Chapter 8: Silent Approval
The unspoken understanding among the elders slowly became a warm blanket around the young couple, even though Aashu had no idea it existed.
One Sunday evening(India time) the whole clan ended up on a joint video call—Prakash and Ragini ifr their home, Sumathi from her shop, and Vishu from Canada in their living room. It was morning in Canada. Aashu was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast. He was yet to remove his sticker bindi and lipstick which Vishu insisted him to wear last night. He also did not remove nailpolish from a couple of days. He was wearing the gym wear, the tights and sports bra which Vishu lent him. He also had his hair held high on his head gathers with a butterfly clutch which he started using while doing chores or his yoga. It was Vishu's idea as she loved to kiss his exposed slender neck. He took loved the way it felt when she kissed his neck. He did not notice that Vishu was on video call at the dining table.
Normally they alerted each other before swiyon the video to be decent and presentable in front of parents and friends. This time Vishu forgot to alert him. Aashu thought it was just an audio call and went to the dining table with two plates of hot steaming Idlies and chutney. For 5 seconds he was visible to all in his full femme attire. Though everyone saw him, no one said anything and continued as is it was not odd and wished him. when he noticed that it was a video call, He immediately moved away from line of sight and grinned at Vishu for not alerting him. Prakash was still processing what he saw and continued to stare at screen with his jaw dropped.
He ran towards the bedroom which was 10 feet behind Vishu, directly in the line of sight of camera. Everyone again saw him from his back and the way his hips swayed and jiggled while he ran, no one would believe it was a man's body. Prakash was still processing what he saw... His daughter Vishnupriya with her strong arms, short hair and in a simple tshirt and track pants looked like a proper man of the house. His Son in law looking like a chic showing all his curves wearing tights and Sports Bras along with long curly hair.
Prakash - (in his wife's ear) What did we just see?
Ragini - (in prakash's ear) Shut up and go with the flow as if you did not see anything wierd. I will explain you later.
Prakash - (to Vishu, loudly) Where did he run away, call him back. Havent seen him in weeks.
Vishu - Yes Papa.
Vishu again - (Loudly) Aashuuu..., Papa is calling. Come back.
Vishu - (to the family on phone) please don't tease him or mock him. He is delicate.
Aashu came out wearing an over sized T shirt trying to cover his new found curves, made a man bun out of his hair and in the haste, forgot to remove the Bindi, Lipstick and nailpolish. He greeted everyone with a hi. While he waved hi to the screen he saw his nails, his lipstick and bindi. Now he has nowhere to go. So he bowed down his head in shame.
The family, noticing his embarrassment, infored his looks and spoke to him as if nothing was new. They continued the discussion about plot purchase and sought his opinion as well. Aashu spoke very little. He turned away slightly and removed his Bindi. Many thoughts ran in his mind. While ending the call Prakash said "Bye Aashu... Bye Vishnu.... Keep rocking...!" This was the first time he called her by a masculine name. Ragini disconnected the call bidding adieu. Sumathi was next. She said "Aashu, look at me. Why are you bowing down your head?". When he raised his head, she noticed that he has removed the bindi.
Sumathi - Look beta, there is no harm in decorating and celebrating such a lovely face given by God. That bindi was looking great on you. Put it back.
Aashu - No ma... (Again bowed his head)
Sumathi - Why not? I want to see my Aashu at his prettiest. Please put it on. Don't make me sad.
Aashu - No Ma.. (This pleading went on for a full minute)
Meanwhile Vishu went to to vanity and brought a lovely shiny stones bindi on his head.
Sumathi- That's it. Very nice Vishnu. You promise me to ensure he never loses his bindi. Aashu beta, it's auspicious for married people to put kumkum or bindi. Generally the woman wear it because men can't wear it as they have to go to job and do sweaty stuff. In your case Vishnu can't wear it for same reason. So atleast you have to wear it. See how pretty you look now..., i wish I was there to see you in person.
Aashu didn't say anything but let the bindi stay. Sumathi asked him whether he was chanting the holy hymns from her book. She urged him to read Lalitha sahasra namam daily. He agreed and then after a few minutes of talk, he disconnected the call bidding her good bye.
Before talking to his mom, he thought of confronting Vishu. But his mom had calmed his nerves and he cooled down. There after, he always wore a bindi and never bothered to remove it infront of anybody, even while on vedio call with friends. His friends also appreciated his look and suggested that he should shape his eyebrows a bit. His friends shared a few pics of his edited in AI and showed him how pretty he will be with thin, shapely and arching eyebrows. Vishu also cemented the thought and hence they decided to visit a beauty parlour sometime after winter.
Next day Ragini called him when he was alone at home and chatted with him for sometime about various cuisines. She told him how she used to prepare lunch box for her husband. She gave him some gyan what sportsmen should eat and all. She told him at lenyhow wives will take care of their husbands by preparing food with love as the first ingredient. Casually She asked "What did you prepare for Vishnu's lunch box?". "He likes rotis and Omlettes Attamma" blurred out Aashu realising alte that everyone has started referring Vishu as Vishnu now and he too referred to her as 'He'. By the time he realized, Ragini said "Vishnu has always been like a boy in the house. Her actions and attitude make us refer to her as a male. You are not at fault here. He is like that. His father always wanted a son who can make a big name for himself in cricket. But as fate has it, he was blessed with a girl chy. Yet He tried a lot and pushed her hard to get into Indian Women's team through WPL. He was disappointed when she couldnt make it. He lived for years with such disappointment. But see..., now he is the most happiest person. He reads the news articles about Vishnu whenever he feels like. Vishu might be your wife, but for Prakash, It will always be Vishnu, his son."
