NO.

NO, is the word I hear when I speak my mind.
NO, is the sound I get when I want equality.
NO, is the look on a man's face when I raise my voice.
NO, is in the talking down, in their patronising ways, in the movement of their shaking heads.

NO! is what I say when they touch me.
NO! is what I scream at people cat calling me on my way to work.
NO! is what I mouth at people coming too close, bursting my bubble I call my comfort zone.
NO! is my answer, when they ask me to back down.

Why is their NO, so much stronger, so explainable, so justifiable? 
While mine whimpers in dark, not grown up enough to be heard.

Pictures by @top_sigrid
Make up and Hair @alina.ivan.mua