{"id":530,"date":"2026-01-21T15:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/?p=530"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:52:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:52:01","slug":"a-bride-for-hire-novel-prologue-chapter-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/a-bride-for-hire-novel-prologue-chapter-1\/","title":{"rendered":"A BRIDE FOR HIRE Novel PROLOGUE & Chapter 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
A BRIDE FOR HIRE<\/div>\n
PROLOGUE<\/div>\n
.<\/div>\n
.<\/div>\n
Nqobile Goqo.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
I\u2019m so fed up of following this old man, he keeps pointing me to valleys I can\u2019t see. The sun is burning. I am annoyed and over this just as much.<\/div>\n
\u201cUyazibona mzukulu? Nazi ziza.\u201d His cane directly aimed between the hills. I still see nothing but he doesn\u2019t seem to take heed to that part. So, I roll my shoulders back and relax against the wooden rocking bench I\u2019m sat on and nod.<\/div>\n
\u201cYes, I see them but who are they for?\u201d<\/div>\n
He turns towards me, and shakes his head in a way I don\u2019t understand. Weren\u2019t we celebrating a second ago?<\/div>\n
My dad isn\u2019t getting a second wife is he? Meh, I wouldn\u2019t care actually, so long as she doesn\u2019t practice African chemistry.<\/div>\n
\u201cIs it a bad thing that the cows are coming?\u201d I ask again, more worried than annoyed this time around.<\/div>\n
We just found our peace, for once things were lining up alongside the stars for us \u2013 well, the most of us.<\/div>\n
\u201cGo back now, Sobahle. Go back home, and wait.\u201d Wait for what? I don\u2019t want cows! I don\u2019t want marriage and I\u2019ve never asked for it even when praying. When we were children and we\u2019d play house, I\u2019d always be the rich auntie with no baby or the gold digging side chick. Nothing has changed about me, I still share the same views I had as a kid.<\/div>\n
I want to call the man out and tell him to send the cows back if they\u2019re coming to me \u2013 Jesus Christ! I don\u2019t even have a boyfriend!<\/div>\n
It\u2019s not possible to get married if you have no boyfriend anyway. This is just a bad dream and I will get out of it.<\/div>\n
Gradually, I slip into a haze of loud; tortuous growling like a wild animal is calling my name.<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile! Nqobile!\u201d it chants three more times before it smacks my face with a pillow. The blow took me by such shock, somehow I flew out of bed.<\/div>\n
\u201cAww!\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cYou slept like a dying dog, what\u2019s your problem? I\u2019ve been calling you from heaven or what?\u201d only, it wasn\u2019t a growling animal. It was MaKhanyile, my mother.<\/div>\n
I get off the cold and painful tiles and stretch myself, \u201cSanibona ma.\u201d Somehow if I don\u2019t greet first, even when she has already started Newsroom Africa-ring me, I\u2019ll be the maid of honor of the red man with bull horns on his head.<\/div>\n
\u201cChurch has already started, strangers have shaken off their demons and sang their praises for God and you, child of this house is still snoring in bed? Ingqothovu ayenzi njalo sisi, vuka!\u201d she screams barbarically and slams my door shut afterwards.<\/div>\n
It\u2019s a drag getting ready and I make to take my time while doing it. Today is just one of those days where my life actually belongs to me, I can no longer view it as someone else\u2019s, I can no longer judge myself in third person because it literally feels mine today. I\u2019m the one who hasn\u2019t had a stable job since the Boers owning the sugarcane fields replaced us with machines. I\u2019m the one who hasn\u2019t had a stable relationship since that funny looking boy nobody wanted to sit next to in Assembly back in Grade 5. I\u2019m the failure of the family, there is nothing that I bring to the table, in fact I am the table and two of my table-legs are running loose; the other is supported by cool drink caps to stop it from sliding to all four hemispheres. But I am alive, apparently I need to be grateful for that despite me making myself so very clear to God.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
My sisters are already seated in the front row, holding the perfect images of what a Goqo girl child should be. People turn their heads to me ever so slightly, some mumble while others give me a smile prior mumbling crap about me.<\/div>\n
I sit beside Nonkanyiso, the eldest daughter. Our eyes meet and she gives me an eye roll \u2013 she\u2019s just as fed up as I am with this service.<\/div>\n
\u201cNiyabona bazalwane, let me ask you something \u2013 I see you\u2019re Identity from head to toe \u2013 Bhut\u2019Madlisa \u2013 but I saw you arrive in your two-by-two this morning.\u201d My dad wiggles his feet.<\/div>\n
Nonkanyiso gasps before I could grasp what\u2019s the reference. We both steal a glance at the boy who just got insulted. Veins form tree roots at the sides of his temples.<\/div>\n
