Diwali 2010
Kiran got up from the floor and brushed the dirt away from his clothes. He realized his elbow was bleeding as was the cut on his lip. As he began walking towards the pitcher of water, shooting pain in his ankle made its presence felt.
Kiran’s father had mercilessly beaten him up, yet again. Kiran has taken it all, the blows, the kicks, and the filthy abuses hurled at him quietly. It had become a routine now. His father was determined to break his spirit and Kiran was determined not to allow that to happen.
Kiran had one dream, to join the film industry. The lights, attention, the adulation, Kiran wanted to get drunk on that. He wanted his name to be up there, shining with the stars.
His father, an electrician and a daily wage earner was aghast when Kiran shared his hopes of the future with him. As a single parent, he wished his wife was alive to guide him. He didn’t want to beat his son but he hoped that regular beatings would beat the senseless ideas out of his son’s head.
He burnt the magazines his son spent hours over, whenever he found them. He locked Kiran up, till he realized his small built son had found a way to dislodge a grill and squeeze out of a tiny window.
With each beating Kiran’s resolve to make his dream a reality strengthened further. He had abandoned school even though he did not want to, and somehow managed to wrangle a job at a garage the top film stars sent their cars to. As he passed on tools to the skilled mechanics or brought them their tea he looked at the cars in awe, afraid to even touch them. One day, he promised himself, one day he would have it all too.
New Year 2020
The horizon was awash with the light of the rising sun, with the sea beneath and the blue sky above, both reflecting it. Just as the light began waking up the city a woman on a horse galloped into the frame. The scene was ethereal, like a painting. One with the horse, she was graceful, free, and beautiful.
‘Cut!’ yelled the director, but the woman didn’t stop, till she reached the director on her horse.
‘We got a beauty of a shot Ma’am!’ the director gave her a thumbs up.
‘I’m glad’, smiled Kiran, India’s first transgender actress who was now shooting for Hollywood.
Kiran means A Ray of Light
I am not sympathetic towards the Transgender Community. I am in awe of them and respect them immensely. Our daily struggles seem minuscule, when compared to the ones they go through, both internally and externally. This is my way of paying a tribute to them.
This post is written for Day 6 of the The Write Tribe Festival of Words June 2018.
This story is written on the Photo Prompt you see at the top of the post
Write Tribe
I wish like “kiran” in your story, every transgender gets the respect they deserve.
The story of a rise, of hope and fortune! What a wonderful premise Mayuri. Marveled the thoughtful choice of the name “Kiran”, which is both feminine and masculine.
More power to transgenders.
Wonderful read of the day.
I loved the connection you established with the name of your character and the prompt.
Now, talking about the issue you took up. Very well done Mayuri.
I hope every trangender get to live the life normal and happy as they deserve.
How beautiful was this, Mayuri! Loved the way you have brought this story to completion. Superb thought behind the story, a d lovely execution.
I am in awe of them as well. They deserve respect and love and you have done full justice to those emotions through this story. I love your stories.
Yes, they truly deserve that place in society. You have effectively used the prompt and nicely woven the story!
That is such a beautiful tribute to the transgenders. I hope there will be a ‘Ray of hope’soon in their life as well when people stop passing judgements on them.
Mayuri, very beautifully written. I loved the plot. Times are changing, I hope transgenders will get a respectable position in our society someday.
I have no words to tell you how delightful a read it was. I too share the same feelings towards transgenders. More so towards those who wish to break the stereo types and rise above the norm
This is one thing about which i wonder ever so often. Everyone goes through ups and downs in life. Anyone and everyone is entitled to have some respect irrespective of any gender.
Liked your different take on the prompt, Mayuri. Transgenders get such a raw deal. I am glad you wrote such a positive piece on them. They should be given equal respect as other genders.
Such a beautiful post, Mayuri! Like you, I too wish that transgenders should be allowed to live with dignity and self-respect and not jeered at, as is often the case!Not many people write about them so kudos for doing this piece.
That’s a nice tribute, Mayuri! I love how Kiran worked for the respect she deserved and ultimately found that. Well written!
This is a great story of hope, grit and overcoming all odds. Amazing storytelling this is and a beautiful ode to the transgenders of our society. Great going, Mayuri!
Didn’t expect the transgender twist, M. Makes me see the whole story in a different light. You’re so right. The hardships we face are nothing compared to what they go through on a daily basis.