Setting: In a university with a dormitory
Conflict: Stigma of Menstruation (Man vs. Man)
Theme: Women empowerment
Perspective: First point of view
Timeline Updates: Every Weekdays
Story Status: Finished
Where am I? My body is numbingly painful to move. What is this tube on my knuckles? The light is too bright and blinding....
I looked around this unknown place to answer the most important question: What happened after blacking out?
Now, who is this person hunched over beside me? Judging by the hair, it's Jake? Why is he here? More like, why are we here in this place?
Then, I heard Jake mumbling something as if he is about to wake up. I am fully awake too, so I am opening my eyes, staring back at him. He then tilted his head to me, surprised and happy. "Thank God, you almost died!" He exclaimed to hug me. It took approximately 8 seconds to embrace each other in relief until something dripping on my back - his tears. "What happened to me?" I asked as I let go of the hug.
"You..you fainted, then I was about to check on you downstairs...seeing you....unconscious.." Jake explained in tears. I suddenly fainted? But why?
"Fortunately, the gym teachers carried you to the clinic, and I followed them. I did not want to run with them, I also called the ambulance because the clinic won't provide medication." He continued. I am still at confusion. "Why did I suddenly pass out?" I asked. "The doctors will come back later for the results, which I'm really concerned about." He answered.
Results. I hope it is not a serious illness since I'm fine, right? I don't know what is going inside my flesh. Praying that they will give out minimal threat....my nerves are running upside down. Soon then, the doctors entered my room, while Jake stood up from his seat. Oh gosh, behold the results...
"Good evening everyone! I would like to present the final results based on the tests we ran awhile ago while Ms. Zimman was unconscious." The doctor holding a clipboard uttered. "However, it was not what we expected from a faint as Ms. Zimman has been diagnosed with long-term amenorrhea." He continued. Amenorrhea? What's that?
"May I know what's amenorrhea?" I politely asked. "A woman who never had her period since early teenage years. I suppose you have not menstruated yet?" He explained. "Umm yes, I did not.." I muttered. Jake stood frozen by looking at me.
"Tomorrow, we will further check up on you if this condition may become severe or treatable. For now, may you please rest for the day and consume dairy foods for tonight's supper. That's all for now." The doctor recommended and left the room. "Thank you, doctor!" Jake thanked and approached me.
"I-" Jake was interrupted by the noise of people coming in to the room. They were Rainee, Naomi, and Carol. Ms. Sweeny walked slowly with a tray of food towards me. "Oh no! What happened with you?" Naomi caressed my hair when she asked. "I don't know, but I have been diagnosed with amenorrhea?" I doubtingly answered. Carol's hands covered her mouth in shock. "That means, she have not menstruated." Ms. Sweeny calmly expounded.
"Well yes, you told us the truth in the first place. But, how long has this been going on?" Naomi asked one more time. "I'm not aware of that anymore. But in the next day, the doctor will run some tests on how severe my condition is." I replied. Rainee sighed in disappointment, while Naomi looked down.
"Save your questions later for Reese. She needs to eat now." Ms. Sweeny interrupted as she handed the tray to my bed. "Thank you so much, teacher." I said with a smiley face as I see an ice cream cup on my right corner. "Mmm, aren't you guys done with dinner?" I concerned. "Yes, we did except for Jake. He just stayed with you the whole time." Ms. Sweeny replied. I saw both of my roommates teasing Jake. "I see heheh. Yep, I need to eat." I declared while shoving a bite of sandwich in my mouth.
After dinner, I was notified by worried Carol that she will go back to the campus. I understand that she might have other requirements, so I let her be. Rainee, Naomi, Jake, and Ms. Sweeny stayed with me for tonight. "Do you mind us sleeping on the floor?" Rainee and Naomi asked in unison. A reason to love them. "No, you guys make yourselves comfortable." I kindly responded. They were in joy as they laid out the mattress and pillows.
Jake entered the room thereafter saying, "So, Ms. Sweeny will sleep on the couch? You guys are on the floor?" My roommate besties nodded. "Pheww, cause I thought we will have a conflict with our beds for tonight." He shared. Ms. Sweeny then went straight to the couch, looking exhausted. "Umm, Reese. Do you mind I hunched over to sleep beside your bed?" Jake asked. "Aren't you strained after sitting and sleeping for a long time though?" I concerned for his posture. "No, I got used to it heheh. Yep anyways, turning off the lights!" He changed the subject. Oh well, good night, and we slept.
9 hours later
It is the time for my checkup. The doctor is here with me, while the rest of my companions are waiting outside. "Good morning Ms. Zimman! I hope you remember that we will be monitoring your current state and to also verify the diagnosis we finalized. Please, follow me to the laboratory room." He instructed me, then I followed. The laboratory was supposed to be located on two floors up and on the right aisle of the end.
It was tiring to take the stairs whew! Do they have an elevator for patients? I hope so.
The doctor opened the door and whoa! There's numerous gigantic equipment in here. "So, this is where we tested your condition yesterday. Please take a seat here." He directed me to an office chair to my left. "After which, we can now test your blood and other organs by using the ultimate device behind you," He said. I looked behind and saw a set of devices:
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"Follow me and lie down on the stretcher." He instructed. This is more of an operation room rather a laboratory for me. "We will be injecting anesthesia into your body. 3...2...1.." The doctor proclaimed along with his nurses I hear. Is this really a checkup? Or an extortion to my body? What is wrong with these people? I'm feeling a bit tir-
Ughh! Not again, I'm hearing murmurs and seeing circles. Am I back in my room? I see my doctor though, but I can't see the full identities of the other people in the room. Ms. Sweeny? Jake? Who are they?
"Is it serious, doctor?" A woman voice asked. "Fortunately, it can be treated at home. She just needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle." The doctor apparently said based on my hearing. Wait a minute, my previous doctor suggested that - to maintain a healthy diet. To be fair, I do sleep late and eat tons of junk food, which is why I'm like this. Is my body really that strict or eating well and sleeping normally will help me experience the girl's thing? Hopefully, I can so that I know how it feels to be a woman. My body needs to rest. I have to sleep this out....
"GUYS!!!"
Now what? Great, Naomi or RAINEE ruined my sleep. Either both of them, they're dead meat...I just want to sleep comfortably. Then, I felt someone jerking my shoulder. Ugh fine! Waking up.. I scrunched my hair as I rose from the bed. I first saw Jake resting his hand on my knee. Then, a phone screen with huge words saying...."To be healthy platform, released by a student in Hampton University," what does that mean?
"Reese, I read the article and it's depicting you!" Rainee said. "Huh, how?" I asked. "Check this out," Naomi scrolled through the phone and handed it to me. Gasp, why is Carol there? "Why is my friend there?" I muttered and looked at everyone's faces for an answer. "As her placard displays, don't be with fake people! She said once to be a woman is to have their red days, when she never had it!" Naomi angrily mocked. "Is this against me?" I clarified. "Absolutely, but she meant to distort us this whole time." Jake commented. "She even requested everyone to avoid you for faking out this entire organization we made." He continued.
I looked back at the phone with shaky fingers in anger, scrolling down to the end. I slammed the phone to my blanket covering my legs and muttered, "Is this just the beginning round of war?"
