Dad, "Good morning, Amayra. How are you feeling?"
I, "I guess I am good right now."
Dad, "Come and sit on my lap."
I do as he said. I see at strange warmth and smile on his face as I look at him. I don't know what but something sure is different.
Dad, "Amayra! Listen to me carefully. Since you are living your life as a girl for quite some time, we can't just hide the truth from everyone. I mean people would ask why you suddenly changed."
Mom, "We are well aware that revealing the truth would cause you more problems. So, we have a plan if you like to hear."
I, "Yeah, I understand, you are right. I need a cover story for this. I don't want any extra attention to me. This is already hard to process and I am not ready to take anymore."
Dad, "Then listen now. Your mom and I had a long conversation yesterday night and we had come up with a plan. Do you remember Mr. Khandelwal?"
I nod, "You mean your psychiatrist friend, right? But what he can do in it?"
Dad, "Yes and he is a great help. I called him when you were bathing and he agreed to make a false document related to you having sessions with him."
I ask him in shock, "What kind of sessions?"
Dad, "Calm down, baby, relax. Sessions for your gender dysphoria."
I, "and what does that mean?"
Dad, "It means you would be declared as a transgender but since you are under 18 so you have to live as a girl before starting any transition process."
I, "Dad! What have you done? You know it is temporary. I am not going to become a girl forever."
Dad, "Don't take me wrong, baby. You can come back to your normal boy's life whenever you want just by saying that your confusion about your gender is cleared and you don't want to be a girl anymore."
He continues, "Besides, you are not going to have any medicines to prove this cover-story and who knows if you change your mind? I don't mind having two daughters." He says with a devil's smile.
I ignore his last words and say, "I think it is good enough as I don't have any better idea."
Dad, "Oh! By the way, you are looking beautiful."
I, "Dad... at least you can remember that I am your son. Stop embarrassing me."
He grins seeing my red cheeks. Mom, "Look! Who is blushing?"
I sign, "Mom, stop it, please. I am going to the studio now. I don't want to be late on my first day of practice. It's already 10 a.m."
I continue, "Mom, please don't withdraw my name form the school just today."
She nods in agreement.
I reach the film city at around 11 a.m. and check my email to see where I have to go. I start looking around to find for the studio 36D following my google map. Just them I spot two girls from my class and turn around in the fear of being caught.
I know you are wondering that I wasn't scared even a bit at shopping. First, no one from my class was there and second, mom was with me the whole time. I pray they won't see me.
But to my bad luck, I bump into the third girl from my class who was running towards the other two. We both fell to the ground. She tries to process this accident just like me and then stands up. I also get on my feet and try to apologize in the most feminine voice I can speak in.
She says, "It's ok. Don't worry. I am Sneha."
I chuckled when she introduces herself, "I- I a-am am, I am Amayra!"
I am totally freaked out right now and just pray she won't recognize me."
Sneha, "You look really cute. Are you searching for something?"
I try to put a false smile and say, "Oh! Thank you and yes, I am looking for studio 36D.
She smiles hard, "Oh, are you an actress?"
I, "Maybe"
Her friends start calling for her and I get frightened, "Please don't call Sakshi and Sushma."
Yeah, they are the 3S of the class. Always roaming around together and talking about Bollywood.
Sneha, "Wait! You know them. Just hold on."
She cups her hands on my face, "You- you are not Amayra. You are Ashu."
And I got caught red-handed. At last, it happened which I fear most.
She continues, "But- But why are you dressed like that? You look cute though."
I speak, "Wait wait I I can explain."
By the time other 2S also join and Sneha tells both of them that I am Ashu disguised as Amayra. I flush with all embarrassment. I mean I didn't plan to come out like this, like a criminal.
All three surround me and I feel like I am defeated.
I, "Ok, I am caught. See, I, I mean I am a transgender."
I thought to start my cover story because of no other option.
I continue, "My psychiatrist just gave me the permission of living full time as a girl but I didn't want to come out to you all like this. I am here just to meet someone who can help me better understand myself."
Sakshi, "So, who exactly are you meeting today?"
I reply, "Mrs. Amisha Khanna. She is going to teach me female mannerisms."
Sushma, "Wait, you are going to meet my Aunt."
My eyebrows heightened at her comment. Now, I have one more problem to deal with. I didn't get time to talk to Taaleem as well. They must be mad at me for being invisible for this long.
Sushma continues, "I can take you to her and I also haven't seen her in a while."
I speak, "But-but you should be at school today."
Sakshi, "Do you forget? Today is off because of the death anniversary of the principal's father."
I, "Oh, yeah, I totally forgot that but what are you three doing here?"
Sneha, "We often come here in hope of having Akashy's autograph and a photograph with him. Someday, we will succeed for sure."
Sushma, "Now, don't waste time 3S and let's take our new friend to her destination."
I, "Wait. Wait..wait...wait. Does it mean you won't make fun of me and you are totally fine? No teasing? No telling me that I am a freak?"
Sneha, "Oh come on Amayra. Why would we do that? Don't you know us? It is horrible to do with such a beauty. Besides you know our school doesn't teach such a ridiculous thing."
Sakshi, "We can even be 3SA if you want. I won't mind having a cute girl like you onboard."
I sigh in relief. I thank all the three and they take me to Studio 36D