The Red Day

Every morning, my mom wakes me up and sends me to the shop to buy groceries for the day. I always wake up reluctantly, wishing just for one day of rest, hoping my brother would take my place. But that never happens—I'm always the one who has to go.

After I finish my chores, I rush out to play with my friend in the streets. We wander around, playing hide and seek, sometimes daring to steal a mango from the shopkeeper just for fun. Even though he knows we're taking them, he just laughs and pretends he doesn't. We enjoy those sweet, tangy mangoes sprinkled with salt and chili powder. Some days, I forget to come home for lunch or end up eating at my friend’s house.

Every day with her is beautiful and exciting. We might get a little sunburned, but we don’t care. We roam the streets like carefree puppies, cycling around as if our bikes are racehorses. My parents don’t worry much; they see me as a little child, wanting me to be brave and unafraid.

With my friend, every day is filled with fun, excitement, and curiosity about what adventures await us. It's a time of innocence and joy, where each moment feels like a treasure waiting to be discovered.

One Day Everything Changed

It was a day I would never forget—the day I felt both the happiest and the most trapped. My mom told me to get ready for a visit to the temple. After my bath, I got my first period. When I told my mom, I still remember the tears in her eyes. I didn't understand why she cried; it wasn’t a happy cry.

That day, our relatives gathered at our home to celebrate. They brought my favorite foods and gifts, and I felt like a grown woman. But it was also the last day I felt that joy so freely.

The next morning, I woke up early, expecting to be sent to buy groceries. But this time, my mom sent my brother instead. I thought it was just a one-time thing, but it quickly became a routine. I never imagined I would miss those trips to the shop, but I did.

Then things changed even more. My mom stopped me from visiting my friends and playing outside. She bought me a fully covered dress that felt uncomfortable and restrictive. Everyone told me I was now a woman, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Just yesterday, I was a carefree child who could run and play, and now, in a single night, everything had shifted.

It took months for me to accept my new reality. I realized I couldn’t play in the streets anymore, couldn’t wear my brother’s clothes, and couldn’t steal mangoes with my friend.

If God appeared before me and granted me a wish, I would ask to be that little girl just one more time—free, wild, and untouched by the expectations of adulthood.

How I Recovered

I struggled at first, just trying to get used to everything. Sure, I had my best days, but I lost some of them because of puberty. Still, I know I won't feel like this forever. I never have before. I came to terms with it. I told my mom about my uncertainties and reassured her that I would be brave. I told her, "You don't need to protect me all the time. If you really believe I'm a grown woman, then let me take care of myself."

She didn’t suddenly start trusting the world and letting me do whatever I wanted, but I made her feel confident that I would be okay. I helped her see that while there are bad people out there, there are good ones too. And I need to prepare myself for both. I have to face challenges on my own, instead of depending my family to solve my problems.

I made her see what I felt!!