My name is Preet. I belong to a joint family, and I am the youngest. I have one sister and two cousin sisters. So total, I have three sisters, and as a joint family, we all live together. One cousin sister, Ragini, is six years elder to me, whom I loved so much, and we have a great bond together. In my society, I was the only boy of my age, thus I used to play with the girls most of the times, and we enjoyed each other’s company. I wish to have long hair since my childhood, but I never got a chance to grow it, because my family, they insisted that I should always cut it. At last, against all their wishes, finally I decided to grow it, and succeeded. Two years passed, and I became the proud owner of a pretty good, thick, shoulder length hair. During these years, the whole family, especially mom, forced me to get a haircut several times, but I refused it by saying that, it’s the fashion these days, and looks good. In the school, the teachers also asked me to cut it, but I told them, I can’t, because, my mother took a vow, that I will not cut it for three years. These kinds of things were common in our area, so they became easily convinced, and let me keep it, but asked me to tie it daily, & cut it at once after the three years. From that day onwards, I went to school with my hair in ponytail.
It was my third year, and the girls in my society, always teased me for having beautiful hair like them. One day, one of them said that, “Preeti, you should try girls clothes, they will suit you more”. Everyone around laughed loudly, and started to calling me ‘Preeti’. I felt so shy, and ran away from there.
Days passed and my hair kept growing longer. One day, I saw my cousin Ragini, applying mehndi on her hand. She was getting ready for the Jaya Parvati Vrat, which was going to start from the next day. Jaya Parvati Vrat is observed in Ashada Maas by, unmarried girls & married women. In this Vrat, all the girls will apply mehndi, on their hands. So while she was applying it, I sat next to her.
Do you want me to apply mehndi on your hands? Seeing me interestingly looking at her hands, she asked me. But I didn’t say anything.
Oh, so you want me to apply it, right? She asked me again. And I again said nothing. So she took things to her own hand.
She said OK, with smile, and started applying mehndi on my both hands, which she completed in about half hours.
Oh dear, I really wanted to see fully dressed as a traditional Indian girl, at least for once; she said, and asked me to wash it after an hour.
You will never get a chance to see that; I replied and went to my room.
After an hour, when I washed it with water, the designs turned up. And they were made of very dark shade. Only after that, I have realized, what I have done. How can I go outside like this? I asked myself. If I go out like this, everyone will tease me for sure. Luckily, it was winter, so I put on a full sleeve t-shirt, with gloves, so that no one will know about my hands, and went outside to play with the girls. While we were playing, by mistake, one of my gloves slip out, and everyone saw, what was hidden beneath. Seeing me with mehndi, on my hand, all the girls became surprised. Then they came closer, and removed my other gloves as well. I kept my head down, and they started laughing loudly. One of them said that, “mine is beautiful than hers”. I think, you should start coming to school in girls uniform; other said. I became so shy that, I couldn’t control myself, and tears start to roll down from my eyes. I quickly ran away to my home, for keeping me from further humiliation.
The next day, when I reached school, then news was already spread. Everyone asked me to show my hands, and started to making fun of me. When the teacher entered the class, they were still laughing at me. She asked one girl about what’s happening around, and she replied.
I can’t stop myself from laughing, after watching Preeti’s hand; she giggled.
Preeti? Who’s Preeti? Teacher asked again.
Sorry miss, my mistake, Preet not Preeti; she said, and the whole class laughed loudly.
The teacher asked me to come forward, with much reluctance, I stood up & walked towards her, by taking small steps, and hid my hands behind. She asked me to, show my hands, but I didn’t.
Show me your hands! She shouted at me, and her face turned red. I became so afraid that, I quickly showed her my hands, and she smiled.
You are right, it’s Preeti, not Preet; she told the girl, and they laughed together. I became so embarrassed that I kept my head down.
Teacher asked me to follow her and I did. She took me to every class, and introduced me as Preeti. I was forced to show them my hands, and seeing them covered in mehndi, the couldn’t control their laugh. I went to every class with a crying face and left out each with tears rolling down.
That day, when I came home, mom took every chance to tease me and kept saying that, “you are looking beautiful in mehndi, my dear daughter”. I felt this is going to be the worst day in my life, but I was wrong.
After two days, because of this incident, the teacher suddenly remembered that, the three year of my hair not-to-cut period was over. She called me at once, and said.
If you don’t cut your hair by tomorrow, then you will be suspended, otherwise you can come to school dressed as girl; she warned me.
