A new chapter

DUTY AND DESIRE.
STORY BY BELLA ROYALTY.
P2/11.

[NKOSINATHI ZUNGU, MR PRESIDENT]
When I tell someone to disappear I always pray they listen to me before they get on my nerves to a point where I have to make them disappear for good.

Precious is currently begging me to make her disappear and women and children are usually where I draw the line, a man has to have limitations.

The lights went on and she got startled, her hand rushing to her chest.
Precious: Nkosinathi you scared me!
Me: Your father said the same thing before he met his maker, tell me Precious do you want to meet your maker tonight? I know you don't give a shit about those kids, the only reason you had them is because you knew I loved kids, so I'll ask you again, do you want to meet your maker?

She swallowed.
Precious: Nathi…

Me: Don't disrespect me, there's only one person who's allowed to call me that and you're not her, it's Mr President to you, I will ask you again, Precious do you want to meet your maker tonight?

Precious(shaking her head): No, no.

Me: Then do as I say, disappear, keep my name and Aphiwe's name out of your mouth, I made a promise to myself that I'd never lay a hand on women and children but Lord knows you're tempting me, and Aphiwe is where I forget about the promises I once made, the stunt you pulled earlier today, cornering her like that? It must never happen again, as you know, I don't need to be close to you in order to make you meet your maker, do you understand?

She nodded fast.
Me: Stay away from Aphiwe, keep her name and my name out of our mouth, our business is done, you'll be well taken care off for the rest of your life, find a hobby and raise your children, I don't want to have to take out my best outfit to send you off to your maker, as you can see I came here wearing a suit, next time it won't be a suit, okay?

I caressed her cheek with my thumb, she was literally trembling.
Me: I hope this is the last time we are having this conversation.
Precious: Yes, I'm sorry it won't happen again, I promise, I will stay away.
Me: Good girl.

I walked out of her apartment, got in the car and Leo drove off while I called my woman.
Aphiwe: Hey.
Me: Hey baby what's wrong?
Aphiwe: Nothing, why would you assume there's anything wrong?
Me: Your tone.

She laughed a little.
Aphiwe: I'm just worried about my parents, today they didn't say a word to me, their approval means everything to me.
Me: Give them some time sthandwa sami, this is a lot for them, you're not with an ordinary man here.
Aphiwe: I know, the silent treatment is killing me.
Me: I am really sorry sthandwa sami.
Aphiwe: It's okay, where are you?
Me: I'm at home.
Aphiwe: Nkosinathi.
Me(chuckles): I've just come from Precious, don't worry she won't be bothering you anymore.
Aphiwe: What did you do Mr President?
Me(smiles): Oh nothing I can assure you First Lady, we just talked and came to an understanding, all these stunts won't make me take her back.

She exhaled.
Aphiwe: She's hurt.
Me: I understand that but she needs to heal and focus on herself and children.
Aphiwe: Let's hope she heard you.
Me: She did, when was the last time you talked to Idris.
Aphiwe: It's been a while, we agreed to cut communication for a while, to not make things awkward, I need him as a friend, I hope that's okay with you?
Me: You can't be friends with your ex Aphiwe.
Aphiwe: I can't?
Me: Babe.
Aphiwe: Okay fine.
Me: Good, well let me let you rest, I will call you in the morning.
Aphiwe: Okay, have a good night.
Me: Ngiyakuthanda Ma'Ngcolosi.
Aphiwe: Ngiyabonga Manzini.

I dropped the call and sighed.
Leo: Everything okay boss?
Me: I don't know, I know it's been years and Aphiwe is grown and all, but I get the feeling that she's not fully invested.
Leo: She's playing hard to get sir, making you earn her back, it's subtle, it's in the little things, like giving you hugs, kissing you on the cheek, not saying I love you back.
Me: Mmh, you know the other day she told me I was now in a competition with Idris but she's just told me that they've agreed to ease a little bit on the communication to avoid making things awkward.
Leo: She's not lying, they haven't talked in a while, she probably said that you were in a competition with Idris to let you know that you have to earn her back, but the relationship is now public she knows you know she wants to be with you, you just have to earn her back, for starters I know she enjoys the calls she gets from you.

