I can’t believe how that nurse treated us yesterday; I am still low key in shock. I felt so sorry for Itumeleng – she cried the whole way home.

When I got to my house I told Aunt Vuyi all about it. Actually I had to tell her everything, cos I showed up three hours earlier than I was supposed to, which made her suspicious.

She didn’t take it well at all. She was outraged, even went on a rant about how ashamed that nurse should be, treating us that way.

And when I told Aunt Vuyi that Itumeleng didn’t even get tested because of how the nurse acted, she insisted on taking us herself, today. Getting Itumeleng to go again took some convincing.

I don’t want to miss two days of school but with how full it gets at the clinic I have to. My aunt is with us this time; she is adamant about confronting the nurse. I am nervous for Itumeleng and I can’t bear Nurse Sarah judging us again.

When we get to the clinic Aunt Vuyi asks us to point out Nurse Sarah. Itumeleng and I aren’t convinced that this is a great idea. What if things turn out worse than they were yesterday?

As we walk into the family planning section my heart feels like it is about beat right out of my chest. Nurse Sarah is standing at a counter writing something. I point her out to Aunt Vuyi.

She marches us over to her. When we get there Aunt Vuyi slams her hand on the counter, making the nurse jump.

“Excuse me. Can I have a word with you?”

“Er … sure. What can I help you with?”

“Well, you can tell me where you get the right to treat my niece and her friend the way you did yesterday.”

Aunt Vuyi steps aside so the nurse can see us cowering behind her. The look on her face changes from accommodating to hostile in a split second. Suddenly she has her brow furrowed, her papers pushed aside and her arms folded.

“I simply made it clear that I didn’t approve of them coming here to ask how to get an abortion, without a parent or guardian present.”

“So you just assumed they wanted to get terminations? And even if they did–”

Aunt Vuyi holds up her hand to stop the nurse from interrupting her.

“… you and I both know that here in South Africa these girls are old enough to come in here and have a pregnancy test, HIV test or even request a termination, or an abortion as you call it, without parental supervision.”

Nurse Sarah is at a loss for words, but Aunt Vuyi doesn’t give her a chance to speak anyway.

“Do you have teenage daughters, or maybe granddaughters?”

The nurse is silent as she straightens her uniform.

“Well, how would you feel if your daughter or grandchild came to a clinic for assistance but instead was slut-shamed and then turned away without getting any help?”

“That is not what I did. I simply urged these girls to inform their parents.”

“I think I just confirmed that they didn’t need their parents here. How do you know their parents didn’t know they were here? You don’t – you just assumed.”

Nurse Nandi from yesterday comes running in our direction. Now that my eyes aren’t completely glued to the drama unfolding before me, I notice that once again everyone in this room is watching us. I feel slightly embarrassed that my aunt is causing a scene in such a public place.

“Good day ma’am. I am Nurse Nandi. Is there something I can help with?”

“You can help me by getting me your supervisor so I can report this woman.”

“Mam’ Sarah supervises the nurses.”

“Then I need someone above her.”

“Okay … you will need to go to the front desk and request to speak to the clinic manager. In the meantime, how about I help the girls?”

“Yes, and they won’t be sitting in that queue after what that woman put them through yesterday.”

“Yes of course. Come with me, girls.”

I step back as Itumeleng walks up to Nurse Nandi. The nurse looks at me expectantly, putting me on the spot.

“Oh no … Itumeleng’s the one who needs assistance. I just came for support,” I squeak.

“Itumeleng, you can have your friend come in with you if you want.”

Itumeleng looks at me and I try not to look terrified then she shakes her head, no. Nurse Nandi leads her into one of the consultation rooms. My aunt goes looking for a manager and I find a seat in the waiting area. As I sit there trying to shrink into my seat I notice that people are still looking at me. I pull out my phone and busy myself with it.

I still can’t believe how much trouble this whole situation has caused. Not to mention the difficulties that are still to come, if Itumeleng is pregnant, or tests positive for HIV.

Sex might not be worth all the trouble it causes. I know now that I am far from ready to have sex. But what if Phelo is ready? He is older and he might expect it soon. I realise we haven’t even talked about it. This is all complicated … and confusing … there is so much to consider.

I think of Itumeleng and the support she will need … and how Lesego and her girls won’t give it to her. I want to be there to help but I have no idea how to do that. Life was so simple four days ago. I didn’t have any of this to worry about!

We’re in the car driving home. Aunt Vuyi is still fuming from her conversation with the clinic’s manager. He said he would see to it that Nurse Sarah is disciplined appropriately. Aunt Vuyi wanted more of a guarantee and details on how the matter would be dealt with. Unfortunately, she got nothing of the sort.

Itumeleng has been very quiet since we left the clinic. She won’t make eye contact with me and has been gazing out the window the entire time.

“I’m pregnant and I tested positive for HIV!” she blurts out finally. “How am I going to explain this to my parents?”

Everything she dreaded, and I did too, has come to pass. She starts to weep. I have no words. I just take her into my arms.

 ***

Tell us: What advice would you give Itumeleng?