{"id":87,"date":"2026-01-21T14:36:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/?p=87"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:36:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:36:58","slug":"uguluva-chapter-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/uguluva-chapter-17\/","title":{"rendered":"uGULUVA Chapter 17"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
uGULUVA.<\/div>\n
CHAPTER 17.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\ud83d\udccd\"<\/span> DUBAI<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
MaMofokeng studies her husband from the bed, the city lights of Dubai spilling over his bare back as he stands on the balcony, cigarette between his fingers. No t-shirt, just confidence and quiet power. Her sister chose well. At thirty-four, Mabutho Cele is aging like fine wine\u2014broad shoulders, calm eyes, a presence that fills the room without trying.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cYou will make me make a mistake, MaMofokeng\u2014those eyes,\u201d he says, turning to face her.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She giggles, pushing herself off the bed and walking toward him. The oversized t-shirt slides over her hips, revealing fresh thighs as she sways on purpose.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cWhat if I love the mistakes you make?\u201d she teases.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
He chuckles, eyes darkening. \u201cThen maybe we should make them,\u201d he says, pulling her close, hands firm at her waist, kisses pressed along her jaw and neck.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cHmmmm, Cele, don\u2019t tempt me,\u201d she murmurs, breath already uneven. \u201cWe just did it\u2026\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cI love doing it with you, uyazi nawe,\u201d he replies, that slow, knowing smirk curling his lips. Words\u2014this is one of his tricks. And it works every time.<\/div>\n
(You also know)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cNo, thank you, baba,\u201d she laughs, trying to wriggle free.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cUyaphi manje?\u201d He tightens his hold, bringing her closer. \u201cFeel that?\u201d he asks softly, pressing his need against her stomach. \u201cHelp me fix it. You made this mess.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She looks up at him, amused, eyes shining. This man never gets enough of her\u2014no wonder she\u2019s two months pregnant.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cI need to rest, baby,\u201d she says gently, softening her voice, the famous puppy eyes deployed with precision.<\/div>\n
\u201cTake a cold shower. I\u2019ll make it up to you, I promise.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
He studies her, torn, because how does a man choose cold water when his wife is right here?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cNo, mkami,\u201d he says at last, loosening his grip just a little. \u201cYou can rest. But you\u2019ll fix this. Trust me.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Amanda smiles to herself. She knows exactly what she\u2019s doing. If they start now, they won\u2019t stop\u2014and her in-laws are arriving soon. She needs her beauty sleep, her strength, her calm.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She kisses his cheek, stepping back just out of reach. \u201cLater,\u201d she whispers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Mabutho exhales, watching her retreat to the bed, already planning how he\u2019ll collect that promise\u2014after the guests, after the formalities, when Dubai finally sleeps. And Amanda closes her eyes, victorious, the city humming outside as the night stretches on.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
.<\/div>\n
.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Seven hours later, the flight touches down, the gentle thud of the wheels against the runway sending Phindile\u2019s heart into a frantic rhythm. It beats faster than it ever has.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Throughout the entire flight she slept\u2014deep, dreamless sleep\u2014missing everything in between. She hadn\u2019t seen the sky change, hadn\u2019t heard the announcements, hadn\u2019t even felt the turbulence.<\/div>\n
Ncanezwe had woken her up twenty-five minutes ago, his voice calm and steady as he leaned close to her ear. We\u2019re landing soon.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
And now, here they are.<\/div>\n
The plane slows, taxiing along the runway, and Phindile just stares ahead, her fingers tightening around the armrest as she tries to calm her nerves. This is all supposed to be pretending, just an act\u2014but it feels terrifyingly real. Too real. Her chest feels tight, her thoughts racing with everything that could go wrong. She\u2019s scared of saying the wrong thing, of looking wrong, of messing everything up.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cMaNzimande,\u201d he calls.<\/div>\n
She turns to him immediately, her eyes wide and attentive.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cStay calm,\u201d he says quietly. \u201cAnd don\u2019t mess this up. Remember our rehearsal. Know what to say, and when to say it.\u201d<\/div>\n
She nods. That\u2019s all she ever does when she\u2019s scared. Words abandon her completely.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cAsambeni,\u201d Ncanezwe says, sliding his sunglasses back on as if this is just another ordinary arrival.<\/div>\n
(Let’s go)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Phindile stands, lifting her handbag with slightly trembling hands, and follows behind him as he leads the way out of the plane. Each step feels heavier than the last. This might be the longest weekend of her life. Or maybe\u2026 the longest weekend of both of theirs.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