I nodded.
Me: Thank you Leo.
Leo: No, problem sir, so when will you be proposing? A president can't have a girlfriend, its not a good look, at least have a fiancé or something.
Me: Isn't it a bit too soon?
Leo: I don't know.
Me: I'd like to first build a relationship with her parents, it seems as if their approval means everything to her.
Leo: The parents will come around, I'm not sure about the brother.
Me: That's the role of big brothers Leo, they live to hate their little sisters boyfriends.
Leo: Even if they are the president?

We laughed.
Leo: The man is being ridiculous, he loves you as a president but you're not good enough to be his brother in law?
Me: It's not that simple, he needs time and maybe to get to know me, they know me as a man in a fitted suit addressing the nation, they don't know Nkosinathi Zungu.
Leo: You are right sir.
Me: Just gather some information on them so that I'll know what I'm dealing with, don't be too invasive, those are my in laws.

We laughed.

[DR. APHIWE BHENGU]
Well Sfiso and Amahle did warn me about this, that the country would be divided by these news of the president and I being an item.

Their main issue is the age gap between us, Secondly, it's the fact that I know nothing about politics so they are worried about the kind of first lady I will be, will I be an involved one like Precious or will I be a trophy wife, you know be pretty in Nathi's arms, yep the comparisons have already started and they are pissing me off.

Some people went as far saying that Precious might have cheated but she was a great first lady, she understood politics because she was born and raised by a politician, she was born to be the first lady while I will be made the first lady.

The shade? So what if I know nothing about politics as the first lady? So what if I just want to focus on medicine and saving our Children's lives instead of having tea with wives of ministers? Nathi is the president here, my job is to support him and be there for him, I don't have to change who I am, I'm with Nkosinathi not the president… There's a difference and people should leave me alone.

Some even commented about my dress code, saying I should get a stylist now I'm with one of the most respected and powerful men in the country, ngalingwa weJesu!

My phone rang and I checked the time, 8am.
Me: Manzini.
Nathi: Why are you reading those disgusting comments?
Me: Good morning to you too and stop invading my privacy.
Nathi: I apologise.
Me: Anyway, I just wanted to see what was everyone's reaction of me being with you.
Nathi: And?
Me: Well people are divided, they are already comparing me with these other first ladies, I'm not like them.
Nathi: No, you're not and you shouldn't be like them either, you're Dr. Aphiwe Bhengu.
Me: I'm thinking of taking a course that's politically related so that I don't sound stupid whenever we are attending an event and I'm asked political related questions.
Nathi: Aphiwe you don't have to do that.
Me: I have to Nathi, did you see what these people are saying about me? Don't worry I can handle it, I want to do it, wherever I go, I represent you so I have to be prepared for anything.
Nathi: I love you, you know that right?

I smiled.
Me: I know and ngiyabonga.
Nathi: I can send someone to give you a crash course.
Me: Really? That would be awesome, do you think I should consider having a stylist, apperantly I don't dress like a future first lady.
Nathi: I like the way you dress though baby.
Me: It's not appropriate, I won't obviously dress like a 40 year old, I'll be a bit stylish when I'm out.
Nathi: They are already trying to change you Aphiwe, that's why I didn't want you to read their comments.

There was a knock at the door.
Me: Uhm…Manzini someone's at the door can we talk later?
Nathi: Of course, have a great day baby.
Me: You as well.

I dropped the call and grabbed my gown and went to open the door.
Nolwazi: Hey sunshine.
Me(smiles): Hey.
Nolwazi: You've been summoned.
Me: Yikes.
Nolwazi: Don't worry, I had a little talk with them, they'll behave, even that one I call my husband.
Me: He better, I'm not a kid anymore.

