THE SURROGATE

SURROGATE

Chapter 1: Introduction

By KimKay259

NOMPUMELELO MHLONGO

Being successful, rich, and happily married at a young age is rare. In today's world, people chase wealth and abandon love. They choose freedom over commitment, money over marriage. But I was different. I wanted it all — the empire, the ring, the family. And against all odds, I got it.But even in my perfect life, there was one thing I could not control. One thing I could not buy. The ability to carry life inside my own body.Everyone can be successful, but there is always one thing that makes life incomplete. That is the life of Nompumelelo Mhlongo. A young entrepreneur, influencer, and businesswoman who married young to a successful man — Menzi Mhlongo, who became the owner of a multimillion-rand logistics company after his father stepped down.Waking up to a beautiful husband in bed every day, having people call you "MaMhlongo" — that was always my dream from a young age. Being successful, people looking up to you, helping people. It's a dream come true for me. Because not only did I get myself a scrumptious man, but also a luxury house. I have maids all around the compound, a beautiful in-law family. But it's funny, I became like every village wife. I have to wake up early in the morning to prepare a bath, iron his suits, and make breakfast before he goes to work. I could let the maids do it, but he prefers me. He is very private. No worker washes his clothes or cleans our bedroom, only me. I was born and bred in a Zulu homestead, I know how to take care of a man. That's why he only has eyes for me.

I try to get off the bed, but the bear behind me snuggles me even tighter.

"Babe, I have to wake up now," I say, hoping he'll let me go, but no.

"Just 5 more minutes, Mommy, please," he says.

"No, I have to wake up, and you're going to be late.""

I cannot be late, I'm the boss. Let's sleep, Mommy please."

"No, I'm waking up. I have a skincare appointment today, and i have to wake up and fix your clothes and make breakfast. That's what you married me for, right?"

I say, teasing him.He doesn't like the idea that most Zulu men marry women so they can take care of them. He was also raised by Zulu parents, it was just different for him because they were rich.he was raised differently

"No, I didn't marry you to slave around. I married you because I love you and you make me complete," he says,

and I melt already. I know I'm loved, there's no doubt. It's just the fear of not making his dream come true. The crazy thing is that he doesn't know I can't fulfill his wishes

."Menzi!!" I pinch his arm and he finally lets me go. I jump and sprint to the bathroom to prepare a bath for him, then quickly get in the shower. I can't prepare breakfast while dirty — paparazzi can be anywhere. So every time I have to look good. A woman has to look good every time. That's what's important about being a woman. Looking good and slaying.

SENAMILE CEBEKHULUI

really wish to be like other people who don't have problems. You know, like those people who only complain about how old their Gucci bag is and it's time to get a new one. That's their problem — growing a Gucci bag collection — while I can't even afford an All Star t-shirt for R150. I feel like spending R150 on a shirt is reckless. Even Muntuza, my little brother, knows we have to spend money responsibly in this household.Life without money is like being in a relationship with someone who never texts back — frustrating, exhausting, and you're always waiting for something that never comes. Bills stack up like jealous exes, responsibilities cling tighter than gossip, and every day feels like a marathon you didn't sign up for. People say 'money isn't everything,' but clearly those people have never had to stretch one loaf of bread into three meals. Being poor is a sin. That's why our uncles and fathers turn into criminals, and our sisters turn into night workers. Life is unfair for most of us, and fair only to a small portion of the South African population.But enough complaining. I'm still young anyway. I have a future ahead of me.

It's 7 o'clock in the morning. I have to wake Muntuza up so he can go to school. He's doing matric this year. Life without education is useless in South Africa — I'm the perfect example. And I have to wake my father up. He is sick, so he requires extra care, a healthy diet and routine. He's the only parent I'm left with. I can't lose the little hope that keeps me alive.

I make my way to the kitchen and find Muntuza already there cooking porridge."What the hell are you doing, bro?" I ask him, because I know my brother. There's no way he woke up earlier than everyone. Even my father wakes up earlier than him.

