Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"What?! HIV?!" His heart broke immediately. But how?

"Seriously? I have no idea. But luckily she's at the asymptomatic stage which means she can easily get treatment and live well."

"What's asymptomatic stage all about?"

"The asymptomatic stage of the virus as the name suggests, this stage of HIV infection does not cause outward signs or symptoms. A person may look and feel well but HIV is continuing to weaken their immune system. This stage may last several years, an average of 8 to 10 years, and without a HIV test many people do not know they are infected. But I assure you, Zainab could live an healthy and beautiful life if she's is well treated and all of that.

"Okay, what do I need to do, doctor?"

"You'll have to bring her for sessions from time to time. I'll advise twice a week to receive injections and advises. I'll send you to a doctor who's a specialist in treating cases like this, especially with children."

"Okay sir, that would be nice. Thank you."

The young doctor scribbled something on a piece of paper he took from a tiny box on his table.

"Okay, this is his phone number. He's just a friend of mine but he doesn't work in this hospital but, I'll advise you give him a call. He could render home services as well. It's between you two."

"Okay doctor. I'll surely call him. I need to protect Zainab in every way." He collected the paper from the doctor. Is there any other thing, doctor?

"Yes, because we checked her we also was that she's having malaria. Well, that would be treated as soon as possible." He took out another sheet of paper and prescribed some drugs.

"Take his sir." He handed it to Mr. Abdullahi.

"You should give the pharmacist on your way out."

"Okay doctor."

Ermmm... Apart from the malaria, we ground out that she was violently or should I say forced into sexual activity. Sorry for saying this but, We wanted to know what caused the virus so we checked. What really happened to that young girl if I may ask.

It's a long story sir. The incident happened 4 months ago. That was before I took her in but, I assure you she would be safe with me.

"Okay. But I'll suggest she comes for antiretroviral therapy (ART)."

"What's that about?"

"The ART involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day. Antiretroviral therapy is also recommended for everyone who has HIV. People with HIV should start taking HIV medicines as soon as possible. ART can't cure HIV, but HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART also reduces the risk of HIV transmission. The main goal of HIV treatment is to reduce a person's viral load to an undetectable level. An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test. People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners through sex... Invade of future purposes and all that."

"Okay doctor, I understand." So like.. when would she be discharged?

"It won't take long, I promise. Probably tomorrow or next tomorrow, it depends on how fast she responds to treatment. But we've neutralized the poison in her and she's responding well. She would need a lot of rest and time to heal." I'll suggest to get soft fruits and milk for her in case she wakes up. She would be transferred into the other ward to join other patients as soon as possible to, there's nothing to worry about Mr. Abdullahi."

"Okay, thank you doctor." Mr. Abdullahi smiled as her shakes the doctor before taking his leave.

"You're welcome sir, bye."

"Bye."

***

Meanwhile, Melvin woke up in the hospital. His eyes looked bulgy and swolked due to that strike, Humaira gave him. Melvin saw his mum beside him he tried to sit upright but a deep pain hit him by his forehead.

"Don't bother turning." Mrs. Johnson told her son as she gently placed his head, back to the pillow.

His head was wrapped with bandage and he was responding to treatment as well. His whole body seemed to ache as he turn his face to the direction of his mother.

"Mo...ther." He muttered. "Where'd she?"

"Who are you talking about, Melvin. You need to rest."

"Humaira... I offended her."

Mrs. Johnson gently cupped his face into her palms, wondering how hurt her son must be feeling. It's all that useless girl's fault she almost lost her only son's life.

"Don't worry my son. Just take care of yourself first. Everything would be alright." She assured.

I need to see her, mother. Her muttered and swallowed. Then he coughed. Don't say any more word, my son. That girl is cursed, uttering her name again might kill you.

"No, mo...ther." his voice sounded hoarse. Then he coughed and coughed again.

With tears, Mrs. Johnson brought out a swan bottle water from the food basket behind her and poured a little amount into a stainless cup. She placed it on his lips as her drank. Slowly and gradually until he finishes it.

"I n...eed more water..." He muttered again. And she gave him more.

"You need to rest my son, and forget about that little witch for now. Thank God you're getting better." She took out a clean, white hanky to wipe away the water that mistakenly poured from his mouth. "I'll make sure you forget about her anyways. She'll definitely rot in jail."

Tears dropped from the side of his eyes. His mum wiped it off too. Melvin knew that somehow, Humaira must have been arrested. He blaned himself for everything but quitely recieved his treatment.

***

On the other hand, Melody sent Mrs. Bridget a letter that she had to travel with an uncle of hers that visited Nigeria. It was so urgent, she couldn't come to inform her boss, herself.

Well, it's a good thing that no one suspected her. She planned everything alone and smoothly and things fell to her plan how she'd expected and even more.

At least, She didn't plan to force Melvin on Humaira and she wasn't the one responsible for making her hit Melvin so hard. So, things worked out well, even better than she'd planned. It seems God is on her side after all. She traveled to start a new life in a small City, somewhere in South Africa. She started her own cloth business and schooled in a new university at the countryside. Things changed for the better, for her.

Melvina, Melvin's twin sister resumed work with Mrs. Bridget. Melvin joined his sister weeks later while Humaira missed her classes. She cries every now and then. Other prisoners don't pay attention to her as everyone has faced their own piece of hell and everyone has a story to tell.

