Accused of a “Dirty Disease” While Sick

1.
A nasty flu had me feeling like death warmed over, so I had to beg my gay best friend, Ben, to drive me to the clinic for a shot.
I was expecting a simple IV drip, but the intern on duty insisted that if I wanted to get better fast, it had to be an intramuscular injection in the glute.
To avoid missing any more work, I gritted my teeth and agreed.
But after I lowered my pants, the intern suddenly rushed out of the room in a panic and dragged Ben inside.
Oh my God, sir! Your girlfriend has a syphilitic rash all over her backside! How can you be with someone who has a disease that filthy?
A surge of white-hot anger shot through me. I demanded she apologize, but instead, the intern turned around and posted a TikTok.
The caption read: Forced by my superiors to apologize after exposing a patient's promiscuous lifestyle, but I know I did the right thing! Sometimes you have to speak up! #MedStudentLife #DoingTheRightThing

I yanked my pants up, my hands shaking with rage, and spun around to glare at the girl whose name tag read, Zoe, Medical Intern.
What the hell are you talking about?
My voice was sharp with fury, but Zoe seemed oblivious, her face a mask of wounded innocence.
I just dont want this gentleman to be deceived by you! she declared righteously, before casting a shy, adoring glance at Ben. I cant stand people like you, who use a pretty face to cheat good men!
The so-called good man, Ben, pointed a bewildered finger at his own nose.
His expression screamed, Me?
I followed Zoes gaze and saw the undisguised infatuation swirling in her eyes as she looked at Ben.
In that instant, it all clicked into place.
Ben was wearing a bespoke suit, a Patek Philippe gleaming on his wrist. Paired with a face that could rival any A-list actor, it was enough to send an impressionable young girls imagination into overdrive.
There was just one tiny problem: Ben wasnt straight.
I let out a cold, humorless laugh, done wasting my breath on her. I raised my voice, calling out into the hallway. Head nurse! Could I speak to whoever is in charge here, please?
My voice wasnt loud, but it cut through the clinic's low hum, drawing the attention of several nurses nearby.
A moment later, a middle-aged man with a tag identifying him as Dr. Matthews, Department Head hurried in.
Maam, is there a problem?
I pointed a trembling finger at Zoe and recounted everything that had just happened, word for word.
As I spoke, Dr. Matthewss face grew darker and darker.
Zoe, faced with her superior, was clearly losing her nerve. Her eyes darted around the room as she anxiously twisted the hem of her white coat.
I I must have made a mistake. I was just so shocked that I she stammered, trying to defend herself.
I cut her off, my gaze sweeping sharply between her and the doctor.
A mistake? You think a flippant I made a mistake is enough to repair the damage youve done to my reputation and my health?
I paused, letting the tension build before dropping the bomb.
Fine. I will undergo a full panel of tests right here, right now, in your clinic. If they show that there is nothing wrong with me, then not only will I sue Ms. Zoe for personal defamation and emotional distress, but I will also sue this hospital for gross negligence and for enabling its staff to spread malicious lies.
The color drained from Dr. Matthewss face, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
He whirled on Zoe, his voice a low, furious hiss. What are you still standing there for? Since when can you diagnose a patient with your eyes alone? Who do you think you are? Apologize to this lady. Now!
Under the immense pressure, Zoes face turned crimson. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to argue.
But what she did next, no one saw coming.
Waaaaah!
She clapped her hands over her face and burst into loud, theatrical sobs.

