{"id":532,"date":"2026-01-21T15:52:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/?p=532"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:52:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:52:38","slug":"a-bride-for-hire-novel-chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/a-bride-for-hire-novel-chapter-3\/","title":{"rendered":"A BRIDE FOR HIRE Novel Chapter 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
A BRIDE FOR HIRE<\/div>\n
CHAPTER THREE<\/div>\n
Sponsored By Zamathula Sikhakhane \"\ud83e\udd0d\"<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Nqobile<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Once I had gathered my calm, I join MaNgcobo in the kitchen to prepare for the lunch. Jizasi, there\u2019s a lunch!<\/div>\n
My mind gets blown away each time I reiterate this mad life of mine to myself because how did we get here? I was sitting under our guava tree, drinking lemonade just a day ago and now I\u2019m here as someone\u2019s fianc\u00e9. How did we get here!?<\/div>\n
\u201cDo you know which one is yours?\u201d she asks, emptying the entire fridge. Vegetables I\u2019ve never seen; curry pastes; mushrooms; a lot of peppers and garlic paste.<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019ve never actually met him.\u201d How do I make myself useless here, this girl seems to be superwoman in this kitchen, and surprisingly I don\u2019t know how to feel about that.<\/div>\n
I\u2019m not in love with the man sure, nevertheless I am his wife which makes this space my property. Even MaKhanyile doesn\u2019t play about her kitchen and that woman can\u2019t fry onions to save her life!<\/div>\n
Fingers snap in front of me, \u201cEarth to Nqobile. You aren\u2019t daydreaming about him already, are you?\u201d MaNgcobo makes a silly grin before grabbing my wrist and pulling me out the kitchen again.<\/div>\n
This dragging me like a child thing has to stop!<\/div>\n
We are standing in front of the fireplace again, peering at the masterpiece portrait on the wall.<\/div>\n
\u201cHe is the one on the left next to Baba.\u201d Say what \u2013<\/div>\n
And I thought he was the father\u2019s brother or something!<\/div>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s old.\u201d<\/div>\n
She giggles over my shoulder and waves my concerns away, \u201cHe is not that old, he just has an angry face. I blame the glabella lines on his forehead. May 24th is his birthday, he\u2019ll be turning 35. See the other \u2018oldie\u2019 next to him, that\u2019s Mzwakhelwe \u2013 the first born son, a very precious seed in the Ximba dynasty hence the name \u2013 uMuzi-Wakhelwe \u2013 the homestead has been built for. Then along came your man, Bungobakho. Their childhood together wasn\u2019t good, it sparked family feuds; gifted the skeletons in their closet a new life, and so oBaba decided it\u2019s best to have them split up. It\u2019s only in these recent years that the two can finally sit around one table without the desire to grab a fork and gouge the other\u2019s heart out. Mama died because of the bitterness those two had for one another, and her death burnt a hole in everyone especially oBaba for years Nqobile. Years.\u201d How does she know all this history if she\u2019s just a daughter in-law in this family because this seems like something even the members of this family themselves have buried for good.<\/div>\n
Anyway, it is a sad thing to know but it\u2019s none of my business, I\u2019m not here for long.<\/div>\n
\u201cI said all this to show you how important family is, peace is everything in this homestead. Relationships are respected and protected at all costs, that\u2019s just one of the cons of having a large family \u2013 cracks build bigger destructions and this family is not getting destroyed anytime soon.\u201d Her eyes find me without her psychically looking at me.<\/div>\n
Strange people.<\/div>\n
\u201cCan I ask you something, MaNgcobo?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cIf Bungobakho is so innocent, why is he going through all this hassle to find a wife?\u201d I still haven\u2019t been told anything about this deal struck between him and my parents or sister, I don\u2019t know who is the main the evil in all this yet.<\/div>\n
But I deserve to know something.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cHe has made mistakes in the past, ones he isn\u2019t proud of, especially looking at how they almost destroyed his relationship with Baba. He\u2019s on the path to recovering the faith his father once had in him, there are a few things he needs to do for that approval.\u201d Why didn\u2019t I think of that? Of course, another family feud, I wonder what I will be dragged into next? One of the skeletons in people\u2019s closets?<\/div>\n
\u201cWe are hoping this union would soften father\u2019s heart enough to at least hear his side of the story and turn a new leaf. You won\u2019t be stuck in this sham forever, Nqobile.\u201d Yeah, right only till his father forgives him again which may never happen!<\/div>\n
\u201cHow did he get my sister to agree to this madness?\u201d I want to scream and pluck my hair out from my scalp.<\/div>\n
