I, Sharan Singh, was never the strong, athletic type. I wasn’t good at sports, and I didn’t fit in with the typical college crowd. As a result, I was often picked on by the guys in my class. This pushed me further into the company of the girls, who were always so kind, understanding, and protective. Over time, I became more comfortable talking to them, and by the end of my second year, I had made many close female friends. I wasn’t as close to any of the male students anymore.
It was at the wedding of one of my closest friends, Deshna, that my life truly changed. This is the story of how I graduated, not as Sharan, but as Shruti Singh.
Deshna’s wedding was held in her village, about 80 kilometers away from the nearest city. She came from a wealthy zamindar family and her father was well-known in the village for his wealth and power. He had a reputation for being very protective of his daughter. Because of this, Deshna’s parents had told her to stay away from boys during her time in college, so she and I were the only friends who didn’t have a romantic relationship. The bond between us was pure and platonic, and we had been through everything together.
Deshna really wanted me to attend her wedding, but she knew it would be impossible. If her father found out I was coming, he would probably stop me from entering the village. His anger was legendary, and I didn’t want to risk it. The thought of the wedding without me made both of us upset. Deshna didn’t want to go without me, and I didn’t want to miss such an important event in her life.
One evening, the girls and I were hanging out in the college dorm, and Divya, one of my closest friends, came up with a plan. “Sharan,” she said, “I’ve seen it work in movies, and I’m pretty sure it’ll work here. You’ll dress up as a girl, and you can attend the wedding without anyone suspecting anything.”
At first, I was taken aback. “What? Dress up as a girl?” I asked, bewildered. I was a guy—how could that be possible?
But Divya was persistent. “It’s the only way you can be there for Deshna. Think about it—no one would expect you to be a guy if you’re dressed as a girl. And besides, you’ll look beautiful!”
I hesitated, but Deshna, who was sitting with us, gave me a pleading look. “Please, Sharan,” she said softly. “This wedding is so important to me. You’re my only friend here. You have to do this for me.”
The idea seemed crazy, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. It was the only way I could attend the wedding without causing trouble. Reluctantly, I agreed.
So began my transformation. The preparations were extensive. I told my family I would be gone for two weeks, even though the wedding was only a week long. They didn’t ask many questions, knowing how close I was to Deshna.
The first day of our preparations began at a beauty parlor owned by one of the girls in our group. We went after hours so that we had the entire place to ourselves. The air was filled with excitement as I entered the parlor, already nervous about the change that was about to take place.
“I’m so excited to see how you’ll look as a girl!” Riya, one of the girls, exclaimed. She was a makeup artist and was eager to get started.
All the girls were there to help me. Each of them had a different vision of how I should look, and there was some debate about what would suit me best. Finally, we decided that each of them could take on one task. As we went through the process, I could sense the nervousness and excitement in the air.
The first step was waxing. Riya, with her waxing kit in hand, announced, “Time for the first step to smooth skin, Sharan!” The girls eagerly watched as she applied hot wax to my arms and legs. I winced at the pain, but there was no turning back now.
Afterward, Nisha began threading my eyebrows, shaping them delicately. “Brows are so important to a girl’s face,” she said, concentrating on her work. Every pull of the thread made me wince, but I bit my lip and stayed silent.
Next, I had my ears pierced by Meenal. She had brought along a small piercing gun, and with a quick click, the small silver studs were in place. My ears tingled, and I couldn’t help but smile a little at the thought of how feminine it all felt.
Once my body was smooth and my features delicately shaped, it was time for makeup. Riya, who had done my makeup many times before for fun, took charge. “This is going to be so much fun!” she said, applying foundation, concealer, and powder. The next step was eyeshadow. “Let’s go with soft shades of brown and gold,” she suggested. She carefully blended the colors, making my eyes pop. Then, a little eyeliner, mascara, and a swipe of lip gloss completed the look.
As the makeup settled into my skin, I felt more and more like a girl. It was strange, but I couldn’t help but enjoy it.
Meanwhile, two of the girls went shopping for me. “We’ll buy you everything you need—clothes, shoes, jewelry!” Divya said with excitement. When they returned, I was handed a purple salwar suit and a blue dupatta, along with a matching set of earrings, a necklace, and bangles.
“I can’t believe I’m actually going to wear this,” I muttered, staring at the outfit in my hands.
“Don’t worry,” Nisha said as she helped me change into the outfit. “You’re going to look amazing.”
The moment I put the outfit on, it felt like everything clicked. The fabric was soft, the fit was perfect, and I couldn’t stop admiring how the dupatta flowed around me. As they placed the necklace around my neck and the earrings in my ears, I started to feel beautiful. I looked in the mirror and was stunned by the reflection staring back at me. The wig, which hung neatly around my shoulders, completed the look. I looked like a completely different person, and for the first time, I didn’t feel uncomfortable in my own skin.
“Shruti, you look amazing!” Divya exclaimed as she snapped a picture of me. The other girls crowded around, each giving me compliments. I couldn’t help but smile.
After hours of dressing up, practicing makeup, and learning to walk in heels, we decided to test it out. One of the girls took me to a rented house where only women lived. “Here, you’ll practice acting like a girl. No one can know your secret,” she said.
