Till death do us part episode 17 – 18

~TILL DEATH DO US APART

Episode 17

The doctor didn’t expect that question as he had no idea of where their daughter could have got it from.

“I don’t know ma’am, but it might be through one of the ways in which it is transmitted from” said the doctor.

“Don’t bother explaining that doctor. She is just shocked with the results of our daughter” said Cathy’s father.

“Yeah I can see that she is heartbroken. Let me tell you something, I also have a niece home who is HIV positive. She got it from her parents. At first it was so hærd for me, despite being a doctor, to accept her condition. But now, we live normally like she doesn’t have that condition. So all I am saying is that trying to find out where it came from, yes for your curiosity it’s fine but on the other hand, it will not help her emotionally. All you have to do now is support her and make her accept that her condition is permanent but doesn’t mean she will die anytime soon. Let her live a normal life like anybody. Be there for her” said the doctor.

“Thank you doctor. Let’s go honey” said Cathy’s father to his wife as they stood up leaving the office going to the ward where Cathy was.

Cathy’s mother stood along the passage and held on to her husband as she cried failing ro accept the condition of her only daughter. Her husband comforted her by holding her close to himself.

When she felt a bit calm, they decided to go and be with Cathy.

“Remember what the doctor said. You have to be strong for your daughter. Don’t forget this” said Cathy’s father.

They then went to the bed where Cathy was and they found her awake.

“Hello my dear, how are you feeling now?” Cathy’s mother asked trying to look fine.

“Am fine mom. Why are your eyes sore?” Asled Cathy noticing that her mother could have been crying.

“Oh no my dear, it’s just that I didn’t sleep. Am fine” Cathy’s mother said.

“Okay. Thank you for coming.” Cathy said.

TWO DAYS LATER.

Cathy was discharged from the hospital but her parents had not told her that part of the medication she was taking was anti retroviral drugs. They felt like they could properly tell her about the issue at home.

They shared with the matron who also felt pity for the little girl but was against the idea of not telling her there and then. The matron didn’t force her opinion on the parents but let them do as they pleased.

After getting permission from school to go with Cathy home for some days, the parents and Cathy went to there home.

When they got at home, they didn’t know how to break the news to her about her status. They were afraid of the reaction which might come from her.

Late in the evening of that day, Cathy sat with her parents watching some soapies in the living room. The father saw that as a great to let her know of the situation.

“Cathy, I and your mother love you so much, that is why we will do anything to make sure you are fine. It was so unfortunate that you fail ill whilst at school.” Said the father.

“Thank you and I love you too Dad” said Cathy.

“Thank you. There are certain things which happen in life which can change the way things have been going in our lives. So what do we have to do in such situations?” Asked her father.

“It’s just changing in order to suit the new environment” Cathy answered..

“Yes you are right. Have you ever done that?” He asked.

“Mmmmm yes. When I went to the school I am. It was hærd at first but with the help of Hellen my best friend, I got used.” Cathy said.

“Okay good. It’s really wonderful to hear that” said his father.

“Why are you asking me this dad?” Asked Cathy.

“Your father is asking this because there is something you need to change now. Just you going to a boarding school was, even this change will be difficult but you will succeed.” Said her mother who was quiet.

“Okay, so you want me out of that school?” Asked Cathy.

“No, the issue is at the hospital, they found you with a condition which will change some things about you.” Said the father.

“What condition?” Cathy asked.

“Cathy we love you our daughter…..”

“Just tell me the condition!” Cathy shouted as tears started running down her cheeks.

“Okay, you have been found with HIV.” Said her father.

“What?!” Cathy shouted running to her room.

Her mother wanted to follow her but the father stopped her.

“Don’t go there now. Let her release her emotions. You will see her later.” Said the father.

“What if she hurts herself?”

“Whatever you do, don’t talk to her right now?” Said the father.

———————————-

Cathy gor into her room and locked herself up. She cried so hærd that her eyes got sore. She felt so bad that she had entered into a condition she will have to be in for the rest of her life.

Cathy was so sure that there was no one else who could have infected her except RAM. She was this sure because he was the only person she got intimate with upto this time. She regretted not heeding the advice Hellen gave her about RAM. From that moment she developed extreme rage against Ram.

