Days slowly turned into weeks, and Tanish had now become Tania in the transgender community under the strict guidance of Guru Maa Radha. Outwardly, he wore sarees, jewelry, and makeup like the others, but within, he still carried his masculine instincts. His posture, the way he walked, even the sharpness of his voice at times—all betrayed him.

Swapna constantly shielded him, covering up whenever his slip-ups almost exposed his truth. But Guru Maa Radha wasn’t blind. She had observed him closely and often felt a growing uneasiness about hiding him within the community.

One afternoon, the group was invited to the home of a senior police officer to bless his newborn child. As was customary, the chelas danced, clapped, and sang in their typical high-pitched tones. Tania, with trembling hands, tried to blend in. The bright silk saree and stuffed blouse gave him an appearance of belonging—but destiny played a cruel joke.

As the group swayed, one of the oranges tucked into Tania’s blouse slipped out, rolled on the floor, and stopped near the feet of a female constable who stood watching. Her sharp eyes immediately caught the oddity. She frowned, stepped forward, and pulled Tania aside.

“Arrey, who are you really? Show me your Aadhaar,” the constable demanded, suspicion rising in her voice.

Tania froze. His hands shook. His lips quivered but no words came. Just then, Guru Maa Radha intervened, placing her protective hand on Tania’s shoulder.

“This chela is new,” Radha explained calmly, her tone firm but sweet. “She is preparing for her surgery soon, that is why she struggles sometimes. Don’t worry, she is one of us.”

The constable wasn’t fully convinced but out of respect for Radha, she let the matter drop. The group finished their blessing and left the police quarters in silence.

That evening, a heavy atmosphere filled Radha’s home. She called for a private meeting with her chelas—but excluded Tania. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Radha looked at Swapna with stern eyes.

“Swapna,” Radha began, “this boy cannot be hidden anymore. Today was just one incident. Tomorrow the police will drag him away and we all will suffer. It is too dangerous.”

Swapna folded her hands, her eyes moist. “Guru Maa, please. Tanish once saved my life. I owe him everything. Don’t abandon him now. Help me protect him. I will take the responsibility.”

Radha exhaled deeply, thinking. Finally, she spoke: “There is only one way. If he is to stay, he must not just look like us from outside—he must become one of us, at least in appearance. You must start giving him estrogen. Only then can he survive among us without suspicion.”

Swapna’s heart sank. She knew the consequences of such a path, but she also knew she had no choice. With a heavy nod, she agreed.

From the next day, Swapna quietly began mixing strong estrogen dosages into Tanish’s morning coffee. At first, he noticed nothing. But soon, small changes crept in. His hand gestures grew softer, his facial expressions gentler. He even began noticing an odd sensation in his chest—a tender bulge forming slowly.

One evening, as they sat together, Tanish hesitantly asked, “Swapna… can you see any difference? My chest… it feels strange. Like… like something is growing.”

Swapna forced a smile, hiding her guilt. “Arrey, that’s just because of the bra you are wearing every day. Don’t worry, it is temporary. Once you go back to your old life, it will all vanish.”

Her words calmed him, but deep inside, Tanish wasn’t fully convinced.

That same night, Swapna went to Radha’s room and confessed everything. “Guru Maa, I gave him the doses as you told me. He is changing, slowly. But he still doesn’t know the truth.”

Radha looked at her with an unshakable seriousness. “Swapna, remember what I told you from the first day—if he wants to live, he must sacrifice. This is his only chance. And listen carefully, today the police came to my home and asked about him. Somehow, I managed with my words. But how long do you think we can keep fooling them? Times have changed. Police no longer leave things easily. Understand the situation—it is becoming dangerous day by day.”

Swapna lowered her head, her heart heavy with both fear and pity. She had promised to save Tanish, but in doing so, she had unknowingly begun shaping him into someone entirely different—into Tania.

P.S: This story is a purely fictional story and any resemblance of characters in real life is just a coincidence.