I was in grade 8 when my elder sister graduated from school. It was the month of magh and my classes for grade 8 were about to finish and final exams were approaching. The school administration had decided to organize a farewell party to celebrate the graduation of students. Being a very shy girl from childhood, I rarely used to participate in any of the school programs. My friends, however, convinced me to be a part of the group dance as it was my sister’s adieu to the school. 

After a month of preparation and practice, finally it was graduation day. I performed dance, despite not being so good at it. As soon as the dance was completed, I felt I was kind of wet below. I thought it might be because of the sweat as I had just danced on the stage. I was not sweating though; I saw blood beneath and was kind of terrified at first. However, I knew I had my first period. Menstruation was taught in health subject from class 6, and I was happy because I knew I hit puberty and I was turning into a woman. My friends used to talk about their menstruation since class 6 and I would not fit in their gossips as I was unaware about the experiences they had.I was happy as I would be able to share my experiences with them and get suggestions from them. 

The very first day, in my sister’s graduation, after the first blood I saw, I was then thinking of what to do to stop it from spreading to my pants. My school had no pad bank then, neither did I have money to purchase pads from nearby by store. My friends were busy enjoying the farewell party and I was clueless on what to do. My house was about 15 minutes' walk from school. I decided to run to my house and get a pad to put on. Excitement and happiness for my first period was so high that even I forgot I had period cramps. After, I placed the pad on, I realized I was having cramps and so I decided not to go back to school. My mother boiled a glass of water with rock sugar to reduce the pain. The blood patches were seen for the first time then and it took about 6 months for my menstruation cycle to resume. It was kind of weird as the menstruation cycle paused for 6 months and I was a bit worried too. But my mother assured me there was nothing to worry about. After 6 months, the menstruation cycle resumed and it is continuing till date. 

Sometimes, period cramps are way too much to bear and mood swings are on next level, but it can be handled. I feel blessed to be a woman as I can nurture a new life inside me because of menstruation. My menarche is forever memorable as it was on the same day my sister graduated from the school. 

 - Shristi Garu

YALC Kathmandu 2022