It was May day and customarily I woke up late. Maa was shouting at the top of her voice to wake my lazy bones up. Finally our house help, Tapashi masi, dragged me, like literally dragged my feet out of my princess blanket. To save me from any further scolding, masi sent me straight to the bathroom and asked me to take bath at once. Me being the obedient 13-year-old, sat on the commode for 30 minutes, splashed water on my face and came out as if I’d been taking a bath. Seeing her daughter bathed before 2 o’clock, Maa decided to make my favourite achari bhindi.
In a Bengali family, the dining table is just another showpiece as we prefer sitting in front of our television sets while eating. Thus, naturally, Maa and I sat down in front of our TV and were watching “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai” and savouring my achari bhindi. While I was enjoying my lunch, I felt something come out of my labia, as if I peed. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention because, “Pran jaye par achari bhindi na jaye.” However, later I started feeling wet down there. I got up from my bed in the middle of eating my food. Went to the washroom to check and found my undie stained. Initially, I felt as if something extremely wrong is happening but then I realised that it was the cycle Maa had talked about. I came out of the washroom, not knowing how to convey the message. Embarrassed, I could only say “period”.
I don’t know what was so exciting, but Maa did take me shopping that afternoon and in the evening we had biriyani for dinner. However, since then every time I get my periods, we have “Achari Bhindi” on our menu!