\u201cIs that normal? Do you think that\u2019s normal?\u201d my dad stares at him for an answer. The poor guy shakes his head.<\/div>\n
\u201cSo you know what you are doing is abnormal but you do it anyway? Can you tell that you are suffering from supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Are you acquainted with such semantics?\u201d he\u2019s in his Prof moods today.<\/div>\n
Silence fills the room. I can hear the person behind me wheeze whilst breathing.<\/div>\n
\u201cWelele, you don\u2019t know what a semantics is? What if you reach heaven only to find that in order to pass through the gates, you must pass a spelling bee? Let me tell you something, ngikuhlolele nje khorekshini sikisi, your prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped that\u2019s why you\u2019re rich but poor. You want to see my magic? What\u2019s 100\u00d7your salary?\u201d oh my goodness!<\/div>\n
All eyes turn to the young man, sweat starts to trickle even from his eyes.<\/div>\n
\u201cWelele, Bhut\u2019Madlisa you don\u2019t know what your earnings are in a span cycle of 3 and a half months? You see ukuthi ubheda kanjani? Kahle kahle, you have never made a budget wena. Every time you get paid you go out to celebrate your poverty, can you see that you are the problem? Right, eh Bazalwane Jesus be the glory. Let\u2019s open Exodus, Exodus \u2013 E X O D U S\u2026\u201d it\u2019s business as usual once again.<\/div>\n
\u201cYour father is brutal.\u201d I whisper to Nonkanyiso as we skim through the bible verses being read.<\/div>\n
\u201cNot as brutal as those shoes. What pill was his wife on today? They are so unhinged\u201d she sneakers.<\/div>\n
\u201cThey were never hinged to begin with. Mntase, can we zip it now before your father gives us a read too.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t try, soon he\u2019ll be 10 cows richer. Mr. X is finally sending lobola.\u201d She giggles like a schoolgirl at my deep breath.<\/div>\n
Lobola? Lobola how when they just two weeks ago? Literally, one; two. We\u2019ve never even met this Mr. X, we don\u2019t know what he looks like and we\u2019ve never heard stories about him or his family.<\/div>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s sudden and rushed, Soso don\u2019t you think?\u201d I don\u2019t need her opinion on it, I am just trying to ring the bells in her head, but again this is my sister. It\u2019s a dark stadium in there.<\/div>\n
\u201cNothing is rushed. I love him and he loves me.\u201d She shrugs so sheepishly.<\/div>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know him.\u201d I reiterate.<\/div>\n
\u201cHis name is Bungobakho Ximba aka Mr. X, see I know him.\u201d Maybe they all were hinged from the start.<\/div>\n
I let the issue go for now and give all my attention to the Lord, it\u2019s the only thing I can afford to give Him right now anyway. I battle giving in and praying for a job; a stable income \u2013 something \u2013 anything other than staying at home and doing nothing but being crucified for every little thing. By the end of the church sermon, I feel a lot less shitty about myself than I did this morning. There\u2019s hope again, not that it will last.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
My sisters and I usually stay behind after service to clean the place up and return the chairs to the storeroom but our lovely congregation did that for us, thank heavens. I\u2019m exhausted. Being a Zion means having fun whilst praising and having regrets afterwards.<\/div>\n
We chill outside for a while, drinking lemon juice and chowing guavas straight from the tree.<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019m first in the toilet after this.\u201d Olwemihla \u2013 the last born, says.<\/div>\n
\u201cAs if. What you leave behind in the toilet is diabolical, I rather Nqobile goes first.\u201d Nonkanyiso opposes.<\/div>\n
Guavas don\u2019t drive me to diarrhea, not like this Mr. X business does.<\/div>\n
\u201cSoso, marriage isn\u2019t a small thing. You understand that right? It\u2019s a big deal and it requires you to be willing to make irreversible sacrifices. Once that Kist of yours makes it out of this house, it\u2019s done.\u201d Maybe she doesn\u2019t comprehend the severity of the loss. Soso didn\u2019t grow up here in the villages like Olwemihla and I. She stayed with our aunt in Joburg, initially her visit was meant to last two weeks but Aunt\u2019Patrice enjoyed the company and the free house girl so she ended up making a deal with her sister to keep Soso with her and raise her as her own. Hence \u2018kini\u2019 has turned to \u2018kibo\u2019 to her.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhy are we talking about marriage manje?\u201d Olwemihla stares between us.<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile is being delusional. Do you girls want to go shopping?\u201d and yet I\u2019m the delusional one?<\/div>\n
\u201cWe have no money remember? You donated it all to dogs.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a pet shelter, satan!\u201d<\/div>\n