"Ohh, me? I'm singing," he says.

The humor passes over my head, because he's literally in the kitchen cooking porridge, and that's his way of telling me why I'm asking when I can see what he's doing.

"I mean you woke up early today but you slept late. I saw your light was on till late." This is shocking. Muntuza doesn't lift a finger until it's time to eat

."I don't really need permission to make food for myself, do I?" he says.

Muntuza is becoming disrespectful. Just because he's grown a beard and has pimples all over his face, he thinks he's the man of the house

."What's wrong with you? I really won't stand your attitude."He rolls his eyes. Is he gay now?"If you can't, then sit down, dear sister," he says and passes me with a bowl of porridge, going to his room. "Just go to school

.""I'm not going," he shouts from the passage."You are not gonna skip sch—"

He shuts the door on my face and locks it just when I was about to enter. Well, the room is not entirely his, it was Uncle Temba's before he moved out and went to Joburg. Muntuza is getting out of hand. He's taking advantage because I'm the only girl and my father can't say a word because of his physical state. He's rubbing his adolescence in the wrong way.

NOMPUMELELO (LATER)

"Yes guys, as I was saying before y'all started flooding my TikTok with gifts and hearts... In order for oneself to be happy in a relationship, many of you think communication is the key. Yes, it is in other concepts. You can communicate with him but he'll continue to cheat. I'm not disputing that fact. Just know to never settle for less. If it no longer pleases you or makes you happy, leave mtase. Your happiness comes first. You matter more than you think. Every relationship has ups and downs, but if it gets too much for you, don't hold back trying to keep a man who doesn't wanna be kept.Someone is asking if my relationship is really healthy as it looks. Yes, beautiful people, I have such a loving and caring husband. I'm his everything and he's also mine, so everything is perfect as it looks. Just be yourself and don't try to change for a man. And that will be the end of my live today. Love you, choww, and keep safe and be happy." I say and end my live. I really love my fans. Being an influencer comes with no play, there's a lot of hatred and love. If any of you dream to be an influencer, go for it. It always starts with the little you have. Just know to never give up.

It's half past five in the afternoon, and I'm waiting for Menzi to come home. He usually gets home around six. I cooked his favourite dish, mac and cheese. He may be rich but he is not typical Zulu man who loves his cattle more than his wife — and obviously me, his wife. I hear his car driving into the garage and I stand up to wait for him.He makes his way in and looks at me. "You look happy today." I'm glad he notices.

"I'm currently the happiest girl in the world, bae," I really am happy. He kisses my forehead and proceeds to the bedroom.

Our house is not double-storey, just a good-looking luxury house. It's so beautiful. I follow him. He's way too fast, he doesn't realize he left his favourite doll — me — behind.

"Uhm, I cooked your favourite today, baby," I say, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I'm full. Besides, I had a long day. I just want to shower and sleep," he says, loosening my arms from him.

"I'm sure you're not full for me. I mean, I'm your favourite dish," I say, already loosening the hook of my bra

."Please, not today. not today . Can we just sleep for today?" he says. and raises his hand to stop me from talking , because im zodwa from gomora , i yapp again , He doesn't look okay. Not even my nakedness can lighten his mood today.

" what's wrong with you what happened to communication?" i ask hi m because i can't preach about communication to my fans , how perfect he is , its like telling my own lies , i expect the best from him , i really want him to be that perfect ,

" is me asking for sleeping , not communicating to you " he says , i just can't believe

" what's wrong , clearly there's something eating you up " ,

" you really wanna know how about having a child , " he says and i just freeze at that thought and im shocked , how can he think of a child , i really thought being the perfect wife , always looking attractive like not winning about thing , like i had to be perfect for him so he cannot think about having a child ,

" uhm , like babe we just got married , we said we'll first enjoy ourselves remember? "

he turned away and for the first time , i wondered if he knew i could not give him a child ,, He rejected me. . so i question my self will , he take a second wife