A Fish out of Water: Chapter 1

(Watching Fox Crime too much led to this story. Different from what I've written till now.)

Chamayavilakku: Day 2

(Part 2 of the Chamayavilakku story. I know its a bit idiotic to post a story about it after more than 3 months but... well here you go.)

Chamayavilakku: Day 1

(This is going to be quite a long story. Make sure you have enough time to read it. Also this story is not for people below the age of 18.)

The Navratri Diaries: Day 4

I was walking through a barren field. Suddenly I heard pounding. Like a footstep, magnified through a million loudspeakers. Suddenly there was a huge shadow. A gigantic foot was coming to stomp me and I was frozen in fear. Then I saw something weird. The thumb of the foot had eyes and lips. It crushed my body. I felt just little pain. But the thumb's lips kissed mine.

My eyes shot open just to see Gautam's lips receding from mine just after a kiss. He was on top of me. His wiener was right above mine.

"WHAT THE F**K? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET THE HELL OFF ME!!"

Gautam got off me. Why did he kiss me? There was a mix of guilt and happiness in his eyes.

"Sorry..." he mumbled.

"What sorry? That was simply GROSS!! Are you CRAZY? I AM A GUY!"

"Thats why I kissed you. I am not interested in girls."

"I've never heard of such a gross thing before. Guys being interested in other guys".

"No. It is pretty much normal in America. It is called gay culture. I was attracted to it at my school."

"Get the f**k out of my room. Dont sleep next to me ever again."

Head hung low, he got off the bed and to the table. "Dont tell my Mom, OK?" And he slept with his head on the desk.

I looked at the clock. It was 4.30 in the morning. Mom should be here in a hour and a half. I had lost my sleep. So I took my phone out. I went to Wikipedia and searched for 'Gay'. The article was too long to read. But I got the crux. Guys interested in other guys and girls interested in other girls. How weird.
Mom came to my room at about 6.00. By that time Gautam had already went into the bathroom after getting a cold hard glare from me.

"Already up? You dont get up unless I call you. Whats wrong?" Mom asked.

"Nothing Mom. Had a bad dream."

"So Gautam already went to take a bath. What a good kid. Anita must have brought him up well. America is full of bad habits. It takes a lot of resolve to not give into them"

I stared at Mom, eyes wide open. Seriously? But she didnt notice.

"You have two good news today. Your Grandma is coming today evening."

Wow. I loved my Grandma. Apparently she had been the most beautiful girl in her village which gained her a good and rich socialite husband. She had always wanted a granddaughter but she loved me Anirudh nonetheless. She was somewhat educated and wasnt too superstitious.

"And the next good news is... I signed you up for the Bharathanatyam performance on the eighth day of Navratri. At the Sabha"

What? This was totally unexpected! I have been learning Bharathanatyam for the past five years and was one of the reasons I could switch to Girl Mode easily. But I still retained my manliness. But I didnt even practice for anything this soon. Dad hates the sabha as he considers it a waste of time.

I took a bath. Mom gave me a glittery silk Churdidhar. The same tone of green as the Slytherin House color in Harry Potter. And then she gave me a gold jewellery set embedded with green stones. And she did the usual makeup. She pinned the dupatta over my shoulder.

All this time my head was buzzing. If I need to know why Anirudh doesn't want Mom doing his makeup I need to threaten him. But how? Then I smiled. An idea clicked in place.

"You look so cute. Your grandma will love your look. Now go and practice for the dance." Mom said.
"But... but what will I practice? I don't even know what the theme is."

"Why don't you call up Sanjana. She was the one who told me to sign you up. Infact, she is going to dance with you too."

Gods. What did she sign me up for?

"OK, you two sort it out. I need to go and get the dance dress stitched for you. Oh... I need to buy jewellery too." and she pushed me out of the room.

I went to Anirudh's room. I peeked through the keyhole. He was trying to wear his pavada. How lucky. He was wearing his headphones.

I sneaked in silently. I knew how to threaten him. And my hands went straight for his showcase filled with his prizes and I grabbed his most prized possession: the vois Dèúx Core.

