50/50 SECRET

The story of a transgender.

- Pallavi Acharya

The jinglings of anklets and beats of music would mesmerise him and generate pleasant sensations in his body. He used to love giving grand performances in front of his neighbours. It was all taken in a lighter note.

Until the day his mom found out. Joy was dressed up in his mother's sari, sindoor, and danglers. And, of course, her shining bangles which she used to wear on Karwa Chauth.

She was really mad at him. She took Joy in front of the deity's image in the puja room. She asked him to pledge, not to touch feminine stuff and never again to act like his mother. But that precisely was Joy's favourite pastime indeed - to copy his mother's mannerisms.

Later, there was a gradual change in Joy's body. He felt like a woman trapped in a man's body, but he had dared not discuss this with anyone. Insecurities surrounded Joy. He was confused about what was happening to him and his body.

One day, in his class, the science teacher introduced the topics of genetic disorders, chromosomes, and reproductive organs.

Then it loomed on his mind! "Oh, it's a blunder! In fact, I am a woman trapped in a man's body."

It was like someone had taken his world in a blink, and it seemed to be disappearing.

A TRANSGENDER" mustered courage and Joy finally stuttered this to his parents.

They were in a shock! They were not ready to agree to this. It was totally unacceptable to them. The world started slipping from Joy's aim until Joy's mother's heart melted to puddles. Despondent, they were solid for days.

Then his mother took it as a challenge. She decided to become her child's pillar of strength.