I roll my eyes, \u201cWhen did you adopt this spirit of sharing and kindness? You barely took a breath when street kids would bother you for 5 cents, you want me to believe you all of a sudden had a change of heart but your bank balance stayed the same?\u201d it\u2019s funny that I only noticed now.<\/div>\n
But I know my sister, I know the amount of money she makes from that shopping center. All this flashy spending, that\u2019s something she couldn\u2019t afford, unless she has promised our souls to some Nyanga from the deep Mhlabauyalingana.<\/div>\n
\u201cUthwele?\u201d<\/div>\n
She gasps, the piece of guava falling from her lips.<\/div>\n
\u201cWith who? I know I ain\u2019t me ngoba ngizokubhanqa nezindonga mfazi.\u201d Olwemihla rants.<\/div>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t sacrifice anyone jeez, Nqobile. I know you have this \u2018the world is out to get me\u2019 core but I\u2019d never want to take advantage of you.\u201d Excuse her?<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat do you expect me to think, Soso? One day you arrive here with flashy bags and the latest shoes as if we weren\u2019t scouting for sales in West St. I\u2019m worried, as your sister, I am alarmed Soso.\u201d And her refusing to state where this money is coming from doesn\u2019t help the suspicion fall.<\/div>\n
\u201cShe is kinda right, you used to wear one wig it even turned into a nest. Now you own 30 inch in two different colors?\u201d Thank you Olwe!<\/div>\n
\u201cMxm, I\u2019m done with the both of you!\u201d she brings herself to her feet quick, and throws the peelings of her guava at us.<\/div>\n
\u201cHhayi-bo wenja!\u201d Olwemihla.<\/div>\n
\u201cDo you think she is loaning this money?\u201d maybe that\u2019s what she\u2019s hiding.<\/div>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know that but what I am aware of is, he won\u2019t be chopping any of my toes to cover the debt.\u201d<\/div>\n
What?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
It\u2019s almost 17:00 and we haven\u2019t touched the pots yet. Everybody is tired to be frankly honest, sikhathele!<\/div>\n
We will have leftovers for dinner because I know I\u2019m not cooking; Olwe is phone-kissing her boyfriend and Mrs X is out there throwing tantrums. I make my father and his buddy some tea and slice four scones; butter them up and grab a dishcloth.<\/div>\n
\u201cYou see this, this isn\u2019t the normal sausage that you buy. Akulona leli sausage elikalwayo lapha etilini uze uhafule futhi uzama ukucisha u39 cents eskalini. This is top quality wors.\u201d He explains to his friend.<\/div>\n
Poor Shenge, he has to seem impressed by sausages now.<\/div>\n
\u201cBaba, some tea and scones.\u201d I place the tray on the table and hand my father the dishcloth first then, his friend afterwards.<\/div>\n
\u201cMaKhanyile did well with your daughters, Sobahle. They are befitting future daughter in-laws.\u201d I rebuke that evil spirit that associates me with marriage!<\/div>\n
\u201cYeah, some are.\u201d His response is classic.<\/div>\n
I was waiting for it, I always tell myself that it doesn\u2019t surprise me anymore and yet my mind still zaps after hearing such things.<\/div>\n
\u201cI think Nqobile \u2026\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cHave you heard who my daughter is getting married to in the next weekend? She will be joining the Ximba household soon.\u201d My dad chuckles.<\/div>\n
His friend is still wiping his hands, I don\u2019t wait, my fingers have snatched it back. My two little legs carry me as fast as lightning to the kitchen.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
I dread what I find in the kitchen!<\/div>\n
My mom is going around in circles of craze, opening cupboards and drawers looking for something.<\/div>\n
\u201cYes my son, uh\u2026 she is coming. Nonkanyiso, Nonkanyiso your husband is calling.\u201d She isn\u2019t even calling her out loud and why is her head moving all over the show?<\/div>\n
I turn around, throwing a look behind me. There is no one there. I peak at the passage, no sign of Nonkanyiso.<\/div>\n
\u201cHere she is, my son. Please hold a minute.\u201d She giggles.<\/div>\n
Did she get high from her husband\u2019s prayer today? Where is Nonkanyiso here \u2026whoa!<\/div>\n
\u201cSpeak to him, pretend to be your sister. It shouldn\u2019t be hard for you anyway.\u201d She\u2019s thrusting the phone into my hands.<\/div>\n
\u201cAre you out of your mind? No!\u201d I whisper-scold back and push the device back.<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile, don\u2019t annoy me sisi. Take the bloody phone and answer.\u201d Her eyes darken.<\/div>\n
I gulp and answer the call in a quivering breath, \u201cHe\u2026hello.\u201d What is his name even!?<\/div>\n
\u201cSound sexy, sound like Soso.\u201d My mom nibbles against my ear.<\/div>\n
Ugh!<\/div>\n
