Chapter 1

The setting of the sun, poured, spreading the golden sun rays that sat on my face, blinding me as I exited the hospital. It was as though they were washing away the exhaustion…putting me to rest. I sighed. I let out a deep exhale and walked to the parking.

It should be a sin to pray so much for a job and then...wish to quit each time it gets too tough. But then, of course…as a doctor you never really have to pray for one. Chances of us being unemployed are almost impossible. Hence, we resign and find another job the following day.

I sat in my car for a while before driving home. It had been a long, exhausting day at work; hence I needed a breather.
"Drive safely, Dr Mtolo" the security said, waving me goodbye as I drove past the exit.

I got home and my nephew, Liyakha was gazing at the sunset. I knew how much he appreciated and enjoyed his solo sun gazing moments; hence I didn't want to disturb him. I simply proceeded to the house.

I headed to the living room to greet my family. It seemed...we had a guest, which was something I hated to the core. It was Mr. Malusi Ngcobo, my dad's old friend. His visitation was a surprise because...I had not seen him in close to two decades.
Dad: Dabeka...Are you not going to greet our guest? Don't just pass like lightning!
He giggled.
Me: I apologize. It's just that there's so much on my mind. I didn't realise we have a guest. Good afternoon, Mr. Ngcobo.
Mr. Ngcobo: MaMtolo, are you well? You've grown so much.
Me: I'm very well, sir. How are you?
I shook his hand, he had offered.
Mr. Ngcobo: I'm well too. Wow...Those scrubs sit better on you than on any doctor I have seen.
He chuckled.
Me: Thank you.
Dad: It's her sweat, blood, and tears that you see on those scrubs.
Mr. Ngcobo: The Mtolo's have the wisest yet strongest women I have ever seen.
Dad: Oh...you just had to bring that up, Malusi.
Mr. Ngcobo: She is still a spring that makes everything bloom. Even when she is long gone…
Dad: Come on…you haven't seen her in what? 15 years.
Mr. Ngcobo: Pardon me. I still can't digest every occurrence of the past.

I couldn't really figure out what or who they were referring to, but I knew it wasn't me. Dad was my shield and protector. He wouldn't allow any man, especially one his age to come anywhere near his princess.

I proceeded upstairs and took my uniform off before heading to the shower. After, I buttered my chocolate-brown coloured flesh with oils that nature tailored specifically for it; raw, melted shea butter, organic argan oil and coconut oil. I then grabbed a few snacks and laid naked on my sleeper couch, so to catch up on my medical series.

I don't know how...but I must've dozed off while watching the series...I only woke up at 6:53 pm and I knew how dad despised people who joined the table late during dinner. I had to put on some clothes and drag myself to the dining area before they started.

As always, I was so glad to see my nephew, Liyakha. The only nephew I had.
Me: The world's baddest boy! Auntie's baby panda!
Lee: My grandfather's only son!
We dapped and laughed.

We all sat at the dinner table and awaited dinner. It finally came and we dug in. After that, Lee pulled out a gift bag from nowhere.
Lee: Surprise!
He handed the gift bag to me.

It was a medical coat written, Dr D.L Mtolo.
Me: Aww…Lee! I love it!
Lee: You love it? I wasn't sure if it's the right one.
Of course, it wasn't the right one…and I knew it as soon as I laid my eyes on it but that was not the point. My nephew had gotten me a gift. A coat because he knew I had just finished my internship and had just begun to officially work as a medical doctor.

I walked to him and embraced him.
Me: Thank you!
Bhanekazi: Hmmm… Liyakha can't even get his own mother a coat, yet he can buy one for you. As if being a doctor is everything there is on this planet!
Thembeka: Bhani, could you please speak positively…for once!
Thembeka was our stepmother. I was surprised to see her on my side.
Bhanekazi: Oh…so I never speak positively? Or maybe…you want me to sing her praises. Doctor Dabeka Lulekani Mtolo! The first ever woman to become a doctor! Hail The Queen! Doctor of the nation! How was that? Out of 10? Enough positivity for you?
She giggled, wiping her hands and threw the napkin at my face. I threw it right back at her.

Fighting with my sister was not like those quarrels or fights siblings normally had. She always fought me out of malice and rage. As though there were riots within her. Riots she couldn't win on her own but still couldn't allow anyone to help her. One would swear Bhanekazi was my stepsister or my distant cousin…but no. She was my biological sister.

Our mother, Fanelwe Milani Ngubeni died 15 years ago. She was married to my dad, Hlakanipha Mtolo. I was 11 years- old and she was 17 years-old and heavily pregnant with Lee. She died just a few weeks before she went to labour. Mom was disappointed and terrified for her daughter's life. She didn't know how she would handle everything.

Bhani's baby daddy didn't admit to making her pregnant or even seeing her face…ever. He was 8 years older than her and had just gotten married. She had hope they would raise him together, but he was more concerned about his throne as his dad was a Xhosa chief somewhere in Eastern Cape.

Dad stepped in and became the best father to Liyakha. He never had a son and never thought he needed one until Liyakha's birth. He gave him everything he could give him. He fully stepped in.

They have the best relationship, so much that Lee only found at age 12, what their reality was. He was in denial…cried immediately we told him. He didn't speak to anyone that whole week.

Regardless of the pain she had been through in the past…My sister's bitterness towards me still didn't fail to baffle me. Our mother's death was as hurtful to her as it was to me. A memory I could never forget nor erase in my mind.