Two years ago AMD had chosen three students from all over the world to showcase their programming skills. Anirudh was the one selected from India. The two other ones were a American postgraduate and a Computer Science geek from France. My brother had won the competition. AMD's CEO Dirk Meyer was super impressed with his talent and awarded him with the prototype core that AMD was making, the vois Dèúx Core. And my brother became the star of our school.

And I stood at his door.

"Brother".

"What the...?" He was so startled he dropped the pavada. "What the hell do you want?"

"Why aren't you allowing Mom to do your makeup?"

"That's none of your business. Now get out of my room."

"Oh. But somebody thinks it IS my business" And I opened the palm of my hand. His face paled.

"Give me my core back." He ordered.

"Not until you tell me a good reason"

"Give it BACK" he shouted.

I just stood there with a steely look on my face. Nobody makes my Mom cry and gets away with it.

"Tell me why you won't allow Mom do your makeup."

Then suddenly he broke down in tears. He kneeled down, face in palms. "That is because I ejaculate when I see myself in the mirror."

"Ejac-what?"

He pulled his dhavani a little to the side. "You see my penis sticking up?"

I didn't know what "penis" meant but I think he was referring to his wiener. So the scientific name of wiener is "penis"....

"Yeah... it happens to me too... why?"

"Its because of hormones in the body. When you are 15 or older, stuff will come out of your penis when you see something extremely sexy. That's what happened to me last year . But I somehow managed to hide it. That's why all of last year I learnt makeup by watching YouTube videos." he said, wiping his tears.

I didn't know what he was talking about but I think he was being pretty truthful.

"I don't care if you ejac or whatever. You didn't have to argue with her for that . And from tomorrow onwards, ask Mom to do your makeup. If you don't... just forget the Core. I will be having it until the holidays end"

"OK. I will tell her to do it." he sighed. "Keep my Core safe".

He knew better than to mess with me as the Core was extremely delicate.

I went to my room and wondered where to hide it. Then I had an idea. I took the battery out of my old phone and put the core in the battery slot. And I hid the phone carefully in between my boy clothes.

And next I needed to call Sanjana up. Messy business, this Sabha program.

"Hello? Oh Karthik its you. I signed you up fo... "

I cut her short. "Why did you do it Sanjana? There is barely 4 days left and we don't even have dance class as our teacher is out of town. Are you crazy?"

"Well ,its a duo dance and I couldn't think of anybody other than you... sorry"

"OK ... whatever. Come to my house now. I don't even know what the theme is."

"OK." came the cheerful reply. "15 minutes."

I sighed. What is this day turning out to be?

I spotted Gautam on the couch watching the morning shows. He had changed into a satin dress and was wearing better makeup than yesterday. Even his eyebrows were thinner. And when I sat on the couch his wiener stood up like the Eiffel tower. I moved away from him. Such a gross idiot.

"You think being gay is weird don't you?" he asked me. "Well even cross dressing is a part of gay culture."
I didn't reply. I wasn't on talking terms with him.

He was watching Mrs.Doubtfire on Star Movies. Haha.

Sometime later Mom called me from her room. "Karthik, can you come here for a moment please?"

I went into her room. She had her Macbook open. On it was a Bharathanatyam dress catalog. There were hundreds of colors. And there was a separate section for Bharathanatyam jewels.

"Choose what you like."

"Oh. I dont know Mom. There must be a theme and I dont know what it is."

"I do" answered a voice.

In came Sanjana. Wow. She was amazing as usual. Prim and pretty in a pink Churdidhar.

"What is the theme?" I asked.

"Radha and Krishna".

"Awww, come on". I facepalmed. "That theme has been done a million times. Almost every dancer does that."

"I have an idea. Karthik can be Radha and you can be Krishna, Sanjana." Mom suggested.

"Whaaaat? Are you crazy Mom? How can I be at the female end of a love story? I am not that perfect as a dancer."

"I like the idea." Sanjana said cheerfully.

'Yeah. You would like anything stupid.' But I didnt say that out loud.

"Choose this Aunty." Sanjana pointed to a dress in the catalog. "It should be perfect."

"Amazing Sanjana. I also chose the same thing." Mom joined in.

Tch. The day had been perplexing so far. So many things happening.

"Lets go to the terrace. See a few dance videos. Get an idea formed up. We can do this in 3 days." Sanjana said. But it sounded like she was trying to reassure herself.