\u201cMr\u2026Mr X.\u201d I don\u2019t even know if that\u2019s what she calls him!<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d \u2013 one of the coldest \u2018whats\u2019 I\u2019ve ever heard in my life.<\/div>\n
Both my hands grip on the cell now, \u201cX for Ximba.\u201d I rattle before I could make sense of what I just said.<\/div>\n
The deep sigh on the other end of the call punctures my batteries.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhatever. Have you received the R30 000?\u201d what!?<\/div>\n
\u201cThe R30 000!?\u201d<\/div>\n
My mom makes a face. Right, \u2018sound sexy\u2019.<\/div>\n
\u201cThat was the deal, what\u2019s with the opera performance now? Have you received it? Reason I am asking is because Mandy made the payment, I don\u2019t trust her with money.\u201d<\/div>\n
Who is Mandy and why is she making his payments?<\/div>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah I received it.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOkay. How are the preparations going? My uncles will arrive very early tomorrow morning so try to wake up at an appropriate time please.\u201d Mmaye!<\/div>\n
I cover my mouth and nod then drop the call.<\/div>\n
Phewww!<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat did he say? Stop reciting labor pains and tell me what he said.\u201d She barks down my neck.<\/div>\n
I need a glass of water. No, in fact I need the whole Nile!<\/div>\n
\u201cDid your daughter tell you she is getting lobolad tomorrow morning? As in kroo kroo, early as the rooster on tomorrow\u2019s duty.\u201d Why would she hide this from us?<\/div>\n
\u201cDid he say that?\u201d mom opens her eyes wide.<\/div>\n
I nod.<\/div>\n
\u201cLililili! Kwakuhle kwethu!\u201d<\/div>\n
I\u2019m sorry? Am I the only one without a receptive brain cell?<\/div>\n
\u201cMa, how are you celebrating this? This is a chaos, it\u2019s a disaster!\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cStop being jealous for once, Nqobile and be happy for your sister. She is getting married.\u201d I rest my guns!<\/div>\n
I let her stroll around the entire house ululating and singing at the very top of her lungs. What will these people even eat? Simple stew and rice?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
The phone vibrates on the countertop and for a minute I think it\u2019s a bank notification or something. As to why this girl left her phone behind, I\u2019ll never understand.<\/div>\n
It\u2019s an SMS from an unknown number. I open just because.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
~ Mama, I can\u2019t do it. I can\u2019t do it mama. My heart belongs to someone else, I can\u2019t give it to Bungobakho mama I cant. I\u2019m sorry but this whole arrangement is off!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
So help me God!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u2206\u2206\u2206<\/div>\n
\n
\n
A BRIDE FOR HIRE<\/div>\n
CHAPTER ONE<\/div>\n
.<\/div>\n
.<\/div>\n
Nqobile<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
They shiver in their seats like they\u2019re sitting on wet diapers. My mom hasn\u2019t stopped chewing her nails and calling out her husband every two minutes. If ever this man needed to revive the Bushili in him, this would be the most convenient time for such miracles.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat are you going to do? It\u2019s only a few hours till you have men lined up outside your gate waiting to ask your daughter\u2019s hand in marriage.\u201d I pole the hot air balloon first, still careful not to rile anyone up.<\/div>\n
My father flares his nostrils as he throws a wave as if that isn\u2019t of any concern right now.<\/div>\n
\u201cBaba, we are going to die. Oh King of Nazareth, save us from the devil\u2019s den!\u201d it\u2019s only now that she\u2019s realizing the devil in his own house? All of this didn\u2019t ring a bell when they were striking deals with dangerous people?<\/div>\n
\u201cWe will all die, Baba. I\u2019m too young, you can\u2019t let me die.\u201d<\/div>\n
My manners slip. The joke couldn\u2019t pass me.<\/div>\n
This woman is well into her late fifties, even when she\u2019s got gas she starts panicking thinking it\u2019s a heart attack coming to collect her.<\/div>\n
\u201cDo something, Sobahle, will you just sit there and marinade in silence? This was your fault to begin with.\u201d MaKhanyile rasps, the accusation more angry.<\/div>\n
Her husband snaps, gets up from the couch, \u201cUnganginyeli mina uyangizwa? Where was I when you and your daughter were combining your deficient parietal lobes on such ludacris schemes. This is your mess!\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cAh Baba!\u201d her fingers clasp her pearls.<\/div>\n
Next minute MaKhanyile is sprawled on the carpet with her hands pressed on her chest, heavily breathing and gasping.<\/div>\n
Her lover looks at her pissed.<\/div>\n
\u201cGet your big behind off the carpet, no one is wheeling you to the clinic. You should have taken the money from your gallivanting daughter before fainting.\u201d They were really about to ship Soso off for R30 000?<\/div>\n
