Scene 1
INT. A MODEST HOUSE IN RURAL TRINIDAD – NIGHT
(Christmas lights twinkle outside. The sound of parang music wafts through the air as a small radio plays a lively tun one. “🎶Ah want a piece of pork… 🎶” The camera pans to HEXIS, 21, sitting at a kitchen table. He looks older than his years, eyes heavy with guilt. His wife, FAITH, 22, leans over the sink, humming softly as she washes plates.)
FAITH
(Smizing)
Hexis, you din’ even help string we lights. Waz Crismas withou’ d lights?
HEXIS
(Staring into his coffee)
Faith.
FAITH
(Looking over her shoulder)
Eh eh, why you sour so? Is Christmas! Parang music in d air, an’ soon, we bringing life here. Smile boy!
(HEXIS flinches. FAITH notices but doesn’t press. She turns back to the sink.)
HEXIS
(Slowly)
Faith… when you went to the doctor last week, you said everything was fine?
FAITH
(Turning, drying her hands)
Dey said d baby strong. But… (pauses) dey runnin’ more tests. Somethin’ wrong meh immune system.
(HEXIS opens his mouth, then closes it. The tension is palpable.)
FAITH
(Sitting across from him)
Hexis. Talk to me.
FLASHBACK – THREE YEARS EARLIER
EXT. A BEACH PARTY IN TRINIDAD – NIGHT
(The moon glimmers on the water. Soca music mixes with laughter. HEXIS, 18, is with his best friend, OMAR, 19. They’re drinking, close, their laughter edging into something more.)
OMAR
(Laughing)
You know, Hexis, you looking real sharp tonight. Like you dressing for somebody.
HEXIS
(Smirking)
Way!
(They lock eyes. The tension builds, then explodes as they kiss. The world around them fades. For HEXIS, it feels wrong, terrifying, exhilarating.)
BACK TO PRESENT
INT. HEXIS AND FAITH’S HOUSE – NIGHT
HEXIS
(Finally)
I did something, Faith. Before we were married.
FAITH
(Quietly)
Everybody do somethin’. Wha’ yuh talking about?
HEXIS
(Blurting out)
Omar. I slept with him.
(Faith freezes. The silence stretches.)
FAITH
(Flatly) Okay. Why you now tellin’ me this?
HEXIS
I didn’t know what it meant back then. I thought—maybe it was nothing. A mistake. But… (pauses) Faith, I have… HIV.
(Faith’s face twists in shock. She stands abruptly, knocking over her chair. The coffee spills everywhere.)
FAITH
(Shouting)
HIV? Hexis, yuh give me HIV?! An’ d baby—
HEXIS
(Interrupting)
I didn’t know! I swear, I didn’t know.
(Faith crumples into the chair, tears streaming down her face. The parang music on the radio continues, incongruously cheerful loudly. “🎶Eating. Drinking. Having a good time…🎶”.)
SCENE 2
INT. A COMMUNITY CENTRE – DAY
(The village is buzzing with Christmas preparations. Women proudly demonstrating their experience in the kitchen; children playing pitch with their marbles. HEXIS walks in, and the air shifts. People glance at him, whispering. The shame is suffocating.)
(OMAR, now 22, stands in the corner, helping to hang decorations. He sees HEXIS and stiffens.)
OMAR
(Lowly)
You just here to hide behind Faith?
HEXIS
(Biting back)
I didn’t come to fight, Omar.
OMAR
(Laughing bitterly. Steups.)
Fight? Nah, Hexis, you win already. You ruin Faith’s life, you ruin your own… What more you want?
HEXIS
(Desperately)
Omar do you even love me? Or was it just—lust?
(OMAR pauses, caught off-guard.)
OMAR
(Looking away)
You think too much. You always have. Sometimes fun is just fun.
HEXIS
(Quietly)
But Aristotle …
OMAR
(Snapping) Bore off. This is not secondary school philosohy. This is real life. Keep it simple, stupid. Aristotle don’t know anything about us. About me. About you.
(HEXIS stands there, frozen. FAITH enters, her face pale but determined.)
FAITH
(Calling out passive aggressively.)
Hexis. I hearin’ allyuh from quite d kitchen, dear! Come help me, nah?
(They both turn to her, surprised. Her voice is steady, but her eyes betray pain. She holds her belly protectively.)
SCENE 3
INT. HEXIS AND FAITH’S HOUSE – CHRISTMAS MORNING
(The table is set for breakfast. A small Christmas tree twinkles in the corner. HEXIS sits alone, staring at a wrapped present. FAITH enters, her steps slow but purposeful.)
FAITH
(Sitting)
You going to open it, or you just going to stare?
(HEXIS opens the gift. It’s a signed copy of a book: The School of Life: An Emotional Education by Alain de Botton.)
HEXIS
(Confused)
What’s this?
FAITH
(Softly)
Love isn’t a feeling, Hexis. It’s a skill. Something you have to work at.
