admin INSERT TWO NARRATED Funeral preparations are in full swing. The Mthombeni house is a bustle of activity—every nook and cranny has someone doing something. If it’s not a family member who just arrived and is sobbing bitterly in Mam’Sibisi—Anele’s mother’s embrace, it’s an aunt sitting right next to the mattress and demanding tea with condensed … Read more
INSERT ONE Time of death: 00:36 Date: 01-01-2025 The paramedic’s words ring in Mthombeni’s head, loud and deafening. He clasps his palms over his ears, but his efforts prove to be futile. He can still hear the fireworks exploding, people screaming ‘Happpyyy’ and in the mix of the chaos in his head is his wife’s … Read more
PROLOGUE Rain showers patter gently on the roof, creating a soothing rhythm that almost matches the steady beat of my husband’s heart. I am nestling on his chest, tracing a finger on the contours of his ribcage. I scoot closer, wishing for a way to get under his skin and live under it. He wraps … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 25 SIBUSISO CURRENT DAY “There is something we need to tell you all,” Father says. Couldn’t they wait until my wedding was over? My parents called me and my siblings to tell us something. I don’t want to be here. I want to be with my wife. Tonight is our wedding … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 24 NALEDI “Aunty!” I call as soon as I walk into the house. The front door was open, so I decided to let myself in. It’s 8 am and I am here to cook and make sure everything is in order. Steven is coming at noon. I brought all the ingredients … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 23 NALEDI I want to go home. I feel very embarrassed being around Sibusiso’s family after the sleepwalking. Sibusiso says it’s fine and that no one will ask about it, but I feel very ashamed. I have never sleepwalked in my life before, and so far, I have done it twice. … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 22 GUMBI HOUSEHOLD It’s 10 pm, and Zolani, Mkhonto, Ntombizodwa, and Sipho are in the room where they hold family meetings. They are all talking about the way forward now that Mzilikazi is gone. Mzilikazi didn’t mention who was supposed to take over after he passed away. Everyone thinks Zolani should … Read more
0THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 21 NALEDI This has to be the first funeral I have ever attended, and not everyone is as sad as I imagined. In movies, people will be wailing and wanting to be buried with the deceased, but here everyone is their normal selves. They are all saying he was old, and … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 20 (SPONSORED BY Anonymous) GUMBI HOUSEHOLD “What is going on?” Jasmine asks when she finds the whole house staff in the dining area- the drivers, cleaners, kitchen staff, and servers. They are all standing there mumbling to each other. “Where are my parents?” Jasmine asks, even though she didn’t get an … Read more
THE COVEN’S BRIDE CHAPTER 19 (SPONSORED BY Mpho) GUMBI HOUSEHOLD It is a couple of minutes before midnight. The guests have left the house, and the only people who are left in the house are the Gumbi elders. Sibusiso and Naledi didn’t get back to the party; they fell asleep in Sibusiso’s room, and no … Read more