Rajeshwari hated her life as a girl. She hated wearing half sarees, which she found uncomfortable and restrictive. She hated going to dance class, which she found boring and exhausting. She hated being treated differently by her mother, who was more strict and protective of her than before. She hated being isolated from her old friends, who didn't recognize her or talk to her anymore.
She longed for her old life as Rajesh. She longed for playing cricket and video games with her friends. She longed for wearing jeans and t-shirts. She longed for being free and happy.
She hoped that one day, she would find a way to reverse the magic that had changed her into a girl. She hoped that one day, she would wake up as Rajesh again.
But that day never came.
Instead, one day, when she was 12 years old, she woke up with a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She felt something wet and sticky in her underwear. She got up and went to the bathroom. She pulled down her underwear and saw blood.
She panicked. She thought she was injured or dying. She screamed for her mother.
Radha came running to the bathroom. She saw Rajeshwari holding her bloody underwear and crying.
"Mom...what's happening to me? Am I bleeding? Am I dying?" Rajeshwari sobbed.
Radha smiled and hugged her gently.
"No, my dear. You are not bleeding or dying. You are having your first period."
"My first what?" Rajeshwari asked, confused.
"Your first period. It's a sign that you are becoming a woman. It means that your body is capable of having a baby someday. It's a natural and normal process that happens to every girl once a month."
Radha explained to Rajeshwari what a period was, how it was caused by the shedding of the uterine lining when there was no fertilized egg, how it lasted for a few days and then stopped until the next month, how it could cause cramps, mood swings, acne and other symptoms.
She also explained to Rajeshwari how to use pads or tampons to absorb the blood, how to change them regularly and dispose of them properly, how to keep herself clean and comfortable during her period.
She also told Rajeshwari that having a period³ meant that she had to be careful around boys, as she could get pregnant if she had sex with them. She told Rajeshwari that sex was something that only married couples did, and that she should wait until she found a good husband who would love and respect her.
Radha also told Rajeshwari that having a period was something to be celebrated, as it marked her transition from girlhood to womanhood. She told Rajeshwari that she would arrange a puberty ceremony for her, where she would invite all their relatives and friends to honor and bless Rajeshwari.
"A puberty ceremony? What's that?" Rajeshwari asked.
"A puberty ceremony is a traditional way of celebrating a girl's first period. It's a way of thanking God for giving you this gift of womanhood. It's a way of showing your gratitude to your ancestors for passing on their bloodline to you. It's a way of welcoming you into the community of women who will support you and guide you through life." Radha said.
"What do I have to do in this ceremony?" Rajeshwari asked.
"You don't have to do much, my dear. You just have to wear a new half saree, sit on a decorated chair or swing, receive gifts from your guests, give them sweets or fruits in return, listen to their advice and blessings, and smile." Radha said.
"That sounds boring." Rajeshwari said.
"No, my dear. It's not boring. It's fun and meaningful. You will enjoy it." Radha said.
Rajeshwari doubted that. She didn't want to have a puberty ceremony. She didn't want to have a period. She didn't want to be a woman.
She wanted to be Rajesh again.
To be continued......
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