Shopping day with Aditi

The following week, Aditi excitedly approached me in the college hallway, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Hey, Suhas! I was thinking, how about we go shopping together this weekend? I could really use your fashion advice for some new outfits!"

I felt a surge of excitement mixed with anxiety. Shopping with Aditi was an opportunity to spend more time with her, but I also knew it would push the boundaries of my secret life. Still, the prospect of being her fashion advisor was enticing. "Sure! I'd love to help!" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Great! I've got a whole list of things I want to check out," she said, beaming. "You know, sometimes I feel like I have a girlfriend when I'm with you. It's like you get what I'm looking for better than any of my friends!" Her words sent a thrill down my spine, a mix of flattery and fear.

As the weekend approached, I prepared myself for the shopping trip. I imagined all the outfits we would explore together and how I would need to navigate the conversation to keep my true self hidden. On Saturday morning, I met Aditi at the mall, feeling a flutter of nerves and excitement.

We started in a trendy clothing store, and immediately, Aditi began rifling through racks of dresses and tops, occasionally asking for my opinion. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, holding up a vibrant sundress.

"Definitely! The colors are perfect for summer," I replied, trying to sound as enthusiastic as I could while keeping my own preferences under wraps.

As we moved through the store, Aditi began picking out accessories, shoes, and even some makeup. I was astonished by how naturally the conversation flowed. "You should help me pick out some bangles! I've always thought they add such a fun touch to any outfit," she said, dragging me to the accessories section.

We spent hours trying on different pieces, and each time Aditi looked in the mirror, I felt a rush of happiness at her joy. Yet, I also felt the growing tension of keeping my secret safe.

Just as we were about to leave, Aditi grinned and pulled something from a nearby rack. "Oh! I found this cute unisex T-shirt that I think you'd look great in!" she said, holding it up to me. The shirt was pastel pink with a lovely floral print, and I felt a flush of excitement mixed with apprehension.

"It's unisex, so you can totally rock it, Suhas! It'll look great on you," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I want you to have it!"

"Uh, thanks! But are you sure it's okay?" I stammered, feeling a wave of mixed emotions. The idea of wearing something so feminine thrilled me, yet the fear of being caught in something that didn't align with my public persona gnawed at me.

"Of course! I can totally see you wearing it. Just try it on!" she insisted, her enthusiasm contagious.

I couldn't resist her infectious excitement. "Okay, I'll try it!" I replied, a smile creeping onto my face. We headed to the fitting room, and as I slipped the shirt over my head, I felt a rush of joy. The soft fabric hugged my skin, and I couldn't help but admire how it flattered my form.

Aditi stepped outside the fitting room and exclaimed, "You look amazing! It's definitely a keeper!"

I blushed at her compliment, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Thanks! It's really comfortable," I said, peeking at myself in the mirror. The shirt made me feel more connected to the side of me that I had kept hidden for so long.

After purchasing the shirt, we decided to grab a bite to eat at a nearby café. As we sat sipping our drinks, Aditi looked at me thoughtfully. "You know, Suhas, I think it's awesome that you're so open to trying new things. Not everyone would be as comfortable with this kind of stuff," she said, a hint of admiration in her voice.

"Thanks, Aditi. I just think fashion is about expressing who you are, regardless of gender," I replied, trying to sound casual while my heart raced.

"I agree! It's about having fun with it," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And you have such great taste! I love having you around. It's like shopping with a girlfriend!"

As Aditi and I left the café, dark clouds gathered ominously overhead. The sky opened up, and within moments, heavy rain began to pour down, soaking us to the bone. "Oh no! We'll never make it home like this," Aditi exclaimed, pulling her phone out to check the weather.

"Do you think we should wait it out?" I suggested, glancing around as the rain intensified.

"Let's just head to my place! It's closer, and we can wait for the rain to stop there," she said, her voice laced with urgency. I nodded, and together we dashed through the downpour, laughter mingling with the sound of the rain as we made our way to her home.

Once inside, we both shook off like drenched puppies, laughing at our predicament. "What a day!" Aditi sighed, leading me into her living room. "You look like you just stepped out of a swimming pool!"

After a few moments, Aditi turned serious. "You should take a bath to warm up. It'll help." I hesitated for a moment, feeling self-conscious. "I don't have anything to change into, though," I replied, shifting awkwardly.

"No worries! I'll find you something," she said, heading toward her bedroom. I watched her disappear down the hall, my mind racing. I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness about borrowing something from her.

A few minutes later, Aditi reappeared with a playful grin on her face. "Ta-da! Here's what you can wear for tonight," she announced, holding out a cute top and a flowing skirt. I felt my heart race as I saw the fabric-a soft pastel color with delicate floral prints. It was undeniably feminine.

"Uh, Aditi, are you sure? I mean, it's... it's a bit much," I stammered, heat rising to my cheeks.

She laughed, a teasing light in her eyes. "Come on, Suhas! You're my fashion consultant, remember? Besides, I live here with my mom and sister, so there's no men's clothes around. You'll just have to adjust for the night!"

I felt a rush of excitement mixed with fear. Part of me wanted to embrace the experience, while another part hesitated. "What if I feel weird in this?" I asked, half-joking.

