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The shopkeeper takes a packet out and diligently wraps it in a black bag. Now I know it is a packet meant to be hidden from the men's eyes!
The shopkeeper takes a packet out and diligently wraps it in a black bag. Now I know it is a packet meant to be hidden from the men’s eyes!
I am eleven, and I don’t know So I ask mom, what is wrong? She affirms that something’s wrong Then she says, lower your voice Lest dad and brother hear it
She hastens me to the medical store Waits for the crowd to fade Furtively she asks for a “packet” Shopkeeper giggles and takes one out Maybe the packet is something funny, Diligently he veils it in an endless black Now I’m sure – it’s something to laugh at.
Mom tells me how to use and dispose it off She tells me to keep the remaining concealed This time I don’t ask anything For I know why she is obscure And I didn’t overlook the chuckles As we walk with the funny packet in black
On the fourth day, I don’t bleed I am ecstatic it ends Without dad and brother espying the funny packet I am sly enough I enshroud it with all my clothes.
As I am watching TV, Mom swiftly pulls me aside “Have you gone blind, you stained your dress” She reprimands in a hushed tone Tears gush down my face As I tiptoe into the washroom
I return to the TV, beside my brother And I am horrified to see it Why are they showing funny packet on the TV? Don’t they know my brother watches?
Will he rebuke me like mom? Or titter like the people outside? I am vexed with either So I grab the remote in a jiffy And change the channel.
Conclusion: The subtle art of social conditioning
Picture credits: Still from Stayfree’s #KeepGirlsInSchool campaign on YouTube
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