Humaira's co-prisoners were either prostitutes or members of a gang. She decided to accept her fate just the way it is. Non knows about where she is and how she survives.

During visiting hours, she sits and watch how people come and goes. The visitors would bring fruits and other eatable junks for their friends or familes in prison. There was only one person Humaira used to talk with. Her name was Janet. She was about ten years older than Humaira but she keeps encouraging her to stop crying and that very soon. She would get released.

***

It was the third week since Humaira got arrested. She haven't heard anything from anyone. Just gen, she remembered the Balas.

'How come, they didn't call me even once." She thought and decided to call one of the police officers.

"Yes! What is it?"

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but I need to make a call."

"You must be out of your mind!" He blurted. "Where do you think you are? In your father's house."

"Please sir, just help me this once and I would be forever grateful." She begged, tears were already forming in her eyes again. For the sake of my unborn child.

"Mteeeew! Who send you?!" Her rolled his eyes at her disgustingly and went back to his post.

Humaira fell to her feet, heartbroken. She had never lived a difficult life like this. They are only allowed to drink water thrice a day. And they're only allowed to visit the toilet twice a day too. Life in prison is hell. How is Zainab? How is my baby sister. I feel she's in so much pain now. Or maybe she needs me. I just want to hear her voice. I need to her her voice. She cried bitterly on her palms as she laid down on the cold floor and cried even more.

Meanwhile, Zainab was discharged from the hospital. She only spent three nights and Mr. Abdullahi almost spent #150, 000 on her medical bills. The money for antiretroviral therapy and her drugs alone was so huge. Mr. Abdullahi didn't call the specialist doctor he was addressed to. He wanted to settle all his family issues first and maybe. Only, maybe Amina would help him in paying for her treatment and all that.

It was almost afternoon. Idris begged his dad to take him to the hospital inorder to see his sick sister. After a lot of pressure and pestering, Mr. Abdullahi finally agreed. Idris was super excited, his best friend was coming back home.

***

Later That Evening.

Mr. Abdullahi came home with Zainab. He had taken Idris and Zainab to a eatery for lunch so they came home filled and satisfied. Mr. Abdullahi however has been ignoring Amina. She knows what she did and she had been begging him for forgiveness. She wasn't in her right state of mind and what she wanted was to take Zainab out if the picture. Out of their picture.

She tried to explain why she had poisoned Zainab's cup earlier that morning but her husband wasn't giving her face. What she did was wrong and she needs to be corrected if not punished.

He met the table all set up with his favorite dish. Pounded yam and Egusi soup but he didn't even go there. He walked directly into his room, had a shower and went to mosque. He wouldn't eat her food and she knows it.

It's clear that after all she had done to send Zainab out of her family, she would still come back. It's been three days now, Abdullahi has been avoiding his wife as much as possible but they tried not to let their children know else, it might affect their marriage and relationship even more.

After Isha' prayer, Mr. Abdullahi came back home from mosque. All the children were asleep. Only Amina sat in the livingroom watching a movie on television. She wasn't even paying attention to it because she was lost in thought. All she was thinking was how to win back her husband's heart back. But because she didn't die, that doesn't mean she would still let Zainab live in their house as her own daughter. She never loved her and she never would.

"Assalam'Alaikum." Abdullahi greeted as he entered

"Wa'alaikun Sallam." Waking up from her thought, she replied his greeting.

He didn't look at her. He just walked into the room. The way he treats her these days leaves her even more heartbroken.

"How to approach him? How to face him again?" She thought once more before going inside. He was taking off his clothes in front of the standing mirror when she walked to him, and knelt down.

"My darling husband. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for misbehaving, I know it's all my fault that's why I'm begging you."she held his legs to herself and cried."Please, find somewhere in your heart to forgive me."

"Okay, fine. Please, get up." He held her by the shoulders and placed her on the bed. He sat with her too on the bed and they faced themselves, face to face. It's been a while. He wiped away her tears with his hands and smiled. She liked too.

"You're my joy and happiness, Amina. Either you want me to be a happy husband, or a sad one. It's all in your hands. I know you're angry with me... I'm sorry too."

"No... Not at all Hubby. You shouldn't say sorry because you did nothing wrong."

"Okay, fine."He held her hands in his.

"There's something I need to discuss with you as well. I think you need to know."

Her bright smile faded immediately.

"Tell me hubby, what's it?"

"It's about Zainab." Mr. Abdullahi said and handed his wife a document.

"What?! Subhanallah!! I can't believe this!"

"It's true, darling. But please, don't tell the children.

"She's having HIV?!" She closed the file and looked at her husband. "What would we do?!"

"I don't know what to do... But I think she's a blessing we need to keep."

"Hmm.. A blessing or a curse?"

"What's it again,Amina?! You've started."

"I don't mean to annoy you, hubby." She shook her head. "Just try to look at things from my Angle, then you would understand."

"What do you mean, Wifey?"

"What I mean is... since she came to this house, nothing good had happened. Things are either bad or worse. Her father died because his family killed him. Her mother died while giving birth to her. Her sister is probably going through hell, trying to sponsor herself in school. She got an helper that wanted to fly her abroad. The poor woman got killed just before they travelled. She got sent out by the woman's children. She came here and our sons started fighting. Now look at the both of us? I think this girl isn't ordinary. She's just a piece of bad news that we were destined to care for."

***