Ahana's POV

Everyone had just returned from the wedding, they were celebrating as today they received so much money because it was from a minister's son's wedding. I was sitting on the couch and still worried about Manvi, especially her harsh behaviour towards me in the evening.

She had not even stepped out of the room since she had returned back from school. The door of the room opened and she glanced at everyone. She shouted "enough... band karo ye shor sharaba (stop this noise)"

I glanced at her in a state of shock as she had never reacted this way. Past, 18 years this has been part of her life daily and she often used to enjoy this and became part of our celebrations.

She approached the lady who was playing the drum, she held the drum stick and threw it away. She said in a harsh tone "can't you understand? I am sleeping inside please don't disturb"

Everyone stared at her in shock, Sneha said "What are you saying mannu? Come dance along with us.. Which you often do" she held her hand but Manvi jerked her hand away.

"I don't want to be part of all this! I am not one of you understand that" she shouted.

I moved to her and turned her around. I scolded her "what behaviour is this?? Mind your language mannu"

Manvi closed her eyes and just went back inside the room, closing the door with bang.

Nisha glanced at me and said "told you Ahana.. One day this girl is going to insult us!"

"Shut up Nisha..." I said and went towards the door. I opened the door and found Manvi lying on the bed hugging the pillow tightly.

I sat down beside her, she looked away. I asked her "What happened?? Why are you so angry?"

"It's nothing," she replied.

"Don't lie, why are you behaving rudely with everyone?" I questioned her.

"I don't want to talk about this," she said and lay down on the bed covering herself with the blanket.

I pulled away from the blanket and turned her around. I looked straight into her eyes and said "I want answers.."

"Nothing.. Can I sleep? I have college tomorrow.. Aapki wajah se late nahi hona chahti hun subah.." she spoke and turned to the left side leaving me in a state of shock.

She never behaved so harshly to me in the past 18 years no matter how frustrated she is. I lay down beside her, pulling herself closer to me but she jerked away. I was so hurt with this, instantly tears brimmed down my eyes. I wiped them before they could spread around my face.

I just couldn't sleep the whole night, I won't be in peace till she tells me the reason for her bitterness. I stepped out of the room and stood in the queue of the washroom.

Sneha asked, "Did you talk to manvi?"

"I did, but she didn't tell me anything.. I am sure something must have happened in college" I assumed and shared with her my worries.

"Don't worry, she can't stay angry for long," Sneha said with a smile.

I hoped for the same, I freshened up and then was heading towards the room but stopped midway when I saw Manvi stepping out of the room.

I was really surprised, she woke up by herself but then noticed her red eyes and dark circles below. She had not slept the whole night.

She passed by me, I held her wrist and stopped her "mannu we need to talk.. "

"I will get late for college.. Maybe later" she replied, without looking straight at me. She was just avoiding me.

I pulled her and asked, "you are avoiding me why?"

She just looked at me and went to the bathroom pushing the lady who was waiting for her turn. I took a deep breath and went to the kitchen.

I prepared breakfast and packed her tiffin. I heard Sneha's sound "mannu wait..."

I turned off the stove and moved out. Manvi had left the house, without taking her lunch and waving me bye.

Were my dreams going to turn true? I will lose my daughter? I closed my eyes and composed myself not to let such thoughts arrive in my mind. I also left for school without having breakfast.

Manvi's POV

I reached the institute, I saw Shruti standing at the door with her new friend. I moved to her, the girl left. Shruti also turned to leave but I stopped her "Wait Shruti..."

But she just ignored me and went inside the institute. I followed her and said "shruti wait yaar.. What's wrong, why aren't you talking to me? What's my mistake"

She stopped at her place, she turned at me and said "sorry mannu.. But my parents have told to stay away from you because your mother is transgender"

I looked at her blankly, like others she is also narrow minded. I questioned her "so??"

"They are not part of our world and you are living there since your birth.. Kya pata tum bhi wahi ho aur apni identity chupa rahi ho" Shruti commented, leaving me hurt.

My eyes turned moist hearing her, she was my first friend in the institute and today she is abandoning me. I plastered a smile on my face and went to the corridor.

I saw many of the students staring at me, passing such comments which I can't describe in words.

I moved to the cafeteria and saw my other friends. I moved to their table, they were laughing but once I reached they turned silent. Everyone left making excuses. I was just so annoyed by this.

I just ran away from there dropping my bag and books. I sat down the stairs and hid my face in between my knees crying silently. I was the loneliest child ever, first in school I didn't have any friends and now in college too.

Someone tapped my shoulder, I looked up straight and was surprised to see the person standing in front of me. He handed me my bags and books.

He passed me a smile and said "don't cry.. It doesn't suit you"

I smiled slightly at him, he signalled me. I nodded my head in yes. He sat down beside me and said "I saw what happened in the cafeteria with you"

"You also have to taunt me?" I asked.

"No.. I just want to say.. Nobody wants to be your friend because you come from a place and people who don't exist in our society" he replied.

"But, I am a normal girl.. Why should I be punished?" I said in a broken tone.

He smiled and said "because she is your mother.. And a child's identity is always from its parent"

I looked on at him, I was thinking about his words. I stood up and went to my classroom. I sat down beside Sneha but she moved to the bench behind me. I sighed, suddenly something hit my head.

It was a paper ball, I opened it and read the liner "male or female??" I sighed and threw it away in anger. I had enough for the day, I abruptly left the classroom and locked myself into the washroom.

I sat down and began to cry out loud.. "I can't handle this mental pressure again..." 

I closed my eyes and composed myself. After about 30 minutes I unlock the door but it wasn't opening. I pulled it, even pushed it but it went in vain.

I panicked, it seemed like someone had locked it from outside.

To be continued...