(HEXIS stares at her, overwhelmed.)
HEXIS
(Tearfully)
Faith, I don’t deserve you.
FAITH
(Firmly)
No, you don’t. But I married you. And I promised to love you. So we go learn together.
(She reaches for his hand. She then takes her new, once-a-day tablet to protect her unborn child from her father’s sins. Outside, the sounds of parang music fill the air.)
FINAL SCENE
EXT. THE VILLAGE SQUARE – NIGHT
(The community gathers for a Christmas celebration. HEXIS and FAITH stand together, her hand resting on her belly. OMAR watches from a distance, a mix of longing and acceptance on his face.)
(The music swells. HEXIS steps forward, joining the band for a parang song. His voice trembles but grows stronger. The crowd claps along, their whispers fading into the music.)
HEXIS
(To the crowd, but also to himself)
Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad.
(The camera pans up to the stars, the music blending into the night. Omar goes toward the switch with a sign staking “DO NOT switch off or unplug.” and switches it off.)
<PLAY> Anita by Scrunter <Play>
FADE OUT.
A. What is HIV?
A retrovirus, associated with AIDS in 1984 had a diagnostic test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1985. A 2024 report reminds us of the need for continued political will and unified global action to prioritize human rights as the foundation of the HIV response.
Acute HIV infection (aka seroconversion syndrome) is different to Chronic HIV infection. The latter progresses to when a person has a syndrome such a CD4 cell count is <200 cells/microL or the person has a presence of any AIDS-defining condition. The former can be asymptomatic.
B. Can you give birth with HIV and not give your child HIV?
Yes, it is possible to give birth with HIV and not transmit the virus to the child, thanks to effective medical interventions. Here’s how it can be achieved:
1. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
The pregnant person with HIV takes ART throughout pregnancy, which suppresses the viral load (the amount of HIV in the blood). If the viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission is extremely low.
2. Delivery Method
If the viral load is well-controlled and undetectable, a vaginal delivery may be safe. If the viral load is detectable or high, a cesarean section might be recommended to reduce transmission risk.
3. Post-Delivery Care
The baby may be given HIV prophylaxis (antiretroviral medication) for a few weeks after birth to further reduce the risk.
Breastfeeding practices should be carefully managed. In settings where formula feeding is safe and accessible, it is often recommended to avoid breastfeeding as HIV can be transmitted through breast milk. However, if breastfeeding is the only viable option, ART for both mother and baby can minimize the risk.
Success Rates?
With proper care and adherence to ART, the risk of transmission can be reduced to less than 1%. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and care plans!
C. How can I prevent getting HIV from my partner?
Preventing HIV transmission in a relationship where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not, involves a combination of medical, behavioral, and preventative strategies. Here’s what you can do:
1. Encourage Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for the HIV-Positive Partner
If your partner is on ART and maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit HIV to you. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Regular medical follow-ups are essential to monitor their viral load.
2. Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is a daily pill taken by the HIV-negative partner to significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection. It’s over 99% effective when taken consistently.
3. Practice Safe Sex
Always use condoms during sexual activity, as they provide a physical barrier against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use water-based or silicone-based lubricants with condoms to reduce the risk of breakage.
4. Consider Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
If you suspect you’ve been exposed to HIV (e.g., a condom breaks), PEP is a medication you can take within 72 hours to prevent infection. It is most effective when started as soon as possible.
5. Regular Testing and Health Monitoring
Both partners should get tested regularly for HIV and other STIs to monitor their health. Testing ensures that any changes in status are detected early.
6. Avoid Sharing Needles or Sharp Objects
If you and your partner use injectable drugs, use clean, sterile needles and syringes, and never share them.
7. Communicate Openly
Maintain open and honest communication with your partner about your health, sexual activity, and any concerns. Building trust and being proactive about prevention is key.
By combining these strategies, you can significantly reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV transmission in your relationship. Always consult with a healthcare provider to tailor prevention methods to your needs.
D. Does Male Circumcision prevent HIV?
Our team, have reviewed some of these studies and found many areas for criticisms with these studies. Instead, we direct readers to a Cochrane systematic review of the assessment of the quality of studies found that most studies show an association between male circumcision and prevention of HIV, these results may be limited by confounding, which is unlikely to be adjusted for. Despite this, the World Health Organization (WHO) Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) continues to recommend male circumcision in all countries with high HIV prevalence.
References
Siegfried, N., Muller, M., Deeks, J., Volmink, J., Egger, M., Low, N., Walker, S. & Williamson, P. (2005) ‘HIV and male circumcision: a systematic review with assessment of the quality of studies’, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 5(3), pp. 165–173.
WHO and UNAIDS (2007) Male circumcision: Global trends and determinants of prevalence, safety and acceptability. Geneva: World Health Organization and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
UNAIDS (2024) World AIDS Day report 2024: take the rights path to end AIDS. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Available at: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2024-unaids-global-aids-update_en.pdf (Accessed: 30 November 2024).
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