\u201cAm I in heaven? God is that You?\u201d her dramatics continue.<\/div>\n
\u201cHow much did this man pay you? What even happened mama?\u201d I\u2019m still in the dark here, either than the fact that I\u2019ll be orphaned by tomorrow noon, I know nothing. And if ever God has taken the seat back on that matter, may my mother go first \u2013 I know I can trust sis to come back and fetch her husband.<\/div>\n
\u201cR50 000, he offered that for preparations for the lobola. The rest was going to come from the lobola paid.\u201d My father all of a sudden can\u2019t use his authoritative voice. Squeaking won\u2019t erase this mess!<\/div>\n
\u201cYou guys are unbelievable!\u201d I wash my hands.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhere did you think this fancy food was coming from? The new curtains in this house, the new bed sheets and the cooking microwave.\u201d Now she can get up?<\/div>\n
\u201cThe good thing is I never asked for any of those things mama. Soso played y\u2019all do you see that? She\u2019s out there now chowing the money whilst you are here stressing over your life covers.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cWe must do something, my sugar. We need to do something before it\u2019s too late. I think we should pray as well.\u201d Oh please, like that could change their fate!<\/div>\n
\u201cIf you can shut up for three minutes and let me think maybe I might find a solution.\u201d Baba says.<\/div>\n
His wife dribbles her eyes around and sends herself back on the couch.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cNtombi yami, MaMwelase omhlophe. I need you.\u201d<\/div>\n
Is he \u2013<\/div>\n
Hehe, very funny!<\/div>\n
They don\u2019t laugh with me, \u201cDid you miss the joke?\u201d I frown at my mom.<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile.\u201d Mom sighs, and takes my hands onto her lap.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhere would I ever get such money? I depend on Ramaphosa remember?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cMy child there was a reason why God wanted me to name you Nqobile. He knew you were going to be a conqueror, He knew that there was no circumstance you wouldn\u2019t be able to defeat so long as you look to Him for answers.\u201d He\u2019s serious?<\/div>\n
My father goes on his knees, for the first time since he got baptized my father is on his knees. My trembling hands shiver further in his hold, tears start to block my vision of him.<\/div>\n
I can\u2019t see whether he\u2019s putting any emotional effort to this act or if I\u2019m being dribbled as I always am.<\/div>\n
\u201cBaba you can\u2019t do that to me. You can\u2019t ask that of me, Dubandlela.\u201d I break into a cackle, it\u2019s still a joke to me to be honest. My parents could never ask this of me, they simply could never.<\/div>\n
\u201cHe will provide, Nqobile. God will provide you just need to put your faith in His grace and pray ndodakazi yami.\u201d The nerve to sell me hope and faith while preparing to throw me under the bus is sickening!<\/div>\n
I snatch back my hands and sweep the salty liquid off my cheeks.<\/div>\n
\u201cYou want to sell me to a stranger, Baba? You want to sell your daughter to a random man you\u2019ve never met in your life? I\u2019m just 26 years of age Dubandlela, what the fuck!\u201d I thought I was going to have grace in my decline but I checked the room and found none.<\/div>\n
So I guess it\u2019s insult to insult now.<\/div>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s your father, Nqobile.\u201d My mom jumps to her man\u2019s rescue.<\/div>\n
\u201cNo he is not! If he can sell me like this then he can\u2019t possibly be a father of mine. No father would sell their daughter in these times, women are being killed everyday, do you two realize this?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cHe won\u2019t hurt you, Nqobile man!\u201d Mom rasps.<\/div>\n
\u201cO, did he promise you that? Was there an oath taken without my knowledge to confirm such?\u201d these two are so damn evil and selfish! My mom knows how deeply I loathe marriage, it\u2019s a decorated cage and they are willingly ready to throw me inside for 5 R10 000?<\/div>\n
Baba brings himself back to his feet, and cockily shifts his hands into his pockets.<\/div>\n
There\u2019s a hint he\u2019s giving me the with his eyes, a stare that coils my insides.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
This man, this man used to fling me in the air every morning because I used to have an obsession with flying. He\u2019d slip lollipops in my bag because I\u2019d always steal R2s in my mom\u2019s bag to buy them. He knows how terrified I am of thunder, so he\u2019d always lay me on his chest and cover my head with a towel until it\u2019s over.<\/div>\n
No matter how far our relationship has drifted but he can\u2019t be that far gone not to see the unfairness of this request.<\/div>\n