And we began practicing. It was crappy at first. But soon everything formed up together, and we got the steps in mind.

Grandma came at 5:00 in the evening. I welcomed her. She was impressed of my avatar. But the icing on the cake for her was Sanjana who fell at Granny's feet when she saw her. She can play real sweet. And I got a look from Granny like 'learn some manners from her.'. Hmph.

Mom came back home only at 8:00 at night. She was pretty tired. She had a bag that said "Sun Gold Covering Store".

"Where were you Mom? Dont tell me you were at that covering shop all day." I said.

"You are an idiot Karthik. Have you forgotten what day is it tomorrow?"

"Uh... what?"

"Why do you think your Aunt and Granny have come?"

"Dunno. Maybe they wanted to see us"

"Tomorrow is the fifth day. Remember atleast now?"

Then it dawned on me. Tomorrow is the fifth day of Navratri. The biggest celebration of the neighborhood. We arrange all these pujas and invite all our neighbours. There would be Carnatic singing, Bharathanatyam. Gods how did I forget. Mom must have been around inviting everybody.

"Oh right. Oops. Sorry."

"I was around inviting everyone. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. Go to sleep. And Sanjana darling, I already told your Mom to come tomorrow at six. You also come ok."

"Yes Aunty. I will. Especially to see what Karthik is wearing tomorrow." and she smiled.

I blushed.

"Dont blush too much darling" Sanjana teased and pinched me in the hips. "Be in your best tomorrow okay?".

I nodded.

After she left I ate dinner and watched a few soap operas. Even after a female makeover I am not able to watch these things. So stupid. Always showing hospitals and crying daughter-in-laws.

I went to sleep later. That asshole Gautam was nowhere to be seen. Good riddance. And I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

The Navratri Diaries: Day 3

Day 3:

Mom woke me up at 5. At first my memory was completely blank... then my mind became clear. Gautam was coming today.

Gautam was my nephew. I hated that guy. Last time he came here he wrecked my PS3 playing Guitar Hero. One of the reasons why I had to buy  an Xbox. Mom had promised me a Diwali as a girl. She wanted me to look better than Gautam as she hates all of Dad's siblings, especially Anita Aunty. I was more enthusiastic than her as I wanted to avenge my PS3.

She took me to her makeup table first,removed my wig and wrapped a towel around me. She took some sort of long thread, stretched it and pulled it up and my eyebrows lengthwise. And my eyebrows had become needle thin. So this is what girls call threading.

Then I dont know what happened. Mom's hands launched into lightning speed. Various types of creams went on my face. Everything was a blur. Atlast she took two cucumber slices and placed them on my eyes. Any guy can understand when cucumbers are on the eyes. Mom had done a facial.

"Stay still until I tell you to get up" Mom ordered.

It was boring. But I felt something new. All that cold cream on my face and its smell. I enjoyed it.

After about half an hour Mom took the slices from  my eyes. She washed my face in the bathroom and took out every last bit of cream. And I looked up. It wasnt an increase in just skin brightness. My face had acquired a round shape and my cheekbones looked a bit elevated. And my skin glowed.

In other words even without any makeup I looked like a girl.

"Take a shower. Use my shampoo. I will prepare your dress." Mom said.

I did as she told. She had the sweetest smelling shampoo ever. It was named Le Chavermione or something. I came out after taking the shower.

"Mmmm. You smell good. Dont wear the bra yet." And she took out something that looked like a flat bra placed it below my chest, pulled the strip at front and made a tight lock. My chests had come closer and there was a deep gap between them. And she gave me a bra and the fake breasts. "You'll be wearing this today." And she took out a pattu pavada. Red color. I wore it. And that wiener of mine was sticking up again. I didnt know why.

The pattu pavada's neck was slightly low set. And the deep gap between the breasts was visible.

Mom did some amazing makeup again. That thing she puts on my eyelids... called eyeshadow I think.... was a red today. She used some cosmetics to make my eyes look sharp. Then came kajal and eyeliner. She put some golden stuff all over my face. Pardon me but I know nothing about makeup. How did my brother learn all that? And finally she set a designer bindi on my forehead.

Mom took out a covering gold jewellery set. It was inset with fake rubies. It looked totally ethnic.

