Chapter 11

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It was a dark and silent night when Naina felt a sharp pain in her stomach that jolted her awake. She groaned and got up from the bed, making her way to the washroom. As she switched on the light, she noticed a stain of blood on her nightdress. She realized that she had just got her period and cursed under her breath. She searched for her sanitary pads in the bathroom cupboards, but they were nowhere to be found. She remembered that she had kept them in her closet in the bedroom. She had a spare set of clothes in the bathroom, a kurta and a pant, but no pad. She wondered what to do and decided to ask for help from the only person who was with her in the room, Reyansh. 

She tiptoed to the door of the bathroom and whispered, "Reyansh?" Reyansh was sleeping soundly on the bed, unaware of her predicament. He stirred slightly and opened his eyes, squinting at the light from the bathroom. He asked, "What? Don't prank me. I am extremely tired and I need to wake up early tomorrow."

Naina said, "Reyansh, I need a favour." Reyansh said, "I said don't prank me." Naina said, "REYANSH, CAN YOU LISTEN TO ME?" Reyansh was taken aback by her sudden shout and closed his mouth. Naina continued, "I a-am o-on m-my p-period, c-can you g-get-" She couldn't finish her sentence, feeling too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Reyansh understood what she meant and nodded. He got up from the bed and walked to the closet. He opened it and found her pads. He took one and brought it to her. Naina took it from him and said, "Thank you." Reyansh nodded and said, "Do you want anything?"

Naina shook her head and said, "Not now. But, by tomorrow I want dark chocolate." Reyansh nodded and said, "Okay, I will bring it when I go for jogging now you sleep." Naina nodded and went to her side of the bed and lay down. She hoped to fall asleep soon, but her cramps were not ready to let her rest. She missed her home, where she used to hug her mother and sleep whenever she had her period. But now she had no one to comfort her. She gathered her courage and asked, "Reyansh?" Reyansh opened his eyes and asked, "Do you want something?"

Naina said, "Actually whenever I am on my period, I used to hug my ma, now is it okay if I hug you today? Just today?" Reyansh nodded and moved closer to her. She placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his stomach and slept. Reyansh was still in deep thoughts but soon drifted off to sleep.

The sun was rising in the sky when Reyansh put on his jogging shoes and went out for his morning run. He enjoyed the fresh air and the exercise, and he also had a mission to accomplish. He wanted to buy some dark chocolate for Naina, as she had requested the night before. He knew she loved dark chocolate, especially when she had her period. He found a nearby shop and bought two bars of her favorite brand. He smiled and headed back to his room.

Naina was already awake and getting ready for office. She had taken a shower and changed into a formal suit. She was feeling a bit better than the night before, but she still had some cramps and mood swings. She saw Reyansh entering the room with a bag in his hand. He gave her the bag and said, "Good, you are ready for office. I thought you will use your periods as an excuse."

 Naina opened the bag and saw the dark chocolate. She smiled and thanked him. She said, "I am not such a girl who gives excuses for everything." She took a bite of the chocolate and felt a surge of happiness. She put the rest of the chocolate in her purse and went downstairs.

Reyansh's dadi was waiting for her in the living room. She was holding a tray with a small idol of Ganesh and some flowers. She said, "Naina, perform the pooja today." Naina said, "I am sorry dadi, I cannot do it." 

Reyansh's dadi was shocked and angry. She said, "What? Radhika why did you bring such a girl to our house who cannot do a simple pooja?" Naina said, "Because dadi, I am on my periods." Dadi said, "Periods? Then why are you roaming around the house? You should be in your room and not touch anything."

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