The Family Gathering

Clifford's family have a ritual of getting together every 5th month of the year.  All the members in Clifford's family along with their families comes together to play games and also have dinner. They put themselves in a team of two and compete each other and the winners are awarded.  It's one of those times and Rosita and Clifford are preparing to leave.

IN THE KITCHEN

 Rosita is busily in the kitchen making snacks and preparing some dishes for the family picnic. She packed some cookies, smoothies, fruits and other main dishes.

Rosita :  Honey..! honey..! have you heard from Kathie and Lian? It's been awhile since I heard from them. Hope they are coming for the picnic?

Clifford : Yes sweetheart, Lian just called me to ask if we will be coming. He was worried we won't join the family due to last year's incident.

Rosita and Clifford had joined the family for one of their gatherings. Madame Flora, Clifford's mum disgraced Rosita in front of the whole family due to her childlessness. She ironically mocked and made fun of her. Clifford seeing how broken her wife was stood in to defend her.  Lian, his younger brother  also got furious with their mum and they both left the gathering with their families.

Rosita stood in the kitchen silently for a while then sadly replied,

Rosita : OK, dear. It's good you have heard from them. I was also worried they wouldn't come. I don't want to be the reason for your family's misunderstanding.

Clifford hearing the tone of his wife's voice came downstairs to encourage her. He came to meet  Rosita in the kitchen lost in her thought again.

"hmmm..."  Clifford sighed.

Clifford : I knew you will be like this dear.

"Sweetheart.., it's not my fault that I have not been able to give you a child. It's every woman's dream and pride to have a child and build a happy family and am not an exceptional". Rosita cried.

Clifford turned Rosita and hugged her.

Clifford : I know dear. I understand how you feel because I love and care for you. I assure you that everything is going to be okay. Trust me.

Rosita : How long dear? I want to see you happy.

Clifford : And I am dear,  you are my happiness. Now, smile for me. I want to see your beautiful smile.

Clifford wiped the tears from Rosita's eyes and kissed her.

Clifford : Keep smiling dear, I love you so much and will always be there for you.

Rosita smiled and nodded.

Rosita : Thank you dear, I love you too.

Clifford : Ummm.., that's it. Now we got to go else we will be late.

Clifford helped Rosita packed everything into the car and set off.

AT CLIFFORD'S FAMILY MANSION

There was a heavy traffic jam on the road since it was a holiday and lots of families are going on picnics and fun fairs.

Clifford : wow.., such a traffic jam. I should have used the other route.

Rosita sat silently,

Clifford placed  his hand on his wife's hand,  Rosita turned and smiled assuredly.

Clifford : Are you okay dear?

Rosita : Yes, just a little nervous.

Clifford patted Rosita's hand and smiled.

It was around 9:00am when they got to the family Mansion.  It is a large mansion with hundreds of rooms and guest house. It also has a nice view with a beautiful garden and lake for a family picnic.

Clifford : Ummm..., we are here now.

They both got out of the car and packed their stuffs to the garden. 

"Clifford.." a voice called.

They turned and it was Lian. 

Clifford : " Brother..."

Clifford smiled and hugged his brother.

Lian : It's been awhile Clifford. I have missed you so much. 

Clifford : yes Lian.

Lian: Wow Rosita, always looking good.

Lian gave Rosita a peck on the cheeks. Rosita smiled.

Rosita : Thank you Lian. Where is Kathie and the kids?

Lian :  She is with the rest of the family.

Rosita : Then I will go find her for some chit chats.  I will catch up with you guys later.

Lian : Okay Rosie.

Rosita left the guys to catch up with each other and went to find Kathie.

Rosita : Kathie.., Kathie..

Kathie turned and saw Rosita. They smiled and waved at each other.

Kathie : Rosie.., It's been a while. You are looking so good.

Kathie and Rosita hugged and spoke to each other for awhile before joining the rest of the ladies.

Melissa, Leyla and Vanessa the wives of Clifford's other brother's were sitting around the lake whiles the kids play on the field.

Kathie : Melissa.., Leyla.., Vanessa... You ladies are glowing. (laughing)

Melissa : You too girl..

Leyla : Rosie.., it's been a while since I heard from you. Where have you been?

Rosita : I have been around girl. Just a little here and there ( smiling).

Melissa, Leyla, Vanessa nodded.

Vanessa : I know it's been tough for you girl but I believe everything is going to be alright. ( smiling).

Melissa, Leyla, Kathie : Yes girl..

They had fun for awhile then heard a voice called them from behind. They turned and it was Nicholas, Melissa's husband and the elder brother of Clifford. 

Nicholas : Ladies.., waiting for you to start the games. Come join us if you are done with your little chit chats (smiling).

Kathie, Melissa, Rosie , Leyla, Vanessa : Okay...

The ladies moved in to join the men for the games to start.  They were later joined by Mad. Flora and a strange lady. Nobody dared to asked who the lady was.  They divided themselves into two groups. The ladies formed one group and so did the men. They competed with each other and had lots of fun. 

Mad. Flora : Now, the fun is over. We are here to find out the scores of the competition and also know the winners. Mr. Lincoln, may we know the scores and our winner for this year's competition?

Mr. Lincoln is a worker in the Clifford's family and have been working for them for over 10years now.

Mr. Lincoln : yes, ma'am. The boys had 550 scores for the competition and the ladies had 620 scores. So the winners for this year's competition goes to the ladies. ( smiling)

The ladies jubilated and teased the guys.  The guys smiled and congratulated the ladies.  The ladies were called for their award to be presented to them.  An hour later, they all separated into their families to have lunch and snacks.  Rosita sat with his husband on one side of the garden and admired the other family with their kids.  Clifford noticed and tried to engage her in a conversation.

Clifford : Sweetheart, hope you are enjoying yourself?

Rosita : Yes dear, it was fun and am enjoying myself.

Clifford : Am glad you are. Of late you look depressed so I want you to relax and enjoy this picnic. ( smiling)

Rosita: Okay sweetheart. (smiling)

Clifford was able to distract her and they enjoyed their meals happily and peacefully. The families then got together again remembering their past together.  They continued talking for a while.

THE  FAMILY  DINNER

The families had a long conversation laughing and giggling till evening. Soon, it was time for dinner.

Mrs. Anastasia : Dinner is served ma'am.

Mad. Flora : Okay, we'll be there soon.

Mad. Flora and her family moved to the dinning table to have their dinner.  She lost her husband to cancer 2years ago and have since been taking care of their children. 

Mad. Flora : Before we start eating, I want to introduce someone to you.  I guess you've all been wondering who this lady is.

The strange lady stood from her chair and went to stand beside Mad. Flora.

Mad. Flora : This is Nicole, my friend's daughter and the lady I have chose to marry and have kids for Clifford.

Everybody looked on shocked and surprised. Clifford stood from his chair furiously and hit his hands on the table.

Clifford : Mum, what's the meaning of this?

Rosita sat down shocked and brokenhearted. She stood from her chair and rushed out with tears in her eyes.

Clifford and Lian : Rosita!

Clifford ran after her but couldn't find her.

Rosita walked on the road absent mindedly thinking about her mother In-laws' words that she didn't hear the horn of the car approaching her. She was startled by the screams of people only to turn and see a car  light flash in her eyes.