{"id":88,"date":"2026-01-21T14:37:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/?p=88"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:37:09","slug":"uguluva-chapter-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/uguluva-chapter-18\/","title":{"rendered":"uGULUVA Chapter 18"},"content":{"rendered":"
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uGULUVA.<\/div>\n
CHAPTER 18.<\/div>\n
[SPONSORED CHAPTER. \"\u2728\ufe0f\"<\/span>]<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\ud83d\udccd\"<\/span> DUBAI.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mabutho spots his brother from a distance, deep in conversation with his wife as usual. That one never gets tired of talking. A faint smile tugs at his lips as they walk closer. Just then, another car pulls in behind them\u2014Ncanezwe\u2019s.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Amanda\u2019s eyes flick briefly to the vehicle before she leans toward her husband.<\/div>\n
\u201cAbuti Nca said he\u2019s not coming,\u201d she whispers, just loud enough for Mabutho to hear.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mabutho lets out a low chuckle. They\u2019re family\u2014and family always shows up when it matters.<\/div>\n
\u201cMaybe he changed his mind,\u201d he replies calmly before raising his voice.<\/div>\n
\u201cBafo!\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Qhawe turns, grinning as he meets Mabutho halfway, their fists colliding in a familiar bump.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cNdosi omkhulu, sawubona bhuti,\u201d Qhawe says warmly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cSawubona, Bafo,\u201d Mabutho responds.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Amanda steps in to greet Kayla, Qhawe\u2019s wife, the women embracing softly as the brothers continue exchanging pleasantries. Before the greetings can fully settle, a car door opens. Then another.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe steps out first\u2014confident, composed as ever. Moments later, a young woman follows him out of the car. Everything stills. All eyes turn in their direction. Ncanezwe waits for her, then reaches for her hand. He leans closer, his voice low, meant only for her.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cKeep it real, MaNzimande. You can do this, mamacita.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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She nods slightly, gripping his hand as they walk toward the group together.<\/div>\n
Shock spreads across familiar faces\u2014brothers, sisters-in-law\u2014all stunned into silence. Ncanezwe stops in front of them, a smug smile playing on his lips.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cSanibonani,\u201d he greets casually.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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No one responds immediately. Eyes dart between him and the woman at his side, confusion thick in the air.<\/div>\n
Amanda is the first to recover.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAbuti Nca,\u201d Amanda says, louder, stepping forward with a warm smile that barely hides her curiosity. \u201cDumela.\u201d (hi)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe nods once, that familiar calm authority sitting on his shoulders. \u201cSawubona, MaMofokeng.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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His grip on Phindile\u2019s hand tightens just a little, grounding her..Phindile swallows hard. Her heart is beating so loudly she\u2019s sure they can hear it. She forces her shoulders back, lifts her chin the way he taught her. Keep it real.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cSanibonani,\u201d she adds softly, her voice respectful.<\/div>\n
Silence stretches.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mabutho\u2019s eyes move from Ncanezwe to the woman beside him, sharp and assessing. This is not a man who misses details.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cHhayi bo\u2026\u201d he finally chuckles, breaking the tension. \u201cSo you did change your mind after all.\u201d<\/div>\n
Ncanezwe smirks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cNgishilo mina, bhuti. I just didn\u2019t say everything.\u201d<\/div>\n
(I did say)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Qhawe raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. \u201cAnd you were planning to just surprise us like this?\u201d His gaze flicks to Phindile. \u201cNgubani lo sisi?\u201d<\/div>\n
(Who is this?)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Before Phindile can panic, Ncanezwe speaks. His voice is steady, deliberate. \u201cThis is Phindile. Phindile Gwala.\u201d He pauses, then adds, \u201cShe\u2019s with me.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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She\u2019s with me. The words land heavy. Amanda\u2019s eyes soften immediately as she looks at Phindile properly now\u2014nervous fingers clutching her handbag, eyes wide but respectful. She steps closer.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cDumela Phindile. Welcome.\u201d (hi)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cNgiyabonga, sisi,\u201d Phindile replies, relief washing over her at the kindness.<\/div>\n
Kayla smiles too, looping her arm through Qhawe\u2019s.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cFinally,\u201d she teases. \u201cWe were starting to think uNcanezwe uzoshada nomsebenzi wakhe.\u201d<\/div>\n
(Ncanezwe will marry his job)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Laughter ripples through the group, easing the tight knot in Phindile\u2019s chest. Even Mabutho laughs, shaking his head.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cDubai brings miracles,\u201d he says, then turns serious as he looks at Ncanezwe.<\/div>\n
\u201cBut you know us. We don\u2019t like surprises without context.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe meets his brother\u2019s gaze without flinching. \u201cYou\u2019ll get your context. All of it. Just not here.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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He glances down at Phindile, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAsingeni yini? She\u2019s tired.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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That simple sentence\u2014she\u2019s tired\u2014said with quiet care, does something to Mabutho. He nods once.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cKulungile. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/div>\n
