The Woman in the Mirror

It happened on an ordinary evening—until it wasn’t. Rohan, a close associate, sat across from me in the cafe, stirring his coffee but not drinking it. I could tell something was not okay. "Can I talk to you?" he finally said. His voice was nervous, soft, cautious.

I noticed his hands were shaking. I had never seen Rohan like this. He was always known to be someone with high energy, cheerful and so sure of himself.

"Of course, Are you okay?" I asked. After a long pause he said, "Something happened last night. At the party."

“At the party?” I thought back—To me everything looked the usual.

“Talk to me Rohan, I am here for you” I said to comfort him.

"When I reached, the guys from the other group snickered and muttered under their breath ‘He sounds weird. Something is off with him.’ And then it started—whispers, side glances. I knew what they were thinking. I always do. I know don’t belong."

He looked up at me then, eyes brimming with something raw and painful. "I can’t do this anymore."

"Do what?" I asked gently

"Live like this. Hide. Pretend." He swallowed hard and after a long silence he said "I am not Rohan. I never was. My name is Riya."

For a moment, the cafe buzz faded. The world shrank down to just the two of us.

She wasn’t looking at me. She was staring at the floor, afraid and unsure of my reaction.

I reached out, covering her shaking hands with mine. "Tell me, Riya."

It is almost like she read my mind when I assumed she should feel better from now…she said "I should feel relieved but I don’t. Because now comes the hard part.

She told me about growing up in a body that felt like a betrayal, about the secret stash of stolen lipsticks hidden under her bed, about whispering prayers at night to wake up 'right'.

She spoke of the years of denial, the forced deep voice, the stiff walk, the way she wore masculinity like an ill-fitting suit.

And then, the moment of truth. What should she do…Come out to the world as Riya…or continue to be Rohan? She feared being alone, unsure what was worse—facing hate for being herself or living a lie to please others.

It felt like this was the first time Riya was accepting her identity in front of someone beyond herself. She didn’t need any validation from me…She needed it from herself. I could see the relief in her eyes, a sense of freedom she never experienced before and yet series of doubts exploring “What next? and What if's?”

I asked her, What do YOU want Riya? What are your fears? She said, if she comes out to the world as Riya….

Society will see her as an imposter—not a woman, not a man, just something they couldn't categorize.

She will be turned away from rental apartments, denied entry into hotels—because “people like her” make others uncomfortable.

The law that should protect will hunt her instead, subjecting her to harassment in the name of verification, like her existence was a crime.

Doctors will see her not as a person but as a spectacle, questioning her choices instead of treating her health.

Even at work, ‘being out’ will mean risking her job, her dignity, and the constant murmurs of judgment.

"I just want to exist without being a debate." Her voice cracked. "I want to walk into a room without my gender being questioned. I want a home that doesn't see me as a liability. I want to be able to call for help without fearing the ones in uniform."

Her dreams weren’t extravagant. They were basic human rights.

"Is that too much to ask?" she whispered.

I swallowed hard. No, it wasn’t.

And yet, for so many like Riya, even the simplest things—being called by the right name, being treated with dignity—feels like a battle.

So today, I ask you—what kind of world do we want to create? One that forces people like Riya into the shadows? Or one that says: You are seen. You are valid. You belong.

Because the truth is, Riya is not the one who needs to change.

We do.

And if we can’t see that, then maybe it’s not her identity that’s broken—maybe it’s ours.

This International Women’s Day, let’s open our hearts and embrace the journey of every transwomen as they step into the womanhood they’ve always dreamed of. Every person deserves to live their truth and feel the love and acceptance they seek. Together, let’s stand for inclusivity, support, and empowerment for all women, cis & trans, regardless of their journey. Let’s celebrate every story and every struggle that has forged resilience and strength. Your identity is valid, your dreams are real, and you are not alone. Happy International Women’s Day!