Aditi waved her hand dismissively. "Oh please! My dresses won't bite you. It's just a little fun! You'll look adorable, I promise."

With her encouragement, I reluctantly took the clothes from her. "Fine, I'll give it a shot!" I said, trying to sound brave. I headed to the bathroom, heart pounding in anticipation.

Once I was inside, I quickly stripped off my wet clothes and stepped into the warm shower. The heat washed away the chill from the rain, but I couldn't shake the butterflies in my stomach. After rinsing off, I dried myself and stood before the mirror, staring at the clothes Aditi had given me.

With a deep breath, I put on the soft top, which hugged my frame nicely, and then slipped into the skirt, feeling the fabric flow around my legs. It was a strange yet exhilarating sensation. I took a moment to appreciate how different I looked and felt, and I smiled at my reflection, my heart racing at the thrill of it all.

After getting dressed, I opened the bathroom door and stepped out, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. Aditi was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone, and when she looked up, her eyes widened in delight.

"Oh wow, Suhas! You look amazing!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. I felt a rush of warmth at her compliment, though I couldn't help but blush under her gaze. "See? I told you it wouldn't bite!"

"Thanks! It's... definitely different," I replied, twirling slightly to show off the skirt, which flowed gracefully with my movement.

Aditi laughed and jumped up from the couch. "You're really rocking that outfit! Come on"

As I stood there in Aditi's clothes, still getting used to the sensation of the flowing skirt, I caught her mischievous smile from the corner of my eye. There was a spark of excitement in her gaze that made me feel both nervous and exhilarated.

"Wait a second!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with a playful idea. Before I could process what was happening, she stepped closer and began to style my shoulder-length hair. "Let's make this look even more fabulous!"

I froze for a moment, taken aback by her sudden enthusiasm. "Aditi, what are you doing?" I asked, half-laughing, half-nervous.

She grinned as she deftly twisted and pinned my hair into soft waves, transforming my appearance in a matter of minutes. I watched in awe as she worked, her fingers flying through my hair with ease. "You have such lovely hair! It would be a shame not to style it," she replied, her excitement palpable.

Once she was satisfied with her handiwork, she took a step back to admire her work. "Now, we need something to finish off this look!" Aditi rummaged through her accessories and pulled out a small bindi. "Here, this will complete the transformation!"

I felt a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration as she gently placed the bindi on my forehead. "Aditi, are you sure about this?" I asked, feeling a rush of self-consciousness.

"Absolutely! You're already looking like a girl. Just a little more fun and you'll be perfect!" she said with a wink.

The reflection staring back at me was surreal. The feminine styling, combined with the floral top and flowing skirt, had truly transformed my appearance. I looked almost unrecognizable, and the thought both thrilled and terrified me.

"Aditi, I can't go out like this!" I protested, but deep down, I was curious about what it would feel like to fully embrace this look.

"Just for fun! Come on, let me give you a complete makeover. I promise it'll be our little secret!" she insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Despite my initial hesitation, I felt the thrill of the idea creeping in. "Okay, but you have to promise to keep it a secret," I finally relented, my heart racing at the thought of the transformation. "And this is only for today!"

"Absolutely! No one will know!" she said, clapping her hands in delight.

As she began gathering makeup, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety wash over me. Aditi was so enthusiastic, and her positive energy was contagious. I watched as she pulled out various products-foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and even some mascara.

"This is going to be so much fun!" she chirped, leading me to a small vanity in her room. "Just relax and let me work my magic!"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Okay, but be gentle with the makeup!" I said, laughing slightly, trying to mask my unease.

"Don't worry! I've done this plenty of times," she reassured me as she started applying foundation to even out my skin tone. I marveled at the way she worked-confident, skillful, and so very passionate about what she was doing.

Aditi continued with the makeup, adding a hint of blush to my cheeks and shaping my eyes with soft eyeshadow. "You're going to look so cute! Just wait until I add some eyeliner," she said, grinning.

As she applied the final touches, I felt a sense of transformation wash over me. Each layer of makeup seemed to bring out a different part of my identity, making me feel more connected to Suhasini, the persona I had been exploring in private.

Once she finished, Aditi stepped back, hands on her hips, and surveyed her work. "Wow! You look incredible!" she declared, her eyes wide with excitement.

I turned to the mirror, my breath catching in my throat. The person staring back at me was a vision of femininity I had only dared to dream of. The skirt swayed gently with my movements, the bindi adorned my forehead, and the makeup enhanced my features in a way that felt both foreign and exhilarating.

"I can't believe it," I whispered, both amazed and a little frightened. "I look... so different."

"You look beautiful!" Aditi beamed, clearly thrilled with her handiwork. "Now, let's add some accessories to complete the look!"

With that, she draped some delicate bangles around my wrists and slipped on a pair of stylish heels that added an elegant touch to my ensemble. I felt taller and more confident with each piece she added.

"Just remember, this is our little secret," I said, my heart racing with a mix of thrill and apprehension. "I'm only doing this for today!"

"Of course! I promise," Aditi said, her voice light and playful. "Let's have some fun and make the most of it!"

With that, we stepped into the living room, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of adventure bubbling inside me. I was ready to embrace this new experience, if only for a day, and I couldn't wait to see where it would lead us.