The first day of her period arrived with a heavy sense of discomfort that Mahnoor had not anticipated. The physical ache, the emotional rollercoaster, and the mental strain were things she could usually handle in the privacy of her own space. But with Rajveer now sharing her dorm, everything felt more complicated. Her body, already navigating through the monthly tide of hormones, seemed to amplify the tension she had with him.
A few days prior, during her ovulation period, Mahnoor had been on edge. The natural craving for intimacy had sharpened her already present resentment toward Rajveer. She had channeled those feelings into small annoyances, blaming him internally for being in her space, even though deep down, she knew it wasn't his fault. She had been short with him, cold, and more irritable than usual. Now, with her period starting, the frustration turned into a different kind of longing—one for comfort, not conflict.
Mahnoor curled up on her bed, a hot water bottle pressed against her abdomen, wishing she could relax without feeling watched or judged. The shared space suddenly felt even more suffocating than before. Every move Rajveer made, whether it was him shifting his study materials or just existing in her line of sight, irritated her. But now, her body wasn't just demanding space—it was asking for comfort, for warmth, for the kind of security she couldn't bring herself to admit she wanted.
Even something as simple as managing her period felt like an ordeal. The pads she usually kept out in the bathroom now had to be hidden. She couldn't just leave them in plain sight with Rajveer around, not without feeling self-conscious. She felt trapped, her routine disrupted by his presence in ways she hadn't anticipated when she had instinctively offered him accommodation.
Each time she needed to change her pad, she found herself awkwardly stuffing them in her pockets or hiding them behind her towel, trying not to let him notice. It felt like an invasion of her most personal space, this bodily experience she had always managed privately now suddenly being shadowed by Rajveer's presence.
Rajveer, for his part, had noticed her mood shift but kept his distance. He'd grown accustomed to her irritability over the past few days, sensing the underlying tension that had no clear outlet. Though he was mostly oblivious to the specific reasons behind her behavior, he didn't push back, keeping his responses measured and his actions non-intrusive. If anything, her visible discomfort made him even quieter, a way of giving her as much space as he could, despite the close quarters.
But this newfound patience, though helpful, did little to alleviate the storm brewing inside Mahnoor. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing control—not just of her space, but of herself. The desire for something as simple as a comfortable touch, a warm embrace, gnawed at her. It was an intimacy she couldn't admit to needing, especially not from someone like Rajveer. And so, the resentment built again, a cyclical frustration born from her own unmet needs.
Late at night, when the pain had dulled slightly but the ache of her body remained, she caught herself staring at Rajveer as he lay on the floor, quietly going over his notes. She hated that he was there. She hated that she was aware of his presence, that his existence made her feel so exposed, so vulnerable in ways she couldn't control.
As she shifted on her bed, Mahnoor sighed heavily, the weight of her body sinking into the mattress. She wasn't sure how much longer she could handle this—a dorm filled with tension, an unexpected housemate, and the conflicting desires for privacy and comfort. All she knew was that this wasn't the way she had expected things to go. What was once a battle over space and boundaries had now become a deeper, more personal challenge—one where her own needs and vulnerabilities were in conflict with the reality of her situation.
And through it all, Rajveer, seemingly unfazed, continued to quietly exist in her space, oblivious to the turmoil raging inside her.
By day two, Mahnoor could feel herself nearing her breaking point. The cramps had intensified, twisting her insides with a force that left her drained and exhausted. The painkillers had done little to dull the ache, and with the added stress of schoolwork and Rajveer's constant presence, her patience was wearing thin. She lay curled up in her bed, hugging her pillow tightly, trying to push through the discomfort. Her face, usually composed and distant, was now etched with clear signs of pain.
Rajveer, sitting on the floor with his notes spread out around him, couldn't help but notice her discomfort. The past few days had been surprisingly peaceful, and it hadn't gone unnoticed that Mahnoor, despite their tense cohabitation, hadn't made any moves to antagonize him. A small part of him had begun to relax, even as he knew better than to let his guard down completely.
Eventually, he couldn't resist a comment. In a voice laced with sarcasm, he asked, "To what do I owe this mercy?" He glanced up from his notes, smirking slightly, referring to the unusual calm between them.
Mahnoor, too drained to muster any of her usual sharp retorts, barely opened her eyes. She whispered just loud enough, "Periods." The word was simple, but the weight behind it was enough to halt Rajveer in his tracks.
Rajveer blinked, unsure how to respond. His mockery faded as he processed what she had said. "Periods," he repeated in his head. Of course. He felt a sudden, awkward wave of discomfort. Traditionally, men from their cultural backgrounds didn't involve themselves in feminine matters like this. It was a taboo topic, something left unspoken. He hesitated, unsure whether to acknowledge her pain or simply retreat into silence. Words, at this moment, felt utterly inadequate.
Before he could even attempt a response, Mahnoor interrupted his thoughts, her voice strained with frustration and pain. "Hey! Come here."
He looked up, startled, unsure if he'd heard her correctly.
"Lay beside me. These period cramps are too much. I need to hold onto something…not you…just something…" She paused, her breath hitching as another wave of pain hit her. "Arghhh… Rajveer, just come! Now!"
Rajveer froze, completely taken aback. His brain scrambled to make sense of her demand. He wasn't sure how to process what was happening. This wasn't just about sharing space anymore—it was something deeper, more vulnerable, and something he was wholly unprepared for. But the urgency in her voice, the desperation of her request, cut through his confusion. Without a word, he cautiously climbed onto the bed beside her, his movements stiff and awkward.
Mahnoor, eyes shut tight from the pain, didn't waste a second. She reached out and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close and burying her face against his chest. Her grip was tight, as though holding onto him was the only thing keeping her tethered to reality amidst the storm of pain coursing through her body.
Rajveer, for his part, lay there, utterly rigid, his mind racing as he tried to process what was happening. His heart thudded in his chest, not from the closeness but from the sheer strangeness of the situation. They had been rivals, unwilling dorm mates, constantly at odds. And now here they were, lying together in the same bed, with Mahnoor clinging to him as if he were some kind of anchor.