Just three months before I was moving to Mumbai, I chose to move closer to my long-distance boyfriend; he broke up with me. He was the sole reason I planned my further education in that city and went through the admissions process. I was shattered initially; I couldn't wrap my head around what to do next.
It was a toxic relationship, and now that I look back, he drained me emotionally and financially. I used to visit him quite often in Mumbai; I even paid for his tickets to come to visit me in Indore. I was blinded by love and gifted him things he wished for. He cheated on me multiple times.
All of this eventually led me to break up with him. I kept wishing for him to come back; it was difficult to move on.
I gathered courage and moved to Mumbai eventually. I was lonely and had very few friends. My ex crawled back to me one day and somehow stayed with me for more time. Things took an ugly turn when he assaulted me physically one day. That was it. I threw him out of my house.
I never saw my share of healthy relationships around me when I was younger. The concept of sexuality was always quite riddled. None of it became any better when, in my childhood, my neighbour sexually harassed me. I was in 4th grade, and he was in 10th. I never stopped him; honestly, I had no clue how to!
Navigating my gender expression was always a task; being effeminate brought in bullying. I sometimes even used my female friends' names and called them my girlfriends, just to fit in.
I came out to one of my friends in college; she was supportive and cool about it. It has been a gradual process for me. But thankfully, I have only received supportive reactions till now, even at my workplace.
After moving to Mumbai, I found my second home, MY FRIENDS. They mean the world to me, and I'm blessed to have met them. I never thought one decision to move here would give me connections for a lifetime. I even made a precious bond with all my friends at college, they stood with me through thick and thin. Attending Mumbai Pride all these years still feels like a dream.
Being a medical professional, working with the QKnit Foundation was my way of giving back to the queer community. I had to quit 2-3 years after working with them due to work pressure, but I still find a way to help people in need in the queer community with my medical expertise.
I've received so much love from people around me, and I am willing to give it back fourfold.
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