Queen was teased with this moniker by everyone. His name was not Queen but Badshaah (King/Emperor). However, almost everyone in the neighbourhood called him Rani or Queen. The name became so popular that he himself also referred his name as Queen. Or perhaps, he just found a freedom in that name. His heart belonged to a Queen but his body belonged to a King. A queen caged inside a king’s body.
Queen was immensely talented. He was good in studies. He knew Shakespeare like the back of his hand. He was extremely creative and used to make awe-inspiring portraits and oil painting. Yet he had no friends. Boys, his age used to laugh at him for his effeminate style and girls used to choose macho men over him.
However, we developed a close friendship. I was his only friend and we started hanging out a lot. Queen had an amazing sense of style and he became my personal stylist. I am extremely clumsy in the matter of fashion and style but Queen always helped me out. He started accompanying me for each of my shopping expeditions and he used to choose the best stuff. Whenever I dressed up as per his advice I used to get a lot of compliments.
On my friend’s wedding, he did my eye makeup and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I say that it was better than the bride’s. My friends’ often used to tease me that I spend so much time with him; probably I should get married to him. There was a condescending taunt in those remarks. His sexual orientation was always a matter of introspection and ridicule.
Queen shifted to Pune to study filmmaking. We kept in touch with each other through letters. Each month we used to send each other a ‘thick’ letter with the latest updates. In those letters, he often used to talk about a friend called Parth. I somehow sensed that Queen had developed a crush on Parth.
When Queen came home, I asked him about Parth and he blushed like vermillion. He looked happy and I felt happy for him. However, after few months I received a letter from Queen that Parth was getting married to a girl of his parent’s choice. Queen was devastated. Parth promised to keep their relationship intact even after the marriage. He had said to Queen that he was marrying a girl only because his parents wanted grandchildren and also because he wanted to spare his parents’ social stigma. However, Queen knew that Parth discarded him like a used tissue.
Parth got married. Within a couple of years, he became a father. Queen remained single. His wound never healed. The betrayal of his first true love remained etched in his heart like a raw lesion.
Trina Looks Back 
How beautifully you crafted a main issue.. This is so touching.. P is for Plethora of Emotions and Q is Quest for Queen of your Life. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/q-quest-for-queen-of-your-own-life-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/?preview=true
LikeLike
What a creative person Queen is! I hope he has moved on now and is happy now. Are you still in touch?
LikeLike
Aww that is a sad tale and how we judge and discard human beings based on our silly misconceptions. I am so glad you befriended him and allowed his creativity to develop around you. I hope he finds happiness in whatever he undertakes.
Q is for Quirky Roald Dahl #atozchallenge
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tina,
Synchronous we write on a similar theme. Atleast Queen had/has a friend in you.
https://natashamusing.com/2018/04/q-is-for-queer-and-quirky-atozchallenge/
LikeLike
Thats really sad, I wish he had left Parth after he knew his intentions. This was one of the best memoirs Balaka. I loved to read about the special bond Queen and you cherished.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this one Balaka. I wish we lived in a society where being yourself wasnt a social stigma!
http://namysaysso.com/blog/quiet-not-quite-quiet-atoz2018/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sad. The LGBT community is the least understood community in our society. So many people marry just because they don’t want their parents to be upset on learning the truth or that they are not strong enough to face the society. Hope Queen’s heart is mended by now, and he has found love.
LikeLike
That is so sad and heart touching.
LikeLike
This was such a beautiful, and at the same time a very sad story! I feel so bad for Queen! Are you both still in touch?
I wonder why can’t people accept each other as they are! Why the judgements, why the gossips and the taunts and the ridicule over any differences ? Aren’t we all unique and therefore special? Aren’t we all human?
My heart went out to Queen!
LikeLike
I guess the wound caused by the failure of first love is hard to heal.. Sigh!! Hope queen find his own happiness soon
LikeLike
It’s so sad that our society still harasses or discriminates on the basis of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Hope Queen found happiness in his later life!
LikeLike
A beautiful and a sad tale. Hope queen finds someone soon who will make him happy.
LikeLike
My heart goes out to Queen. Sending all the love and positive vibes to this tender soul. May he tides over the pain and finds bliss soon.
LikeLike
Awwe, what a cruel world we live in.
LikeLike