As they start walking toward the house entrance, Phindile stays close to Ncanezwe\u2019s side, her steps matching his. The glass doors slide open, cool air kissing her skin, the luxury of the place almost dizzying.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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She leans in slightly, whispering so only he can hear.<\/div>\n
\u201cI am okay but I\u2019m scared.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe doesn\u2019t look at her, but his hand squeezes hers.<\/div>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d he murmurs. \u201cFear keeps you honest. And you\u2019re doing perfectly.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Phindile exhales, a small smile tugging at her lips. Behind them, Amanda watches the two of them, her curiosity deepening. This wasn\u2019t just a woman brought along for company. This was\u2026 intentional. And whatever Ncanezwe had brought to Dubai, it was clear\u2014 this trip was about to change more than just the scenery.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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NCANEZWE CELE.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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After the whole saga with MaNkomose, Ncanezwe chose to stay far away from uMlazi\u2014and from women. That chapter of his life leaves its mark. He and his brothers meet back home in Hluhluwe, where they can catch up and just be themselves. But things have changed. Mabutho and Amanda have moved from uMlazi to Durban, carving out their own space. Qhawe remains at uMhlanga Rocks, holding down his corner, while Ncanezwe seeks a fresh start in Johannesburg.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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MaNkomose has changed his perspective on women entirely. Bringing Phindile along to this family weekend isn\u2019t about romance\u2014it\u2019s about silencing the endless teasing from his brothers. Let them think what they want. He knows he can\u2019t hold a candle to his brothers when they flaunt their wives. This is about control, discretion, and keeping his secrets intact.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cWelcome, bafo, this is where we\u2019ll be staying for the weekend,\u201d Mabutho says, gesturing grandly as they step into the spacious house. Ncanezwe\u2019s eyes scan the rooms, silently hoping for single rooms. He promised Phindile they wouldn\u2019t share, and he intends to keep that promise.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cMaMofokeng will show the ladies around. BoNdosi, kancane,\u201d Mabutho continues, turning to Ncanezwe and Qhawe. His wife nods, gracefully leading the women away. Now only the men remain, left to wander the patio.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe\u2019s mind stays calm, but he notices Qhawe\u2019s gaze\u2014sharp, inquisitive, almost accusatory. He knows that look; questions are coming, and Qhawe is never subtle.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cNcanezwe Cele, chaza!\u201d Qhawe\u2019s voice booms as they step onto the patio.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhat exactly needs explaining, Qhawe? That I came with a woman?\u201d Ncanezwe replies smoothly, pulling a cigarette from his pocket. He inhales deeply, letting the smoke curl lazily around him.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Qhawe\u2019s eyes narrow. \u201cYes, that\u2026 and does she even know who you are? You\u2019re Nkanyamba\u2014every corner of KZN whispers your name.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ncanezwe puffs out his chest slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. This is just a game, a small test of nerves. His brothers don\u2019t need the full truth.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cQhawe,\u201d he says, holding up a hand, \u201cfirst thing first: don\u2019t mention anything about me being Nkanyamba. Secondly\u2026 we\u2019ve been together for a year now.\u201d His tone is calm, casual, but the weight of his words hangs in the warm air of the patio.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cWh\u2026\u201d Qhawe catches his words in his throat, disbelief coloring his voice.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t say anything for that year?\u201d Their eldest brother steps closer, shock and disbelief mingling on his face as he tries to process the revelation. Ncanezwe just exhales smoke, watching the storm of reactions unfold. Inside, he is amused. They are his family\u2014but even family has to play by his rules when it comes to secrets.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cYazi, bafo,\u201d Ncanezwe finally adds with a sly smile, \u201csome things are better seen than explained. Phindile knows\u2026 and that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Qhawe shakes his head, still incredulous. \u201cI\u2026 I can\u2019t believe this. After all this time\u2026 she\u2019s been with you all this time?\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cYes,\u201d Ncanezwe says lightly, flicking ash from his cigarette. \u201cAnd she\u2019s the only one who matters.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A pause falls over the patio. Even the wind seems to hush itself as the weight of his words sinks in. His brothers stare, trying to reconcile the man before them with the legend they\u2019ve only ever whispered about.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Mabutho doesn’t say a word. Not yet. He didn\u2019t need to. His mind race. This can\u2019t be real\u2026 He has seen Ncanezwe over the years, cold and calculated, always distant when it came to women. And yet, here he was, smugly telling them that he had been with a woman for a year? Mabutho wanted to laugh, wanted to shake his brother and demand proof, but he restrain himself. He knows better than to confront Ncanezwe directly right now.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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100+ comments & 10 shares. \"\ud83d\udc8b\"<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

uGULUVA. CHAPTER 18. [SPONSORED CHAPTER. ] DUBAI. Mabutho spots his brother from a distance, deep in conversation with his wife […]<\/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-88","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uguluva"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88","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=88"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88\/revisions\/102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=88"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=88"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=88"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}