An uncomfortable tugging caused me to open my heavy eyelids. I rolled onto my tummy and nearly yelped in pain when the tugging became stronger. It was some minutes past 5 am and I didn't want to wake my roommate who was sprawled on the other side of the bed.
Source
When I was sure the tugging in my abdomen had reduced, I dragged myself up and plugged my electric kettle to light after filing it up.
It was the 14th of March, that time of the month had finally come for me.
I dipped my towel in the hot water when it was boiled and pressed it to my abdomen. This time, I let out a loud grunt which caused my roommate to roll over and peek at me with heavy eyes.
I waved her away and bit my lower lip instead. I thought I heard her mutter “sorry” before drifting off again.
I sat on that chair from 20 minutes past 5 am till 8 am when my roommate woke up.
“What's up with you? Are you okay?”
I rolled my head from one side to the next then pointed at my abdomen where the warm towel now lay. She raised her brows with understanding then threw her hands around me and rubbed gently at my back.
“You have a class in 30 minutes, do you think you can make it?” She whispered in my ear. I shook my head again. “Alright then, let me get prepared. I have a class too. You should call Jacob to spend today with you”
I hadn't thought about it but now that it was mentioned, I felt that it was the right thing to do. I was already in too much discomfort to stay alone, plus I needed someone who would readily babysit me.
Jacob arrived a few minutes after my roommate left for her class. I was still on the chair, unmotivated to move, when he came in.
“Hi” he rushed to kneel beside me and began touching my stomach with the warm towel. The water I boiled was already cold and power had been seized an hour ago.
“Where does it hurt?” He asked.
“Everywhere” he lifted me up and set me on the bed then went into my kitchen to see what I had.
Jacob and I began dating the previous year and whenever I was having cramps, he didn't hesitate to rush over to my house to babysit me if he was less busy.
“Why don't you try to sleep? You look like you've not slept for days. I want to go out and get stuff, '' he said. I nodded and pretended to get some sleep when I knew it was almost impossible.
Jacob returned when I had started dozing off. I heard clanging of pans and pots and knew he wanted to prepare something for me to eat. I was still trying to sleep so I couldn't ask what he was going to prepare.
“Alright young lady, breakfast is ready”
I was woken up to a steaming plate of goat meat pepper soup.
“Aww…. this is amazing. Thank you” I kissed his cheek and began to take spoons from the bowl, stopping only to chew on a piece of meat when it entered my mouth.
“I thought you had a morning class today,” he began. I nodded, not interested in having conversations while savoring the tasty goodness before me. “Any other classes today?”
I shook my head.
“It's totally unfair for me to attend classes when I'm on my period. Can you imagine the discomfort?” I managed to say in between the hot spoons of liquid.
“Look at you. What if you had an on-site job? What would you have done?”
I thought about it for some time. Female workers were not entitled to holidays or breaks during that period when it is most uncomfortable.
“I think women should be given a day or two off during their periods. Trust me, it's not a pleasant experience”
Jacob burst into laughter.
“So what about the men eh? If women are allowed off work twice a month, what happens to men?”
“There should be something like a stress leave every month. Maybe a holiday that lasts for a day or two. You apply for it and it is granted once a month”
Jacob raised a brow at me
“That could work, women take theirs during their periods and men go on theirs whenever”
I nodded.
“Seriously, workers need more time to relax, for their physical and mental health”
“I totally agree. I'll implement that when I set up my own company”.
“Good for you, now can I take my pepper soup in peace?”
We both burst out laughing, just like that, my day was becoming better than I imagined.