***
“Miss Monica Alex,” The voice of Mr. David broke through my trip down memory lane. “You seem to have better things to think about during my class.”
I snapped alert and blinked at the lecturer who now stood before me. I heard a quiet giggle from behind me and when I glanced back found the chubby, baby faced girl making doe eyes at Mr. David. The sight made me want to
puke.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
He asked as he waited expectantly. I quickly thought of what to say as my eyes
round the room. I locked gazes with Victor for a brief second and he narrowed his eyes at me as if he too was waiting to hear what I would say. I looked back at Mr David and my mouth suddenly felt dry. No matter how angry I’d been just by looking at him moments ago, I couldn’t speak.
“If you have nothing to say then see me after the class.” He snapped and walked back to the front of the room.
Victor tossed me a disappointed look before he picked up his pen and focused on the lecture too. I licked my lips and looked down, disappointed in myself too. After class, I waited behind although every part of me wanted to walk out the door like everyone else. The chubby girl whose name I still didn’t know gave me a curious look as she walked past me but I averted my gaze.
“Have a seat.” Mr. David said as he sat opposite me in his office.
I did so and waited for him to speak.
“I noticed you seemed a bit absent-minded in my class today.” He watched me carefully as he rolled a pen between his fingers. “What’s the reason for your behaviour?”
“I was a bit distracted.”
“What were you distracted by?” He asked.
“I had a few things on my mind.” I really wished he would stop asking questions because he wouldn’t like what I had to say.
“Such as what?” He pushed further.
“I don’t want to discuss it, sir.” I clenched my teeth together to suppress the anger that built up in me.
“I take the mental state of my students very important so-”
“Okay, then.” I cut in. “What I was really thinking about is how much disgust I feel whenever I see you.”
“I’m sorry, what!” He sat up in his chair.
I admit that it felt great saying that.
“Yes,” I nodded emphatically. “With all due respect, I can’t stand the sight of you when I think about what you’re doing to your female students.”
“What’re you saying?” His eyes widened. I thought about my next words quickly and said them before I lost my nerve.
“Reliable sources have narrated their encounter with you and I think it’s safe to say that your private activities are not so private anymore.”
“Are you threatening me?” He narrowed his eyes.
“Not at all, I’m simply saying the truth.”
“Leave my office now. Get out!”
I stared at him silently and didn’t get up until I was sure he got my message loud and clear. As I walked out of his office with a façade of bravado, I tried to ignore how badly my knees shook. I couldn’t believe that I actually did it.
I was bursting with the need to tell somebody so when I was far away from the building, I called Tonia immediately.
“You wouldn’t believe what I just did.” I quickly narrated what happened to her only pausing for breath once in a while
“I’m glad you were bold but you need to be
careful, Monica.” Her voice sounded hesitant and cautious.
“Someone had to do something.”
“Listen, just be careful, okay?”
“I understand,” I mumbled as my euphoria died down quickly.
When I thought about it, I realized I’d really taken a risk and it was one that I hoped wouldn’t come back to haunt me but when
Lisa received her lab results the following day and tested positive to HIV positive, I knew I’d done the right thing. If I could stop him from doing the same to another female student, then maybe just maybe, I could stop others from suffering the same way I did. The same way Lisa was now.
“Welcome back,” The doctor said as we took our seats. “How’re you feeling today?”
The question was directed at Lisa but she didn’t answer. “She’s fine.”
Lisa cast me a dry look which I ignored. She’d asked me to come with her for the consultation and I’d agreed.
“What can I do for you today?” I explained about how we wanted Lisa’s test to be retaken just for confirmation.
“That’s not a problem. In some cases, a rapid test for AIDS may be positive but when a second test is taken for confirmation, it may be negative. We’ll run the tests and you’ll come back in a few days.”
I glanced at Lisa and she nodded.
“Thank you.” I said.
I waited while she took the tests and when she came out, her face seemed drained of blood.
“All we have to do is wait.” I encouraged.
“What if they come out positive a second time?” She whispered. “I’ll be well and truly dead.” “Have you considered what if they don’t come
out positive?” I said. “They might be negative.
I’ve been reading about this stuff and all what the doctor said is true. You might not have the virus after all.”
“Alright, fine.” Lisa sighed.
I noticed that despite her low voice, her eyes held a bit of hope and I desperately didn’t want to see that hope vanish. Later that night, I
prayed. I prayed for Lisa, for myself, for everything that seemed to be going wrong and I prayed that I’d have the strength to endure it this time.
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