I became scared after hearing this, and the whole day kept thinking about it. When I returned home, I kept thinking about what will happen tomorrow, which made me almost cry. Because, I loved my hair so much that, I never wanted to cut it. I told Ragini about the whole thing. Don’t worry, teacher won’t do anything to you, maybe she is trying to scare you; she said. I really wanted to believe it, but I didn’t. Let’s hope for the best; I replied.
The next day, I went to school by keeping my hair intact. Maybe teacher will forget about it; I thought myself and sat over the bench. After a while, she came to our class, and called me within no time. Come here at once; she said. My heart began beating so fast that I could hear it myself. I walked towards her, by swishing my ponytail side by side.
So you decided to dress as a girl, right? She asked me.
No, ma’am, no; I replied.
Then why didn’t you cut your hair? She asked again.
The barbershop was closed yesterday, that’s why; I lied her, and kept my head down. She smiled and asked me to follow her.
I thought about the things going to happen me, which made me so scared. She took me to the staffroom, and I followed her. When we entered the staffroom, teacher took scissors, and placed it one side, then she put a girls uniform, along with hair accessories and some make-up things, which she brought from her home to the other.
OK, let me get this straight, I will give two options, either you let me cut your hair, or let me help you to dress as girl, you choose; she stated. All the teachers and the staffs were looking at me. Slowly I began cry.
Stop crying, that will not help you today, now choose; she pointed towards the table.
Please ma’am, I don’t want both, I don’t want to cut my hair, and also not want to dress as a girl; I told her with my crying face. She told me to stop talking nonsense and asked me to choose, but seeing me standing still, not saying anything, she took the scissors in her hand.
Please ma’am, I don’t want to cut my hair; I cried.
OK, then dress it is; she took the girls uniform, along with the accessories, and asked me to go to the changing room. I was reluctant, but she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards it. She handed me the uniform and asked me to change into the same.
Please ma’am, I don’t want to dress as a girl, forgive me; I cried a lot.
Stop behaving like a little girl, and now go and change; she shouted.
I didn’t have any other option, so with my heavy legs, I went inside. There were a blouse, which looked a shirt, along with a pinafore dress, and Mary Jane shoes. I removed my shirt and wore the blouse easily, but I didn’t know how to wear the dress. Seeing me taking too much time, teacher banged on the door. I slowly opened the door, then step out, in the blouse, and my shorts. What is it? Why are you not wearing it? She asked me, by pointing at the dress. I told her, I don’t know how to. She smiled and took it from my hand, then showed me it’s front and back. After that she herself placed it over my head and pulled it down. Now go and remove your shorts; she said. I went inside again, and removed the shorts & my shoes, then pushed my feet on by one into the Mary Jane shoes. When I came out, she called two girls from my class to help her to dress me up. Teacher took the comb and started doing my hair. She parted it in the middle, and started to plait it separately, two plaits side by side, which is the common school girl hair style in India. She took about ten minutes to complete it, and after that she tied the ends with ribbons. She also fixed some pink hair clips over my head. While the teacher was busy with my hair, the girls was doing my nails. They painted them in pink colour. Teacher started applying kajal to my face, and my hands were already filled with mehndi. At last she completed it with placing a bindi over my forehead.
Can we put some bangles in her hands, it will make her more beautiful; one of the girl said. I couldn’t believe my ears, because they mentioned me with ‘her’.
Yes, why not? Do you have some? Teacher asked her.
Yes, in my bag, I bought them today; she replied. Teacher asked her to get them. The girl went our class, and came back with two dozen bangles in her hand, which she brought today from the nearby store for her. She split them into a dozen each, and one by one pushed my hands through them.
Now you totally look like a girl; she said and pushed me towards the mirror. After watching myself in the mirror, I started crying again, because, she was right, I totally looked like a girl.
Teacher called the school photographer, and told him that, I need a new ID card. He took my photo and asked her for the details, like name and address etc. She gave all the necessary details. And I couldn’t believe it when she said my name is Preeti. After the photographer went, teacher turned towards me.
Go to your class Preeti; she said.
Please ma’am, I can’t go to the class dressed like this; I begged her. But she shouted at me, and asked me to sit with the girls. I walked towards the class keeping my head down. The moment I entered the class, everyone started laughing. The teacher was right behind me, she introduced me as Preeti.
Meet our class’s new beautiful girl, Preeti; she said.