2.
Dr. Matthews looked like he was about to have an aneurysm. Ben just stood there, a perfect picture of "Who am I? Where am I?" confusion.
I crossed my arms, watching her performance with cold detachment.
Zoe sobbed, peeking at Ben through the gaps in her fingers, but her words were directed at her boss. I I just didnt want this gentleman to be kept in the dark! Hes such a good person, why should he be deceived by someone who plays games with peoples hearts!
Growing more agitated, she dropped her hands, her red-rimmed eyes locking onto mine.
You know exactly how wild your life is, dont you? If youre going to be dirty, then stay away from decent men!
She spoke with such conviction, as if she were some righteous crusader.
But from the moment we walked in, Ben hadn't said a single word. How had she determined he was a "decent man"? Pure fantasy?
I was so angry I had to laugh. Taking a step toward her, I didn't back down.
Fine. Lets say I corrupt people, I said, playing along. Then my finger shot out, pointing at a still-baffled Ben. Then you tell me, who deserves to be with him? Who wouldn't be corrupting him?
Zoes eyes flickered away, a suspicious blush creeping up her cheeks. She stammered, unable to form a single word.
The answer was obvious.
Thats enough! Dr. Matthews had reached his limit. Zoe, one more word of this nonsense and youre fired!
I ignored him, pulled my phone from my pocket, and began dialing in front of everyone.
Hello, 911? Id like to report a case of public slander
Maam! Maam, please dont!
Seeing I was serious, Dr. Matthews nearly jumped out of his skin. He lunged forward and pressed down on my phone, his posture utterly deferential, his tone almost pleading. Please, calm down. This is our hospitals failure. I promise you, I will handle this to your complete satisfaction!
He spun back to Zoe, his eyes like daggers.
Zoe! Do you want a future in this hospital or not? Is your residency position not important to you? I am giving you one last chance. Apologize to this lady. Immediately!
The words residency position finally snapped Zoe back to reality.
She bit her lip, trembling with resentment, and gave me a stiff, reluctant bow.
Im sor ry
Her voice was barely a whisper, but the venom in her eyes could have killed.
Dr. Matthews delivered the sentence. Zoe, you are suspended from your rotation, effective immediately. You will write a ten-thousand-word formal apology, and a hospital-wide disciplinary notice will be issued!
Already sick and now dealing with this mess, I couldnt even be bothered to get the shot anymore. I just turned and walked out.
Ben walked me to my car. Seeing how pale I was, he asked worriedly, Are you sure you dont want me to stay with you?
Im fine. Go on your date, I said, waving him off. Dont keep him waiting.
Back home, I collapsed onto the sofa, my head throbbing. I ordered some medicine and takeout on my phone.
While waiting, I idly scrolled through local TikToks.
Suddenly, a video popped up.
On the screen, a girl in a white coat was crying her eyes out for the camera. It was Zoe.
The text overlay was dripping with self-pity: I just tried to warn a patients family that his girlfriend might have a nasty disease, but my boss forced me to apologize and told me to mind my own business What is wrong with this world? But I know I did the right thing. Im still a good person!
The comment section was a war zone.
Dont cry, you did nothing wrong! Youre too kind for this world!
Some women these days have zero morals, but god forbid you say anything about it.
That patient probably reported you because you hit a nerve! Hugs!
My blood boiled. This woman, who was supposed to be suspended and reflecting on her actions, was actively fanning the flames in her comment section, describing me in vivid detail.
The woman looked so sick and haggard, a total mess. I have no idea how she tricked a guy like him. He was so handsome and classythey were like night and day!
I burst out laughing from sheer disbelief.
What a master of deception, this good person.
Fueled by rage, I started typing in the comments: Im the patient youre talking about, and heres what actually happened at the clinic today
I was halfway through typing out the whole sordid affair when my doorbell rang.
My medicine and food had arrived.
I put my phone down, forced myself to eat a few bites, and swallowed the pills. The medicine hit me hard, and soon I was dizzy, sinking into a deep, hazy sleep.

3.
I slept like the dead. When I finally opened my eyes, the world outside my window was pitch black.
The flu medicine had worn off, and my head finally felt clear again, not like the cotton-stuffed mess it had been.
I reached for my phone to check the time, but the screen immediately lit up with a relentless barrage of calls from Ben. It was a full-blown emergency.
Hello? My voice was still raspy.
Oh my god, finally! Get on TikTok, right now! Its a complete disaster! Ben sounded frantic.
A knot of dread formed in my stomach as I opened the app.
The flood of DMs and comment notifications instantly froze my phone, turning the screen into a stuttering slideshow.
Thats when I realized it. In my medicated haze last night, I must have accidentally hit send on that half-finished comment.
Im the patient youre talking about, and heres what actually happened at the clinic today
Just that one, dangling sentence, hanging awkwardly in the comments of Zoes viral video.
And right below it, Zoe had performed a stunning reversal.
She replied to me, her tone no longer defiant but impossibly humble: I am so, so sorry, maam. I was wrong, I was truly wrong. I shouldnt have been such a busybody, and I never should have posted about this online. Im just an intern who has studied for five years to get this one chance. Please, Im begging you, have mercy. Dont file another complaint. Ill never be so righteous again. Im on my knees apologizing to you.
Her "retreat to advance" tactic was flawless.
My notifications had become a cesspool.
Oh look, the main character has arrived. Whyd you stop typing? Feeling guilty?
What actually happened is is what? That you screwed around and caught something nasty?
The poor intern is practically begging on her knees. What more do you want? Just because you got caught doesnt mean you can be a bully!
Look at her, cant even finish a sentence. She knows she was exposed. Serves her right.
I was shaking with rage, my chest tight.
These people, based on one manipulative video and a few crocodile-tear comments, had already convicted and sentenced me.
I clicked on Zoes profile and saw that she had pinned her reply to the top, every word painting her as a poor, bullied intern who was forced to abandon her righteous quest by a powerful abuser.
Fine. You want to settle this online? Lets settle it online.
With trembling hands, I opened my camera, ready to record a video explaining everything.
But a cold, impersonal notification box popped up on my screen: Your account has been temporarily suspended due to multiple user reports of violating community guidelines.
My vision went black for a second.
When I came to, I immediately contacted customer support, only to be told it would take three business days for a review.
Three business days?
By then, this whole thing would be ancient history.
And just then, as if on cue, a friend request popped up on my messaging app. The profile picture was Zoes tear-stained face.
I accepted, and a message instantly came through.
I really didnt expect things to blow up like this online. I know I was wrong, and Ive already asked for your forgiveness. But as a medical professional, I still have to advise you: a girl should take care of her body. Its better not to have such a messy private life.
Her condescending tone, as if she were some kind of savior.
I stared at the words, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.
I was about to unleash a string of curses, but my fingers froze over the screen.
What was the point of cursing her out? It would only give her more satisfaction.
I deleted the long, angry paragraph I had typed and calmly replied with a few simple words.
Are you at the hospital now?
Zoe clearly hadnt expected that. A few seconds later, a single ? appeared.
Seeing that question mark, a cold smile spread across my face.
I ignored her and dialed Ben.
Ben, I need you to do something for me.

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