DOCTOR S NAME

CHAPTER 03

DOCTOR S NAME

KHAYELIHLE ZULU – POV

The palace gates closed behind us with a deep, echoing thud.

Home.

Yet it didn't feel like it.

The drive back from the hospital had been painfully quiet. No one spoke. Even the city noises seemed distant, muted, as if the world itself understood that something fragile had been shaken.

As we stepped out of the car, the familiar sight of the palace grounds should have brought comfort—the manicured lawns, the towering gates, the guards standing tall in their uniforms—but tonight, it only reminded me of how empty everything felt without my parents here.

"Bhuti…" a small voice broke the silence.

I turned just in time to see Emihle.

My little sister stood at the top of the steps, her shoulders shaking, tears streaming freely down her face. She had always been the strongest in her own quiet way, but tonight, she was just a scared young girl.

I crossed the distance in long strides and pulled her into my arms.

"They said Mama and Baba are stable," she sobbed into my chest. "But what if—what if something happens?"

I held her tighter, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"They're fighters," I said softly. "They'll come back to us. I promise."

She nodded, though the fear in her eyes didn't disappear.

Behind us, my brothers stood silently—Andile carrying the weight of responsibility like a crown already placed on his head, Sibusiso watching everything, saying nothing, guarding us all in his own way.

We walked inside together.

The palace corridors felt too wide, too quiet. Every painting, every carved pillar, every symbol of our lineage seemed to watch us as we passed, reminding us of everything at stake.

My mind, however, betrayed me.

Because instead of thrones and tradition—

I thought of her.

Dr. Olerato Moagi.

Mrs. Moagi.

The way she bowed respectfully, despite exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. The calm in her voice as she told us our parents were stable. The strength in her eyes—unshaken, focused, fearless.

She had stood between my parents and death.

And she had done it without hesitation.

She was beautiful—yes, undeniably so. Gorgeous in a way that wasn't loud or forced. But it was more than that.

She carried herself like someone who knew exactly who she was.

The palace maidens appeared quietly, as if summoned by unspoken command. They bowed and began setting the long dining table with practiced grace.

"Please, Your Highnesses," one of them said gently. "You must eat."

Plates were placed before us—steaming food, rich aromas filling the room—but my appetite was gone.

I sat down anyway, Emihle beside me, pushing the food around her plate without touching it.

"You should eat something," I told her softly.

She shook her head. "I can't."

I understood.

As I lifted my spoon, my thoughts drifted back again.

The way Dr. Moagi looked at me—not intimidated, not impressed—just… aware. Like she saw a man, not a title.

It unsettled me.

And intrigued me.

"What are you thinking about?" Sibusiso asked quietly, breaking my thoughts.

I glanced up. "The doctor."

Andile looked at me sharply. "Now?"

"She saved our parents," I replied calmly. "We should remember her name."

Andile said nothing, but he didn't disagree.

As the maidens moved silently around us, refilling glasses, adjusting plates, I stared at my untouched food.

Somewhere tonight, in a hospital not far from here, Dr. Olerato Moagi was probably still on her feet—saving lives, carrying the weight of the world like it was second nature.

And here I was, surrounded by luxury, unable to shake the image of her tired eyes and steady voice.

I didn't know what this feeling was.

But I knew one thing—

When my parents woke up…

I wanted to see her again.

OLERATO MOAGI – POV

I was exhausted.

That bone-deep, soul-heavy kind of tired that no amount of sleep ever seems to fix.

It was exactly 00:00 when I finally shut down my computer, grabbed my bag, and stood up from my office chair. My back ached, my feet throbbed, and my head felt too full. I took my car keys, switched off the lights, and closed my office door with a soft click.

Another day saved. Another night survived.

"Goodnight, Doc," one of the nurses said, stifling a yawn.

"Goodnight," I replied, forcing a small smile. "See you tomorrow."

I walked out of the hospital, the cool night air hitting my face. The city was quieter now, like it too was tired. I got into my car and sat there for a moment before starting it, hands resting on the steering wheel.

Tomorrow I'd check on my friend.

I missed her so much. It had been too long since I'd last seen her, and life had a cruel way of pulling us apart just when we needed each other most.

I drove home in silence.

When I arrived, I kicked off my shoes the moment I stepped inside. My apartment was dim, peaceful—until I heard it.

Soft laughter.

I frowned.

I turned the corner and found Omphile sprawled on the couch, phone pressed to her ear, smiling like she'd just won the lottery.

It was midnight.

I stood there, arms crossed, unimpressed.

"Seriously?" I said flatly. "It's midnight. Can't you see people are sleeping?"

She glanced at me, grinned wider, and waved me off like I was the unreasonable one.

"Relax, Doc," she whispered dramatically into the phone. "I'll call you back."

A few minutes later, she dropped the call and tossed her phone aside, still smiling to herself.

I raised an eyebrow. "You look suspicious."

She gasped. "Suspicious? Me? Never."

I sighed and collapsed onto the armchair opposite her. "Who were you talking to?"

She leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Someone interesting."

I groaned. "Please don't tell me you're flirting at midnight again."

She clutched her chest. "Wow. Such judgement. Meanwhile, you look like you've been through war."

"Hospital," I muttered. "Same difference."

She studied me for a moment. "Long night?"

"You have no idea," I said, rubbing my temples.

There was a brief pause.

Then she smirked. "So… how was your night, Doctor Moagi?"

I shot her a look. "Why are you saying it like that?"

"Oh, nothing," she said innocently. "Just curious."

I hesitated.

I don't know why.

Maybe because I hadn't stopped thinking about it since it happened.

I exhaled slowly. "I met someone."

Her eyes widened. "I KNEW IT."

I groaned again. "Can you not scream? It's midnight."

She whispered loudly, "WHO?"

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "A patient's family member."

"Uh-huh."

"A royal family member."

She sat up straighter. "Excuse me?"

"The Zulu royal family," I clarified.

Her jaw dropped. "OLERATO."

"I know," I said quickly. "Listen, it wasn't like that."

She squinted. "Then why are you smiling?"

I froze.

I wiped my face. "I'm not smiling."

"You totally are."

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. I met one of the Zulu princes."

"One?" she echoed. "As in plural?"

"Yes," I said. "But him…"

Her grin turned wicked. "Say his name."

I swallowed. "Khayelihle."

She let out a dramatic gasp. "That name alone sounds expensive."

I laughed despite myself. "Omphile, stop."

"Describe him," she demanded.

I hesitated again, then shook my head. "He's… damn fine."

She screamed into a pillow.

"Control yourself," I hissed.

"I can't!" she whispered back. "Go on."

"He's tall," I continued reluctantly. "Calm. Intense eyes. The kind of man who doesn't need to raise his voice to be heard."

"Mmh."

"And he didn't look at me like I was just a doctor," I added softly. "Or like he was impressed by the title."

Omphile's expression softened. "He saw you."

"Yes," I admitted. "And that's what scared me."

She smiled knowingly. "Girl… that's what excites you."

I sighed. "He was worried about his parents. Vulnerable. Real."

She leaned back. "Dangerous combination."

"I know," I said quietly. "Nothing can come of it."

She tilted her head. "But you're thinking about him."

I didn't answer.

She chuckled. "Khayelihle Zulu, huh? Damn. Doctor, you really do save lives."

I laughed softly, exhaustion finally settling in.

"I'm tired," I said, standing up. "Too tired to overthink this."

She stood too and pulled me into a hug. "Get some rest. We'll unpack the royal drama tomorrow."

As I walked to my bedroom, one thought lingered in my mind—

I didn't know what this was.

But I knew I wouldn't forget him anytime soon.