I preferred not knowing all this extra stuff you know, it was better when all I feared was the fact that these people are tall.<\/div>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, all he told me was they met at Zai and I guess he ended up wanting to relief himself so that\u2019s how they ended up humping each other. Apparently she followed him around for the entire week after that and he saw the opportunity to lay the proposal.\u201d She sighs like the world is Netflixing on her shoulders and this woman doesn\u2019t even look behind 30 years of age.<\/div>\n
\u201cShe wasn\u2019t going to cut it, I knew that from the day I met her in his office half naked. God agreed with me I guess.\u201d MaNgcobo chuckles.<\/div>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t fair though, if she was going to get something out of this arrangement, shouldn\u2019t I place my demands too?\u201d<\/div>\n
I don\u2019t like the way she is looking at me, her face drops into a deadpan chuckle once again.<\/div>\n
\u201cWill you keep your end of the bargain and assist Bungobakho in securing a healthy relationship with his father? Are you willing to be his wife, Nqobile not just by name but by duty as well? Are you ready for that?\u201d she kept on taking a step closer towards me until I had the back of my knees hit against the arm rest.<\/div>\n
\u201cYes, yes I\u2019m ready.\u201d That\u2019s the whole reason of my being here, to cater to him anyway.<\/div>\n
\u201cThen sure, you can make your demands.\u201d<\/div>\n
I take a deep breath and form balls of steel!<\/div>\n
\u201cMy sister, she was supposed to be in University this year but NSFAS rejected her. I want to secure a good future for her in a well versed university; all her tuition paid for; Res and essentials catered for the entire duration of her academic career. No excuses whatsoever.\u201d This, this is the only deal that would make me go for this experience without wanting to puke in my mouth everyday.<\/div>\n
\u201cAll this for the girl who put you in this situation?\u201d MaNgcobo frowns on me.<\/div>\n
Over my dead body!<\/div>\n
Nonkanyiso is no sister of mine in my books.<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m referring to Olwemihla.\u201d<\/div>\n
My parents have clearly shown what they do to people who aren\u2019t independent and well-taken care of. They sell them to strangers like goats, that\u2019s not what I want for my baby sister, she deserves more from this life.<\/div>\n
\u201cDeal.\u201d MaNgcobo opens her hand for a shake.<\/div>\n
I take rapid deep breaths and school my thoughts into going for it. What do I have to lose anyway? Nothing, all is gone already.<\/div>\n
\u201cWell then Mrs Ximba, let us go slave away in the kitchen. I texted hubby to bring us braai meat and pap because your man doesn\u2019t know how to grocery shop.\u201d Does she have to call him my man?<\/div>\n
\u201cIf you look constipated every time I call him that then you just proved you won\u2019t be as helpful as you swore, Nqobile.\u201d MaNgcobo whisks her eyebrow high.<\/div>\n
Give me a second to take it all in, jeez mfazi!<\/div>\n
\u201cI can do it, it\u2019ll take some getting used to.\u201d I mumble.<\/div>\n
\u201cGood, you better keep your end of the bargain Nqobile.\u201d<\/div>\n
Yes ma\u2019am !<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
NONKANYISO<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
I just hopped out the shower, a long 30 minutes shower and still my room service hasn\u2019t rung the bell. I hate this hotel, after this I\u2019m lowering my rating to a 2!<\/div>\n
In the meantime I call my mom, she\u2019s been on my call log all day long but after Nqobile blasted me earlier today, I didn\u2019t need any other conversation. Believe it or not, I feel terrible!<\/div>\n
My sister didn\u2019t deserve that, we could have done things differently but we had no choice. Now how do I explain that to her?<\/div>\n
She probably views me the same way she thinks mom views her. An inconvenience waiting to be convenient.<\/div>\n
\u201cMmmh, I see you are living the life there in Blue Marlin now you forgot who made this all possible for you?\u201d there she goes again, looking for praises like a dog does with a treat.<\/div>\n
This isn\u2019t the time for that, we should be looking for ways to mend our relationship with Nqobile and gain some of her trust back.<\/div>\n
\u201cMama, not now please. There are important things we should be worried about right now.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOh yes! I think a swimming pool will be great in our backyard. It can help us save water too.\u201d WTH!<\/div>\n
\u201cMama this is serious.\u201d I speak a little too loud and harsh but honestly, that\u2019s the only way to get your point across with her.<\/div>\n
\u201cAnd I am serious too, Nonkanyiso, what has gotten into you all of a sudden?\u201d<\/div>\n
I take a deep sigh and accept my L, \u201cNqobile wants nothing to do with me, Mama. I\u2019m her worst enemy right now even you have no idea. I don\u2019t want to lose my sister like this, over money.\u201d And lies.<\/div>\n
