Hlelolwenkosi Zulu, a bright and ambitious 21-year-old university student at the University of Cape Town, dreams of a life filled with love and fulfillment. Growing up in a close-knit community, she always believed in the power of true love. However, her life takes a drastic turn when her parents arrange a marriage with Sbanisethu Khumalo, a wealthy but emotionally distant man known for his charm and dangerous temper.
As Hlelolwenkosi enters this loveless union, she finds herself trapped in a world where her dreams of happiness and independence are suffocated. Sbanisethu, while maintaining a façade of respectability, has a secret: he is still deeply involved with his high school girlfriend, Thandiwe, who frequently flaunts their relationship in front of Hlelolwenkosi. The emotional toll of witnessing their public displays of affection weighs heavily on her, amplifying her feelings of isolation and despair.
Amidst the chaos, Hlelolwenkosi discovers a hidden strength within herself. She begins to seek solace in her studies, finding comfort in literature and art, and gradually builds a supportive network of friends who encourage her to reclaim her life. With their help, she starts to explore her passion for graphic design and digital marketing, aiming to create a life of her own.
As tensions escalate at home, Hlelolwenkosi confronts the reality of her situation. With each passing day, she must decide whether to stay in a toxic relationship or summon the courage to break free. Through self-discovery and resilience, she learns that love should never come at the cost of her self-worth.
The journey becomes a powerful testament to her determination to rise above her circumstances. Hlelolwenkosi's story unfolds as she grapples with the complexities of love, identity, and the pursuit of happiness in a world that seems determined to keep her down.
Will the fall in love with each other?
Thandi always knew she wasn't destined for greatness. She'd never be anything but someone's wife. Nothing would come of her life, so she submitted. She submitted to her father's wrath.
Her aunt, however, wanted more for her niece. She knew that if her niece ever wanted to escape her brother, the chief, they needed to play him at his own game.
Thandi's aunt knew if she ever wanted her niece to be free from her brother, she needed to keep him away from her for as long as she could. She knew her niece didn't have much of a choice in her future. The only way for Thandi to get some kind of control over her own life is getting married to the man of her choice before her father married her off to the highest bidder.
Thandi and her aunt escaped their village to live in the city. They did everything in their power to keep the chief calm and distracted. The only way to do so was for her aunt to promise to teach her how to be a good traditional wife and, most importantly, stay a virgin.
That was his biggest rule.
Stay a virgin.
One drunken mistake causes Thandi to lose her virginity, and her aunt knows the race is on. Either Thandi finds a man that she loves and is willing to submit to, or she marries one of her father's perverted friends.
Will Thandi find her knight in shining armor, and if she does, will he be worth it?