I found a sister in my brother today.
I happened to see two sisters discussing periods, and it struck me that, being an older sister to a younger brother, I had never had that conversation with him. So, I decided to talk to him about it and share what I go through.
I casually asked him if he knew what “periods” were. His innocent response, “Haan, jo school mein hote hain na roz, boring wale,” made me laugh out loud.
I then clarified what kind of periods I was referring to. To my surprise, he knew the textbook definitions—menstruation, menarche, ovulation, hormones, and all that—but had no idea what these terms actually meant in real life. So, I explained the entire process to him: how it feels, the pain, the cramps, and how we still carry on with everything despite the discomfort.
He listened intently, wide-eyed and genuinely surprised by what women experience. He expressed how tough it must be for me and every girl out there.
That conversation made me feel so proud, knowing I was teaching my brother something crucial that every man should understand—whether they have sisters or not. But the most heartwarming moment came when he asked for my period date, marked it in his phone’s calendar, and promised to get me chocolates and coffee when the time came.
I felt so grateful. Everyone should have someone like this—someone who understands their pain and stands by them.