Lipstick on Weekends

Lipstick on Weekends

Part 9: In Between Heartbeats and Hidden Rooms

The 12th board exams came and went like a fever dream.

Naveen... or rather, Nandhini - had survived them. Sleepless nights. Mock tests. Exam halls. All while living two lives. And now, with boards done, the real beast stood ahead: NEET.

The coaching centre turned full-time. Weekdays and weekends. Morning till dusk. It was no longer about subtle disguises. It was immersion.

Every day began before sunrise. Transformation was as routine as brushing teeth. Breast prosthetics, the gum that glued them, the panty that held the silicone pubic illusion in place everything was done with clockwork precision.

No one questioned her identity anymore. Nandhini was a coaching centre regular, a good student, Vasanth’s soft-voiced “friend,” and Aarthi’s irreplaceable “girlfriend.”

But inside, Naveen was slowly unraveling.

Full-Time Nandhini:

The two months after the exams became the most immersive part of her double life. With school obligations over, every day was a new test of femininity. Her body had adapted. Even the discomfort had dulled into background noise.

Each morning started with gumming on the prosthetic breasts, a near-permanent fixture now. The realistic silicone hugged her body like a second skin. The new pubic patch was so seamlessly merged that, even to herself, it felt disturbingly real. Sometimes she’d catch herself standing in front of the mirror for too long, examining the way the panty hugged the false curves. Was this what her body had become?

Classes at the centre were relentless, but the social layer made it heavier. Nandhini wasn’t just a student now - she was popular. Teachers knew her. Girls borrowed her scrunchies and lotions. Boys greeted her awkwardly. Strangers complimented her complexion and bangles.

She had group chats with other girls. She laughed in voice notes. She was tagged in memes, some teasingly romantic, some mockingly girly. She sent selfies with filters. Her digital life had become indistinguishable from any other 20-year-old girl.

And Vasanth… Vasanth had become part of her routine.

Every few days, he’d wait outside the centre. Some days he brought milkshakes. Some days just a folded note tucked into her palm. They never needed too many words. She began to expect his presence. Miss it when it wasn’t there.

One evening, she had forgotten her compact in class. When she returned, it was Vasanth holding it gently, waiting. “You left your armour,” he said. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Aarthi, on the other hand, had woven herself into every inch of Nandhini’s private world. From messages to stolen accessories to girly secrets. Every night, their chats would last till one of them fell asleep... mid-sentence.

Wednesday - Vasanth’s House:

That particular Wednesday, when the centre announced a surprise holiday, Vasanth called before 6 a.m.

“You’re coming home with me. No excuses.”

“What?” she croaked, voice thick from sleep.

“I already told my mom. She’s making special kootu and rasam. Wear something light. It’s hot.”

He sounded excited. And maybe, for once, she was too.

She chose a lemon yellow kurti, soft cotton, with floral leggings. Auntie glued the prosthetics early extra secure. A matching yellow clutch. She braided her wig and used jasmine oil to give it a sweet scent.

By 9, they were on the road. He drove his Mustang calmly, eyes focused. She kept adjusting the dupatta - her nervous habit.

His house was bigger than she imagined. High walls. Mango trees. A lawn that looked like it belonged to a movie set.

Inside, everything was neat. Marble floors. Elegant lamps. A curved staircase. A helper greeted them.

“Aunty,” he called, “she’s here.”

Vasanth’s mother came out in a green silk saree, smiling wide.

“Nandhini, kanna! Finally! I was waiting to meet the girl who stole my son’s peace of mind.”

She blushed.

Lunch was set in the formal dining room. Paneer curry. Rasam. Steamed rice. Paruppu usili. Vasanth’s father joined them - calm and reserved.

Questions came. “Which branch of medicine?” “How do you manage in the heat?” “Do you oil your hair every day?”

She answered carefully, voice soft. But inside, she was drenched. The fake breasts were sticky. Her thighs ached from the leggings. Her earrings felt like rocks.

After lunch, Vasanth pulled her upstairs.

His room was dreamy. Blue walls. A reading nook. Stacks of sci-fi books. Photos of him as a child even one in a Krishna costume.

“I never thought I’d bring someone here,” he said.

She sat on the edge of his bed, eyes drifting. “Your mom is lovely.”

“She likes you. But I like you more.”

He sat beside her. Took her hand.

“I’ve never liked girls. Or boys. Just… never felt anything. Until you.”

She didn’t look up.

“I know your secret. I’ve always known. I guessed long ago.”

Nandhini was scared thinking whether he knew the truth...
Her eyes widened.

“I know you too like me, didn't say it because you looked scared. But I want you to know I’m not afraid. You make me feel normal. Like… I’ve found someone who doesn’t fit either box. And that’s perfect.”

Tears welled up, relieved that his secret is not out but different humiliation. He gently pulled her into his arms.

“Do you want to lie down for a bit?”

She nodded.

They lay on his bed, side by side. His hand resting on her stomach.

He slowly placed kisses along her forehead, then her temple, then her jawline. Gentle. Unhurried.

“I won’t do anything you don’t want,” he whispered.

She touched his cheek. “Just this is enough.”

They stayed like that, breathing the same breath.

Before she left, his mother handed her a small bag.

“A silk stole. You’ll look lovely in it.”

Saturday - Aarthi’s Visit :

That Saturday, Nandhini was out on a study trip.

Amma was too tired to cook much. Naveen had just finished morning classes. The moment he stepped in, a message blinked:

Aarthi: “Coming in 20 mins. Dress cute!”

Panic mode. He tossed his boy clothes into the loft. Changed the bedsheet to floral. Swapped his school photo on the wall with a random scenery frame.

She arrived in a peach dress, holding a bakery box and two shopping bags.

Inside were:

Ice cream cake

A see-through white nightie

A packet of red lipstick

And a pair of silver anklets

“Aunty, I’ll steal Nandhini for one hour,” she declared.

They shut the bedroom door.

“You smell like rose water,” Aarthi said, nuzzling her.

She made Naveen try on the nightie. Then the anklets. Then sat behind her brushing her wig while giggling.

“You know, if I marry a boy, he has to be like you. Sweet. Shy. With no hair on his legs.”

Nandhini laughed nervously. “You’re crazy.”

They ended up on the bed. Legs tangled. The scent of powder and kajal in the air.

“I’ve kissed two boys. I hated both. But you…”

Aarthi rolled closer.

“I want to kiss your shoulder. Can I?”

Nandhini nodded, barely.

Aarthi leaned in, pressing her lips on the exposed skin of the nightie’s strap.

“You’re my favourite confusion,” she whispered.

Her hand travelled up - just brushing the padded chest - then settled over Nandhini’s heart.

“Can I stay tonight?”

Nandhini blinked. “need to ask my mom…”

Aarthi laughed. “Next time then.”

She stood up, fixed her lipstick, and smacked Nandhini’s cheek with a peck.

“Tell your breasts I said bye,” she winked.

And left.

That night, Naveen lay in bed, tangled in the scent of perfume and lipstick.

The fake chest rose and fell like it belonged.

Two messages blinked:

Vasanth: “When you left, my pillow still smelled like you.”

Aarthi: “I want to steal your anklets and your heart. Which first?”

He smiled.

He was Nandhini now.

And maybe, for now, that was enough.