Gayathry J • India • 21
I was 12. Being an only child, I spent a lot of time alone in my home and it happened on one such day during summer holidays. It was hurting from when I woke up but I thought it was something else and it was when I went to the washroom, I understood this was it. I remember the moment. I was both shocked and somewhat angry yet relieved too.
Since I knew where my mom kept the pads, I got it but I had no idea how to place it. It was uncomfortable but still, I didn't feel like calling my mom. I thought I could handle it and I had this art class. I acted like nothing happened and went there.
But our sir didn't show up that day, so we went out and played running games. I had a good amount of pain but I didn't want anyone to know so I played normally for about 3 hours straight in the sun. By the end, I was so deeply in pain and pressing on my tummy.
But to my relief, my mom came to pick me up and never before was I so happy to see her. My mom commented on my sweaty appearance and I didn't act weird at all. It was only when we reached our gate that I told her, "Mom, the blood came." And that was it. She was shocked. She was surprised how I could even run with that kind of pain. I'll never remember that day.
