The past meets the present and future

DUTY AND DESIRE.
STORY BY BELLA ROYALTY.
P2/10.

[DR. APHIWE BHENGU]
I thought by the time we returned home, the reporters and journalists would have long packed their equipment and left, I mean the statement from the Unity House was currently trending, their questions had been answered, so why were they still here, harassing me in my own private space?

Sfiso: Don't worry about this, I will sort it out.
Me: I thought all their questions were answered in that statement.

Sfiso: They want to quote you admitting to everything, an official statement from the Unity House is not enough, it's not your own voice, you're the closest person to the situation that could speak on this since they'll never get the president's side of the story other than a statement put together by a bunch of PR specialists.

Me: Imagine the president talking about his love life instead of infrastructure and national security.

We laughed as we drove inside the yard after a hassle getting past the press.
Sfiso: I mean he's not totally unallowed to speak about his romantic life but there's a time and space for that but you? You have all the time and space.

Me: No sir, how will they respect him if they know all that stuff? They know him as their leader, I know him as a man, It should remain like that.

Sfiso: People like to relate to their leaders. Knowing that behind that fitted suit is a man who gives and receives love makes them see him as a real, relatable human being.

Me: So what should I do? In order to get these people off my parents property?
Sfiso: Melusi will have to approve of course but I think you should do one interview, with a reputable media and news house, people who won't be biased because they are in favour of the former first lady.

I nodded.
Me: Please handle that, I trust you Sfiso and thank you so much for today, please don't forget to send me an invoice.
Sfiso: Kanti I won't be on a retainer?

We laughed.
Me: Officially, you're hired sir.
Sfiso(smiles): That's what I'm talking about! Although I feel awful billing the future first lady.
Me(laughs): The future first lady can afford you!
Sfiso: I know she can, you were earning in dollars in America.
Me: You are aware that I was still a student right? Being a resident means you're an intern in a fancy term.

We laughed as I got out of the car after Leo opened the door for me.
Me: Anyway, sizokhuluma, please kiss my baby for me and tell her mother I will come and see her one of these days.
Sfiso: No problem, take care of yourself.
Me: Thank you, I will.

I walked inside the house already feeling a lecture coming in. As soon as I opened the door, I got a call from Dr Reena. That's Londeka's doctor, why is she calling me?
Me: Dr. Reena, hi is everything okay? Is Londeka okay?
Dr. Reena: Dr. Bhengu hi, I know you currently have a lot going on at the moment and I wouldn't bother you if I had any choice but since you have Neonatology experience, I figured I would call you.
Me: Of course Dr. Reena you don't have to explain, do you need me to come in?
Dr. Reena: Could you?
Me: Yeah sure, I'll be there in a few.
Dr. Reena: I'll be expecting you.

I dropped the call and didn't even bother getting inside the house, I turned back and luckily Leo and Marshall were here, someone else had taken Sfiso home.
Me: Guys please take me to the hospital.
Leo: Yes ma'am.

We drove out, Sfiso was still here addressing the reporters and journalists outside the gate, we drove straight to the hospital, I was literally running to Londekas ward, hoping that everything was okay with her.

As soon as I walked in, I heard the nurses panicking over her.
Me(confused): What's going on?
Nurse(panicking): BP's dropping fast, 74 over 39. She's going into septic shock!

My heart plummeted.

Sihle (intern): I will page Dr. Reena, she's—
Me:There's no time.
Sihle (snapping): You're not even officially on staff. This is my case!
Me (cutting him off): And this is my niece. Move!

I rushed to Londeka's bedside. Her tiny chest rose and fell erratically under the oxygen hood. Her little lips had turned a bluish tint. This wasn't just about leukemia anymore, her body was losing the battle to the infection.

I scanned the chart, my brain calculating faster than my fear. I have been wrapped up in my own personal drama and I neglected her.

Me: Start norepinephrine.

I ordered the nurse.
Me: Give her 0.1 micrograms per kg per minute, now.
Sihle: That's too aggressive, we don't even know the full panel results yet!
Me: If we wait for a panel, she'll be in cardiac arrest, trust me. This isn't my first septic neonate.

The nurse hesitated, looking between me and the intern.

Me: Do it.

She obeyed, a couple of minutes passed as we waited in anticipation.

Beep.
Beep-beep.

The heart rate monitor began to stabilize. Blood pressure crept back up and her oxygen saturation climbed from 83% to 91%.

I exhaled, shoulders dropping as the red faded from the screen.

Sihle: You could've killed her.

Oh, he's still here?
Me: But I didn't.

Then the door opened. Dr. Reena entered, slightly breathless, adjusting her glasses.
Dr. Reena: I got the page, what's going on?
Nurse: Dr. Bhengu intervened. Londeka went into septic shock. She administered norepinephrine. It worked.

She studied me, then Londeka, then the monitors.

Dr. Reena: You made the right call, thank you Dr. Bhengu.

Now that was a close call, I wonder if I hadn't arrived in time, what could have happened, but I was glad that I was able to make a change even if it was at the last minute.

I followed Dr. Reena to her office, trying really hard to ignore the stares I was getting. Leo and Marshall were close by so they couldn't take out their phones and take pictures of me or videos.

____

Londeka was now stable and responding well to her treatment, in a couple of minutes my family was going to be here to see her. The last time I saw them, things were heated between us so I didn't want to upset them, so I decided to leave before they found me here.