The days that followed were a blur of learning new things—how to walk with grace, how to speak softly, how to sit with poise, and how to perform everyday activities like a girl.
I also learned how to apply my own makeup, and I practiced wearing various outfits. The girls taught me to be confident in my new role, and as the days passed, I started to feel more comfortable. My body language changed. I became more aware of how I moved, how I spoke, and how I presented myself.
The day before the wedding arrived, and I was feeling both nervous and excited. I knew this would be my final test. I had to prove that I could truly be Shruti—someone who could blend into this world of women and be accepted by all.
The wedding day was like a dream come true. I was so excited because I got to wear a beautiful new saree. “Wow! Look at you, Shruti!” Deshna said when she saw me all dressed up. I twirled around in front of the mirror, and the saree shimmered in the light. It was all shiny and colorful, with pretty red and gold patterns all over it. The saree felt so special as I wore it—it was like I was wearing magic! “I feel like a princess!” I whispered to myself, smiling.
The blouse was tight but comfy, and the dupatta (the scarf thing) floated like a cloud behind me. I loved how it made me feel like I was part of something important and exciting. I felt like I belonged here, like I was a girl just like the rest of them.
The first thing we did was mehndi—that’s where we all get fancy henna designs on our hands. Deshna, the bride, sat in the middle, looking like a real princess. “Look at me! I have flowers all over my hands!” she giggled. I smiled at her, feeling so happy for her.
When it was my turn, I felt a little nervous. “Will it hurt?” I asked one of the girls. She laughed and said, “No, don’t worry, Shruti! It’ll just feel cool and tingly.” As the henna artist drew on my hands, I felt calm. The henna smelled a little funny, but it looked so pretty when it dried and turned dark brown. “It’s like magic,” I said softly, looking at my hands, now covered in pretty swirls. I couldn’t stop staring at them!
Next came haldi, where we all put yellow turmeric paste on Deshna’s face and arms to make her shine. I giggled as I smeared the turmeric on her arms. “You look like a glowing sunflower!” I said, and she laughed too. But when it was my turn, I felt really happy. The turmeric paste felt warm and soft on my skin. “You look so pretty, Shruti,” one of the girls said, and I felt my cheeks blush. The yellow paste made me feel like I was glowing! It wasn’t just about the paste—it made me feel like I was part of the family, and everyone was treating me like a real girl.
Then came sangeet, which was the best part of all! The music started playing, and it was like I couldn’t sit still anymore. I turned to Deshna and said, “Can we dance now?!” She laughed and nodded. I couldn’t stop moving! I spun around and twirled like a ballerina. The saree fluttered around me, and it was like I was floating in the air. The girls cheered and clapped for me, and I felt so happy. “Go Shruti! You look beautiful!” one of the girls called out. I smiled and spun faster, feeling the bangles on my wrist jingle with every move. It felt amazing!
But then, I realized everyone was watching me. I looked around and saw all the eyes on me—boys, girls, even some aunties were watching carefully. I felt a little nervous. “I need to walk properly,” I whispered to myself, remembering everything the girls had taught me. I straightened my back, kept my knees close together, and walked slowly. I could hear my feet tapping softly on the ground. I looked at my hands and remembered to keep them gentle and relaxed.
One of the girls, Priya, came over and whispered, “Good job, Shruti! You’re doing amazing. Just keep your shoulders back, and walk like you own it!” I smiled and nodded, feeling like I was really doing this. The way I moved felt different now, like I was a girl, not just pretending.
As the night went on, more people joined the dance, and I danced with all the girls. We laughed, we spun, we sang along to the songs. “You’re such a great dancer, Shruti!” Priya said, spinning me around. “Thanks!” I giggled, trying my best to keep up with the others. It was the happiest I had ever felt.
But then, I noticed something—I was being watched. Not by my friends, but by the boys in the room. They were staring at me, and I felt shy. One boy came a little too close, and I quickly looked away, remembering what the aunties always said: “A girl should always look down and shy away from a boy’s gaze.” So I did just that. “Shruti, are you okay?” Deshna asked when she saw me acting a little weird. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, “just... practicing.” I felt a little funny but also proud that I was acting so girly.
By the end of the night, I was exhausted but so happy. I had done everything! I had danced, sat properly, walked, and talked just like a girl. I had passed all the tests. My face felt soft, and my bangles felt so nice on my wrist. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. “I did it... I really did it,” I whispered to myself.
After everything calmed down, I sat with my friends. “I want to keep living as a girl,” I told them, feeling a little shy but sure about my decision. “Really?” one of the girls, Neha, asked, her eyes wide. “Yes,” I said, nodding. “I’m Shruti, and I feel like I was always meant to be this way.” The girls all smiled and hugged me. “We’re so happy for you, Shruti,” Deshna said, squeezing me tight. “You’re my sister now, and I love you so much.”
I felt my heart swell with happiness. “Thank you for being so kind to me,” I said, looking at each of them. They had supported me all the way, and now, I felt like I was truly a part of their world.
The next step was telling my parents. It wasn’t easy, and my mom cried when I told her. But after a week of discussion, they slowly began to accept it. By the time graduation day arrived, I was completely confident in my new identity. My friends and I decided to start a company for women, and I remained Shruti forever, surrounded by the love and support of my friends.
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