Chapter 4: The Girlfriend's Examination

Syphilis get three stages: first na painless wound (hard sore), second na rash, third fit affect any organ. I break am down for her, even use pidgin, so e go stay for head. People dey fear third stage—na there brain wahala dey start.

The intern don draw curtain.

The way she arrange the curtain, na so I sabi say she dey learn. Naija patients love privacy—if you miss am, no cooperation.

The girl look am, ask, "Doctor, why he still dey here?"

Her voice low, eye for ground. For here, patient dey expect say only doctor go dey for room for private matter.

She blush, dey uncomfortable.

E normal, especially for woman. For clinic, we dey always try respect tradition. Na our way of showing we care.

I explain, "Na intern doctor, dey learn. I self be intern before. No worry, we go act professional."

I dey reassure her—make she know say everybody dey under oath. For here, trust dey take time.

She just nod, no talk, we continue.

For my mind, I thank her for agreeing. Many Naija people go just stand up walk out if dem no trust you.

Plenty patient no like make intern dey when dem dey do private check. As I dey teach, I dey always explain and respect dem if dem no gree.

Sometimes, I dey send intern go buy gala if patient insist. Na so we dey manage work.

Every doctor start as intern—na when you see real case you go sabi. Book and real life different.

No be only Nigeria o! E dey everywhere. But Naija hard pass.

After the check, the girl no get wound or rash.

I happy for am, but I still dey cautious—some sign fit show later. Na why I always dey keep follow-up for patient.

She talk am with relief, small smile for her mouth. But I see fear still dey corner her eye. No woman wan hear STD gist for this our society.

So, maybe she no get am—but I no fit sure yet.

As doctor, na so we dey manage hope and fact. Until lab talk, no assumption.

At least till result come, I no fit tell her say, "You no get am."

I hold my peace, use wisdom. For here, even small lie fit backfire—better to wait.

But as e be, I too trust.

Deep down, I dey hope say na false alarm. For my spirit, I dey pray say this one no go reach level wey family go gather for compound.