At Home

Ahana placed her trophy and degree certificate in the showcase. Manvi smiled while Ahana admired the name "Manvi Ahana". Ahana turned towards her and kissed her forehead "I am so proud of you!

"I am glad Mumma! I made you proud" Manvi replied.

Nisha turned on the music system and said "it's time to celebrate!"

Manvi chuckled like a kid hearing this and the party started. The food was ordered from the restaurant and everyone was celebrating her achievement.

Manvi's POV

I just can't believe it, I have spent 22 years of my life with people who are always hated and mistreated by society. They gave me so much love, values, even fought for me. How can anyone hate such a pure heart? Dil ki nazar se Khubsurat hai mera aur inka saath.. (our relationship is beautiful by heart), these people will never understand but I will show them the talent of my family and hopefully, it will bring a change in society.

Ahana approached me and asked, "Did you attend the placement interview?"

I glanced at her tensely, I smiled and replied "no.."

Ahana was shocked to hear it. She panicked and asked "why? Are you out of your mind? It was so important. You could have got the job.."

I sighed deeply "I won't mumma! You know my life has been full of challenges and rejections." I exclaimed.

"So what? You managed to get the degree! Then why not the job?" she asked, crossing her arms around the chest.

"Mumma.. I want to do something for you.. And everyone here" I said.

Everyone eyed me, Ahana was perplexed. She said "what??"

I told her about my dream of owning a theatre and artists will be all the transgender across India who will perform.

Everyone was stunned hearing me, Ahana scolded me "Are you mad mannu? These people don't even come closer to us! And you want them to attend our performances.."

"Mumma please trust me.. People will come, appreciate the talent" I said though I wasn't confident about it.

Ahana sighed "no mannu! I don't want you to waste your time to earn us the respect in society.. I want you to focus on your career.. And after a few years your marriage.."

I said in anger "I don't want to get married.. I had chosen my career that's my final decision"

"Mannu.." Ahana was strictly against my decision.

I stamped my foot in anger.. "Fine then I will leave the house and never come back" I was about to head towards the exit door but Ahana held my wrist.

"Stop this drama! Why are you so stubborn? This is impossible mannu.." Ahana said.

I turned and denied "no mumma it's not impossible.. I have planned everything. We need to do a show and make it a hit. And I can't do it without your blessings and guidance.. Please let me try for once if I fail I promise I will look for a job" I tried my best to convince her.

Ahana stood there silently for a moment, she looked towards GuruMaa. GuruMaa said "Ahana.. Karne de ise apni manmani.. Ye bhi jaan jayegi ye duniya ki sachai"

I smiled and eyed Ahana who nodded yes. I hugged her "yuppie.. Thank you mumma!"

I phoned Shruti and asked her to meet me at a nearby cafeteria. I moved out and arrived at the cafeteria, after about 10 minutes Shruti came. I discussed with her my strategy, Shruti said "I know this mannu! But who is going to finance?"

"Your Dad!" I exclaimed.

Shruti's eyes popped out.. "What?? My dad? You know he is already against our friendship"

I smirked "don't worry I will handle it.. Let me meet your Dad" I stood up and dragged her towards her Dad's office.

I met her father not as Shruti's friend but as a client. I shared with him my strategy.

"Manvi.. You know the LGBT community is considered a shame for many in our country!" he said.

"I know Sir, but they are humans, one of us. I have spent 22 years with them, despite being uneducated they gave me values and made me capable enough to sit in front of you" I said with confidence.

Shruti was standing at the corner and biting her nails in nervousness.

"I like your confidence.. Alright, just for one show I will fund your show" he said.

Shruti went to him and hugged him "thanks Dad!"

I smiled, my next step was to create a team of artists. Shruti questioned "Manvi.. It's going to be a dance show right?"

I smiled "yes..."

The transgender girls of my age came together to help me organise. Ahana said "mannu.. Our house is small, we need a big place to practice"

I thought for a while and said "mumma school dance room, we can use that.."

Ahana smiled "great! I will talk to Arushi and we can then start practicing"

Arushi the school principal respected Ahana, she allowed us to practice after school hours. I explained to them the script of the show, Sneha said "mannu.. Are you sure you want to do this"

"100% maasi" I replied with a smile.

"I will pray that your efforts pay off.." she blessed me and as they say their blessings are heaven for us.

Everyone started to practice, while I looked for a way to promote the show which was only a month away. I then remembered one celebrity who had recently accepted she is transgender. I managed to contact her and requested her to promote our show. She was so elated hearing this and promoted the poster on her social media page.

