10 years later

DUTY AND DESIRE.
STORY BY BELLA ROYALTY.
P2/01.

[AMAHLE MTHIMKHULU-SHAZI]
You would swear this is the first time I have done this but it's not, it's actually the second time but the feeling of bringing life to the world will forever be magical.

I had my first child 3 years ago, a beautiful baby girl named Liyana, and now in my arms, I carry my second child, a baby boy named Luyanda, he's so precious.

If anyone had told me I'd be here years later, a wife, mother and a career woman, I wouldn't have believed it but here I am, I am happy, content and peaceful.

10 years ago I graduated in high school, I always thought that after what my father tried to do to the president, I thought he'd end up dead and I'd be affected as I carried his last name but that wasn't the case, infact my father was called in and worked for the government, I got a scholarship to study a BA degree in Political Science & Communications which is a double major, I work as a press secretary at the Public Prosecutors Office(PPO).

I met my husband Sfiso Shazi in court, he worked at the Department of Justice at the time as an attorney, we were on opposite sides but we couldn't deny the chemistry between us, and 6 years later here we are, married with two children.

Life is good I guess, but something has always been missing and that's my bestie, Aphiwe or should I say Dr Aphiwe Bhengu? She's currently serving her Residents in New York at the St Grace Memorial Hospital, this is actually her last week and I am crossing my fingers hoping she decides to come back and work here at home, she's been gone so long.

It's a long shot, but I really hope she decides to come back home and be with us.

I was disturbed in my thoughts by my husband getting in.
Me(smiles): Hey daddy.
Sfiso(smiles): Hey baby, have you seen this?

He switched on the television and went straight to the news channel while increasing the volume.

"President Nkosinathi Zungu has been confirmed to be one of the 5 presidents that have been shot, he has been rushed to the hospital, President Nkosinathi Zungu was shot in France where he and several other world leaders had gathered for the Global Peace Summit in Paris, his state is said to be critical…"

Me(shocked): Oh My God babe, when did this happen?
Sfiso: This morning apparently.
Me: Do they think it was an assassination attempt on his life?
Sfiso: In their lives, 5 world leaders were shot. Right now we are not sure who the hit was for exactly, the other 4 leaders could have been a diversion.
Me: To divert attention from the real target.
Sfiso: Exactly.

I exhaled.
Me: I hope he makes it out okay, the country still needs him.
Sfiso: Yeah, losing him would be such a huge blow in the face, worse he's just welcomed a child a few weeks ago.
Me: Yeah.

Sfiso held his son in his arms and admired him while I thought about the president, wondering if I should tell Aphiwe, maybe she already knows, I mean this has made global news, I wonder how she feels.

I mean this was once her— whatever it is that he was to her, even though we just decided to sweep that encounter under the rug, I know she struggled the first two years getting over him, he meant something to her, so we made a pact, that we'd never speak about him or anything that happened when we were still in high school.

My phone rang and her name stared back at me on the screen.

Me(answering the facetime): Dr Aphiwe Bhengu!
Aphiwe(laughs): Hey!
Me: How are you Dr?
Aphiwe: I'm good and how are you? Where is my baby? Please show me my baby!

She said eagerly, making Sfiso and I laugh. Sfiso appeared with Luyanda on the screen and she screamed.
Aphiwe(smile): Oh my God you guys he's so beautiful! Aww! I just had baby fever!
Sfiso: The good Doctor is thinking about having kids?
Aphiwe: I mean one wouldn't hurt right? Mom is at home bored.
Me(laughs): Andile has kids, Aphiwe.
Aphiwe: He's married and very stingy with his kids.

We laughed.
Aphiwe: Anyway guys he's perfect, well done mommy you did it again!
Me: Thank you bestie, I hope we will be seeing you soon?
Aphiwe: Of course!
Sfiso: Have you decided what you want to do?
Aphiwe: I don't know, I haven't really decided, there's actually a lot to consider.
Me(smiles): Idris?

She beamed and I smiled.
Aphiwe: Yes, Idris and a whole lot of other factors, but I have to make a decision fast, on Friday it's my last day at work so jeah…I have to figure it out fast.
Me: Well whatever you end up deciding, I'll support you my friend.