I was busy on my phone while Marshall walked behind me and Leo was at the front, Leo received a call and after the call he stopped.
Me: Is everything okay?
Leo: I've just received word that the former first lady is at the parking lot.
Me: Coincidence or?
Marshall: Definitely not a coincidence.
Me(exhales): Right, it's a confrontation?

They nodded.
Me: Lets get it over and done with then.
Marshall: Ma'am we've been instructed to make sure that you and her don't—
Me: What's the worst that she can do to me Marshall? You'll be there as well, let's go.

They hesitated but eventually we walked towards the cars and other security detail, and there she was. This was the first time I was seeing her live. I've only seen her on TV and on social media. She was beautiful and you couldn't even tell that she had just given birth a month ago.

Precious: The pictures don't do you justice at all Dr. Aphiwe you are as pretty as advertised.
Me: Do I know you?
Precious(laughs): Girl please, I know you know me.
Me: Uhm…no I don't know you, I never forget a face, are you a journalist or reporter?
Precious(annoyed): I am the woman whose husband you slept with!
Me: Oh you mean the woman that cheated on her husband with his own brother going as far as producing 3 children from that affair? Now I remember you!

She looked shocked, hhay if she wanted to go lower, I would indulge her.

Precious: Look at you all confident, speaking on things that you don't even know, is that what he told you? That I cheated on him with his brother? That the 3 kids aren't his? You think you've won haven't you? He probably told you that he loved you, that you're the best thing that has ever happened to him right? Well sweety I've heard those exact same words as well until I wasn't the best thing that's ever happened to him and he laid a trap on me and I fell for it, that man is no angel, Aphiwe he will use you and break you, once he's done with you he will discard you like used toilet paper and I fear for you because you're young, beautiful I would have said smart but usually beauty doesn't come with brains and it seems you missed that train but a smart young woman wouldn't be with a man twice their age, they wouldn't break a beautiful home, they wouldn't buy their home with another woman's tears.

I bit my lip.
Precious: I know your type, the type that has daddy issues so they date older men, the type that grew up in poverty and cling on to powerful men—

Me(Laughs): Precious weh let me stop me you right there my dear before you embarrass yourself even further, firstly you don't know me, you don't know my type, I don't have daddy issues, I have a loving father, a father that would move mountains for me not a father that would sell me to the highest bidder in order to stay relevant, isn't that what your father did? Didn't he force you into Nathi's arms? So that he wouldn't be blackballed In the political industry?

She swallowed.
Me: Don't tell me about powerful men, I am a powerful woman myself therefore I deserve to be with a powerful man and if that man happens to be the commander in chief then so be it, and I didn't win because there was never a competition in the first place but if there was…

I stepped up to her.
Me: I would have wiped the floor squeaky clean with your face but I was raised to respect my elders so I will leave it that, oh one more thing former first lady, I don't appreciate what you did, announcing me as your successor like that, you could have at least warned me and I would have done my make up, honestly I don't know what you thought you'd achieve by leaking my relationship with Nathi, but muntu omdala, thank you, you made things easy for Nathi and I, dankie neh? Now if you don't mind, I'd like to be excused.

I attempted to leave.
Precious: I almost feel pity for you shame, you're so innocent and clueless, the thought of being wanted by the president is exciting but you don't know how heavy the crown is of being the president's wife and the first lady of a country, Aphiwe unuka ubisi you are a child, go date your peers, have fun and leave abantu abadala nezinto zabadala!
Me(mocking): Aww look at you being the bidding elder giving me advice! Can I advise you as well?

She folded her arms.
Me: How about you stop embarrassing yourself Precious and walk away quietly, with the little dignity that you have left, focus on your children, be a mother that they will be proud of one day because let's be honest, it currently doesn't look good at all, and you're making it worse with this stunt, you used to be a respectable first lady but look at you now? Stalking a little girl just to tell her that she hasn't won? Do better Precious, fix things with your babydaddy or something, leave me alone, if Nathi uses me and tosses me aside, it will be a lesson to me as well like It is to you right now… However I doubt I'll be dumb enough to sleep with his own brother, he's young right?

I squinted my eyes at her.
Me: I don't do younger guys, they bore me, they lack ambition and motivation but he's the president's brother so maybe he doesn't fall under that line, anyway Precious it was nice meeting you and honestly I'm sorry for what you're going through, heal sisi.

I got inside the car and so did Leo and Marshall, we drove away and my phone immediately rang.
Me: Hey.
Nathi: Are you okay?
Me: That was fast.
Nathi: There's pictures of the two of you all over the internet already.
Me: Right! I forgot I'm famous now.

We laughed.
Nathi: You'll get used to it, what did she say?
Me: Oh the usual from a scorned ex wife, you may think you've won kind of talk.
Nathi: Knowing her she probably told you that I'd use you and toss you aside once I was done.
Me: Seems like you know her too well.

He groaned and I laughed.
Nathi: Don't start please.
Me: I was merely saying nje Manzini.
Nathi(chuckles): You called me Manzini for the first time in 10 years.

I smiled.
Me: You're growing on me a little.
Nathi(surprised): You don't say!
Me(laughs): Mxm! Ngiyadlala! Precious said I have daddy issues cabanga for being with you, she even said that beauty didn't come with brains when it comes to me.

We laughed.
Me: Ngaze ngadeleleka, she most probably thought she ate shame.