The designer refused to provide me with the dresses and I expected it to happen. I sighed and asked Nisha Maasi to sew the dresses.

"Can you do it Maasi?" I asked her for reassurance.

"Yes.. I will do it.. Don't worry" she assured me with a light shrug on my shoulder.

And the day had finally arrived, it was time for the show. Everyone got ready and took their position to perform.

The curtain opened and I was shocked to only find 10 people sitting there, I was disappointed.

Ahana's POV

I knew this would happen, but Manvi didn't listen to me. This only made her upset, but I can't let her hard work drain out. I signalled and everyone started their performances. The show ended after 20 minutes and the celebrity praised us for our performance.

Manvi ran out of the auditorium, I followed her and saw her sitting on the bench with tears in her eyes.

I moved and sat down beside her.. "It's okay mannu!"

"No it is not okay mumma! Just because everyone is transgender.. None came for the show! Everyone worked hard.. I failed, I am useless.. Good for nothing" she said with much grief.

I calmed her down "no.. you are not useless, we all are proud of you" I said cupping her face.

She kept her head on my shoulder and I said "forget this and find a job for yourself"

"Okay mumma.." she said with a heavy heart.

Manvi then began to search for a job but faced rejection everywhere. I didn't let her break this time, I was with her in all the interviews and aftermath.

She assured me, she is fine and strong enough to handle this but as a mother, I was concerned about her. 

One fine day, I found her lying down on the bed. She was upset, the charm was missing and it was due to the failures she was facing. I just prayed to God to fix everything in her life.

I heard Shruti's sound, she ran inside the room and shouted "mannu! Why the hell aren't you picking up my call"

Manvi eyed her and said "because I was not in the mood to talk to anyone.."

"Dumbo! You are mad.. Somebody posted our performance video and it went viral.. Many people are contracting my Dad to organise the shows" Shruti shared the news with her.

Manvi was shocked hearing it, she couldn't believe it. "What?? Seriously"

"Yes.. Dad wants to see you immediately.. Finally after a month" Shruti informed.

Manvi screamed in happiness "aahhhh..."

She moved out of the house with Shruti, I shared the news with everyone.

Mishti clapped "yaaay.. We will perform again!"

After three hours, Manvi returned home and shouted "yes.. Mumma.. We are going to Delhi. A big event happened and the organiser liked our performance. They want us to perform for them.. And guess what we will get paid.."

I tapped her cheek lightly "that is wonderful news.."

"Yes.. and I have to start preparing for it.." Manvi said.

At Delhi, our show was a hit. Everyone was impressed, and there was no turning back after that. Manvi was offered shows not only in India but UK, America where LGBT are given much respect and appreciation.

We didn't even step out of Mumbai and this girl made us perform in front of the foreigners. Tears of happiness were present in my eyes and I was so proud of her.

Many of us don't beg but earn the money on the basis of our talent of dance and act.

Five Years Later

Tickets were sold, the theatre named "Beautiful by heart" was full of a crowd of people. The LGBT community persons were performing and after the performance, everyone stood up and clapped for them because of their talent.

I glanced at Manvi who was standing there with a smile on her face. Once, her colleague refused to let her attend a show and she told him one day she will own a theatre and these people will be clapping for transgenders. Today was the day she made the impossible happen.

Many transgenders were inspired and our franchise grew. The "Beautiful by heart" team had about 10 groups and each group consisted of 30 performers who don't only perform in India but overseas.

Today I am proudly known as the mother of Manvi in society who used to taunt "transgender daughter". Now they say "a normal girl is doing a fabulous job for transgenders" 

Shruti showed me the magazine, where the front page was pictures of mine and Manvi and the bold headline "My mother is Special!" I smiled at this. 

"This is entrepreneur magazine Maasi.. and guess what? our Mannu is awarded as the entrepreneur of the year" 

It was another proud moment for me. After, the show ended Manvi took me along with others trans members to her award ceremony. 

The host announced "And the entrepreneur of the year is Miss Manvi Ahana" everyone clapped and she went on the stage to collect the award. 

