HOMELESS AT HOME: Abuse and Discrimination within a family

Gently combing his greying hair, Mr Armaan Mehta gazed into the mirror, observing his wife sitting beside the mahogany side table. Her plump figure looked elegant in the white bodysuit chosen for the party, her hair stylishly secured in a soft bun. Armaan found pleasure in the fact that his wife consistently stood out at the social gatherings they attended. Despite being forty-five and a mother of two sons, her fashion sense and gracious manners never faltered.

Mrs. Trishna Mehta, the owner of a fashion boutique, was highly esteemed among the ladies at these events, most of whom were her cherished clients. Her presence was expected, as most of these invitations came from these well-regarded customers.

Armaan, a successful gym instructor and the owner of a fitness club was no less esteemed. Even at forty-nine, he maintained a well-groomed, healthy physique. Together, they formed a power couple with an established reputation in society.

Their elevated positions compelled them to maintain a façade of perfection, even though the reality was far from it.

“You look exceptional, as always,” Armaan commented as he observed Trishna applying perfume to her neck. “Come, help me with this cufflink.”

Silently, she approached and adeptly fastened his cufflinks. He tenderly touched her cheekbones and said, “Don’t you think you should apply some more concealer over it?”

“I haven’t applied any makeup yet,” she replied solemnly, moving towards the mirror to inspect a bruise. She took a deep breath and added, “Concealing a wound is not the remedy.”

“Indeed,” he retorted, “Just as we can’t eliminate your abominable elder son by concealing him from our friends.”

“Akshay is highly regarded by those who know him,” she replied. “It’s your attitude towards him that’s abominable.”

“And your treatment of Varun is no different from mine regarding our children,” he protested. “My aversion to Akshay is still reasonable, while your aversion to Varun has no basis.”

“Sensible?” she responded with a sarcastic chuckle, further fueling his anger.

“A boy is a boy, and he should not believe otherwise,” he asserted angrily. “Any peculiar notions must be discouraged.”

Trishna fell silent, retreating from the argument and sitting in front of the mirror to begin her makeup routine. She dared to infuriate her husband as much as possible, yet she also dreaded his verbal abuses, which often escalated into physical violence. The bruise on her cheek was a visible mark from one such altercation the day before, with Akshay, their elder son, at the centre of it.

Trishna had permitted Akshay to go on a college trip to Goa, despite Armaan’s opposition. He disapproved of Akshay’s college friends, who supported his expression of a feminine identity. Armaan found it repulsive and was ashamed to see Akshay dressed as a girl. He ensured that his family members were aware of his disapproval, to the extent that he denied Akshay’s existence at family events or social gatherings, claiming he had only one son.

Armaan imposed strict clothing choices on Akshay and forbade him from shaving his beard and moustache. Even at the age of twenty-two, Akshay lived according to his father’s rules, stifling his true identity to spare his mother.

Akshay had accepted these restrictions as a part of his life, but his true self continued to thrive within, eager to break free. His father’s severe demeanour and his mother’s support only fueled his silent rebellion, further enraging Armaan.

Mr and Mrs Mehta were joined by their younger son, Varun, at the party. Armaan lavished Varun with affection and treated him differently from Akshay. Seventeen-year-old Varun enjoyed more freedom, and most of his material demands were met. Although he was cherished by his mother, Trishna restrained her affection, a response to Armaan’s treatment of Akshay.

Varun was the most affected in the house. He observed his father’s prejudices and injustices against Akshay, yet when he tried to defend his brother, he faced his father’s scolding. His mother’s harshness, while intended to defy Armaan, felt unjust.

Akshay received only sympathy from Varun, who longed for a happy, normal family but knew that it remained elusive.

Two days after the party, Trishna received a call from Akshay, informing her of his return from Goa on Sunday evening. He also shared the news that stirred her anger. Varun had sensed her unease throughout the week, even though he was unaware of the reason. He decided to call Akshay to inquire.

“What’s troubling Mom? She’s been anxious ever since you called,” Varun asked over the phone.

