It was a warm afternoon when Meera and Priya, two medical interns, entered their lecture room for their scheduled practice session.
"Today you will practice administering injections," said Dr. Malini, their instructor.
"You will administer the injections to each other. Remember to be gentle and precise. You know well that the skin is delicate."
Priya was wearing a crisp white blouse tucked into her black skirt. The fabric hugged her curves while her shirt collar was slightly open, revealing parts of her collarbones and her neck.
"You'll begin by exposing the area for the injection," Dr. Malini instructed.
Meera was nervous as she reached for the hem of Priya's blouse. She lifted the fabric, revealing Priya's stomach. Priya's breathing had deepened a bit. Priya's stomach seemed flat and her skin was flawless.
Meera slowly prepared the needle. As the needle pierced the skin, Meera's fingertips kneaded Priya's side, making both of them feel awkward.
"Done," Meera said, pulling the needle.
"Your turn," Meera said.
Priya's fingers were gentle as she guided her blouse up, revealing the curve of her back and the process was done quickly.
"Now, we will move on to intramuscular injections. You need to practice on the buttocks and the thighs. These are sensitive areas, so be careful." Said Dr. Malini.
Priya stood up slowly from her seat.
"I'll go first," she said, looking at Meera nervously.
Priya turned her back to Meera, and reached for the waistband of her skirt. She slid the fabric down enough to reveal the smooth and toned part of her back and her hip curve as well as her thighs.
"Are you ready?" Meera asked and Priya nodded.
Meera gently pressed the needle to Priya's skin, feeling the soft flesh.
"I'll go next," Meera said.
She reached down to the hem of her skirt, lifting it higher instead of sliding them down, revealing her thighs. Her inner thighs were toned but soft.
Priya took a deep breath as she gently touched the needle to Meera's inner thigh. Slowly, she pressed the needle in her hand brushing against the flesh.
"Next, we will practice the ECG," Dr. Malini instructed.
"You'll need to connect the electrodes to your partner's chest but avoid any discomfort, and remember the skin is sensitive."
Priya reached for the front of her shirt, slowly unbuttoning it and revealing the skin of her chest. She shrugged the shirt off her shoulders as it pooled at her waist, exposing her delicate collarbones and her chest. Meera gazed for a moment before she shied away, trying to focus.
Meera reached for the ECG leads, and placed the first electrode just below Priya's collarbone. The next was placed over Priya's heart as Meera's fingers brushed over Priya's skin and Priya's breath caught, not only due to the touch but also the coldness of the electrodes. Finally, Meera placed the last electrode just below Priya's ribcage.
"Done," Meera whispered.
Next, Meera unbuttoned her own shirt as Priya's eyes didn't leave her for a second. Priya placed the electrodes with careful precision as the final electrode just below Meera's ribcage.
"Done," Priya said.
And that was it for that day, while the interns need to get back the following day too for more practical sessions.
The next day Meera and Priya returned to the training room as usual.
"Today we'll practice the examination of limbs, joints, and breasts which are critical skills, and learn them thoroughly," Said Dr. Malini.
"You will begin with the limbs and joints first and then the breast examination."
Priya was wearing a thin white blouse, and a pair of black trousers. Meera reached for Priya's arm to begin the examination and she could feel the pulse in Priya's wrist, steady and strong. Meera moved her hands along the length of Priya's arm feeling for any tenderness or swelling in the joints towards. Priya's elbow. Meera's fingers hovered near Priya's armpit brushing against her blouse again.
"Everything seems normal," Meera said.
Meera stepped forward next wearing a simple white blouse and a skirt that was form-fitting.
Priya began the examination gently moving over Meera's arm checking for swelling or tenderness. Priya's fingers slid over the curve of Meera's elbow.
"Good," Priya said.