It happened to my friend: The HIV/AIDS worry (3)

It was about the first time I thought the electricity authority did the best thing. They sent us to sleep. I knew Ikenna had a much longer night. The night-time, though short for me, gave me new ideas on how Ikenna’s state could be handled.

The next day before the cocks disturbed the morning, I was up on my feet. I staggered down to the kitchen to get breakfast stuff ready. Ikenna ought to eat something, I thought. I went back. Bed called. Four hours later.

‘Good morning, Tony,’ he greeted, stepping on the landing leading to the dining.

‘Slept well?’ I returned.

‘It’s been about two weeks I’d a nice night rest.’

‘Never mind, everything will be alright,’ I assured. ‘Hope you talked with your wife.’

‘Oh, yes, I did but she struggled to believe I am here.’

‘Maybe, I’ll have to talk with her later.’

‘My wife doesn’t need that now,’ he said, curtly. ‘It’d have made sense if you did about two a.m.’

‘Oh, shut up, Ikenna.’

‘That’s the truth.’

‘Ok, let’s eat but before we begin, let’s observe some rule.’

‘What rule?’

‘No word exchange until after.’

‘Old school…. no hold wisdom parents gave us.’

‘It’s just decency, not wisdom… and, our parents knew it as such.’

Although when I put forward the rule, I only meant it as some joke but surprisingly it held. Immediately after meal, we continued from the spot we stopped the night before.

‘I have no idea how I contracted ‘this thing’,’ he began, quite solemnly. ‘I can’t truly remember who passed it…’

‘Now’s solution time, because knowing the source doesn’t help,’ I broke in. ‘It’s of no use.’

‘HIV has got no solution,’ he remarked. ‘It’s a death cert.’

‘No, it’s not, Ikenna,’ I affirmed. ‘First, have you done confirmatory test?’

‘I haven’t because I think there’s no need.’

‘Why do you think so?’

‘Remember I told you I’ve been using the lab for ages.’

‘That’s the reason you’ve got to try another.’

‘Really?’ he said, raising his left eyebrow.

‘Yes, in fact, I’d suggest using one of these government hospitals.’

‘Tony, they are incredibly slow, highly bureaucratic and..’

‘You can list out the many other vices swarming them but these guys are good,’ I cut in. ‘In a straight sense, medical practice is helped by the sea of doctors, specialists around and government or teaching hospitals have them in abundance.’

‘That’s some sense.’

‘So, both of us will go there and then you can re-do the test.’

‘What about you?’ he surprisingly threw at me.

‘How do you mean?’

‘Aren’t you doing the test?’

‘I don’t have HIV.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Ikenna, this test is yours, we’ll go and get it done,’ I offered, bluntly. ‘If you don’t …’

‘Ok, we go… I agree it’s mine.’

Half an hour later, we drove out of the house. I suggested we make a short stop at his house. He killed it. We rode down to Surulere. One of them – government hospitals. About two hours later, we had gone through the bureaucratic and administrative bottlenecks. I saw the sweats as they broke out of Ikenna’s forehead as the medical assistants collected samples of his blood. I thought he looked a bit resigned.

Astonishingly, he blurted out: ‘Ain’t this nurse cute?’ We both watched as the medical assistant ambled away. ‘I have never dated a nurse before in my life.’

‘Add them to the list, Ikenna.’ I suggested, slightly sarcastically.

‘Can’t you take a joke,’ he said, gnashing his teeth.

‘It’s joke like this that brought us here, you know,’ I reminded, bad-looking him.

‘Sorry, who’s Mr Ikenna Onwu?’ another nurse showed up, asking. I pointed at him, identifying him. ‘You’d have to come back on Wednesday for your results,’ she informed.

‘From Saturday to Wednesday?’ It seemed a question from Ikenna.

‘Yes, sir,’ she returned, mildly. ‘Is it ok to leave you now or is there something else I can do for you?’

‘No, it’s ok,’ I responded. Ikenna’s gaze was strong at her.

She wheeled away. I was too sure she had lost some comfort to Ikenna’s stare.

‘Didn’t I tell you about government hospital?’ he reminded.

‘Think of the outcome of this exercise, Ikenna.’

‘Are you able to come with me, Tony?’ he asked.

‘Work permit, I should.’

I dropped him about his gate, not venturing into his apartment. He seemed ready to deal with his wife’s wahala. I moved on to my own battles.

Wednesday came in earnest. I could not make it with Ikenna. It was work. He understood. Just after late lunch, the beeping on my cell-phone jolted me. It was Ikenna calling. I picked.

‘Tony, I’ve got no HIV,’ he screamed, happily. ‘I am negative… I tested negative to the stupid virus,’ he added. My left ear twitched discomfortingly.

‘Congrats, I am happy for you.’

‘You know what Tony?’ he asked. ‘I am going to sue to useless lab in Ikeja.’

‘Oh, keep quiet…go and enjoy your release.’

‘I think they deserve some hurt for the pain they gave me.’

‘Go enjoy your release and leave the lab alone.’

‘It’s you…it’s your style.’

‘Will call you later, Ikenna… meanwhile, enjoy your release.’

The line went dead. Knowing our status offers us a thousand help. Not knowing offers none. It’s my thinking!

Strictly Impersonal

By: Tony Monye