“Oh, that! Well, I have a smooth, shaved face!” Akshay shared cheerfully.

“What? Are you out of your mind?” Varun responded in disbelief.

“Why is it such a big deal, Varun? I’ve just shaved my face, not committed a crime!” Akshay replied with frustration.

“It’s a big deal in our family, and you know it. Dad doesn’t want you to shave. He’ll go crazy! Can’t you compromise a little for the sake of the family?”

“For the family? Do we even have a family? I’ve spent my life being someone I’m not, and you’re calling me selfish? Why are you even concerned? You’re the child who makes Dad proud, not me. What’s he going to do? Scold me and hit me? So be it. I can take it, but I won’t endure any more injustice.”

“If it were only you suffering his anger, I wouldn’t be worried. But because of you, he takes it out on Mom, and Mom takes it out on me, as she always does. We’re all bearing so much because of you…”

Akshay hung up the call. He was done with the same old drama. He no longer cared about what his family wanted. Supported by his friends, he felt more confident about himself and was ready to return home and confront his father. He knew his father was already furious due to the trip, and now his changed appearance would send him into a fit of rage. Nevertheless, he was determined to have a conversation with the man and face his fears.

However, when Sunday arrived, and he returned to the house, his old feelings of dread overwhelmed him. Despite mustering courage during his time away, he felt immensely afraid as he stepped onto the front porch of the bungalow and rang the doorbell. Varun answered the door.

“Shhh!” Varun whispered, “Dad’s in the living room. You better go to your room quietly.”

Akshay quietly made his way to his room and settled in when he was called by his father. Even if he had shaved his head, he could conceal it with a cap, but his facial transformation was impossible to hide.

So, as expected, when he met his father, Armaan’s reaction was explosive. The mere sight of Akshay had filled him with anger, leading him to push his dinner plate across the table, causing it to crash to the ground. He engaged in a heated argument with Trishna, and when Akshay attempted to speak up for himself, Armaan slapped him and then subjected him to a brutal beating.

Horrified by the barbaric scene, Varun retreated to his room, locking himself in, where he remained until the following day.

Varun, a member of the local cricket club and a talented batsman, had earned numerous trophies and medals. His father took immense pride in his son’s achievements and frequently showcased them to his guests. However, Varun’s match day had started with another dispute.

Varun wanted the entire family to attend the stadium to watch him play, but his father insisted that Akshay be excluded. Trishna was fed up with this and, in the end, refused to go, staying at home with Akshay. Varun was hurt by her decision, but he didn’t want to be late and decided to accompany his father alone. His devastated spirit affected his performance on the field, leading to his team’s loss. Not a day passed without Armaan bringing up this incident to blame and humiliate his wife.

One day, while Varun was watching television in the living room, he saw Akshay sneaking into their parents’ bedroom. Trishna was in the bathroom taking a shower, and Akshay seized the opportunity to sit at her dressing table. He began applying her makeup to his face, then spritzed her perfume on himself, and finally explored the wardrobe to find a gown.

When his mother emerged from the bathroom, she was startled and let out a cry. “Why are you in my gown? Change your clothes immediately,” she commanded.

Akshay smiled sadly and twirled in front of the mirror. “I forgot to tell you,” he said, “I’m playing Cinderella’s Godmother in a play at our college festival. Rehearsals start tomorrow. I just needed to borrow your gown.”

“You can’t play a female character,” she ordered firmly.

“But why not?” he protested.

“Your dad will be furious,” she reminded him.

“Well, he always is,” he grumbled.

“He’ll never find out,” Varun appeared at the bedroom door. “What happens in college can stay in college.”

“Of course!” Akshay smiled. “Let’s keep it a secret from Dad.”

Trishna hesitated but finally agreed. To keep the affair hidden from their father, she opted not to attend the festival, but Varun didn’t miss Akshay’s performance. He was so impressed by Akshay and delighted to see him happy and vibrant in female attire that he decided to plan a wonderful surprise for Akshay’s birthday.

Five days before Akshay’s birthday, Varun entered his mother’s boutique, expressing an interest in purchasing a dress. His mother was surprised and curious about who the dress was for. Although she was eager to learn, she couldn’t have imagined it was intended for Akshay.