The jumkas were heavy. The feeling was awesome. Mom put two different necklaces around my neck. One was a short necklace that shaped in a sort of 'V'.... you would find them in a bridal jewellery set. And a long necklace.

She fixed the wig on my head and did a super tight and dense single braid. She fixed some round ornament at the starting point of my braid apparently called a 'billai'. And came the jasmine. A double strand was pinned to my braid.

Mom took out a small bindi. It looked like a super small diamond to me and she pasted it on my nose. And voilà, a nose stud.

I looked in the mirror. The end result. There was no boy there. Only a 12 year old girl. I wanted to kiss myself. Hollywood is missing a master beautician.

"You look so beautiful you know. Had your Dad met you before he met me he would have definitely married you. You are going to have lines of suitors waiting to make you their bride."

My face went a deep pink. "I love you so much Mom. Believe me, Aunty and Gautam are going to be so shocked at your handiwork." And I hugged my Mom

"OK Anjali. Go and wait for them. I need to take my bath. Remember, perfect girl manners. "

I went down and switched on the TV. It was 8 'o' clock. I watched TV for about an hour and the doorbell rang. Oh you could pretty much guess who it was. My intolerable cousin and his mother were here.

Gautam was dressed as a girl too. He was wearing a flowy black dress. Anita Aunty was a fashion designer. That dress must have been her own creation. His Mom had done his makeup pretty well. But one look at him and I knew it. My Mom was hell better than Anita Aunty at makeup.

"Hello Aunty. Its been a long time."

"Who are you dear? I dont think I've seen you before?"

Sweet. She thinks I am a girl.

"Aunty dont you recognize me? Its me Karthik".

"Karthik ? Oh my god it is you. Ypu look so cute and girly. Your Mother has done a great job." Her eyes drifted towards her son. Which meant I look better.

I invited them into the hall. I also brought them glasses of water on a tray behaving like a perfect girl. The jasmine's smell was so intoxicating.

Gautam hadnt said a word yet. I yhink he must be amazed at my Mom's skill. He was fair complexioned like me. His glasses looked girly. But his makeup wasnt "Madhumita Ravichandran" branded. His Mom had done a good job. But his eyebrows were thick and he hadnt removed his body hair.  But he wasnt all that bad. My only fear was what was in his handbag. I hope not a Xbox Version of Guitar Hero. I hate that game.

"You look good Karthik" were his first words.

"Thanks. Oh look, Mom's here."

Mom was dressed in the same outfit as usual. Jeans and a T-shirt. But that makeup....

"Hi Madhu. You've done a good job. He looks like a daughter you didnt have." Anita Aunty complimented.

"Well Anita, seems like you have done a good job too. Hello little girl, how are your studies going?" Mom asked Gautam.

Gautam went pink with shyness.

"OK make yourself comfortable Anita. I'll bring the breakfast." said Mom

"I'll help you Mom"  I volunteered.

The breakfast was already done. The awesome smell of idlis wafted up my nose pushing the smell of the jasmine out. Our cook is the best.

When we were in the kitchen Mom came and whispered two words in my ears.

"Happy Diwali".

I went over the head with joy. Yes I had won. Mom is going to make me up as a girl this Diwali too. Yay!

Gautam marvelled at my beauty during breakfast. I could feel his eyes upon me the whole time.

All of a sudden Anita Aunty asked "Where is Anirudh?"

Mom frowned in contempt. I didnt know why. She loved Anirudh a lot. I need to find out. "I'll go and call him.

I went into his room. How does he manage to look so beautiful. If i were that beautiful I would kiss myself 50 times in the mirror. He was wearing a copper sulphate blue silk churdidar. His hair was in a braid with some jasmine. His hair near the ears were curled. And he was wearing fake diamond jewellery. Gosh. I wish I could marry him.

He was browsing on that website...whats that name... Face.....umm Face..... aah yeah Facebook. He was browsing on Facebook when I went in.

"Mom's calling you down bro. Anita Aunty has come and she wants to see you." I said.

"I'll come. 2 minutes." His voice was a bit rough.

I went back downstairs. "Yeah he's coming."

Anirudh greeted my Aunty when he came down. He talked to her for 5 minutes and took his breakfast upto his room. And the shocking thing he didnt even look at Mom. And Mom didnt look at him either.