\u201cBaba please, Mama I\u2019m begging you don\u2019t force me into this.\u201d I\u2019d grovel all night if needs be!<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile, stop it.\u201d My mom scolds softly.<\/div>\n
\u201cHhayi, let her be shukela wami. If it isn\u2019t her then it will have to be Olwemihla. Go call her for me.\u201d<\/div>\n
My eyes leap out.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat!\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cSobahle, Olwemihla is a child. You can\u2019t do that to her.\u201d MaKhanyile shoots up.<\/div>\n
\u201cDo you have a better plan?\u201d<\/div>\n
Nothing.<\/div>\n
\u201cExactly, so go fetch Olwemihla and quit being a nyaff about it!\u201d he\u2019s talking to her with his eyes piercing my skull though.<\/div>\n
He\u2019s coming for my baby sister on purpose, huh? Smh!<\/div>\n
How is this the end of the life I wanted for myself? From tomorrow I\u2019m just going to be someone\u2019s doormat? A convenience of his. My dreams; goals and desires \u2013 all pointless now. The only objective I\u2019m about to have in life now is mothering babies \u2013 grown and unborn.<\/div>\n
\u201cI hate you!\u201d I shove them out of my way.<\/div>\n
\u201cHawe ma, Nqobile uyasishaya!?\u201d<\/div>\n
The Nqobile living in my heart wanted to do far more damage than just push them out the way. I wanted to give them a slap across the face for a total recall!<\/div>\n
I want to scream, scream my loudest then cry. But even then it wouldn\u2019t matter. Somehow, my grief is always silent, no matter the volume of the cry.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
I wake up to eggs stench under my nose. My eyes open before I\u2019ve adjusted to fully being awake, light stabs my eyes quick.<\/div>\n
\u201cYho, what is wrong now?\u201d I shift the plate from my face and turn the other way.<\/div>\n
\u201cNqobile, I\u2019m trying here. I made you breakfast in bed.\u201d MaKhanyile rolls me over and shoves the plate on my face once more.<\/div>\n
\u201cMa, I don\u2019t want your eggs and beans please!\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cMy baby why are you fighting me? Trust me you will thank your father and I in the future, marriage doesn\u2019t come easy nowadays hence why you must respect yours. Iba inqothovu yomfazi, don\u2019t allow your attitude to ruin what could be a good thing.\u201d Even if this world was coming to an end, my mother is the last woman I\u2019m taking advise from.<\/div>\n
\u201cCan I sleep now?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cMxm, vuka! Wake up and go to MaKunene and tell her she can bring the package.\u201d That performance ended rather quickly.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat package, MaKhanyile?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t call me MaKhanyile, I\u2019m not married to you. MaKunene knows what we spoke about over the phone, all you must do is pass the message I am telling you Nqobile.\u201d<\/div>\n
I lift off my pillow for a minute and stare at her, slightly frowning. Does she hear what she\u2019s saying?<\/div>\n
\u201cDo you need airtime?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, I need my child that I gave birth to and left me with stitches on my belly, to get her lazy behind up and go tell MaKunene what I said.\u201d She\u2019s shouting right into my ear. I don\u2019t even fight her when my cover goes flying across the room.<\/div>\n
\u201cAkube ophaqa nezikhindi ke-sisi, make it snappy because the pots must be on the stove soon.\u201d<\/div>\n
Nonkanyiso will never see the direction to heaven!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n
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\n
I wasn\u2019t expecting to cry about this whole situation, and yet here I am still mopping my face with my scarf.<\/div>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t think too much about it mfazi, I\u2019m sure you will figure something out. How to get away from this arrangement.\u201d Olwemihla hands me a new tissue and carries on brushing my back.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhy did this have to happen to me, Olwe? Why me!\u201d my head feels like it\u2019s been directly under the sun for hours with the way it\u2019s aching.<\/div>\n
\u201cIt would have been me if it wasn\u2019t you.\u201d She doesn\u2019t have brakes!<\/div>\n
\u201cOlwemihla, what\u2019s your problem?\u201d Zinhle, my best friend shakes her head.<\/div>\n
\u201cMngani, what if he treats you well? I mean you know how Nonka is, she wouldn\u2019t go for a loser.\u201d Zinhle sighs.<\/div>\n
Why would she run if there was nothing to run away from?<\/div>\n
\u201cDid you try calling her again today?\u201d Olwemihla asks.<\/div>\n
\u201cThroughout the day all I have been doing is calling. It goes to voicemail.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cYinja nje uNonkanyiso, why did she flee with the money?\u201d Khethi, my neighbor clicks her tongue afterwards.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhy did she flee at all? Angithi she is the one who wanted this nonsense? Mrs X, Mrs X ukunuka!\u201d I feel like combusting!<\/div>\n