We laughed
Me: I'll be right there now.
_______

I sat down, it was mom, dad, Nolwazi and Andile of course.

Mom: We just want to know how this all began. How did you even meet someone like the president Aphiwe? As far as we remember, you hated politics, your friend was a politician's daughter but you hated politics, so how did the two of you end up meeting?

I exhaled, I guess we are getting right straight into it.
Andile: You were sneaking out weren't you? The good girl act was all a facade?
Me: Andile what exactly is your problem?
Andile: My problem? My problem is that you fooled us all!

Me: Was I not a good child? Did I fall pregnant? Did I drop out of school? The good girl act wasn't a facade, I am a good girl, what were you expecting me to do? Announce that I was dating? Whenever I went out I was supposed to ask for permission? You wanted me to skip the teenage life so that it catches up with me in University and I come back with a degree in the form of a living and breathing being?

Dad: Aphiwe!
Me: No, Baba! Lona unenkinga nami!
Nolwazi: Andile nawe, I know you're disappointed, this is your little sister and all but let her speak and stop assuming.
Dad: Your mother asked you a question, Aphiwe.
Me: Well I met Thato at school, he was booked to play at an event we were hosting.
Dad: And you were sneaking out at night to see him?

I swallowed.
Me: Yes, sometimes I'd say that I was sleeping over at Amahle's place, most of the time that's what I said.
Mom: So he is the one who really took your virginity?
Me: Yes after that we went to the doctor and I was on a prevention plan.
Nolwazi: At least you were smart.
Andile: Smart wani Nolwazi? She shouldn't have been having sex in the first place!

I rolled my eyes, he's being difficult for no reason at all.
Dad: And the president?
Me: Well Tiro broke up with me after he became famous, so I was heartbroken. Another older friend of mine that I had met through Tiro, invited Amahle and I to a party. It was a masked party, so that's where I met him.
Andile: You went to an adult's party and slept with a man almost twice your age, a stranger Aphiwe!

Me: Look I agree that was a mistake, I wasn't thinking straight, I was hurt and drunk and wanted to feel wanted and loved, and he showed me that, he didn't know I was just a teenager who had snuck in the party uninvited okay? The entire time the masks were on, I thought he was just a guy, it was meant to be a one night stand and never to be spoken of, but then I saw his ID, that's when I knew that I had been with an older guy, and since I wasn't into politics, his name didn't ring any bells, not that it would have made any difference because we had already slept together, the next morning, he was sworn in as the president.

Mom cleared her throat.
Me: Amahle and I agreed that we would never speak of this with anyone, I didn't think he'd recognize me out of my uniform and teenage face, but he did, the day he visited our school, he did, we didn't talk there but you could tell he was shocked that I was a teenager, he even apologised for what he did because not only was I a teenager, he was also married as well and to protect himself, he asked if I could sign an NDA forbidding me from ever telling anyone about this because that kind of information could be used against him.

Andile: So how did you guys end up in this situation where you think you're in love with each other? Or did the affair never stop??

I hate him.
Me: I signed the NDA and he made sure I wasn't pregnant or sick and…
Dad: He took advantage of you and made you his dirty little secret?

Me: He never took advantage of me Baba, I got into this willingly, I don't know being with him excited me, I was just a kid, I loved the attention I was getting from someone like him I guess and you know we ended up catching feelings but being together at the time was risky and dangerous, he didn't want me to be his mistress, he said I deserved better than that, he wanted me to be sure of what I felt for him so we broke up, amicably, with the conclusion that once I was done with school, we'd talk and if the feelings were still there, then maybe we would finally be together.

Nolwazi: So that's why he paid for your tuition?

Me: Not exactly, I was always going to study abroad, I was even accepted at Harvard with an international bursary, I chose China because of their advanced medical skills, I applied for scholarships and bursaries and I got funded through a private company, I didn't know he owned that company, so in a way he went out of his way to make sure that I never lacked anything and that I fulfilled my dreams because more than anything he believed in me.

