Diary of a Zimbabwean single mom 15

I was in my seventh month and I had not registered with any clinic or hospital. A part of me just feared being asked questions. I had heard stories of nurses wanting both parents because of the HIV/AIDS tests that were done. I had not experienced any problem. At the hostels, the warden said they needed confirmation from the doctor that all was okay. But I kept stalling off. I would do all that during the semester break. Perhaps I could ask Thalia to accompany me…
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.Charles dropped at the college every now and then to check on me. We would hang movies and all that. But one of my sweetest memories was when we went for a picnic. He also did call and send me texts during the day. I was content. I didn’t want to think too much about tomorrow. Today was enough, it was just enough for me. There had been a time when I thought I would be the end of me. When I Had no hope. I was on the verge of breaking but I didn’t know my own strength. I had crushed down but somehow I didn’t crumble. Charles was holding my hand and somewhere from the ashes I was rising. Smiling again. I would survive. When we had our semester break, Charles took me home. It was good being home- on solid ground- around family.

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‘Tess?’
‘yes, mom.’
‘it’s morning.’ She said drawing back my covers.
‘Aw mmm, do I have to get up so early?’
‘You do, you are going to the hospital today.’
‘Hospital?’ that took the sleep from my eyes.
‘Yes to register.’
‘Oh, are you going with me?’
‘No, unfortunately, I can’t’
‘Please, mom?’
‘I have a church program that I have to attend.’
‘ you could ask one of your sisters to accompany you.’
‘okay.’
‘so get up and get ready.’
‘okay.’

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There was no sleeping at all after that. I knew I had to go and get checked. That was in August. I was in my eight month. I went alone because all my sisters were tied up in their own affairs. So I just had to do it alone. But before I went my mom and dad called me.

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‘Am off to the hospital.’
‘I could drop you there,’ my dad offered.
‘Thank you, dad.’
‘Have some coffee,’ mom said.
‘well, these days there are carrying out these HIV/AIDS tests,’ mom said.
‘I know.’
‘We just want you to know that whatever the results we love you. We will figure out everything together. You are not alone.’ She went on.
‘Your mom is right. We love you, keep that in mind.’ My dad said.
‘You guys are just way too much. Are you sure you are my parents?’ I teased them.
‘We would certainly adopt you ten times over if we could.’ My dad laughed, ‘are you done? Am ready to go.’
‘Am done.’

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Dad dropped me off and lucky for me there wasn’t any drama at the hospital like I had feared. I did laugh at myself. I got tested and thank God the result was negative. My date of delivery was in September. The nur, of course, se had been fretful about how I had taken long to be checked. The baby was fine and I was also doing fine. That was pleasing news. I called my sisters and we met in town. We did a bit of shopping- buying baby clothes from the money I had saved. Neutral colors- we didn’t know the sex of the child.it wasn’t much but it was a start. When we got home, I shared the news with my parents. But little did I know that my joy was going to be short-lived.
A phone call changed all that.
James called…