\u201cMr who?\u201d Zinhle frowns.<\/div>\n
\u201cSikhulekile ekhaya koGoqo, Ndaba.<\/div>\n
Mwelase ongaweli ngazibuko, owela ngezimpambosi zomfula\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n
The girls scream behind me, it\u2019s the fright. Not excitement.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
We all rushed to peek through the curtains. It\u2019s an entire freaking village outside the gate!<\/div>\n
There are four grown up men, and two younger looking men. All dressed to the nines like this is a special occasion for the books.<\/div>\n
\u201cMfazi, look at that silver fox in navy.\u201d Khethi moans behind my ear.<\/div>\n
\u201cGet a grip on your hormones for once, lady.\u201d Olwemihla.<\/div>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t look harmful, Nqobile. Maybe this marriage won\u2019t be so bad after all.\u201d<\/div>\n
I don\u2019t care whether they look like teddy bears or something out of a horror film, I still don\u2019t want this stupid thing to take place.<\/div>\n
I return to my bed and continue clipping my cuticles. What\u2019s the worst that can happen? Assault? Abuse? Murder? \u2013 maybe I should stop thinking for a while.<\/div>\n
\u201cYour father\u2019s friend just let them in, the whole train of em.\u201d Why did Khethi bother herself by coming if all she\u2019d be doing is adding fuel to the fire?<\/div>\n
I\u2019m actually starting to struggle to breathe, my hands shake no matter how hard I grip them with my sweaty palms.<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat if he hits me? That family is full of males, what if I can never escape Bafazi?\u201d my breathes hitch one after the other.<\/div>\n
Olwe pats my back gently, \u201cDon\u2019t think like that, wena just be positive.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cIn any case, ngeke uhlulwe indoda edla ebhodweni lakho, you can never suffer in the hands of a man who eats food you prepare. Wena, you\u2019ll just give us word when you are tired and we will prepare the mixture.\u201d Zinhle is the only sane bone in this group.<\/div>\n
She\u2019s right, our grandmothers used to say the same thing and surprisingly, her granny has had four deceased husbands and one currently on a wheelchair.<\/div>\n
\u201cIt hasn\u2019t even been day one and you\u2019re already teaching her witchcraft?\u201d Olwemihla is still blinded by those bible verses, she doesn\u2019t understand the works of the life we live in as women.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
We\u2019ve lost track of time, these negotiations are taking abit longer than what we are used to. There has been some ululating here and there, only for a short while then it\u2019s back to silence.<\/div>\n
Mr X has been calling and each time I\u2019ve let the phone ring until it cuts itself. I\u2019m just not in the mood! I\u2019ve cried three times already.<\/div>\n
A knock disturbs our mourning silence, \u201cGirls, get ready to come out.\u201d That\u2019s MaKhanyile sounding R50 000 richer.<\/div>\n
\u201cYes mama!\u201d Olwe responds.<\/div>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t stress yourself about this, Nqo oe. And most importantly don\u2019t faint lapha.\u201d Zinhle gives me a soothing hug then hands me my blanket. We all cover ourselves and walk out the room. My mom leads us to the room outside where the negotiations are being held.<\/div>\n
\u201cBehave ke inside there, Nqobile.\u201d She scolds me.<\/div>\n
I quickly wipe my face with the collar of my pinafore. Snot smears all over me and that alone sets me into tears.<\/div>\n
Does this guy even know he\u2019s not marrying Soso anymore?<\/div>\n
What if he doesn\u2019t like how I look? Or my vibe sets him off first hand? Why did my parents do this to me!?<\/div>\n
\u201cWatch your step girls.\u201d Mom cautions.<\/div>\n
And for once I\u2019m tempted to embarrass myself, maybe that will get me out of this. Or not, it might just leave me embarrassed and still married.<\/div>\n
I feel hands grip my shoulders and direct me around, next thing I\u2019m being pushed lower onto my knees.<\/div>\n
\u201cYa boMsuthu. These are my flowers, so which one exactly are you here to pluck from my garden?\u201d these words have never sat right within me.<\/div>\n
I sit still under my blanket my lungs even forget how to draw in oxygen. This is scary, I am petrified right now. All that\u2019s running through my mind is \u2013 what if he hurts me, what if he doesn\u2019t treat me right? I don\u2019t have a job so running away would be difficult. My family doesn\u2019t honestly care for me enough to go through the hassle for me. So what would I do? Lie still and take the L? That\u2019s it?<\/div>\n
\u201cWe think this is her.\u201d Such a deep voice!<\/div>\n
I don\u2019t like deep voices!<\/div>\n
\u201cYou in the middle, lift your blanket.\u201d Middle? Am I in the middle? But I walked in first, it can\u2019t be me.<\/div>\n