"How can you do this Madhu? You are the best beautician ever. Anirudh looks so amazing."

"I didnt do it."

What the hell? Mom's eyes were red.

"Mom are you all right?"

"Yes I am. Please excuse me Anita." Eyes teared up she went back to her room.

We three looked at each other for a few seconds.

"Seems like she has some problem. I will go find out what it is." Anita Aunty got up. "You two play together and have fun." And she went to Mom's room.

I decided to overhear their conversation. But I needed to get rid of Gautam.

"Hey try playing on my Xbox. Its pretty cooler than PS3." I offered. I cant believe I was saying this. Under different conditions I would have never let him play on it. "But dont play Guitar Hero".

"But I have only a PS3 version of Guitar Hero. Nkt the Xbox one. "came his reply. Phew.

I quickly downloaded an App from the Play Store. It takes in speech and boosts the volume enabling me too hear the conversation through my earphones.

"....does he hate me? I've been doing his makeup for the past four years and all of a sudden he wants to do it on his own now? "

"Come on Madhu. Stop crying. Why do you behave like a child? He is a teenager and would like some solitude. He loves you a lot. Just because he argued doesnt mean he hates you. Adolescence comes as a tight spot in everybody's life. Parents have to cope with it. Try to understand him..."

So that was it. Anirudh had argued with Mom that he doesnt want her to do his makeup. I will have to talk to him about this. How could he argue with Mom?

But before that I decided to something else. I needed to open my own Facebook account. And thats what I did. It is pretty good. I was surprises to see that many of my classmates were there on facebook. Even Sanjana was there on facebook. She waa the first person I added to my friend's list. I was on facebook all day.

Mom told me that Anita Auny would sleep in the guest room while Gautam was to sleep with me. Grrrrr!

When I went to bed I had a surprise waiting for me. Anita Aunty had bought a nighty for me. It was satin soft, pink in color. I wore it. And that wiener was sticking up again. I went to bed thinking about tomorrow. I had knock some sense into Anirudh. Next to me Gautam was sleeping in his own nighty after a whole day of GTA 4. Maybe Anita Aunty waant so bad after all.

The Navratri Diaries: Day 2

Day 2:

Was yesterday a dream? Looking down at myself I felt happy. It wasnt a dream. I had slept in my pajamas while still wearing my bra, fake breasts and my wig. I had removed all my jewellery and makeup the night before. I wonder what Mom had in store for today.

I went to Mom's room. She was speaking to someone on the phone.

"Oh all right Anita, have a safe journey" Mom ended the call...

My aunt?

Anita is the name of my Dad's brother's wife. She lived in Illinois, US. She had a son the same age as me.

"Was that Anita aunty on the phone Mom? Why did she call up? That too at six in the morning?"

"She is coming tomorrow morning. She is bringing her son with her too." Mom sighed. I knew how much she hates her sister-in-laws.
"Look Karthik. I want you to look 10 times more beautiful than her son. If you do that, I promise that I will make you up as a girl this Diwali too."

My eyes lighted up. What better offer could there be?

"OK Mom. I will. So what are you going to do today? Pavada again?"

"No. Go modern today. First take a bath and come. Remove your wig and breasts before that. "

I did what she said. I used some of my Mom's Yardley soap..... lavender..... nice smell....

I came out wearing the new white bra and panty that Mom had kept in the bathroom. I had inserted the breasts myself.

Mom took out a white satin top and jeans. The top was tight and my breasts were extruding a lot.  Mom smiled and pressed the breasts jokingly.

"Mom.. stop that..."

I sat at the makeup table. Mom did the same thing as yesterday except it was silver color on the eyelids today.

"I will try something new on you tomorrow okay? Look simple today. "

My mom clipped those huge hoop type earrings, a simple silver chain with a heart pendant and a bracelet on my left hand. She removed yesterday's violet nailpolish and applied a white one today. She straightened my hair down, pulled a part of my hair into a high horsetail with a white hairband. Casual and modern.

"You look so great today. Your makeup's done. Go. " Mom said.

I decided to check on my brother first. But his room was still locked. I guess he was still asleep. Better not disturb him.

It was Xbox time again when the doorbell rang.  I went to check. It was a courier guy from FedEx . I switched to girly voice mode.

"Yes ?".