Varun had initially planned to gift the dress to Akshay, but when he discovered that his father would be out of town that day, he adapted his plans accordingly.

On Akshay’s birthday, he received numerous wishes, but not a single one from his father. His friends were busy, which saddened him. However, in the evening, once his father had left for the airport, Varun arrived home with two of his school friends. They decorated the living room with balloons and ribbons. Akshay was amazed.

“What’s going on?” Trishna asked.

“Why, I’m throwing a party for Akshay,” Varun replied. “And…” he hesitated, wondering if he should fabricate a story.

“And Akshay is wearing a dress today. No one here has an issue with it except you. Trishna finally stood up for her son.”

“Where is he?” Armaan demanded from Varun.

“Dad, it was my idea to throw a party for Akshay,” Varun confessed. “And…” he hesitated, wondering if he should make up a story.

“And Akshay is wearing a dress today. No one here has an issue with it except you. Trishna finally stood up for her son.”

“Where is he?” Armaan looked around. “Akshay! Akshay!” he called.

Akshay timidly emerged from the kitchen. Armaan was fuming. He glared at his sons and then at his wife. Then he stormed into his bedroom and slammed the door shut.

The abrupt end of the party was evident. Everyone left. Akshay rushed to change out of his dress, while Varun removed the decorations and cleaned the living room with his mother. They all silently went to bed, expecting the next day to be harsh, but nothing could prepare them for the shock they were about to experience.

The following day, both Akshay and Varun were dismayed to see their mother’s face covered in bruises. Armaan had blamed her for what had transpired the previous night. He refused breakfast, not speaking to anyone in the house before departing for the airport.

Trishna remained at home, too unwell to work. Akshay and Varun ordered food from outside, encouraging their mother to rest. While Akshay stayed at home with his mother, Varun decided to go to school. His final exam was just around the corner, and he wanted to concentrate on his studies. Before leaving, he assured Akshay that he would discuss everything with him later.

As Varun made his way to school, he couldn’t help but dwell on the situation at home. There was a longing for a normal, happy family life, which he believed was becoming more attainable by the day. Despite the hardships, the bond between the three had strengthened, making them more determined than ever to break free from the chains of prejudice, abuse, and discrimination.

In this house of shadows, the light of change was beginning to flicker, and the Mehta family was ready to embrace it, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

Many couples endure their differences for the sake of their children, but he believed that in their case, his parents should have separated for precisely that reason. After school, he walked along the roads with a heavy heart and a numb mind. The chatter of other students faded into the background as he stared into a void of hopelessness. He weaved through the congested traffic while waiting for the railway gate to open, unaware of the world around him.

The train’s whistle pierced the air, and people rushed to the platforms.

He crossed the railway line alongside the pedestrians, oblivious to their sudden halt.

It only took a split second. Onlookers witnessed the train’s engine striking the teenager, throwing him onto the adjacent tracks. His head was punctured, and blood splattered around.

He was dead on the spot.

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Nine years had passed since that tragic day. Akshay, now known as Akshara, walked from her apartment to the nearby boutique, which she co-owned with her mother. Her parents had been divorced for eight years.

As she unlocked the boutique door and entered, she noticed a mannequin at the reception, dressed in a black gown, her favourite. Behind the reception table, a large portrait of Varun adorned the wall.

Varun’s death had transformed their lives, instilling them with newfound strength. His aspirations for the family had been fulfilled in his absence. Trishna found relief from her work pressures when Akshara joined the boutique.

She was grateful for Akshara’s presence, but every happy day was tinged with guilt. She wished she could turn back time and shower Varun with the love he deserved.

As for Armaan, he still attended society parties, but he and Trishna never exchanged words. He had remarried. Their eyes would briefly meet before looking away. He knew she had chosen her son over him, and she knew she had no other choice. He harboured resentment, while she still held love in her heart.

She continued to wake up on Sunday mornings, yearning to cook for her entire family—Akshara, Varun, and Armaan…

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