Read Becoming Her - A New Life :: Chapter 14

Kiran rang the bell to Roshni’s flat—once, twice, thrice—his anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Coming... coming!” Roshni’s voice echoed from inside.

She opened the door, startled. “Kiran? What happened? What are you doing here?”

Without a word, Kiran brushed past her and dropped heavily into the bean bag in her room.

Roshni’s one-room kitchen flat was modest but warm with familiarity. Two bean bags, a compact couch, a queen-sized bed, and a small dining table. Nothing had changed. The memories came rushing back—sleepovers, late-night gossip, whispered secrets after Raj had gone out of town. Female Kiran had spent countless nights here.

Roshni sat down opposite him, her concern immediate. She was wearing a round-necked t-shirt and shorts.

“Kiri, are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Kiran muttered, rubbing his temples. A dull headache throbbed behind his eyes.

“I’ll get you a coffee,” Roshni said gently. “Then you can talk.”

He closed his eyes as she moved to the kitchen, his mind an avalanche of thoughts—Raj, the accusations, the principal, the transformation. Everything knotted together into an unbearable weight.

A gentle tap brought him back. Roshni handed him a tall mug.

“Strong. Just the way you like it.”

He took it with a grateful nod and sipped slowly, letting the bitterness sharpen his senses. When he finished, he set the mug down and looked at her.

“I walked out of that house,” he said at last. “I couldn’t stay there... after what Raj said.”

Roshni took his hand and held it between hers—warm and reassuring. “Tell me everything.”

He exhaled, voice tight. “He thinks... me and Sameer...” He let out a dry, bitter laugh. “He thinks we’re having an affair.”

“What?!” Roshni's eyes widened. “Is he out of his mind? After four years of your marriage? After everything?”

Kiran nodded, hurt gnawing at his heart.

Why did what Raj said sting so badly?

The female Kiran had been married to Raj for four years. He had known Raj for barely ten days.

Was it Kiran's memories playing with his mind?

Or had he, too, started caring for Raj? About Raj?

Where was his male self? Had he lost it in this body?

He rubbed his forehead, confused and exhausted.

“Hey... are you okay?” Roshni asked, concerned.

Kiran nodded.

She asked in a softer voice, “Did you tell him what the principal did?”

Kiran’s expression hardened. “He thinks I’m lying. Says the principal’s a good man. Apparently, he met him today—he even handed him my confirmation letter.”

Roshni swore. “That bastard. And Raj... after everything you’ve been through together. He should’ve trusted you. You’ve never given him a reason to doubt your love. On the contrary, you’ve always overlooked all his faults. You spoiled him too much—for your own good.”

Kiran exhaled slowly. “I’ve been distant these past few days. Maybe that’s why he thought something was wrong.”

“But this?” Roshni said sternly. “There’s no excuse.”

Kiran fell silent, then looked up at her. He had made up his mind.

“You still keep bottles of whiskey? Like you did in college?”

Roshni gave him a long look, then nodded.

Kiran said quietly, “I need it... because I have something unbelievable to tell you.”

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Kiran’s burden had become too heavy to carry alone. His temples throbbed, his chest felt tight. He needed to share everything—the extraordinary event that had placed him in this world, in this body.

And there was only one person he could trust: Roshni. Female Kiran's truest friend... and his only one in this world.

Roshni poured two drinks. Kiran took his glass and downed it in a single gulp.

“Whoa, easy,” she said, sipping hers more slowly.

“Make me another,” Kiran said, already light-headed. “This story needs it.”

And then he told her everything.

He spoke of waking up one morning in a female body. Of the life he had left behind—a man, a software engineer, engaged, adored by his parents. Of the past ten bewildering days as Kiran. The routine. The expectations. The night with Raj. The guilt. The confusion. The terrifying pleasure.

Roshni said nothing. She just listened, poured more drinks when needed, her face unreadable.

When he finally finished, silence fell.

The doorbell rang. It was the Swiggy delivery—Roshni had ordered pizzas for them earlier .

She returned with two open boxes and set them between them.

“So... you’re Kiran from another world,” she said at last. “A man. Then where is our Kiran?”

Kiran leaned back. “I don’t know. Probably in my body. Living as a man. That’s the most likely explanation.”

“Was your life good?” she asked quietly.

