The following week at college, Aditi wasted no time in teasing me every chance she got. Every time Vikram walked by, she’d nudge me and whisper, “Look who it is! Are you going to say hi this time?” Her playful taunts made my cheeks burn with embarrassment, but deep down, I felt a thrill every time I caught a glimpse of him.

Vikram continued to be his charming self, effortlessly moving through the crowded hallways, and I felt my heart race whenever he came into view. The inners I wore beneath my clothes reminded me constantly of my dual existence. As I sat in class, I could feel the soft fabric against my skin, a secret that was both exhilarating and grounding. It was a reminder of who I truly was, and it filled me with a sense of purpose—my role was to be complimentary to men, to embody the femininity I had grown to embrace.

He never once seemed to suspect that I was the mysterious girl he had encountered at the temple, the girl who had hidden behind Aditi and Shruthi. I often wondered what he would think if he knew the truth, but for now, I felt safe in my disguise. Whenever he passed by, the warmth of his presence brought forth a flurry of girly feelings inside me, igniting a desire to connect with him on a deeper level.

During lunch, Aditi continued to poke fun at me. “You know, Suhasini, Vikram really likes girls who are confident. Maybe you should ask him for some fashion tips!” she suggested with a wink. I could only laugh it off, my heart fluttering at the thought of actually talking to him again.

As the days went by, I found myself daydreaming more and more about Vikram. I imagined what it would be like to hold his hand, to dress up for him, to be the kind of girl he would admire. Every time I saw him laugh with his friends or discuss something passionately, I felt a strong urge to be part of his world, to share in his happiness.

In the corridors, whenever he caught my eye, I felt an invisible bond forming, an understanding that transcended words. A sense of femininity enveloped me, reminding me of my newfound identity and how it intertwined with my feelings for him. I began to see myself through his eyes, imagining how he would view me as Suhasini, a girl who could be more than just a friend.

“Are you thinking about him again?” Aditi teased, noticing the distant look in my eyes during lunch one day. I blushed, knowing she had caught me yet again.

“Maybe,” I admitted, biting my lip to hide a smile.

“Just remember, if you want to impress him, be yourself! Your true self,” she said, her voice filled with encouragement. I felt a surge of determination—maybe it was time to take a chance and let him see more of who I was, as Suhasini.

As the week progressed, I found my chance in an unexpected way. Vikram has invited Aditi to his village for a festival which is a week away. He also asked her to bring her cousin & Shruthi along with her.

When Aditi broke the news to me about the festival invitation, I felt my stomach drop. Going to Vikram’s village—an unfamiliar place—completely as Suhasini was both thrilling and terrifying. My heart pounded at the thought of being in public as my feminine self, with no safety net to fall back on if something went wrong. But Aditi and Shruthi were determined. They promised to help me prepare for everything and convinced me that with a little bit of practice and some changes, I could blend in seamlessly.

The next morning, Aditi and Shruthi had a surprise waiting for me. They revealed a breastform, a realistic piece meant to complete my figure. “This will make you feel more natural and confident,” Aditi assured me. I hesitated at first, but with a little coaxing, I agreed. As I slipped it on, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotion. The weight felt surprisingly natural, pressing lightly against my chest, creating curves that I’d only imagined before. I glanced at myself in the mirror and felt a wave of warmth and excitement. Seeing this reflection made Suhasini feel more real than ever before.

With the physical transformation underway, Aditi and Shruthi planned a week-long "training camp" of sorts at Shruthi’s place, where I’d live fully as Suhasini, day in and day out. They wanted me to embrace the feminine life wholeheartedly, refining my mannerisms, voice, and presence. I knew this was going to be challenging, but a part of me was excited to see how much I could grow.

The first step was skincare. Every morning, they made me cleanse, tone, and moisturize, reminding me that soft, glowing skin was essential for Suhasini. Shruthi also set me up with a gentle exfoliating scrub and a subtle-scented body lotion. “Trust me,” she said, “you’ll start to feel the difference.” And she was right. My skin felt softer and smoother each day, which, in turn, boosted my confidence and sense of femininity.

Each day, Aditi and Shruthi selected outfits designed to enhance my sense of identity. They started with sarees, carefully helping me wrap each pleat and tuck, showing me how to drape the pallu to highlight the shape of my new form. I could feel the fabric swaying with every movement, and the sensation was mesmerizing. Walking around in sarees made me pay attention to my posture and walk—softening my steps, shifting my balance to glide rather than stride.

They then introduced me to half-sarees and chudidars. In chudidars, they’d pin a flowing dupatta across my shoulder, allowing it to drift with each step, giving me a sense of how to carry such delicate fabrics. The half-sarees, with their youthful, vibrant colors, encouraged me to move with a lighter, more playful grace. Each outfit brought its own set of challenges, but with every outfit, I found myself connecting with a deeper side of Suhasini. Each time I looked in the mirror, I felt more aligned with her, and I sensed a newfound grace emerging in my movements.

Shruthi and Aditi also had me practice my voice every evening. Speaking softly, with a lilting tone, and adding just a hint of musicality felt strange at first, but the two of them were patient, helping me shape my voice and giving me feedback. They reminded me to add subtle expressions, gentle laughter, and softness to my tone, all of which helped me feel the role more deeply.

Throughout the week, Aditi and Shruthi watched over my progress, sometimes offering constructive critiques, other times simply smiling with pride. By the end of the week, I could feel myself becoming Suhasini in a way I hadn’t imagined possible. I could talk, walk, and move with a natural ease that surprised even me. I knew that the festival would still be a huge step, but after this week of immersion and care, I felt prepared. I looked forward to seeing where this journey would take me, and for the first time, I truly believed that I could step into the world as Suhasini.