Growing up in Afghanistan, I found escape and expression in the most unexpected place — a dusty internet café with a beat-up PC and a copy of Counter-Strike. What started as just a game quickly became something deeper. Counter-Strike 2 gave me a world where reflexes mattered more than where you came from, where I could just be. It sharpened my instincts, taught me strategy, and became my safe space.

Being a femboy in a conservative culture wasn’t easy. There weren’t many people I could relate to, and I learned early on to navigate judgment with grace and defiance. Gaming let me explore confidence, and gave me room to be loud, stylish, soft, and fierce — all at once. In-game, I’m not hiding. I’m clutching rounds, leading rushes, and owning every moment.

I love Counter-Strike 2 because it’s more than a game — it’s where I found part of myself.