To her I\u2019m probably the culprit who planned on getting her married off, she\u2019d never believe me if I told her I didn\u2019t know mom would do things that way.<\/div>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/div>\n
I gasp, \u201cAnd?\u201d what does she mean? Her daughter resents her, doesn\u2019t that not sit well with her?<\/div>\n
\u201cYes, Nonkanyiso, and? So what if she hates us? All she did was vacuum our food and live in the house rent free. This is her way of saying thank you for tolerating her for so long.\u201d There\u2019s something sincerely wrong with her and I see no saving her from it.<\/div>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you just said that, Mama.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cYou will believe it, give it time. Bungobakho isn\u2019t just any man, he\u2019s dangerous you know. What if he hurts her?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cSo what? In fact, I think you should take that opportunity as a way to get back in his good grace. When the other one is failing, you\u2019ll step up and be his confidence.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cConfidant you mean.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOksalayo you know what I mean. Do me a favor and forget your sister exists, this is your time to let loose and enjoy life. Find a good man and have lots of sex, have fun man Nonkanyiso. This acting like Fairy Godmother won\u2019t get you anything in life.\u201d She yells into my ear so hard I feel the vibration seconds after she has shut the phone off.<\/div>\n
I don\u2019t agree with many things my mom says but this one, this one makes sense. I need to loosen up, have a jol and enjoy being 29. In time we all heal, I can only hope my sister will too.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
I\u2019m not in the mood for clothes tonight, it\u2019s too hot but because I\u2019m still waiting for my \u2026 the door bell rings just in time.<\/div>\n
\u201cGood lord, what took you so long people!?\u201d first, I fasten my gown belt before opening the door.<\/div>\n
My mouth freeze wide open. I think of it late, closing the door, his foot was able to get in-between.<\/div>\n
Do I scream? I should scream!<\/div>\n
\u201cDo not act manic, I do not have the patience nor the heart for that.\u201d He steps inside the room and shuts the door behind him.<\/div>\n
I\u2019ve backed up right against my bed, and he\u2019s still standing by the door. My eyes blink tears out of them, \u201cBungobakho please, please don\u2019t hurt me. I can explain everything to you, please.\u201d I drop onto my knees and grovel.<\/div>\n
\u201cI spent eight gruesome years in University, struggling between a day job; my dreams and getting those qualifications with the honor of receiving two summa cum laude. So ngiyamuzonda umuntu ongenza isilima because I guarantee with my intelligence Nonkanyiso.\u201d His forehead creases get even thicker.<\/div>\n
My thighs start to get warm from the liquid spilling between my legs. This man owns a gun, I\u2019ve seen it with my own eyes and I don\u2019t need reassurance to know he isn\u2019t afraid to use it on anyone.<\/div>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry Mr X. I\u2019m the stupid one, not you. Please don\u2019t shoot me.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cKeep out of my shit from now onwards, clear? If I hear that you went talking to my wife about any of this, I will sort you and your father out.\u201d<\/div>\n
My wife? That was quick.<\/div>\n
But I nod aggressively so and bite my bottom lip to stop myself from running crazy and earning a bullet between my eyes.<\/div>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t say anything, I promise. I\u2019ll stay away from her.\u201d I plead, holding my ear and pinching my throat. I don\u2019t know what it helps with but I see it all the time in Indian telenovelas, it\u2019s supposed to be the most sincere way of apologizing.<\/div>\n
\u201cNgimdala mangingaka, I\u2019m way too old for nonsense, it would be in your best interest not to work me up. Freaken\u2019 cretin, nx.\u201d He yanks the door terribly hard I fear it\u2019d come out its hinges and he leaves it open like that.<\/div>\n
Phewwwww. I collapse onto the cold ground and let out a shaky exhale, my hands tremble on the floor.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n
><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Nqobile<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
MaNgcobo wasn\u2019t kidding about ordering the meat and pap or the fact that this man can\u2019t do groceries. It\u2019s either he has too much of one thing or nothing at all.<\/div>\n
All we prepared was the potato salad; another lettuce one; some beans and asparagus wrapped in bacon; gravy and radish and lastly chakalaka. Now we are just working on setting up the table and then we\u2019ll be done.<\/div>\n
\u201cHow many members are there in this family?\u201d Because looking at the number of chairs and comparing it to the number I see on that portrait, they seem over 8.<\/div>\n