Aashu - And for you Attamma...?
Ragini - let it be... You will feel bad if I say...
Aashu - what is it... Tell me. I can handle it.
Ragini - I too always wanted a son. Not like everyone. I wanted a son for a different reason.
Aashu - What reason?
Ragini - You see, we marry off our daughters and let them go with their husbands. After she leaves home, it will become dull and will never be the same. But if I had a son, he would've brought me a daughter in law who will be with me always. As saas - bahu, we can do many things together like cooking, shopping, taking care of house and the family, watching serials, going on trips, sometimes even ffighting and arguing.... That would've made my life happening and active. Not that you don't do it. You are almost like my daughter in law .... I don't have any regrets now... You are there for me always, your like and my likes are same. And as a matter of fact, we dont even fight..., That make you better than a general daughter in law.. That's why I cherish you.
Aashu - (Blushing) Attamma...., there is a secret I want to tell you. But you have to promise me that you will not tell anyone especially Amma and Vishnu.
Ragini - what is it dear?
Aashu - I sometimes dress up and live like a wife to your son Vishnu. We both enjoy being like that. I don't know whether you noticed it or not.
Ragini - Really??? Tell me more....!
Aashu - I'm shy... It's already late for you... Go to bed..., I will tell you tomorrow.
Ragini- (in her mind) Finally..., he opened up. I will not pester him. Let him come out on his own.
Chapter 9: Blossoming Confessions.
Ragini slept peacefully that night in India. And Aashu relaxed through the afternoon in Canada. Both felt light after discussion. Aashu thought "From now on..., no more embarrassing moments atleast with attamma.... Next I have to rope in Amma. Don't know how to say and what to say to her. How odd will it be if her son says he likes to be a wife to her dauyin law... Time will only say". He watched some Hindi serials. Though they lacked the stories like in Telugu serials, he watched them for fashion and makeup. By the evening before Vishu Arrived, He had an urge to surprise her. He went to their wardrobe and took a bra, wore it after a few attempts, stuffed some socks in the cups, wore a kurti from Vishu's side and a patiala under it. He adjusted his Chunari and put on some light makeup and pinged Divya if she was awake (It was early morning in india by that time.). When Divya responded, he sent her his selfie and asked her how he looked. Divya called him immediately and said "You've blown away my sleep. I can't unsee you now. Such a pretty girl like you will cause riots outside." Aashu thanked her and waved bye to Divya.
When Vishu arrived, Aashu opened the door like a typical housewife with a big smile. Vishu was awestruck with the beautiful sight in front of her. She tossed the bag onto sofa and picked up Aashu into her mighty arms, took him to the bedroom and lay him on bed. Vishu wanted to have sex then and there. But Aashu sprang up immediately after being placed on bed and ran outside escaping from Vishu's hands and said "You naughty boy... Go have a bath... I have a surprise for you". Vishu removed her clothes and went into the shower. She called him many times into bathroom for something or the other like Soap, Shampoo, towel etc... everytime he came near, she tried to grasp him and pull him into shower with her. Luckily for him, aashu escaped everytime. Finally when Vishu cameout of shower with towel tied upto her waist, Aashu observed that her boobs are just slightly bigger than his own soft chest. Vishu asked Aashu to come and help her in wiping with another towel. Aashu made her sit on bed and stood beside her and started wiping. Vishu held him tight and started kissing him all over his stomach after lifting the kurthi.
Aashu's skin was soft and flesh/fat under the skin was plump like a sponge. No matter how much Aashu tried, he could not stop Vishu from groping him. Aashu also stopped resisting and enjoyed the feel. He too started to feel Vishu's skin and muscles underneath. Her boobs had strong pectoral muscles under them. Her broad shoulders, strong biceps, triceps and abs were making him go crazy. Both enjoyed eachother's hugs for a few minutes and suddenly Aashu's senses got overwhelmed and he suddenly snapped into reality and let himself go after a bit of struggle. Aashu said "Vishnu (Yes, for the first time ever, Aashu called his wife with a masculine name). I want you to take me out to a beauty parlour. Let me finish the dinner Please."
Vishu - Beauty parlour? It's almost night, why beauty parlour now?
Aashu - I want to shape my eyebrows and...
Vishu - And what ?
Aashu - If you say okay, I want to have my ears pierced....!
Vishu sprang up from the bed and asked him excitedly.... "Really....? Will you do that? Give just 5 mins, I will be ready." And like she said, she was ready at the door within 5 mins. Aashu himself was at the vanity adjusting his lipstick and giving final touch ups. It was his first time stepping out as a female. He wanted to be at his best. After what felt like ages waiting for him to come out, Vishu said "Come on darling... We are getting late... You are putting on makeup to go to a beauty parlour?". Aashu replied "Just a minute my love. Need to look my best for you...!". Aashu went to the shoe rack and wore Vishu's old sandals which she was no longer using. They both went out Aashu clinching on to Vishu's strong arm.