"Uh its a courier from the US for uh....Mrs. Ravichandran."...

"One second let me call my mother. MOOOM. ITS A COURIER FOR YOU."

Mom came into the lobby pushing her curly hair back.

"What ...who... oh a courier."

"Please sign here madam."

I noticed something. The asshole had been looking at my breasts the whole damn time. Apparently Mom noticed it too.

She smiled curiously but put on a stern voice.

" Excuse me?"

"What? Oh yeah the sign. Thanks Ma'am. Have a great day" He looked flustered....

"Very responsible of you to work this early." Mom replied.

"Thanks ma'am. Yes we are the best courier service ma'am. Please use FedEx again. Goodbye Ma'am".

Mom closed the door. "Dont go and open the door just like that idiot. Saw that guy? You have to be more careful. Anyways lets see whats in here."  She opened the parcel. "A phone and a tablet.... I think its for you guys. One of the boxes says Nexus 7 and the other says Nexus 4. There's a note from your dad. Lets see ...

'Dear Karthik,
Your Navratri must be going great.... sorry I didnt send a gift on your birthday.... I know how much you love Android. So I sent a surprise gift. Take the phone for yourself and give the tablet to your brother. He'll need it for studying. Happy Navratri. Brings back memories.....

With love,
Dad.

'
"

I almost fainted from happiness. A NEXUS 4? OMG! It has the best specs a device in that price range could have. Of course. Like every good phone that existed, it wasnt released in India. Android Jellybean 4.1. Ooh.

"He didnt send me anything. What a cheap guy." Mom muttered.

I know why he didnt. Mom loves Blackberry (For some unknown reason.... I hate it)....  and little did she know that Blackberry 10 is supposed to come out this December. Dad was simply awesome.

I forgot all about the Xbox. I took out the SIM from my old Samsung Galaxy S2 to the new phone. And I started exploring it.

A few hours later Mom came down the stairs. "Karthik can you help me?"

"Yeah ?".

"Can you go the grocery and get these things for me?" She said.

"Mom do you seriously think I can pass as a girl in the public?"

"You certainly can. Be a good girl now and just get these things. Just do what I taught you."  She handed me a small list.

Yes. A week ago Mom had started teaching me female mannerisms. Walking, talking, hand positions all that.

So nervously, I went. Fortunately some of the rogue kids in the neighbourhood had went to their respective hometowns. I went down the street and onto the main road. I looked at my reflection on a car glass when something unexpected happened.... Oh no. My wiener was sticking up again. And as I was wearing pants today I could see it sticking up. Oh shit, girls dont have wieners... if i didnt hide it soon enough I could attract awkward looks from bygoers.

I stood behind the car pretending to check my phone while facing away from the street. Atlast my wiener became normal again and not visible anymore.

Heaving a sigh of relief I went into the store. Took a basket and started searching for the things in the list.

I couldnt find one of the sauces in the list. I was scratching my head when one of the staff came up.

"Can I help you Ma'am ?"

Switch on Girl Mode.

"Ooh yeah...um... can you get me this uhhhh... Ta... Tabas..." I pretented to stammer. Of course I knew what Tabasco meant.

"It should be Tabasco sauce Ma'am. I will help you." And he got the little bottle out.

"Oh. Thank you so much."

"My pleasure Ma'am"

I win! People who saw me today considered me a girl. I put on a cute smile as I gave the basket at the bill counter. Learnt how to smile from reading Japanese Manga by the way.

I came back home and told my mom about how everyone thought I was a girl. She kissed me on the cheek.

I went to check on my brother again. The door was open. Inside he was using the new tablet. His hair in a simple ponytail. He was wearing a blue and pink pavada dhavani today. Not much jewellery. But his makeup was flawless. How did he learn so much?

"What ?" he asked.

"Oh um nothing. Did Mom give you the tablet." I replied.

"Yeah.... she gave it. Pretty good, isnt it?"

"Of course. So I was uh wondering whether you would come down and play Mortal Kombat with me."

He sighed "I'm studying but uh OK. I'll come."

And we played Mortal Kombat all day. He won more games than me. I leaned on his shoulder while playing. I loved my brother a lot. He was as much as a role model to me as my Dad. I wish I could be as beautiful as him.