She smiled and held the mike "this award is not mine, this belongs to all the trans who worked with me day and night to make "beautiful by heart" successful. A special thank you to my Mumma who raised a normal girl despite knowing how my world people disrespect them, they just want the blessings but not them. I wouldn't have been standing here in the first place if she had not saved my life, my birth parents were going to bury me alive.  My whole life I was taunted as "kinnar ki beti", faced rejection, humiliation and at a moment I ended up hurting my mother, disown her. I went to the world where I belong, I was almost married to a man who was very much older than me. She again saved my life, and that day I decided I will do my best to get the respect for not only my mother but other transgenders.. because they are us not different. I love you mumma... you made today what I am.. I am stupid, impulsive, easily to be manipulated but you love me, keep me protected.  you are my world, my life everything....." tears brimmed down her eyes and so my eyes were watery. 

I run upstairs on the stage and hugged her tightly. Everyone clapped, I parted the hug and wiped her tears "you are crazy.." 

"I know mumma!" Manvi replied. We walked down and I could hear everyone praising.. 

"can't believe this girl was raised within transgender society" 

"I think we should start getting transgender children to admit to our school" 

"mother-daughter are inspiration for many"

I remembered the day when her parents were burying her alive and I saved her life. Today, she has grown up as an independent woman.

"Maa.. she is the same mannu.. Who left me broken on the road.. I never thought she would do this for us!" I said in total disbelief.

GuruMaa smiled.. "Neither did I.. it's all your hard work Ahana.. Your faith in manvi that she won't be cruel like others."

I nodded yes, Nisha said "yes Ahana.. Aaj hum shaadiyon mein nachte nahi hai do waqt ki roti ke liye.. Bhek nahi maangte hai.. Tumhari beti humhe hamari salary deti hai.."

I smiled and said, "I am so proud of her.."

Manvi came running after meeting with some of the guests in the function, I sighed as some of her habits are still signs of her impulsive behaviour.

I said "careful"

She smiled and they moved out of the hall along with others.

We reached home and I placed the award in the showcase and admired it. I was proud of her achievements, she kept her head on my shoulder and said "I never thought I will be able to achieve this Mumma"

I turned and lightly tapped her cheeks "I had faith, today you brought a change in society which I wanted"

Manvi smiled and held my hand "it wouldn't have possible without your support love.."

"I am always there for you.. And I guess now it's time you should start a new phase of your life" I said eyeing her.

The smile vanished from her face as she remembered Arijit's betrayal. She said "no... You and I are enough for each other. I don't need anyone else"

She hugged me tightly by side and I smiled "mannu.. Give another chance"

"no mumma. I am completely happily aur aap mujhe aise bhaga nhi sakte" Manvi said..

"I am not doing that! mannu God has not given this opportunity to us but you are blessed with it.. after all, I want someone to take care of you after me" I said lightly tapping her cheek. 

"I can take care of myself, and if so I will adopt that girl who was brought by GuruMaa recently," Manvi said. 

"but she is a... tans girl" I commented. 

"so? didn't you adopt me? then why can't I adopt a trans child?" she questioned raising her eyebrow. 

"Okay fine! as you wish! if you want to adopt her I won't stop you or force you to get married" I finally gave, it's not easy to find someone who will love her knowing about my identity but a decent man does exist and I hope she finds the one.

I will leave the decision on her, if her happiness is to be with me and adopt a girl then I won't force her to get married.

Manvi blindfolded my eyes and took me somewhere. I asked her what the surprise was but she didn't reveal it. Finally, she opened the blindfold and I was left totally astonished.

"Our new home.."

I read the nameplate "Ahana Manvi's beautiful heaven"

I glanced at her and asked, "how??"

"Come on Mumma! I am the owner of "beautiful by heart" theatre.. So a house is a must along with a car" She said.

Tears brimmed down my eyes, she wiped them with the tip of her finger "mumma.."

I held her hand and said, "thank you mannu for giving me everything which was not in my destiny!"

"No Mumma.. Thank you for raising me in your world where there is humanity and lots of love," she said with a smile on her face.

I blessed her and we walked inside our house holding our hands. Today we proved that blood relation doesn't matter, sometimes relations beautiful by heart are meant to be forever. 

It's always not the mother-daughter relation of blood but a transgender mother and a daughter are bonds to be accepted, loved and meant to be forever. 

..................................................... THE END ...........................................................

Hehe, since you requested a happy end. I couldn't think of a better end than this, hope you like it. 

Kindly leave a vote and a detailed comment on your views on the story. 

Waiting for your response. 

Thank you for your continuous support throughout the story. 

Hope you enjoyed the journey. 

Lots of Love

Stay Blessed, 

See you soon in the next book, 

Yours, Thedreamer_ak (Manvi) 

Bye bye..