She nodded, I hesitated for a while.
Me: Uhm…so have you seen the news?
Aphiwe: Oh I don't watch the news, I am super busy, what's happening?
Me(clears throat): There is a Global Peace Summit happening in France this weekend, today was meant to be day 3 of it.
Aphiwe: Oh?
Me: There was a shooting.

She looked at me.
Me: The President of the Republic Of South Africa was shot along with 4 other presidents whose names are yet to be revealed.
Aphiwe: Oh.
Me: He's… they say he's in a critical condition.

She kept quiet for a while.
Aphiwe: That's sad, so what did you name my baby boy?

Sfiso and I looked at each other.

[DR APHIWE P BHENGU]
I sat in my car watching the news on my tablet, there wasn't anything new and tangible, just that the president of South Africa was amongst the 5 presidents that were shot.

I don't get it, how can 5 presidents be shot at the same time? At a private summit? Where was their security?

Anyway I hope he makes out okay, he's just welcomed his third child with the first lady, he can't just die now.

My phone rang and I smiled, I guess Idris was getting worried seeing that I wasn't getting inside the house.
Me(smile): I am coming,baby.
Idris: Almost thought they exhausted you at work and I'd have to carry you inside.
Me(laughs): I mean that wouldn't be such a bad idea actually, you carrying me, I love being in your arms.
Idris: Figured you'd say that, open the door.

I looked by the window and there he was, I couldn't help but smile as I opened the door.
Idris(smiles): Dr Bhengu.
Me(smiles): Detective Jackson.

I got out of the car and we shared a kiss.
Idris: Hey.
Me: Hey Baby.
Idris: Let's get you inside shall we?

I nodded and took my bag and phone and he picked me up, causing me to giggle as we went inside our apartment.

____

Idris: So how was your day, baby?
Me: It was good, we cleared one of my patients today, 4 years old, the operation was successful, he's cancer free.
Idris: Babe, that's wonderful news! I'm proud of you, at this rate St Grace Memorial will have to offer you a permanent position.

I laughed.
Idris: Although I'm surprised they haven't offered you a contract yet.

I avoided his eyes, truth is, they've offered me a permanent position, great job, great pay, benefits you know? However the dream has always been to complete my studies, get enough experience and then return home to make a difference.

At least that's what the goal was when I finished my matric 10 years ago, as expected I graduated high school, top of my class, earning myself attention from some of the world's best Medical schools locally and internationally, they were literally fighting over me and that's me bragging by the way.

I settled for China, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) – Beijing, to be specific, there I did 5 years in the classroom and clinical study, 1 year internship which is also a hospital rotation, I was then invited to complete my Residency in St Grace Memorial Hospital for 4 years, usually it takes 3 years to complete but I had to add a year for Neonatology.

Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that focuses on the medical care of newborn infants, particularly those who are ill or born prematurely. Neonatologists are trained to handle complex and high-risk situations involving newborns, including respiratory issues, infections, birth defects, and complications related to preterm birth.

It's pretty boring stuff really, but really exciting to me, I did go home every once in a while, I never missed any major family and friend milestones.

The goal was to study, graduate and gather as much experience and expertise and then return home and apply the knowledge I had acquired to help children back at home, however now I'm at a crossroads because I've built a life here in NYC, I have family away from home, friends and a man.

A man that I love, my Nigerian American man and the idea of returning home is just… I don't want to lose him and what we have, at the same time I can't expect him to follow me to South Africa either, so that's my dilemma.

Idris: Pearl?
Me: Mmh?
Him: I lost you there for a bit, baby, are you okay?

He asked with his voice laced with concern while caressing my cheek.
Me: They've offered me a permanent position at St Grace Memorial and I've also received an offer at Mayo Clinic and at Johns Hopkins Hospital not to mention the offers back home.
Idris: Wow that's…
Me: I haven't decided anything yet though baby.

He nodded, deep in thought.
Idris: You know I've been dreading this day.
Me: I know, me too.
Idris: So? What have you decided?

I exhaled.
Me: I haven't decided anything baby, when I finished high school the goal was to study, graduate and then return home, but I've made a life here, I've made family, I have friends, I have an apartment, I have a life and most importantly I have you and I can't just leave all of this behind.

Idris: But there's home as well, you miss your country, you miss your friends there and family.
Me: I wish I didn't have to choose.
Idris: Whatever you decide, I'll support you, your happiness to me comes first.