Kiran understood. Roshni was worried for her friend—the female Kiran.

He nodded. “Yeah. Stable. No complications like here. I was the apple of my parents' eyes. In a job I liked... engaged to be married soon. I was happy.”

Roshni looked down. “So our Kiran’s probably okay, then?”

“I think so,” Kiran said gently. “She’ll have my family, my memories. A man’s life is... easier. That’s what I’ve understood in these ten days living as a woman. Yes, she’ll be well.”

“Won’t she miss her family, her friends?” Roshni asked softly.

Kiran replied, “It would be the same family—just like it was for me. Parents, Priya... maybe more loving, even.” He smiled wryly. “No husband, though.”

“Hmmm.” She chuckled softly. “No husband isn’t a bad thing, right? But she’ll miss me.”

“Yes,” Kiran said with a gentle smile. “She’ll miss you.”

“You bet.”

“She’ll learn, like I did,” he added. “To adapt. Her body will take over. She’ll learn how to be a man.”

“Just like you learned how to be a woman,” Roshni said.

He nodded.

“Do you feel like a woman now?” she asked suddenly.

Kiran hesitated. “Yes. My body does. It reacts... feels... desires like a woman.”

“And you liked it that night? With Raj?” Her voice was cautious.

“I did,” Kiran admitted. “Or at least... my body did.”

Suddenly, Roshni leaned forward and kissed him.

It was tentative at first, then deepened into passion.

Kiran froze for a moment, then tried to kiss back—tried to bring passion and desire into it. A woman kissing him. He—who had once been a man—should’ve felt something. Excitement. Lust. But his body responded with nothing but discomfort. A hint of revulsion. Something felt off.

Roshni guided his hand to her breast. He tried to react. Nothing. She put her hand on his breast.

He pulled away.

His body had rejected a woman’s advances. The man inside him... was gone.

Roshni stepped back too, apologetic. “I’m sorry. I thought... I thought maybe you would like it.”

Kiran sat quietly, shaken. Then slowly, the realisation washed over him.

He asked Roshni gently, “You’ve had feelings for Kiran all this time?”

Roshni looked away. “Yes. Since college. Maybe before. But I never acted on them. Never touched her inappropriately in any way... never even told her.”

She added, her voice low, “I thought you—being a man in a woman’s body—would like it.”

Kiran shook his head. “No. I don’t think I’m a man in a woman’s body anymore. I’m... this. A woman. Even if my mind still remembers being a man, my body has changed. My instincts... desires... have changed. Sorry. I’m not like you.”

Roshni sighed. “It’s not about being a man in a woman’s body for me. I like being a woman. I’m just... attracted to women.”

She took a gulp from her glass and added, “I never showed this side of me to anyone. Not my family, not my friends. Not even Kiran or Sameer. I was afraid of losing them. Their friendship meant everything to me.”

Kiran reached out and held her hand. “I’m sure Kiran would’ve understood. I know—because I have her memories. She trusted you more than anyone.”

“You think so?” Roshni asked, eyes misty.

“I know so,” Kiran said firmly. “You’re the best friend anyone could have. She was lucky. And so am I.”

Roshni smiled through her tears. “It’s hard to tell the difference between you and her. To me... you’re still Kiran.”

She paused. “I hope she’s doing okay... wherever she is.” Then she chuckled softly. “Damn, if only it had happened to me instead of Kiran.”

“Damn right,” Kiran grinned. “You’d be seducing hot gals left and right.”

They laughed. The tension lifted slightly.

Roshni asked, “What now? What will you do?”

Kiran looked down into his glass. “I don’t know. After what Raj said... after the way he accused me... I’m not sure.”

Roshni frowned. “You’re better off without him. I always thought he was kind of wimpy anyway.”

Kiran smiled despite himself. “He’s not. He’s patient. Understanding. He tried. He kept his distance... mostly.”

Roshni raised a brow. “Listen to you—defending him! You sound like you’re in love with him. Like Kiran was.”

Kiran blushed. “Nonsense.”

“You’ve got her memories. Her body. Her instincts. It’s natural.”

“But I’m a—”

“You’re not him anymore,” Roshni said softly. “Not in body. Not in heart.”

Kiran said nothing.

He just finished his drink in one long gulp.

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That's the end of Chapter 14. Do let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Comment freely.

Thankyou

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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.

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