\u201cWe have three fathers \u2013 It\u2019s Baba first then oBab\u2019omncane that come after him. Then it\u2019s Mzwakhelwe; Bungobakho; Zohlokoma and then Minenhle. And then it\u2019s Godzilla \u2013 the mother in-law.\u201d I\u2019m guessing we stay away from that one.<\/div>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a lot of people.\u201d And I\u2019m not sure how to feel about it. Am I supposed to be afraid? Some families except their daughter in-laws to fear them as a sign of respect.<\/div>\n
Different strokes for different folks.<\/div>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, most of the time everyone minds their business. Except maybe Minenhle, that one will share your news with the world and still expect the world to keep it a secret.\u201d She laughs and I join in as well. I must say she isn\u2019t what I was waiting for, despite her heavy moments, Sibahle is cool at times and easy to bond with.<\/div>\n
\u201cYour man should be here at any moment.\u201d Yup, she\u2019s still \u2018testing\u2019 my triggers to hearing that wording.<\/div>\n
\u201cIs that him driving in?\u201d<\/div>\n
MaNgcobo grins, \u201cSo eager, MaGoqo!\u201d<\/div>\n
Ppppfffff! I\u2019m not eager for anything that has to do with that human being!<\/div>\n
\u201cIt was just a question.\u201d I mumble and pretend to be doing something useful on the table. Fixing straight spoons.<\/div>\n
The front door opens and a strong, I mean a very strong cologne fills the space \u2013 mind you we are many steps away from the front door.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cNdondo yami, where are you?\u201d someone calls out.<\/div>\n
MaNgcobo squeals till her cheeks go red, \u201cMsuthu, in here!\u201d<\/div>\n
Oh my gosh!<\/div>\n
What am I supposed to do with my myself? I\u2019d walk off but that might come across as rude so I stay put.<\/div>\n
Another one of the Ximba dinosaurs makes his way towards us, he\u2019s holding two tin trays and a bouquet of flowers on his other hand.<\/div>\n
\u201cMy trophy.\u201d He hovers behind her and kisses the top of her head.<\/div>\n
Awe, they\u2019re cute.<\/div>\n
\u201cWe have company, Msuthu. This is MaGoqo. MaGoqo, this is Zahlokoma Ximba, my husband.\u201d She grabs her flowers and the trays and disappears.<\/div>\n
What the heck, Sibahle!<\/div>\n
\u201cMaNdaba, it\u2019s good to finally meet you. We welcome you koMlaba.\u201d He offers me a hug but my frozen mind can\u2019t distinguish between a handshake and an embrace all of a sudden.<\/div>\n
\u201cThank you bhuti.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cDid you see where indondo yami ran off to?\u201d he\u2019s the 8\u2019 foot creature with the telescope neck, he can scan every room of this house from where he is standing.<\/div>\n
\u201cUhm\u2026 I think she went to the kitchen.\u201d I whisper awkwardly.<\/div>\n
\u201cZimpambosi zomfula.\u201d He bows slightly and vanishes as well whilst I collect my lower lip from the floor. I\u2019ve never felt a tingle from hearing my clan names, maybe it\u2019s because no one has ever used them like that before.<\/div>\n
\u201cSikhulekile ekhaya! What do they say in English again? We pray in the home?\u201d the manic cracks into a fit of laughter afterwards. I don\u2019t need to be told, I know that one is Minenhle for sure.<\/div>\n
\u201cAh, makoti wami.\u201d He takes me into his arms and swings me around without warning.<\/div>\n
Is he always like this? So active!<\/div>\n
\u201cOh, you are cheating on me already?\u201d MaNgcobo emerges with her tail right behind her.<\/div>\n
\u201cNever, I would never do that. I just know you two were ready to make our new bride hold a burning candle in her own home, so I\u2019m here to equalize.\u201d He saved me indeed, I\u2019ve had enough of these two already.<\/div>\n
\u201cMaGoqo, did Bakho mention when he is coming back? uMsuthu will be here any minute now, it\u2019d be better if we don\u2019t keep him waiting.\u201d Zohlokoma is asking the wrong person.<\/div>\n
\u201cI just arri\u2026\u201d shoot, I keep forgetting this role play and who exactly is or is not in the theater performance.<\/div>\n
\u201cHe will be here soon, bhuti. I can call him if\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cNo, if you say he\u2019ll be here soon then that\u2019s good enough for me.\u201d<\/div>\n
I look at Sibahle and widen my eyes, this is my \u2018what are we going to do!?\u2019 look. She shrugs and points to the clock.<\/div>\n
It\u2019s almost 17:00, if this man doesn\u2019t show in time, he is sleeping on the damn couch! He won\u2019t ruin this day for me, not after I poured myself into making it happen.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u2206\u2206\u2206<\/div>\n
To be continued \u2026<\/div>\n
Your second sponsored chapter will come late-ish.<\/div>\n
Like. Share. Comment.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A BRIDE FOR HIRE CHAPTER THREE Sponsored By Zamathula Sikhakhane Nqobile Once I had gathered my calm, I join MaNgcobo […]<\/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-532","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\/532","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=532"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":540,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532\/revisions\/540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}