AMANDA MOFOKENG \u2014 CELE.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Three years down the line, and she has learned how to love a man she once called her brother-in-law. Amanda exhales softly, a small smile forming as she rests her hand on her tummy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cDaddy is going to be proud of us, baby,\u201d she whispers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
A month ago, she found out she was pregnant. She kept the secret to herself\u2014not because of fear, but because of joy. Their anniversary ceremony was already planned, and she wanted that night to hold one more miracle. One more surprise. She studies her reflection, smoothing the green dress over her hips just as his voice reaches her from outside the bathroom.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cMaNdosi! Qhawe is here downstairs. Let\u2019s fetch them.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She steps out, and the moment he sees her, his gaze stills\u2014slow, appreciative, dangerous in the way only he can be.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cWell\u2026 sawubona, mkami,\u201d he murmurs, his eyes shameless as they travel before returning to her face, his tongue grazing his lower lip.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cCele, don\u2019t\u2014\u201d she warns, trying to sound stern.<\/div>\n
He only glares, amused.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cKeng?\u201d she adds, arching a brow.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cWoza la,\u201d he says, his voice dropping, darkening.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She sighs inwardly. This man will be the end of her. Why is he always like this when he looks at her? She steps closer. His hands find her waist instantly, pulling her in, claiming her mouth in a long, unhurried kiss that steals her breath and leaves her clinging to him.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cMmm\u2026 hi, mami,\u201d he murmurs against her lips, pressing a soft peck as she struggles to steady herself.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cBaby,\u201d she finally manages, her voice barely above a whisper.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She smiles up at him, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as if grounding herself.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cYou\u2019re impossible,\u201d she murmurs, though there\u2019s no real complaint in her voice.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cAnd yet,\u201d Mabutho says softly, brushing his thumb along her jaw, \u201cyou married me.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She laughs quietly, the sound warm, full. Three years. Three years of choosing each other despite the whispers, the past, the complicated beginning that once felt impossible to explain to anyone else. She steps back slightly, smoothing her dress again, this time more for herself than the mirror. Her hand returns to her tummy unconsciously, a secret she carries like a gentle flame.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cQhawe is waiting,\u201d she says, trying to sound composed. \u201cIf we don\u2019t go down now, they\u2019ll think we don’t want them here.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Mabutho laughs at her comment, that deep, careless laugh that always makes her smile.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go then, makoti wako Ndosi,\u201d he says, threading his fingers through hers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
They leave the bedroom together, bare feet padding softly down the stairs of the house they\u2019d rented. It isn\u2019t a hotel\u2014this is privacy, space, luxury without interruption. They checked in two days ago, long before the celebrations, just to breathe, to exist without schedules\u2026 and to properly explore both the city and each other.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Dubai had been her choice. She said it was for the fresh air, the warmth, the way the city glows at night\u2014but really, she wanted a place where no one knew them, where laughter could be loud and kisses unguarded. Mabutho hadn\u2019t questioned it. He never did when it came to her. What his wife wants? His wife gets.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
The house opens into a wide living area with glass walls that look out over the city skyline. Morning light spills in, soft and golden. Amanda tightens her grip on his hand for a second, instinctively, her other hand drifting to her stomach before she catches herself. He doesn\u2019t notice. Or maybe he does, but says nothing.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u201cYou\u2019re quiet,\u201d Mabutho says as they reach the kitchen. \u201cThat usually means you\u2019re hiding something.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She chuckles, shaking her head. \u201cOr maybe I\u2019m just enjoying my husband before the world starts demanding him again.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
He pulls her closer, presses a kiss to her temple. \u201cThe world can wait. The whole weekend is ours.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
She looks up at him, heart full, the secret heavy but sweet inside her. The weekend, she tells herself. The weekend will be perfect.<\/div>\n
And as they stand there, wrapped in calm and stars.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
100+ comments & 10 shares. \"\ud83d\udc8b\"<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

uGULUVA. CHAPTER 17. DUBAI MaMofokeng studies her husband from the bed, the city lights of Dubai spilling over his bare […]<\/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":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uguluva"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87","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=87"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87\/revisions\/101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}