Recently, I found myself plagued by an intense itchiness in my most private area, accompanied by an unfamiliar discharge. It had me scared.
Shockingly, online search results suggested it might have been due to frequent sexual activity or having multiple partners. But that didn't make sense. I didn't even have a boyfriend.
The more I read, the more uneasy I felt. I couldn't bring myself to confide in anyone as I was terrified of the judgmental stares. So, I snuck off to the hospital for a check-up.
What I hadn't anticipated was that my older sister's boyfriend, Michael Thompson, would be the one to see me!
Discreetly, I opened my phone, located my sister Emily Johnson's chat, and meticulously compared the photo she had sent me. It confirmed my worst fear.
Instantly, embarrassment flooded my cheeks. How could there be a male doctor in gynecology?
And to make matters worse, it was Emily's boyfriend!
I had only ever heard Emily mention that her boyfriend was a doctor, but she had never specified gynecology.
At that moment, I wanted to bolt. It was just too awkward. But before I could even turn, the door to the consultation room swung open.
"Samantha Johnson!"
I instinctively let out a sound, feeling everyone's gaze, including Michael's. I wished I could just disappear.
But leaving then would have only made things worse. With a deep breath, I stepped into the consultation room.
Thankfully, Michael didn't recognize me.
Well, we had never met before. I only knew him from the photo Emily had given me. It was perfectly normal for him not to recognize me.
Thinking this way, I felt a small sense of relief. I would just treat it like any other check-up with a stranger.
Just as I began to feel a bit relieved, he dropped a bombshell.
"Take off your skirt and lie on the bed," Michael said, eyeing my skirt.
"I... I have to take off my skirt?"
I was beyond shocked. What if he found out I was Emily's sister? And what if Emily found out?
How could I let Michael do this kind of thing?
But now I was caught in a dilemma. I couldn't just say I was Emily's sister and refuse his treatment.
Then how would he see me in the future? Would he think I led a chaotic private life? And if he happened to develop negative feelings towards Emily in the process, my guilt would be even greater.
"It's just a routine check-up to rule out any potential underlying issues. Early detection leads to early treatment."
He paused for a moment.
"In a doctor's eyes, there's only the patient, no distinction between genders," he added, perhaps trying to ease my embarrassment and concern over his gender.
At this point, I had run out of excuses to avoid the situation. So, I braced myself. After all, he didn't know me, and I could pretend not to know him.
Plus, what if my condition was serious? What if delaying treatment worsened it?
Lying on the hospital bed, I closed my eyes.
"Take off your skirt and your underwear."
His voice snapped me back to reality. My face flushed red, and I awkwardly complied, feeling like the whole world was watching.
It was as if everyone knew, and my mind was in turmoil.
Here I was, undressing in front of Emily's boyfriend. I wished I could disappear, wished nobody knew me.
"Spread your legs."
Oh god! Was I going to expose myself like this to Michael?
Reluctantly, I complied and exposed my most intimate part.
I felt mortified, and at that moment, I could sense the intrusion of something.