Agatha had always loved to sit in the balcony and watch the world go by. She had been sitting there for a long time now.. she lost track of how long. She came to this place to take refuge from the world around her, but she now began to feel like this was perhaps just an illusion..

The sun was setting and the sky was red. As she stared at the sky and the scenes around her, she became conscious of being looked at and often looked around to see if anyone was watching. The gaze of strangers made her feel like she was being watched, but also like she was seen -  as a piece of artwork, perhaps? A thought she couldn't ignore..

She suddenly caught sight of a figure approaching from afar,  and looked down from the balcony - only to realise it was the collector for menstrual tax. The collector carried a bell that rang to remind Agatha she had taxes to pay. This person had visited her every month since her first experience to collect taxes for her right to bleed. It made no sense.

She started to ruminate on the emotionally laborious tasks she had had to perform, and how she had been always been treated like an object or a thing in return. She started sulking with the handkerchief in her hand and returned the collector's gaze. It was penetrating.

This story had repeated itself many times now. So many, that Agatha wondered if she could ever be free. At once, she stood up to the collector and said -

I see you

I see you looking at me.

I am looking at you.

You are the menstrual collector.

You collect from me because I am a woman who menstruates?

I cannot pay you my monthly contribution today.

I refuse!

I refuse to pay you the taxes for my basic right.

I know you are staring back at me.

I refuse to give into your gaze

because I will stand up for my body today.

You may leave now!