My name is Hadiza, I am 30 years old and a Graduate of
computer science from the Bayero University Kano, North west Nigeria.I decided
to tell my own story because I felt the burden on my shoulders will only be
lifted when I let others know what I put myself through.
Few years ago, I was engaged to be married to Bashir the son
of my Father’s Best friend Alhaji Tanko. We had grown up together so I knew him
quite well. All was going on well until I attended Rukkaya’s 20th Birthday
Party. It was at that event I was introduced to Shehu, a good
looking Insurance Executive who was working in Katsina at
that time.
After that meeting, we exchanged few visits and the
relationship blossomed despite protests from Bashir my fiancé.
Shehu was a man who could make any woman laugh, I enjoyed
his company and felt nothing could ever separate us. As our relationship
advanced, my behavior towards Bashir changed completely and all attempts by
friends and family members to settle the rift tore us
further apart, not even my father could make me change my
mind as my heart was fixed.
Bashir was
heartbroken but I had moved on. One day, while going through Shehu’s mobile
phone I realized Ihad made the biggest mistake of my entire life, Shehu was a
Snake!Unknown to Rukkaya my friend and Bilkisu my classmate Shehu was dating
the three of us simultaneously including other girls we did not know.
When I confronted Shehu, he flared up and gave me the
beating of my life. Faced with the reality that I have burnt all my bridges,
I returned to the hostel the following day, treated my
wounds and moved on with life as if nothing happened.13 months later, I
graduated with a second class upper degree and
by this time Bashir had married my cousin Zaliha and they
were expecting their first child.
During the Worlds AIDS Day, five years ago I accidentally
came across an organization conducting free voluntary confidential counseling
and testing. I decided to screen myself, that was when Idiscovered that I was
carrying the virus.
It’s Been 5 years now, and every day I wake up I just can’t
seem to forgive myself, the agony of taking drugs for the rest of my Life seem
too much for me to bear.
As I open the container of Anti-retroviral drugs every
morning and evening I am constantly reminded that we are a products of the
choices we make.
Quote:
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner
who keeps on
trying.” -Nelson Mandela
http://www.publichealth.com.ng/hivaids-what-is-hiv-symptoms-transmission-phases-diagnosis-treatment/
