I kept telling myself it wasn’t real, that the symptoms would just vanish on their own. Denial became my refuge, a way to avoid facing the truth. But as my health declined, I couldn’t ignore the reality any longer—I had HIV. I’m just 16 and in SHS. My maths teacher proposed to me when I was in SHS 1 and I accepted his proposal. I am not a bad girl, but this teacher is charming and good looking. We’ve had several encounters unprotected, never thlught it could end this way, but it has. After finding out of my status in SHS 2, the fear and shame kept me from seeking help sooner. Now, looking back, I see the time I wasted, the chances I missed to address the issue head-on. If only I had listened to my instincts, faced my fears from the start. Now, I must confront my past mistakes and seek support before it’s too late. The regret is overwhelming, and I can’t bear the thought of others making the same mistakes I did. I am about to complete school, but i just can’t imagine living the rest of my life as an HIV patient.