Read Becoming Her - A New Life :: Chapter 9 Part 2

Kiran sat alone in the staffroom. It was the final college period of the day, and he had a free lecture. Sunlight slanted lazily through the high windows, casting long golden stripes across the floor. The distant hum of a classroom filtered in, mingling with the steady ticking of the wall clock.

He waited for Roshni to finish her class. Maybe Sameer would come along too.

The memories borrowed from the other Kiran—her memories—had been flooding him throughout the day. Being around Sameer again had only intensified them. Despite the confusion and the emotional tangle they brought, lunch with Sameer and Roshni had felt... good. Familiar. Almost easy.

With Roshni, there was a natural comfort, a steady connection. With Sameer? He wasn’t sure. It felt more complicated.

During lunch, they'd caught up. Sameer had shared that he had married a couple of years ago—an arranged match. His wife worked at a bank and had just been transferred to this town last month.

Roshni had done most of the talking for their side. There wasn’t much new to say about her—she remained the same free spirit she had been back in college. But she'd spoken of Kiran’s marriage to Raj four years ago, describing Raj as “a boring guy.”

Kiran had chided Roshni who had chuckled.

Not my marriage though, Kiran had thought silently, almost reminding himself, I just arrived in this world five days ago.

Sameer had looked at him thoughtfully. “You’ve changed, Kiri. You’ve gone quiet.”

Roshni had chuckled. “Nah, she can be funny when she wants to be. But lately, I’ve seen more frowns than smiles.”

Kiran had rolled his eyes. “Oh, be quiet. It’s nothing like that. I just haven’t been feeling like myself lately.”

Sameer had raised an eyebrow at that, clearly puzzled, but let it go. The rest of lunch passed in light conversation and laughter, but the strange undercurrent of dissonance lingered with Kiran.

His thoughts were interrupted by the clang of the final bell. The corridors erupted in noise as students rushed out, books and bags bouncing on their shoulders, their chatter filling the air with youthful energy.

A few minutes later, Roshni and Sameer walked into the staffroom together.

“I showed him the corners without CCTV,” Roshni announced with a grin. “In case he wants to sneak a smoke.”

Kiran chuckled. “Nice. Now you both can relive your rebel days.”

“You bet,” Roshni replied with a wink.

Kiran glanced at the clock and stood up. “Come on now. My bus will leave without me.”

“I can drop you, Kiri,” Sameer offered casually. “I’ve got my car.”

Kiran shook his head quickly. “Nah, it’ll be a diversion for you. It’s okay.”

Sameer didn’t push. Kiran gave them both a quick wave and jogged off toward the waiting college bus.

His phone buzzed just as he took his seat. It was a message from Raj.

"Missing you," it read, along with a picture of Raj holding a plate of puchkas—crispy, spicy street-side snacks.

Kiran laughed out loud, startling a few students nearby. They turned to look at him. Embarrassed, he lowered his gaze.

Damn you, tease, he thought. Those did look tempting.

But then a wave of confusion hit him. Puchkas had never been his favorite… had they?

Damn these memories, playing with my mind.

Still, he glanced at the photo once more, a soft smile curling on his lips.

He sent back a message, smiling as he typed it, "Stomach ache coming soon..."

By the time he reached home, he'd picked up a few vegetables from a roadside vendor and was mentally planning dinner. Once inside, he dropped the shopping bags, peeled off his work clothes, and headed straight to the shower.

Steam curled around him, washing away the day’s confusion. But as he stepped out, towel wrapped hastily around him, and moved to the wardrobe, a sudden thought struck him.

He was alone.

Maybe… just for tonight—no bras, no fitted tops. No kurtis. Nothing feminine. Get back to feeling like a male for a while.

He reached for one of Raj’s shirts. It was far too big. He dug deeper and found a smaller one—still loose, but wearable. He tried Raj’s jeans, but they slipped off his narrow waist. Finally, he settled on drawstring pyjamas, tying them tight.

He turned to the mirror.

A woman stared back—wearing men’s clothes. Her eyes were large and tired, filled with curiosity and quiet discontent. The shirt hung awkwardly; her breasts moved freely underneath. The pyjamas were too wide.

He sighed. These clothes felt uncomfortable.

What’s the point? he thought bitterly. I might think I am a man inside, but outside… I’m all woman.

He sighed.

The phone rang.

It was Raj.

“Hey K,” he said warmly. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Kiran replied, voice dull.

“You sound tired.”

“I am. Long day.”

Raj didn’t push. “You know, the puchkas were terrific.”

“Oh, were they? No stomach ache?” Kiran asked .

“None at all. You’d have eaten at least twenty if you were here.”

Kiran laughed. “Yeah. Maybe.”

“Tomorrow, I’m having kala jamun and roshogollas( Both are Bengali sweets).”

“Damn you. My favorites,” Kiran groaned.

“Don’t worry. I’ll eat enough for both of us,” Raj teased.

“Grrr,” Kiran mock-growled.

“Bring me my share as a parcel,” he said.

“Right,” Raj said, laughing. “Imagine getting puchkas through airport security.”

“Yeah… imagining,” Kiran replied, chuckling.

Then Raj changed the subject.

“How’s Priya? All set for the engagement?”

Kiran froze. He hadn’t even called her. Guilt surged.

“I was just about to,” he lied quickly.

“Ask her if she wants anything from Kolkata,” Raj said with a yawn. “Well, enjoy your solitude. I’m grabbing dinner and crashing. Haven't had any sleep yesterday night too. Talk tomorrow?”

“Sure. Goodnight.”

Kiran ended the call and immediately dialed Priya.

Her voice was sharp when she picked up. “Wow, look who remembered I exist. My Di (affectionate term for elder sister) hasn’t called me in two days!”

“I’m sorry,” Kiran said. “College work’s been crazy. Are you all set?”

“Not even close. I wanted to go to Central Mall today but couldn’t find the time.”

“We’ll go tomorrow evening, okay? Come over here—it’s nearby. We’ll go together.”

That perked her up. “Promise me you won’t ditch?”

“Never,” he said firmly.

After hanging up, Kiran returned to the bedroom and paused in front of the mirror. The woman in the reflection was smiling.

He removed the oversized shirt and pyjamas, then slipped into a nightgown.

Kiran’s nightgown.

His nightgown.

He looked at the mirror one last time.

He was what he was.

--------

That's the end of Chapter 9 Part 2. Do let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Comment freely.

Thankyou

------------------------------------------

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations used for review purposes.