Iravan stepped into the hallowed grounds of his dream college, St. Teresa’s. It was located on the hills, just outside of Pune. For the last five years, he dreamed of getting into this college and preparing day and night for it. Now that he had cracked it, it just seemed so surreal to him.

The first day was the interaction day. Ragging was strictly prohibited on campus. However, the college had put a system where the seniors and sophomores helped the freshers ease into the new academic life, which was quite different from their school days. The idea was to let them know about the academic life, the co-curricular activities, the sports facilities, the college’s fests, and get to know each other better. After the first day, the classes started, but the workload was deliberately kept at a minimum to help the students acclimatize with the new environment.

Iravan was grouped with Sandhya and Joseph of his batch and was supposed to meet with Radha, Neha and Raji from the second year. The senior girls met the three of them with glee. They took a genuine interest in what the juniors were saying. When they felt that the juniors were shying for some reason, they prodded and encouraged them to speak up. They introduced themselves that Radha was in the cultural club and Raji was the sports captain. Neha was Raji’s roommate and was the one who would come up with strange ideas for fun. For example, last year, they decided to appear for their exams in sarees, fully decked up with all the accessories. The students and the invigilators looked on with surprise when these girls entered the exam hall. The other time, she made the other two come with her dressed in white with some makeup and went to those areas at night where the couples used to make out. Seeing their ghostly appearance, the ones who were there had a real scare. However, she was also good while taking any joke on herself. After the interaction, the seniors showed the three of them the academic block and the mess, for these would be the places that would matter the most shortly for them.

After classes on the second day, the six of us met again in the mess and chatted while having their food. Then the seniors showed them the happening places of the campus, the sports complex, the auditorium, the snack shack. On the third day, they sat on the lawns and chit-chatted about college life. Radha said that the seniors would organize the Freshers’ Day for them. It will be a lot of fun, dance, and games. The juniors’ faces lit up hearing that. They started asking what party games are played during the party, how long can they stay out for, etc. They also began to discuss what they would wear.

“Hey, I have an idea.”, said Neha.

All of them looked at her. The evil twinkle in her eyes said that she had come up with another one of her crazy ideas.

“Why not all of us go to the party in a themed outfit?”

“What do you mean?” asked Raji.

“I have not thought through the details now. But, how about this, the six of us should have a similar theme when we go to the party.”

“Okaaay…. that seems vague, but I am getting your point.”, said Radha.

“You mean like we should, and this is just the idea, wear the outfits of Scooby-Doo and the gang? That would be fun. I am down for it.”, Joseph said.

Neha high fived Joseph and exclaimed, “I like this guy.”

“But no, that would be…. Like… we would stand out of the crowd. We have to do something zany, but also that ensures that we can freely intermingle.”

“How about this? The six of us dress up in similar sarees or similar dresses.”, proposed Raji.

“Nice roomie, seems like my effect is rubbing off on you.”

Joseph and Iravan looked at each other and then at others dumbfounded.

“C’mon, wearing those would not be as weird as wearing Scooby-Doo outfits.”, said Neha.

Radha understood that the guys were in shock and said, “Arey, nothing has been decided as yet. We can change the idea. If you want, we can all dress up in our own clothes in our own way. No issues. But this seems fun to these two, and if I speak frankly to me as well. Don’t worry about this. We are not going to force you. But think it over. It will be fun. And if you decide not to do it, then also it’s cool. But then you should have a better plan. Shall we meet tomorrow, then?

With this, the six of them dispersed.

Iravan and Joseph did not speak a word while going to their room.

They kept the bag on the chair and lay on their beds, looking at the ceiling.

“Dude, what do you think?” asked Joseph.

“Bhai, I can’t think anything.”

“It seems fun to me. Though working it out will be tough, I think.”

“Yeah, it does sound fun. But…”

“But what man?”

“What would others think? See, I have not dated anyone yet. I spent the last five years preparing to get into this college. I ignored everything. I had hoped that I would make a girlfriend here. What would she think of me when she sees me in a dress? All the girls will say no. They might think that I am not straight or something else…I don’t know.” Iravan seemed frustrated.

He continued, “See, I know that it is just a dress, and maybe it would be fun. But then, not everyone understands it. We may be the laughingstock of the batch for our full term here.”

“See, brother, would you ask someone for a date who is so close-minded to think on those lines? And do you think that if we get bullied for wearing a saree, we will take it lying down?” Joseph asked.

“Hmm…there is a point in what you are saying. Anyway, the world is changing. The outlook towards the LGBTQ community is more accepting. It would take a lot more effort to bring everyone on the same level, but hopefully, things will be better in the future. I think we can do it, brother. And if someone has a problem with it, then we will deal with them later.”

“So, we’ll say yes to the seniors tomorrow?”

Iravan affirmed. “Yes, and now I have an idea as well as to how we can dress up.”

With this being out of the way, they spent the rest of the day preparing for the next day’s class.

The next day, the six of them had a minimal talk during lunch that mostly revolved around their classes. The three seniors looked at the boys expectantly when they reached the lawn

Finally, Joseph and Iravan smiled.

“Yes, we will do it.”

“Yessssss.”, cheered the three seniors. Sandhya was also visibly happy.

“Wait, wait. Iravan also has an idea.”, Joseph said.

All five of them turned towards Iravan and waited.

“Woah, relax. I am feeling the pressure.”

Everyone cracked a smile.

“So, I was thinking that maybe we can wear similar outfits but themed on the pride flag.”

“Not a bad idea. Radha herself is a member of the Pride club of the campus. This is genius, Iravan.”, Neha said.

P.S: This story was written by Pankhuri. All rights reserved to her. This story is posted over here by taking consent from her.