When it was time to sleep, I removed my makeup and the jewellery but I went to sleep in my dress. And that wiener was sticking up again. What a nice day.

The Navratri Diaries: Day 1

My very first story.... hope you like it...

Atlast. Navratri had begun. I couldnt be any happier. Pretty normal for you to wonder why a guy should be so happy about Navratri. Well would you believe if I told you our family custom?
Ours is one of the wealthiest families in the city. We have had this custom from about 200 years ago.  Every boy in the household aged between 12 and 24 is supposed to spend the Navratri days as  a girl. Unbelievable, isnt it?

We are a family of 4. My Dad is an Engineer, my Mom is a housewife but before getting married she was a Hollywood Makeup Artist. And me and my elder brother.

You would have guessed it by now. Yes, my brother and my father have also spent their Navratri dressed as girls. I havent seen my father dressed up but my brother..... HE IS DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS. He is super slim and not that tall. He is sixteen now studying for the board exams. Enough introduction. Shall we go into the story now.

Day 1:
Mom woke me up pretty early.  I was ready for the grand day. My first venture into the feminine world. I was happy. Four years ago when my Mom told my bro about this custom I was scared for some unknown reason. But seeing how awesome my brother looked after his first makeover I was amazed. And its my turn now.

Mom took me into her bathroom. She took out a tube from the mirror cupboard.

"Whats that Mom?".
"Hmmm, its Anne Frank".....

Whatever that meant. She applied it all over me. Then she told me to take a bath in the shower. Aaaah, Roca shower. Almost like one's under a waterfall. Then through the steam i saw something. Hair going toward the drain. My hands flew to my head. Phew ..my hair was still there.

I came out of the shower. My mom was waiting with.... what was that.... A BRA?

" Mom ?," I asked. "Some hair was going into the drain. But didnt seem like it was mine" And I noticed something... where was the hair on my arms and chest? Yes I was just twelve, but still then I had some hair.

"Well Karthik, thats what Anne Frank is for. You are glowing smooth now... Come here" Mom said.

She had a bra and panty set. Well I never expected this. True, me and my brother had spent the past few weeks shopping clothes with my Mom. But I never remembered buying this.

'Pink Color. Oh great', I thought.

I managed to wear the panty Mom gave me. Soft. Super soft. Then Mom told me to turn around with my back to her. She put the bra on me and hooked the back.  Then she went back to her bedroom and brought in a carton box. I looked in and WHAT? FAKE BREASTS?

A question came up to my lips.

"Why are you so enthusiastic about dressing us up Mom? You went as far as to buying fake breasts.".

Mom smiled. "Brings back many great memories to me. Makeup is a form of art. Doing it for others, especially my own sons, gives me immense happiness".

Mom was happy. What more could I want?

"Anything you tell me to do Mom, I will do it."

Her smile widened. She inserted the fakies into the bra. They felt almost real.

She took me to her dressing table. It looked like a beauty store to me. She took out a cylindrical box first, took out the paste in it and put it all over my face. The box was labeled "MUA Foundation" or something... then a weirdly colored powder.... my face was so smooth now. She took out a long black pencil, sharpened it and drew my eyebrows into shape. Then came kajal, mascara and eyeliner. Then she glued some fake lashes to my eye. She took out a palette, put a small brush on it and painted my eyelids a light violet. Oh gods. I looked awesome in the mirror. She took out another two palettes, took a bigger brush and applied it all over my cheeks. Suddenly my cheeks looked a bit pinkish, the palette lid said 'Lakme Artist: Blush '.

Atlast the lips. My mom took out a dark pink lipstick and applied it. She also used some lip gloss and another pencil called a 'Lip liner' (by now you would have come to know that I had zero makeup knowledge.)....

Mom had done an awesome job. She says its the simplest thing she had ever done. WHO IS THAT GIRL IN THE MIRROR?!"..... Awesome.

Mom opened her wardrobe and took out my newly stiched pattu pavadas. She took out violet. Naturally. Violet was her most favourite color. It even had some glittery stone work done on it.

I wore it. The rush of adrenaline when your body suddenly touches the silk. Awesome.

Well I was almost ready. Mom brought out a case. Fake Diamond jewellery set. She loved it.  Mom attached the clip-on earrings and the necklace went around my neck. Another box had anklets and bangles in it. Matching bangles. I wore nearly 10 on each hand.  The anklet sounded great too.