Andile: So what? We should write him a thank you note?
Me: Honestly Andile you can do whatever the fuck you want at this point I dont care, whether you like it or not, Nathi and I are together so I suggest you start handling whatever inferior complex you have kusa early.

He scoffed, he was about to reply but dad interrupted him.
Dad: Aphiwe are you sure about this? About him? Do you really love him or you're in love with the idea of who he was 10 years ago and how he made you feel?
Mom: Or maybe you feel indebted to him because he funded your career?

Me: If I wasn't sure I would have asked the Unity House to discredit the rumors, trust me they would have been able to make this whole thing look like a misunderstanding, I want to be with him and I know that comes with a lot of public scrutiny mainly because of our age gap and different career statuses.

Dad: Its dangerous Aphiwe, you could be a political target, Nkosinathi has defied odds and became the president this country desperately needed over the past decade, not a lot of politicians are happy with that, just a few weeks ago, he was shot at, we don't know if that wasn't an assassination attempt aimed at him and was covered up, more than anything we are worried about your safety Mtanami.

Oh, that's comforting.
Dad: I don't know like the way the two of you met, Aphiwe you were young, you should have been focused on your school work but what's done is done, it's also comforting that he let you chase your dreams first before he burdened you with all of this, for that he has my respect.

I nodded.
Dad: I just fear for you like any father would, his profession is very dangerous, and I know you Aphiwe, you weren't built for this kind of life, we raised you to be surrounded by these emotional walls, we caged you, now you'll be forced to deal with nasty reporters, journalists and nasty social media bullies, you're not strong enough for that.
Mom: But if you are sure about this, and it's something you want, we cannot stand in your way although I imagined you walking down the aisle to a fellow medical colleague.

We laughed, except you know who.
Mom: But we want you to be happy, Aphiwe you've done everything that a parent could ever expect from a child, you've made us proud, now it's time to live for yourself and we as your parents and family, we will support you.
Me: You don't know how much that means mom, Baba thank you.
Baba: I would like to meet him and have a talk with him of course but you have our blessing.

I screamed, hugging them tight.
Andile: I guess having a president as a brother in law isn't that bad.

We laughed as I hugged him as well.
Me: Thank you big brother!
Andile: Whatever man! When are we officially meeting him anyway?
Me: I will ask him and see what he says.
Nolwazi: So does this mean we will have our own chauffeur and security?
Me: Yes, we are basically the first family now and reporters and journalists can be a nuisance so security will come in handy, they will be discreet.
Dad: Can't we just have an early retirement, what's the use of having a doctor and first lady as daughter?

We laughed.
Me: I mean if y'all want to retire, there's nothing stopping you guys.
Andile: Danko!

We laughed.
Mom: Senidlala ngomkhwenyana ke manje! Aphiwe go and get ready for the hospital.
Me: Okay mom.

I went to my room and exhaled, well that went better than I had expected.

I got ready to go to the hospital.

_____
So this was going to be my life now, cameras flashing, a crowd following me with their mics and phones? Getting to the hospital was such a mission but we were finally inside, Dr. Reena was impressed by Londeka's progress, she was going to beat cancer and I couldn't be more delighted.

I had barely opened the chart at the nurses' station when the intern, Sihle, spoke behind me, the one from yesterday, I don't think the lad likes me at all.

Sihle: So you're the new star of the ward now?

I turned, brows raised.
Me: Excuse me?
Sihle: You've been here five minutes, and already they're calling you the best thing that's ever happened to medicine, let's not forget how you even got that degree, you slept with the president.

A few nearby staff froze. I stayed calm.
Me: I don't have time for this.
Sihle: You're treating your own niece. That's unethical, it's a conflict of interest but I guess the rules don't apply to people like you, right? People who bend over for the president?

The room went quiet, ay cha umuntu uyalingwa straight ke manje, what the helly?