THE MENSTRUAL MENACE - A SHORT STORY

She could see nine heads bobbing in unison, one of them with a clean oiled braid and the other with neatly layered wavy hair reaching to the shoulder; the rest of them were mostly shaven close to their heads, a few with evenly spaced bald patches and a few with dense, bushy gelled hair. She would be the tenth one attending the meeting on the same topic for months in a row. But why were only three women attending the menstrual leave proposition meeting, and where were the rest, she wondered.

"So, we have come up with this new departmental proposition of offering the women employees one paid leave per month..." Dr. Sunita did not complete her sentence, and Dr. Vidyut had to intervene in between as usual. He did not understand the concepts of space, time and place. He always speaks before someone can complete it, especially if the speaker is a woman.

"Didn't we have this discussion already?"

"Yes, we did. But sadly, only seven of us appeared for the meeting that day. So we are doing it again now."

"And it's only ten of us now." Dr. Riya, who sat down in the last row, added.

"We are very well aware, Dr. Riya. More people will be joining in soon. But let's start with the discussion now." As told by Dr. Sunita, people started trickling in slowly in a few minutes. The room now appeared half full for being called a meaningful discussion.

"Yes, again. We are discussing the paid menstrual leave for women students and employees every month. As doctors, we understand the pain and problems of menstruation more than anyone else." Added Dr. Sunita. The others listened patiently, except Dr. Vidyut and Dr. Sayani, who were shaking their heads in dismissal.

"So we propose that every female student and employee is entitled to one paid leave per month after intimating through proper channel on...." 

"But are you sure they won't misuse it?" Again, it was Dr. Vidyut. And some heads darted towards him as soon as he uttered them.

"I mean.. not everyone goes through a painful period. Some people don't even know it."

"Well, Dr. Vidyut. It's for them to decide if they want to take it or not based on how they feel." Dr. Riya added, and Dr. Sunita approved it with a nod.

"But how do you know that they won't be taking the leave and spend their time outdoors while we share their workload?"

"Um, very well. But what about the others who still endure the intense pain during work? They could benefit from the leave because it's for them. Try to see the other side of things, Dr. Vidyut." Said Dr. Sunita.

"That's precisely what I am saying, too." He argued. The room was filled with whispers and people were talking among themselves in groups, none making sense. It was all gibberish to Dr. Riya. 

Some agreed with Dr. Vidyut, and some did not. Clearly, those who wanted the leaves spoke for it and those who did not want to cover up for the work rejected the idea.

The meeting was dragged beyond two hours, going back and forth between 'yes' and 'no'. There were thirteen votes for a 'yes' and twelve for 'no'. But still, the committee did not agree because they didn't believe in the 49-51 ratio, unlike Brexit. They needed two more head-counts to make the voting valid. 

"Can I give my two cents?"  Dr. Sayani asked who was against the menstrual leave policy because she firmly believed as women, endurance is the show of strength. 

"Why are so many people favouring this proposition, anyway? Why do we always want leave from work for any minor inconvenience?" She looked straight into Dr. Riya, who was low on attendance owing to her chronic illness symptoms. Dr. Riya had to look away to make Dr. Sayani continue.

"It's 2024, ladies. And clearly, we are all more than this." Dr. Riya and others twisted their faces in confusion as Dr. Sayani continued.

"Aren't we fighting for equal rights and equal pay? And what's all this period leave about? We are in no way lesser than the men, and we will work through the pain and struggles." Dr. Vidyut, for once, did not utter a word in between.

"Let's show them that we can get through this, and come on, menstruation isn't a disease or disability. It's just a phase." People stared at her in disbelief. And at that moment, she knew she screwed up.

    

 "I am sorry, Dr. Sayani. But did you just call menstruation a phase?" asked Dr. Sunita in disbelief.

"You did not just say that." Added Dr. Riya. 

"But whatever she said makes sense." It was Dr. Vidyut for her defence. "Another injustice to men just like the postpartum leaves." 

"Ha, what about the postpartum leaves, Dr. Vidyut?" Dr. Riya asked.

"Well, we are given seven days off while mothers get six months of paid leave. Don't we go through emotional problems as well? And aren't we the ones suffering for the six months until they return to work?"

"Well, clearly, you don't give birth and have to be cut up. And yeah, I am sure you won't be breastfeeding the child either. Now, will you?" Dr. Riya smirked, and the room erupted.

"You can make fun of me all you want. But at least menstrual leaves are not like postpartum leaves. Not everyone has dysmenorrhea anyway, and what about women in menopause?"

"We will discuss it once the proposition is accepted, Dr. Vidyut." Dr. Sunita intervened.

"It's not like only women go through problems every month. Men go through phases as well. And it can be bad, too."

"Oh, well. Dr. Vidyut. We will see about it when you start getting your periods." Once again, the room was filled with laughter; this time, Dr. Vidyut chose to stay silent.

"But now it seems like one hand has gone down, and we are levelled. This isn't how the meeting was expected to go." Dr. Sunita mumbled.

"The meeting will happen again next month, and you can all come prepared with your points for and against it. Let's at least have a clear majority at the next meeting." The conveyor spoke and left in a jiffy, leaving the others irritated. The cramp in Dr. Sayani's lower abdomen intensified, and she excused herself soon before Dr. Vidyut could bore her with his small talk. 

This is a part of #Blogchatterhalfmarathon2024

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