The day felt like months, and everyone continued the teasing. In the evening, after the class, I asked the teacher for my clothes. But she denied. You have to go home dressed like this; she insisted. Without any option left, I walked back towards my home as such. When I reached there, my mom and sisters went to shock for two minutes. Ragini wasn’t anywhere to be found. They couldn’t believe it. Slowly they began smiling, which turned into a complete laughter with in no time. I told them about the whole incident.
I’m with your teacher in this, it’s a good punishment, you need to learn the lesson, now you can either cut your hair, or you can go to school like this; she stated.
No mom, I don’t want to cut my hair; I said. At the same time, Ragini came, and shocked to see me.
Who’s this new girl? I never saw her before? She asked mom, and started teasing me. She told me not to worry, because I look very beautiful.
But I don’t want to be a girl; I became angry, and shouted at her.
You don’t have any other options dear; Ragini, told me.
I don’t want to be a girl; I said the same again and went to my room. I removed all the girly things, and also removed the nail polish with my sister’s remover. I became happy to be back as a boy, and slept like nothing happened.
Then next day, when I woke up, I was already late for the school. I asked mom to get ready my things, and quickly went to take a shower. When I came out of the bathroom, I found the girls uniform over my bed. To my surprise, there was a petticoat as well. I became angry, and called mom by shouting.
Why are you getting angry? Unless you cut your hair, this is what you will have to wear for the rest of your school days, now stop shouting, and wear this; she said. As I was already late, and never want to make her angry, I wore them with in no time. Mom did my hair by making two plaits, and tied them with ribbons. I was getting out when Ragini came in.
Oh my sister is almost ready, but something is missing, where is your make-up? She asked me.
I don’t have time for that kind of silly things; I replied her.
No, my dear sister, you can’t go to school without make-up; she said and went to her room. After a while, she came back with a make-up kit.
I don’t have time, and I don’t like this; I told her.
It won’t take much time, just two minutes, and I will change you into a perfect girl; she said. Then she started applying the make-up, and within minutes, I was ready in kajal, lipstick, etc.
Because you are already late, I won’t apply nail polish this time, but when you came back, I will paint your nails; she said with a smile. I ignored her and went to school.
When I reached the school, seeing me back in girls uniform, everyone started to teasing me, and made fun of me. After a while when teacher came, she was happy to see me. Good girl; she appreciated me, and I kept my head down. I was in the last year of my school days, and there was almost four months to go. I thought about my coming days, and tears rolled down my eyes. After the school, when I came back, I found Ragini, waiting for me with a red nail polish bottle.
Welcome my dear sister; she said.
I’m not your sister; I shouted.
Then why are you wearing the girls uniform? She asked me with a smile.
Why are you making fun of me? You know the situation; I said, and almost cried.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, but please let me do your nails, it will look pretty; she persuaded. I said ‘no’ several times, but she requested the same again and again. At last, I said, OK. She became so happy, and started shaping my nails. Then she painted my both hands and feet. It did actually look good, but I didn’t like it.
The next day, in school, after seeing my nails, teacher commented me. ‘Preeti, I think, you started enjoying all this, being a girl; she said. I didn’t say anything and ignored her completely, which she didn’t like at all.
The days passed fast, and there was only one more week left of my school life. I became so happy that, I only want to dress like this for couple of days. During the class, teacher announced that, after one week, there will be an annual function, and the theme is traditional wear. Everyone should present there; she said. I will wear a kurta & pyjama; I thought myself. Suddenly, teacher asked me to come to the staffroom, and I followed her. When we reached there, she spoke.
You will have to wear a lehenga choli, and need to completely dressed as girl for the annual function, with the make-up and all, it’s a must, no change in that, you hear me? She stated. I became surprised and scared at the same time, because I never thought about doing it, not even in my dreams.
When I told this news to mom and my sisters, the laughed. Ragini became very much happy hearing the news. Finally, my wish is going to fulfill; she said. My mom told me that tomorrow, we all will go for shopping. Do I have to? I asked her. Of course you have to, she said it’s a must, right? Don’t worry, you will be fine; mom said.
Next day, we all went for shopping and entered in a big clothing store. One of the salesgirl came to us. What do you need ma’am? She asked my mom.
We need a lehenga choli, and it’s for him; mom replied by pointing towards me.
Ma’am, are you sure it’s for him? The salesgirl couldn’t believe her ears and asked again.
Yes, it’s for him; mom told her. The salesgirl gave me a big smile and started showing several lehenga cholis to us. Mom loved one beautiful pink and white lehenga choli. My sisters also liked it.
