Novel Square
Chapter 3
Camila waited anxiously in the hospital corridor for her test results. She kept glancing at her watch, feeling for the first time that time was crawling by She stood up, sat down, and repeated the process over and over.
Finally, the results were in. She clutched the report tightly, her heart filled with trepidation as she walked into the consultation room-
The doctor took the report from her hands and examined it carefully Camila’s heart raced, her eyes fixed on the doctor, her hands tuming white as she clenched them under the table.
After reviewing the report, the doctor looked up and said, “All eight common tests for STIs are negative, including HIV. However, HIV has a window period of 2 to 6 weeks. I’ll prescribe you post-exposure prophylaxis. Take it once a day after meals, one pill at a time, for 28 days. It’s about 99% effective, but remember stopping the medication during this period can significantly reduce its efficacy. Come for a follow-up after you finish the course. I recommend another test after the window period for more accurate results.
“Thank you, doctor,” Camila nodded.
The doctor shook his head, saddened, “It would be a tragedy if you were infected. Please, go pay for your medication and collect it, and be more careful in the future *
Camila murmured an acknowledgment. No sooner had she left the health center than Erica called. Camila shared the test results with ber.
“It’s okay. Taking medication is just a way to protect yourself and buy some peace of mind. I’ll come over tonight and keep you company,” Erica comforted her.
“I’m tired and just want to go home and sleep. Let’s… not meet for now,” Camila sighed softly, still worried about the window period. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
“What nonsense are you talking! Erica exclaimed angrily. “Would you cut ties with me if I had HIV?”
Camila frowned. “Tsk, what was I thinking!” Camila rubbed her head, “Okay, I’m going home to take my medication and sleep. I have
work tomorrow.”
“Get some good rest. You’re fine, just don’t worry about all this stuff,” Erica advised.
The next day, Monday.
As Camila stepped out of her building, she noticed a red Porsche parked conspicuously at the entrance of her old apartment complex. She smiled knowingly.
The car window rolled down. “Hey, gorgeous, need a ride to work?” Erica leaned out, her eyebrows playfully arched
Camila got into the passenger seat, laughing. “You’re up at this hour?”
“Yeah, I came to take Princess Camila to work,” Erica turned and grabbed a lunchbox from the backseat, handing it to her. “Trevor made breakfast Eat it while it’s hot.”
“You didn’t scare him by waking up so early, did you?” Camila chuckled, opening the lunchbox to find her favorites-pancakes, beef patties, scrambled eggs, and a bottle of warm milk. She knew Erica was there to cheer her up. It was an unspoken understanding between them.
“This is delicious,” Camila exclaimed after taking a bite of the pancake.
“You know, s k i p p i n g breakfast every day isn’t good for you. I should start bringing you breakfast,” Erica yawned uncontrollably.
Camila laughed, “Forget it. Asking you to wake up early is like asking for your life.”
Erica wiped away the tears that had slipped out with her yawning. “Nobody knows me better than you, Camila.”
With Erica’s personal chauffeur service, Camila arrived at the office much earlier than usual.
“Camila, you’re here so early today?” Dana greeted her with a smile as she came out of the break room. Dana always dropped her kids at school and then headed to the office, arriving even before the receptionist..
“Yeah,” Camila responded with a smile.
“Have you had breakfast? I made some waffles. Want to share? Dana offered warmly.