(Avg. Reading Time : 4 min 23 sec)

Break time was over ; it's time to get back on the train, He's on D4,19 window seat. An Uncle asked for an exchange; he denied but then he saw it's for an old lady.While he was wondering if he is a selfish guy—the one who always asks for favors, acts nice to people when he needs something, and then forgets they exist,he doesn't give a shit about others when he doesn't need them.

Soon he arrived at Baroda station but his battery of earbuds was dead, looking at that women waiting area he rememberd his past incidence with Purnima.

Purnima is from Bangalore, pursuing her bachelor's degree in her sophomore year. They met at a workshop in the valleys, a place where no mobiles were allowed, so for four days, participants could only talk, laugh, argue, or debate with each other. Purnima and Pratham had their fair share of debates—heated ones, especially about feminism.

On the last day, everyone was getting ready to leave. Pratham was heading back to his hostel, while Purnima and Vivek were heading towards Bangalore. Purnima could speak English and Kannada; Vivek spoke Kannada and very little English.

Pratham noticed Purnima was wearing knee-length white shorts, and a thought crossed his mind—”She should wear something longer ; since she’s heading to the railway station.”

But remembering their heated debates on such topics, he let it go, thinking, “Who cares!”

The three of them left the valley in an eeco; reached the city, and wandering on the roads , waiting for their respective trains for three hours. After breakfast at roadside restaurant, Purnima started feeling uncomfortable— a genereal stomach ache at first. After she returned from the washroom, it seemed that she probably had her periods.

But a pad might not be available with her at the time, hence she told vivek about the same. They were on the roads, looking for some help.

Vivek went to nearby shops, and asked for sanitary napkins. But he was in Gujarat, but spoke nothing much except Kannada, 'ಹೇ ನನಗೆ ಪ್ಯಾಡ್‌ಗಳು ಬೇಕು ' . The shopkeeper didn't understand. They looked at eachother in disgust. With no other option left, Purnima explained her condition to Pratham. His mind fastened to the streets as he heard her.

In his 18 years, he had never bought a pad—not even for his sister. But seeing no other option, he agrees to help. He checks one shop, then another, and another, but finds nothing. It’s just an hour before Purnima’s train.

Purnima’s discomfort grows. Her stomach ache worsens, and the fact she’s wearing white shorts makes her even more conscious.

Pratham is getting frustrated. When Purnima scolds him—“Is this the VIKAS in Gujarat? In a main city, you can’t even find a pad?”—he snaps back, “I already told you to wear appropriate clothes!”

Purnima glares at him. “Don’t you dare tell me what to wear. If you can help, then help. Otherwise, get lost!”

Angry and hurt, Pratham walks away, but his gaze lingers on her as he leaves. He sees her sitting down on footpath, clutching her stomach, ties Vivek shirt around her waist to feel less exposed.

While walking, his phone rings. It’s his sister. She's calling because they have not talked from last four days but in between he gets angry. She asks, “What’s wrong? You sound angry.” He denies everything.

But her voice is trigger for thought

“If I’m here, Vivek is also here and purnima is his sister will he behave in same manner ?”

Ashamed, Pratham turns back. He finds Purnima sitting near a cross road unable to walk further. “Purnima,” he says, “There still are thirty minutes before your auto arrives. Stay here. I’ll figure something out.” He also set an alaram in his phone.

He roams the streets. His steps quicken. He visits shop after shop; grocery shop ; medical store, asking, pleading, but no one has what he’s looking for.