There\u2019s a disappointed sigh in the room as my father cackles about it, probably because the money he\u2019s about to receive for this error tickles his loins.<\/div>\n
\u201cNizohlawula-ke Msuthu. Your bride is this one.\u201d I know he\u2019s pointing to me.<\/div>\n
\u201cMmmh, how much would that fine be Mwelase?\u201d another deep voice, do men of this family ever speak like normal people?<\/div>\n
\u201cBecause it\u2019s you, I will make it half \u2026\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cYou want to give us our daughter in-law in discounts? Is this a vegetable sale to you Mwelase?\u201d<\/div>\n
Oh no.<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, no Msuthu not at all. MaKhanyile, take the girls back to the room.\u201d Why now? I still wanted to hear what stuttering he was going to do. This pretentious moron!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
We waited another hour before my mom and her friends joined us in the room for the speeches. We\u2019re on rule number 259 and I still care less about being here.<\/div>\n
\u201cYour husband is your life, Nqobile do you hear that? You\u2019ll cater to his every demand, and never question his authority.\u201d That\u2019s cheap coming from someone who blasts her husband each time he says what goes against her beliefs or wants.<\/div>\n
\u201cThey say a way to a man\u2019s heart is through his stomach, make sure he always eats food you cook. Even if he wakes you up at 3 AM because he is craving ujeqe you must wake up and make it mfazi.\u201d MaKunene says.<\/div>\n
\u201cNow that\u2019s bull\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n
I pinch Olwe before she could finish her word.<\/div>\n
\u201cAs time goes on you will love him, MaSobahle trust us. We also married men we didn\u2019t know, look where we are today? Happy and in love.\u201d<\/div>\n
That\u2019s a white lie, MaKunene literally burnt her husband with hot oil two weeks ago for cheating. I just want this Ted talk to be done with.<\/div>\n
Nothing they say is what my ears want to hear. I\u2019m the hired bride, whether they\u2019re sorry for it or not, my fate has been sealed. Why does this man need to hire someone to pose as his wife anyway? He\u2019s rich, even if he\u2019s bad looking, women tend to overlook such minor defects if the bank account can compensate. So why all this trouble?<\/div>\n
\u201cOkay, come. Your father and father in-law have made an arrangement, you will be living with your future husband.\u201d<\/div>\n
My legs bring me up immediately, \u201cWhat!? No, no, no MaKhanyile. I\u2019m not leaving with them, not today. He\u2019s just a fianc\u00e9e isn\u2019t he?\u201d I\u2019m not a Makoti yet!<\/div>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have any say in this, Nqobile. You are a child, remember that.\u201d I\u2019m only ever a child when it\u2019s convenient to her or her husband.<\/div>\n
\u201cBut mama why does she have to go today? What\u2019s the rush?\u201d Olwemihla shrugs.<\/div>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t understand. Don\u2019t worry about your clothes, we will bring them for you.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cMa please don\u2019t do this to me, just give me one more day please. Just one more day.\u201d I\u2019m scared.<\/div>\n
\u201cDelaying won\u2019t change the outcome, you still must leave in the end. Just do it Nqobile, you won\u2019t regret this trust me.\u201d<\/div>\n
I hate her!<\/div>\n
I hate her husband. And I mostly hate Soso!<\/div>\n
How could they do this to me!?<\/div>\n
She rests her hand on my shoulder, and I flake it off. Nxa!<\/div>\n
\u201cCome, we must go.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
MaKhanyile is dragging an empty vessel, I don\u2019t feel alive in this moment. My heart is raging beastly in my chest and my eyes burn despite there being no tears falling.<\/div>\n
They\u2019re ululating outside, cows moo like they don\u2019t want to be here just as much I don\u2019t. My father is laughing at the top of his lungs, complimenting his fat cows.<\/div>\n
\u201cGo kneel in front of your in-laws.\u201d MaKhanyile whispers in my ear.<\/div>\n
My eyes water. They are so tall, all of them.<\/div>\n
I wouldn\u2019t have a chance of escaping if they ever hurt me, tall people stride quicker. They\u2019d catch me fast.<\/div>\n
I can\u2019t even greet, my tongue is tied. Khethi\u2019s silver fox greets me first, I don\u2019t hear a thing, my ears keep tingling.<\/div>\n
\u201cHhayi Nqobile!\u201d \u2013 are the last words I hear before dropping on the ground.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u2206\u2206\u2206<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A BRIDE FOR HIRE PROLOGUE . . Nqobile Goqo. I\u2019m so fed up of following this old man, he keeps […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-bride-for-hire-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":538,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530\/revisions\/538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}