“The day I will meet him, I will tell him off to his face” thought Cathy to herself.

She went on thinking wishing she could reverse the time so that she could undo the intimacy she got into with ram.

————————————————-

3 DAYS LATER.

With the help of his father, Cathy was slowly adapting to her new condition. She was also feeling much better.

Her father drove her back to school. When they got to school, he dropped her there.

“Don’t let this disturb your studies. Put extra effort in your studies and do the best” her father said to her.

“I will do my best dad” Cathy said.

Cathy couldn’t wait to see Hellen so that they could catch up on different issues.

Hellen was so happy to see her friend back. When she saw her she ran towards her and gave her a right hug.

“I missed you love” said Hellen.

“I missed you too” Cathy said.

“Come on let’s go we put your stuff we chat” said Hellen.

They went to the hostel and packed the things Cathy came with. They then went outside to catch up on different topics.

“Hellen you are my friend. I need to tell you something very important. Please this is not like that issue of RAM. I need you to keep it as a secret. I have told you because it won’t be long before you find out.” Said Cathy.

“Okay, I give you my word” said Hellen.

“I have AIDS” said Cathy.

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I even have the ARVs with me in the locker.” Said Cathy looking down.

“Oh love am so sorry” said Hellen.

“I am the one who needs to be sorry for not listening to me. Ram infected me” said Cathy.

“That’s so unfortunate. Don’t blame yourself.” Said Hellen.

“I need your help like never before Hellen. Please promise to be my friend” said Cathy.

“You will always be my best friend” said Hellen hugging her.

As they were hugging, one girl in the same class with Cathy who was overhearing their conversation came.

“This is the payment for being mad about older people. See your life now! HIV positive” said the girl.

“Hey watch your mouth” Hellen warned her.

“As if you can do anything to me if I don’t stop” said the girl.

Hellen Swiftly stood up and gave a resounding slap to the face of the girl. The slap was so hærd and nasty that the girl lost her balance and fell down. When the girl tried to feel her face, her hand was red dented with blood from her.

“You made me bleed?” Asked the girl as she stood.

“If you saying anything about what you heard to anyone else, I will not only bleed your nose but also cut off your throat. Uncultured foolish girl” said Hellen as she went to console Cathy who was sobbing.

Episode 18

The girl who was slapped went to the matron to report what had happened to her. The matron was really angry seeing how the girl bled. Without asking much of the questions, she administered first aid to her. She then sat down with her to hear more of the situation that led to that.

“What happened? Who did this to you?” Asked the matron.

“Its Hellen” said the girl.

“You mean the same Hellen we know?”

“Yes”

“Yes,”

“Why?”

“I was joking with Cathy then she beat me up” said the girl.

“, Okay, stay here.” Said the matron.

She then sent for Hellen and Cathy to come. After a few minutes, Hellen and Cathy went to the matron.

“Hellen, why did you assault your friend?” Asked rhe matron.

“Madam, Cathy was telling me about her condition and this girl was overhearing our private conversation. She then came and started mocking Cathy for her condition.” Said Hellen.

“Is that so?” the matron asked the girl.

The girl didn’t say anything but kept quiet.

“She should have beaten you more. How on Earth can you mock your friend this way? Do you know that you can be expelled from this school for this? Let me warn you, I shouldn’t hear of anything of this mockery anymore. The day I hear of it you will be in deep trouble. Are we together?” Said the matron

“Yes madam”

“,Go now and dont do that again” said the matron.

“,Hellen am so proud of you for always protecting your friend. Keep it up! But let me advise you, ita not always a good way of settling issues using violence. These slaps you offer people will land you in problems one day. Try controlling yourself. Is that clear?” Asked the matron.

“Yes madam. Am sorry I just couldn’t hold myself seeing her abusing my friend.” Said Hellen.

“I understand but beware”

“Okay madam”

“Cathy, don’t mind that girl. We have such stupid people in life whom we have to deal with. So in your condition, the first step to healing accepting. The moment you accept no mocking will affect you. But the more you don’t want people to know about it, the more you will be putting yourself in a prison without walls. So be strong my girl” said the matron.

“I will madam. Thank you” said Cathy.

“Okay, you can now go. I need to do some other things” said the matron.

