Code Red

Saru and her friends usually go for a walk around the office campus after lunch every day. It’s the best way for them to unwind a bit, stretch their legs and talk about everything but work.

One particular day, they got down the lift and were heading towards the track when Saru heard her friend Shiv shout, "Why are you walking like a snail? Keep up with us !"

Normally, Saru would sync her pace with theirs without any difficulty. But today was a completely different story. She simply couldn't keep up....no matter how hard she tried ! It was the second day of her period, and she was running on fumes ! Day one is tough, day three is manageable, but day two? It's brutal. Her whole body ached. She was battling endless cramps, heavy and tender breasts, sharp pain in her pubic area, hips, and thighs - Saru felt like her body was waging a war against her !

Her friend Soha, noticed her struggle and jumped in, "She’s on her period. That’s probably why she isn’t able to walk as fast."

Shiv turned towards Saru and said, "Come on, it’s a monthly ritual, right? You still haven’t gotten used to it? It's just a period....I think you're over reacting....You're struggling like this because you’re probably too weak. Now, come on, walk faster."

His words made Saru's face turn red with anger. She marched up to him, barely able to contain her frustration, and said, "No uterus, no opinion. Unless you've had to deal with period pain, you don't get to have a say. It's not just a monthly ritual or a small inconvenience. It is serious pain. Try bleeding and cramping every month and you'll realise that it's not as easy as you think. Your perspective lacks depth and experience....You need to grow up !"

A message to men from Aunt Flo: 

If you belong to the sect of men who think women overreact when I visit them: it’s time to educate yourselves and show some empathy. Menstrual pain is not a trivial matter....It can be excruciating. Dismissing it as weakness is not only insensitive but also ignorant.

Respect the experiences that women go through. Understand that what may seem routine to you is a significant and painful part of their lives. 

Can y'all be a little empathetic to women when they are riding the cotton pony ? It's not an unreasonable request after all !