Atlast. The wig. It was a bit advanced. It is designed so that it doesnt fall from your head. Some velcro tactics. Mom placed the wig on my head and did a single braid. She was an expert at this.  She attached the nethichutti that came along with the necklace. She went to the refrigerator and brought out strands of the fresh jasmine. She pinned nearly four yards of jasmine to my braid. It felt extremely awesome with so much jasmine falling over the shoulder. She applied nailpolish to all my nails.

I was done.

I was amazing. It felt like a totally different dimension. The jingling sound of the bangles, anklets, the feeling of my nethichutti on my forehead and the smell of jasmine, the feeling of the fake breasts, this is what it meant to be a girl.

Mom kissed me on the cheek. " My second daughter. I will call you Anjali. You are such a cute darling".

I felt something weird when I looked at myself in the mirror again. My wienie was sticking up. Ooh. That had never happened before.

Anyways, I kissed Mom back. She had made me beautiful.

I raced into the hall. Bangles and anklets jangling, jasmine dancing on my shoulder and I threw myslef on the couch. It was a holiday. So I switched on my TV, booted up my Xbox and inserted my Max Payne 3 DVD.  The intro played. Suddenly a voice yelled "TURN DOWN THE VOLUME KARTHIK!!".

My brother.

His name is Anirudh. Mom had purchased pavada dhavanis for him this year as was the custom.  I decided to take a look at him.

I went up to his room. He was a computer geek like me but always tops the class. He is pretty serious about his board exams. And he was studying now. Poor guy.

I went into his room.

OH MY GOD!! HE LOOKED A LOT MORE AWESOME THAN ME! He was wearing a frilly cream colured dhavani and a golden pavada. He was wearing covering jewellery. His long wig was in a braid, jasmine adorned and even had a kunjalam at the bottom(three balls of hair tied at the end of a braid.) His lips were cherry red and his eyes were beautifully kajal rimmed. Last year he was cute. But this year.... he was sexy.

"You look beautiful bro." I complimented.

"Thanks. I did it myself this year".

He did it himself? Awesome.

The doorbell rang. Yes I was expecting this. A challenge to my looks. I need the visitor to think I'm a girl.

I raced to the door. The camera screen next to the door showed a girl that I knew very well. My classmate-cum-crush Sanjana.

I braced myself and opened the door. She was dressed just like me. All traditional in a green pattu pavada. Her hair was in a double braid. She was so cute. One of the reasons I had a crush on her was because she was a hardcore video game fan. And she was pretty close to my family as our mothers had been friends in their school days and she knew about our Navratri custom.

"Uh...yes, who do you want?" I hid back a chuckle.

"Um.... is Karthik at home.... he told me to come today...and uh ... WAIT A SECOND..... Karthik you devil, its you! Oh my god arent you a darling"

I grinned "Heh I fooled you."

"You certainly did." Saying so ,she kissed me.

Score!

"So " I said , blushing ," come in"...

"I have to admit Karthik you look so cute and perfect. I am so jealous"....

We sat on the couch. The Max Payne main menu was still there.... I gave Sanjana a controller and I took mine. And we were playing for hours on multiplayer. While one part of my brain was concentrated on the game the other part was taking in the awesome girly feeling. My jasmine was so sensuous, my lips tasted sweet and the weight of my wig..... glorious.

It was nearly five in the evening when we put our controllers down. Mom came up to me. She was dressed in an awesome magenta silk saree and the most perfect makeup. "We are going to the temple Karthik. Hello dear Sanjana you want to come with us? "

"Hi Aunty" said Sanjana "Yes Mother would be leaving for the temple too in a short time. We can go together."

"Alright I'll call your mom up dear... Karthik come with me" Mom called me.

We went back to her dressing table. Mom gave me a touchup. The air conditioning in our house was perfect and I didnt even have a single drop of sweat. My Mom called up Sanjana's mom to come over.

My brother came down the stairs. He had changed into a red and creme pavada dhavani. Sexier than ever.

And so we went to the temple. Hardly anybody recognised us as boys. We had dinner out at a restaurant and went home. The best day ever.

I will post Day 2 soon.