Hellen and Cathy left the office. Cathy was so proud to have such a wonderful friend who would do anything for the sake of her friend.

Their bond went on so strong until they wrote their grade 9 exams.

————————————————-

6 YEARS LATER.

Hellen and Cathy were now grown up ladies who were in their early twenties. They were both in their second year at the same university pursuing their dream careers. Due to her eloquence in speaking and her passion for talking, Hellen went to do a bachelor in journalism and mass media. Cathy who was a mathematics giant went for civil engineering and archtecture.

Just like there prayer was, they both stayed in the same room at the University. This made it possible for them to catch up on different issues. Most people at the University thought they were blood cousins seeing how close they were to each other.

Cathy came back from taking a shower and was there clad in a bathing towel as she applied lotion. Hellen was typing something on her laptop.

Cathy was singing a rom-ntic song as she went on doing what she was doing. She then removed her towel being completely nude. Hellen looked at her and just shook her head. Cathy saw her shaking her head.

“What is it Hellen?” asked Cathy.

“Ah nothing” sais Hellen scoffing as she went typing.

“If I slap you, your entire generation will go deaf. Tell me what you are scoffing about here” said Cathy getting close to Hellen still completely nude.

“Cathy look at yourself. You are completely without anything on you and you are so comfortable.” Said Hellen.

“Oh what can make me uncomfortable here?” Said Cathy as she did catwalk going to the mirror.

“You are luck I don’t have a SpongeBob because I would have raped you already.” Hellen said.

“Look at someone who is talking of rape. You couldn’t have even managed to do it.” Cathy said.

“Why are you so sure?” asked Hellen.

“I know. See, since we have been friends, I have never heard of you having any boyfriend or getting in a relationsh¡p with any boy. So it would have been the same even if you were a man” said Cathy.

“You are right Cathy. I don’t want a man right now. I will have one when I plan on getting married.” Said Hellen.

“My friend, let me tell you the truth. If you plan on having a man when you plan on settling, your marriage will be pathetic” said Cathy.

“Meaning?”

“Let me explain. These boyfriends we have now before we even settle down, are like a training to us. They make us understand the male specie and how we can relate with them. The more you date the more you get to understand who men are as a creation” said Cathy.

“You mean I can’t get to know my future hubby by dating him before marrying?”

“You need to date different men. By that you will know who suits you. In carpentry they say ‘measure as many times as possible but cut once’. This same applies to dating, date as many times as you want but marry once. So give yourself an opportunity to experience love.” Said Cathy.

“Right now my love is my career. Let me sort out my career and when I achieve my dreams, I will then find a man” said Hellen.

“That is where most women lose it. You don’t decide when to marry as a woman. You just have to be ready, men are the ones who decide when to marry. Okay let’s say you achieve your dreams you want and then you plan to marry, where are you going to find a man you want to marry? Chances are there will be no man to marry you then because they might not be read. You will end up being desperate. My point is you as a woman understand the fact that you can’t time when you want to marry. Just be ready for marriage.” Said Cathy.

“So what you are saying is I should be ready for marriage now when am still at the University?” Asked Hellen.

“What I mean is open up now. Get in a serious relationsh¡p with a guy and you might marry later. It’s difficult to find men in service. Look, the age at which we are, we are everyone’s desire to marry. See our beauty! The point we are at is where we now have reached the peak of our beauty, you know why we have this beauty?” Asked Hellen.

“No, why?”

“So that suitors can notice us and marry them. The moment we leave this peak of beauty, we will fade and end up getting married to refluffs if we don’t find marriage partners.” Said Cathy.

“So you mean if I grow I can’t find real love?” Asled Hellen.

“No, what am saying is if you get to your thirties without getting married, do you think there will be single men to match to your age in this country we are in? No. Find a serious love partner now. Discuss on your future plans and stick to them” said Cathy.

“Okay” said Hellen looking at the wall trying to sink in what Cathy said to her.

“As you can see, am now ready for a date. I will find you.” Said Cathy about to leave.

“Take care of yourself. Don’t be foolish there” said Hellen.

“Of course I can’t be foolish. My Calabash now is worthy more than what is in the reserve Bank of Zambia. And think about what I have told you seriously.” Said Cathy.

“No problem, I will and enjoy too” said Hellen.

.

Tbc