My boyfriend and I had sex and a few weeks later, we discovered we were both itchy in our genital areas. We postponed sex thinking it was just a yeast infection, his symptoms being redness and a bit of bumps, mine being itchy redness.

When I walk, I will tremble. I will fix my nails and scatter my fingers.   I will paint them in crazy colours. I will learn how to flick my eyelids. And how to roll my eyes. I will pout my lips in church. I will  take pictures with my mouth half open, like our former petroleum minister.

I have been living in shame and most times, I’m very depressed. When I was living with my uncle, one of his friends did something very bad to me and I have not been able to say it out until now. I was violently raped and on my own, I went to the hospital. I was told that I need to get a pap test and other tests as there could be damage from the force used.

I MET my current boyfriend six months ago and we seemed to hit it off from   the word go. A few weeks ago, after our last date, he just stopped calling.  I’ve tried his mobile, left messages and sent texts, but haven’t heard a word  from him.

I HAVE a son who is in his late twenties and has a good job. He used to live at home until about a year ago when he went to share a flat with a friend.