I looked down.
Idris: You may choose to stay here but your soul will ache because you won't be home, you may choose home but your soul will still ache because I won't be there with you.

I looked at him.
Me: I like what we have built here baby, you've given me the best 3 years of my life so far, I don't want to lose you, long distance isn't an option either, I'd die of lack of physical touch.

We laughed.
Idris: And lord knows you like to be touched.
Me(smiles): And you do it so well.
Idris: Oh really?
Me: Mmh-mmh.

I kissed his lips.
Idris: I thought the good doctor was tired this evening?
Me: I can never say no to physical touch from NYPD's most finest detective, that would be a crime.

We laughed as I straddled him and we kissed.

[PRECIOUS ZUNGU, FIRST LADY]
I was losing my mind, it seemed as if this jet wasn't flying fast enough, I just wanted to be by my husband's side already.

When the captain announced that we were about to land, I was so relieved.
Me: Kids, we are about to land.

They stretched and tightened their seat belts as we landed in France, an entire convoy was waiting for us, Melusi, Sean, Zamani and Leo at the forefront.

Rachel and Rose helped me with the kids as we stepped out of the jet, my entourage helped with the bags as Melusi and I shared a tight hug.

Melusi: Madam President.
Me: Please take me to him, Melusi.
Melusi: Let's go.

We got inside the cars and drove off to the hospital, as we drove there my mind was working overtime, silently hoping for the best, my husband cannot die right now.

In what felt like hours, we pulled over at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital and used a private entrance and I was taken to his ward which was heavily guarded.

I got emotional as soon as I saw him, hooked on those pipes.
Me(emotional): Melusi, please tell me he's going to be okay?
Melusi: The doctors are hopeful Precious, he will be okay. He's very strong.
Me: He has to make it, he just has to.

He was shot 2 times, both times on his left side of the chest, missing his heart by a couple of inches. If he wasn't wearing the bulletproof vest, we would be talking about something entirely different.

Me: Melusi, please tell me this was a coincidence, that he wasn't the target and that he just happened to be collateral.

Melusi: For now, we are not sure Precious but my team and I are investigating, if he had been shot at our own turf, this whole investigation would have been easy, he was shot in France, during the biggest global peace summit, with 4 other presidents, it won't be easy, I'm having a briefing with the other security personnels, we will get to the bottom of this, I swear.

I nodded.
Melusi: Please excuse me.

He walked out and I held Nkosinathi's hand.
Me: You have to wake up, do you hear me? You have to wake up.

I wiped my tears and kissed his forehead. I was headed for the door when I heard Melusi and Leo.

Leo: I think it's time we made contact with her, her presence could change things.
Melusi: Or it could make things worse Leonardo, it's been over 10 years, these people have different lives now, why disrupt the peace?
Leo: The goal was that we let her finish school and then bring her back, he needs her, he hasn't been the same since she left, all this while he has been pretending, we both know this is not what he wants! He wants her, that's all he's ever wanted, HER!

Melusi sighed.
Leo: This is your fault, you should have never tried to separate them.
Melusi: My heart was in the right place.
Leo: For who? She's moved on and she's considering staying in New York with him? He hasn't moved on!

Melusi: Did he not succumb to his duty? Is he not a family man? Is he not the most beloved president? He is serving his third term as the president and if that girl was still in his life none of this would have happened! He has kids that he loves, her showing up right now will disrupt everything that we've worked hard to build!

Leo exhaled.
Melusi: Leo please, let's wait for him to wake up so that he can decide whether he still wants her back in his life or not.
Leo: The time frame was 10 years.
Melusi: And this timeline, why am I only hearing about it now?
Leo: That's because I am the only person who truly cares about his happiness and I'm telling you right now, he needs the love of his life and whether you like it or not Melusi, the doctor is the love of his life! You made a promise! The man could be dying!

He walked away and I closed the door slowly with my hand on my chest, what the hell did I just hear? Does Nkosinathi have another woman? And she's a doctor? What? When? 10 year timeline? What the hell is going on?

Are you telling me that what we have with Nkosinathi is a sham? We have 3 kids together! He tore the open marriage contract, he wanted something real, he wanted us to try, and he's been lying to me? I was just filling in for some doctor?

Maybe he took initiative because he felt guilty for killing my father?