My name is Emeka, I am HIV positive – Entry 2

Last week, I started a series on this blog. The story of how I became HIV positive and my life afterwards. To read the first episode, click HERE



ENTRY 2:
It was a beautiful Friday morning, I woke up to the chirping sounds of the lovely feathered birds that nested near my window.

I checked the time on my phone and it was 7:18AM. I stretched myself and managed to get out of bed to get ready for the day's work. I walked to the wall where I hung my TO-DO List box, to check my schedule for the day. That was when I remembered that I'm supposed to accompany Uche to the clinic for screening.

Hmmmm Emeka, is it not shameful that you don't even know a clinic that offers screening services and you called yourself a Peer Educator... I belittled myself.

I scrolled through my phone's contacts and dialed Obinna's line immediately.

Obinna is my co-worker at CRH. He also works as a nurse in the University Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
He is a generous young man who was in his mid 20's.

Hello... Hello... Hello, I spoke repeatedly into my phone.
Hello Obinna, it's me Emeka. I'm sorry for disturbing you this morning, hope I didn't wake you up?

Oh no! It's alright. Hope all is well? Why are you calling this early, he responded.

Yes my dear, all is well. I needed to ask you a question...
Please do you know a clinic where I can go for HCT?

Errrmmmmm... I think the only LGBT-friendly places you can check is ENSACA and SFH. I am sure they offer HCT services.

O! Thanks my dear friend.

But, wait a minute. Why are you asking me this. Did you expose yourself to risk? Obinna curiously asked.

No my friend. I just wanted to refer a Peer. I replied.

Ok bye... [The call hung up]

I walked up to the sink to wash my face, then my phone rang immediately. It was Uche that was calling.

Hello, Uche Good morning. How was your night?

It was cool dear and yours? He replied.
I just wanted to ask you what time we will be leaving for the clinic. He said.

Ok dear. I think 9:00AM would be ideal.

Ok, but where should I meet you? He asked

We will be going to ENSACA office, that's to say that we'll meet at Ogui Junction then, we go from there.

Hmmmm... Please what is ENSACA? Emeka asked curiously.

Enugu State Action Committee on AIDS (ENSACA), I replied.

Okay dear, till then. Thanks for accepting to help me...

You're... (He hung up) welcome.

***

8:03AM
I was done bathing. I slid into my only surviving tuxedo trousers which I wore with a vintage multicolored shirt.
I decided to put on a sandals since I was going to enter the public bus. I didn't want to spoil my shoes while struggling to board a bus.

Old park! Old park! Old park! Old park! A bus conductor in an upcoming bus exclaimed repeatedly, while the bus driver halted by the spot where I was standing.

You dey go? The bus conductor asked.

Yes, Ogui Junction ego ole? I asked in Igbo.

Oya bring ₦70.

I looked at the front seat and saw only one man sitting there, I open the door immediately to join him in front.

Oh this is my lucky day, I murmured to myself. Since I won't pack myself like Sardine at the back seats.

On getting to Ogui Junction, Uche was already waiting. I could sight him standing by the other side of the road, wearing a yellow flowered shirt and a brown trousers.
I waved at him for his attention.

He crossed over to where I was standing.
Good morning Emeka. He said happily.

Morning dear, hope I didn't keep you waiting for so long?

Not at all, it's not been long I arrived here.

Okay na let's go, I said moving forward to flag down a keke.

***

09:45AM
We arrived the venue. It was quite a cool environment, the buildings which looked old were mainly bungalows. I could see people going in and out of the offices.

Emeka, is this the place? Uche asked.

Yes, I replied while I looked around to know if there's someone I'd ask for directives.

Excuse me sir, I waved at a man coming towards our direction.
Good morning sir, please do you know where they do HIV tests here?

Yes, just enter this office, He pointed to a black door.  Then ask whoever you see there that you came for test.

We did as he instructed. We found ourselves in an office.

Seat down, a woman sitting in the office said.

The woman appeared to be a counselor since she sat on the big chair which faced the seats we sat on.

It seems this is the counselor, Uche whispered into my ears when we sat down.

Maybe....

I was already feeling nervous and edgy. Goosebumps were already sprouting out of my skin. This was my first time going to a clinic for HIV test.

What if the test is positive, I asked myself.
Hmmmm.... I wouldn't forgive myself, that's to say my world is finished.

On a second thought, why would I be positive? Since I became sexually active, I can count how many times I've had sex without a condom... and I don't think that my sex partners were positive.

Hmmmm... Maybe they were positive, but didn't tell you? Another thought came up.

Infact, it's not possible. Do you want to tell me that I am positive just after that encounter? Hell no!

These and many more were racing in my thoughts, I was completely lost. My pulse became very high. The Goosebumps appeared even more.

Hello, Hello, Hello, Mr Man! The counselor shouted, just when Uche touched me.

What's the matter with you? I've been calling on you. The counselor said angrily.

I am sorry ma'am. I replied, apologetically.

You both are welcome to ENSACA. In this section of our office, we offer services like Free HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), Sexual Health Counseling, and Marriage Counseling. Please, how may we help you? She asked.

Ma'am, we came for HCT. I replied shivering.

Okay, first we I will conduct a pre counseling. She said.
Do you wish to be counseled together or separately?

Since we came together, just go on with the counseling. Uche cuts in.

Do you know what HIV is? She began.
HIV is a Virus which means Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that affects the immune system. It takes this virus a window period of 3 weeks to 6 months before it manifests with its signs and symptoms. Some of these signs include fever, sweats at night, weight loss, loss of appetite, etc.

This virus can be gotten from having unprotected sexual intercourse, from mother to her unborn child. Also by sharing unsterilized material such as hair clippers, razor blades, scissors, syringes, etc.

Being HIV Positive is not a death sentence because there are some drugs that you can be given to help you manage the situation. The drugs help to suppress the viral load by preventing it from multiplying.

So whatever the results of today's test become, I don't want you to see yourself as a failure. Just hold your self together and move on.

So at this point, do you have any questions?

No questions, Uche and I said in unison.

In the absence of no questions, I think we should proceed with the business of the day. She said.
You are going to do the test, one after the other. So, who's going first?

I told my friend Uche to go.

He stood up and entered the inner room.

After 5 minutes, he came out of the inner room. I read his countenance, he didn't seem happy or sad. I asked him about the results, he said he was not told.

Just then, I was called into the inner room...

To be continued

I want to sincerely thank everyone who sent in their comments, best wishes and suggestions after I released my first episode. It means a lot. 

This week's puzzle is: What do you think will be the outcome of the test result? Answer the question in the comments section below.

I still remain, Emeka,

The HIV+ Gay man.

See you next week...