innocent reactions emphasize the sudden and confusing nature of the country's division.

Hafa is a young Muslim girl who lives next door to Rashid Uncle. She is lonely because her Hindu and Sikh friends have fled the area. She eagerly seeks connection, completely ignoring the political dangers that make associating with Hindu refugees risky.