Do you like it? She asked me, but I didn’t reply. Mom asked the salesgirl to pack it, along with a matching petticoat. While she was searching for the petticoat, mom called her closer and told her something. I saw my sisters giggling. What is it? I asked mom. Nothing, it’s something for me; she replied, and smiled. When she paid the bill, the salesgirl gave the package to me. Enjoy wearing it ma’am; she told me and smiled. I became so embarrassed and came out of the shop quickly.
Our next stop was a jewellery shop, where mom and sister brought all the matching things like, bangles, payals, necklace and earrings.
How can he wear earrings, his ears are not pierced? My sister asked mom.
Don’t worry, we will get his ears pierced; mom replied. I became scared of hearing this.
No mom, I’m not going to pierce my ears, I don’t want to; I told them.
First they try to persuade me, which I turned down instantly. Then they began forcing me, and I pleaded them not to make me. Pierce your ears they continued the saying, and at last I said OK. Mom asked the lady at the desk for ear piercing, and she called someone. She took us to the nearby room and asked me to sit on a chair, and went out. After a while another lady came in, and talked with mom. She marked both my lobes with a pen, and looked for mom’s approval. When mom was satisfied, with in no time, she pierced them both with a gun. I cried a little. Other than me, everyone was happy. She showed me a mirror, and I found, two little studs in it. Mom paid the bill, and we left the shop after. During the way back, we stopped at another shop, where she bought me some nice heels. We reached our home in half an hour. Mom booked an appointment for me, on the annual function day. Our neighbour, who is a tailor was called in, and I was measured to stitch the choli.
The next day, when I reached the school, everyone saw my pierced ears. They couldn’t keep their laughing aside, and teased me well. Teacher became so happy to see my ears. My choli was arrived two days before. Ragini, asked me, if I want to try it, and I said a big ‘no’. Luckily they didn’t force me.
And finally, the day came. The last day of my dressing as a girl. Mom and sisters were so excited for the big day. In the morning, I took a bath first. When I came out, mom was waiting for me. Wear this; she handed me something. It definitely looked like my briefs, buy smooth and silky.
What are you looking at? Yes they are girls, it’s called panties, now stop admiring and wear it; she said. I become froze by hearing her words.
No mom, I don’t want to, please don’t make me; I almost cried. But she said ‘it’s a must’ and asked me to wear the same.
I complained a lot, but at last I had to. So I wore it, and changed into my boy clothes. When the beautician came, I was asked to be in my towel. My t-shirt and shorts were removed and a towel was given. I tied it over my panties, and sat on a chair, then the process began. She started with the waxing. There were nothing to remove anyway, but still she did my whole body. I wanted to stop it due to pain, but mom wanted everything so perfect. They hold me there, and I kept crying all the time. After a painful section, mom placed the petticoat over my head and tied it at my waist. I was asked to remove the towel, and I did. Next was my eyebrows, she plucked a lot to have it such a nice feminine curve. Then my facial was done. After a long time of manicure & pedicure, she painted all my nails with bright pink, nail polish. It was time for the make-up. She applied, foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and the lipstick, then finished it with some touches. Finally, she placed a pink bindi, over my forehead, and started doing my hair. She curled it, and with the help of a fancy clip, made a curly bun on the back. Mom asked me to show my hands, and I did it without any doubt. And I found out what she bought so secretly on that day. Suddenly, without any hint, she took a bra and inserted my hands through its straps. Within no time, it was clasped around my back. I wanted to shout, but I didn’t. I became so embarrassed and kept my head down. Without much saying, mom helped me to get into the choli. I was asked to get into the heels, then beautician helped me to get into the lehenga. After tying it at my waist, she draped the dupatta on me, in half-saree style. It was time for the jewellery. First they removed the studs from my ears and made me wear long danglers. Then one by one, they made me wear the necklace and payals. At last I was asked to show them my hands, and when I did, two dozen bangles were pushed into each of my hands. I was finally ready. They pushed me towards a full length mirror, and asked me to look at it. I couldn’t believe, that the reflection was mine. Because, I looked like a beautiful Indian girl. Mom and sisters hugged me. I got another sister, I’m so happy; my sister said.
Then we all went to my school. My classmates were surprised to see me. Even the teacher couldn’t believe her eyes. You should live your whole life as a girl; she said. No one at the school couldn’t believe that, I’m a boy. And I really enjoyed the whole day at the school. My mom and sister took lots of pictures with me. And in the evening, we reached home happily.
With the help of my sister, I removed all the jewellery and make-up, then quickly changed into my boy clothes. I became extremely happy and thought that my days dressed as a girl were over. But who knows? May be, it was just began.