[STORY] THE OTHER MAN (Episode 13)

Episode 13.

I became withdrawn and unhappy after that encounter with Victor. I felt used, why on earth will Victor sleep with me without protection or even caring to tell me about his new HIV status. In few weeks, I became a shadow of myself, I wasn’t able to take care of my daughter. I had to put her in Tolani’s care, I was happy that I had stopped breastfeeding her.

As time went on, my sister noticed something was eating me up and tried to know what was wrong but I refused to voice out to her. How on earth will I tell her that Victor and I made out in her house and there was a possibility of me being infected with HIV which he contacted from God knows where.

When Tolani saw that I wasn’t ready to speak out, she advised I to tell God about my fears since I couldn’t tell it to any man but I was too weak in the spirit to even pray. All I do whenever I was alone was to weep till there was no more strength left in me.

God showed my sister mercy and she became pregnant two months after James’ arrival. Being her first pregnancy, it took a toll on her. While she was recovering from the weakness of pregnancy, I became ill.

I took all manner of drugs but it refuses to go, my sister suggested we go to the hospital for a test and proper treatment but I refused because I knew I wasn’t suffering from malaria- how would I explain to my sister that I was carrying Victor’s second child and both the child and I may probably be HIV positive.

My sister got fed up with me one day and did everything possible to take me to a hospital where numerous tests were carried out on me. While awaiting the test result, I kept praying inwardly for the pregnancy test to come out negative.

Well, my prayer wasn’t answered as the doctor confirmed me six weeks pregnant. Ohh! The disappointment on my sister’s face was visible, at a point, I wished the ground would open her mouth and swallow me.

Tolani appreciated the doctor and drove me home. Immediately we got into the living room, she handed me a slap which made me see stars. I fell on the cushion and started crying.

Tolani: wipe that tears of yours and tell me who is responsible for the baby in your womb?

Teni: V…ic….t..or

Tolani: Victor? How? Where? When

Amidst tears, I narrated how Victor came visiting when she traveled with her husband, how we got carried away and had sex in her house. Though she was disappointed she was a bit relieved that the pregnancy belongs to my husband. In my presence, she placed a call to Victor and mandated him to come to see her the following day.

Victor came and discussed their as made to stay in my room while the discussion was on. While in my room, I lay on the bed, placed my hand on my belly, and was apologizing to my unborn child for exposing him or her to HIV. I was still talking to myself when I heard Victor walk into my room, he looks so lean and unhappy.

He sat beside me and tried to hold my hands but I snatched them from him.

Victor: My Jewel, these past years, months, weeks, and days have been hell without you. I tried to tell myself that all would be well but within me, I knew that was just I should have investigated how that video came about instead I let my anger get a better side of me. I disowned the beautiful baby God was bringing across our way, I threw you out of the house and was never there when you were trying to bring our baby into the world.

While he was talking, all I could do was cry as remembering all I ever went through brought tears to my face.

Victor: To worsen the issue, I became friends with Aunty Shade’s niece and before I knew what was happening, I made out with her twice. I regretted my action and apologized to her but she wasn’t sorry because she had a goal of infecting every man she come across with the virus in her.

I ran back to God for mercy, he forgave me but the scar can’t remain. Buying antiretroviral has changed my financial life. My love, I am sorry for bringing this upon us, can you forgive me? I want you back, I want our children to experience the love of both father and mother

Me: (sobbing heavily) leave me alone Victor, I hate you. Get away from me

Victor: (instead of leaving me, he sat beside me drew me into his arms while weeping too) Oh no baby, you don’t hate me, you love me with everything in you. You are just angry that I infected you with HIV. Give me a chance baby, I will work harder to ensure that this virus doesn’t break us. Please, forgive me, my love

Oh, my husband! If there is something my husband was good at, it is refreshing words. Once he is in a good mood, he knows how to make you feel better with his words.

Me: leave me alone

Victor: (wiping my tears) I will never leave you again, I promise to love, cherish and care for you and our children

Me: please, don’t leave me alone again

With that, I curled up to him and placed my head on his lap then slept off.

To be continued…

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