Clifford's family have a ritual of getting together every 5th month of the year. All the members in the Clifford's family comes along with their families together play games and have dinner. They put themselves in a team of two and compete each with each other. The winner gets awarded by Mad. Flora, Clifford's Mother. It's one of those times, Rosita and Clifford were preparing to leave to the Hollands mansion for the event.
IN THE KITCHEN
Rosita was busily in the kitchen making snacks and preparing some dishes for the family picnic. She packed some cookies, smoothies, fruits and other main dishes.
"Honey....!Honey....!, have you heard from Kathie and Lian? It's been awhile since I heard from them. Hope they will be coming for the picnic?" queried Rosita
"Yes.. sweetheart..., Lian just called me to ask if we'll be coming. He was worried we won't join the family due to last year's incident." answered Clifford.
FLASHBACK
Rosita and Clifford had joined the family for one of their gatherings. Mad. Flora disgraced Rosita in front of the entire family due to her childlessness. She ironically mocked and made fun of her. Clifford, seeing how broken his wife was, stood in to defend her. Lian, his younger brother also got furious with their mother and they both left with their families.
END OF FLASHBACK
Rosita stood in the kitchen silently for a while then replied with a sad tone.
"Okay..dear, It's good you've heard from them. I was also worried they wouldn't come. I don't want to be the reason behind your family's misunderstanding."
Clifford on hearing the tone of his wife's voice came downstairs to encourage her. He came to meet Rosita in the kitchen lost in her thoughts.
"Hmm...." sighed Clifford
"I knew you will be like this" he added
"Sweetheart, it's not my fault that I've 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 I'm not an exceptional." cried Rosita with a distressful look
Clifford turned Rosita to face him and drew her into a hug.
"I know dear, I understand how you feel because I love and care for you. I assure you that everything is going to be alright. Trust me."
"How long dear...? I want to see you happy."
"And I am...dear. You are my happiness. Now smile for me. I want to your beautiful smile." said Clifford, dried the tears from Rosita's eyes and kissed her.
"Keep smiling dear, I love you so much and will always be there for you." he added assuredly
Rosita nodded and smiled.
"Umm..., that's it." Now let's get going else we'll be late.
Clifford helped Rosita packed the everything into the car and they drove off.
****************
There was a heavy traffic jam on the road since it was a holiday and lots of families were going on picnics and funfairs.
"Wow..., such a heavy traffic jam. I should have used the other route." said Clifford.
Rosita sat silently not uttering a word. Clifford placed his hand on hers. She turned and smiled assuredly
"Are you okay, dear?" queried Clifford with a concerned look.
"Yes.., just a little nervous."
Clifford patted her hand and smiled
**************
It was already 9:00am when they got to the family's mansion. It's a large mansion with many rooms and guest house. It also had a nice view with a beautiful garden and a lake for a family picnic.
"Umm.., we're here now." he murmured
They both got out of the car and packed their stuffs to the the garden.
"Clifford..." a voice called from behind
They turned to the direction of the voice and it was Lian.
"Brother....." exclaimed Clifford
Clifford smiled and hugged his brother as he neared them.
"it's been a while Cliff. I've missed you so much." Lian exclaimed excitedly
"Yes.....Lian.." replied Clifford
"And you Rosita, wow..., always looking splendid." uttered Lian, turning his attention to Rosita and pecked her on the cheeks.
"Thank you Lian.. Where is Kathie and the kids?" queried Rosita with a smile.
"She is with the rest of the family and the kids are playing with the others."
"Then..,I'll go look for her for some chit chats. I will catch up with you guys later."
"Okay Rosie...." replied Lian with a grin
Rosita left the guys to catch up with each other and went to look for Kathie.
"Kathie..., Kathie...," called Rosita on seeing her.
Kathie turned to see Rosita. They smiled at each other and Kathie waved Rosita over.
"Rosie....., It's been awhile. You're looking good." said Kathie
Kathie and Rosita spoke to each other for a while before leaving to join the ladies. Melissa, Leyla and Vanessa; the wives of Clifford's other brothers were sitting around the lake whiles the kids play on the field.
"Melissa..., Leyla..,Vanessa..., you ladies are glowing." said Kathie as they approached them.
"You too girl...." exclaimed Melissa
"Rosie...., It's been a while since I heard from you. Where have you been?" uttered Leyla, looking a little surprised
"I've been around Leyla, just a little here and there." she replied with a smile.
Melissa, Leyla and Vanessa nodded in response.
"I know it's been tough for you girl but I believe everything is going to be alright." added Vanessa smiling
"Yes...girl..." added Melissa, Leyla and Vanessa in unison.
They had fun for awhile then heard a voice called from behind. They turned and it was Nicholas, Melissa's husband and an older brother to Lian and Clifford.
"Ladies....,waiting for you so we can start the games. Come join us if you're done with your little chats." said Nicholas
"Okay....." they replied in unison
The ladies moved in to join the men for the games to start. They were later joined by Mad. Flora and a strange lady.
"This face looks familiar but can't figure out where I know her from. Or it's just my imagination?" thought Clifford to himself but none of them dared to question about the lady.
They divided themselves into a group of two. The ladies on one team and the guys on the other. They competed with each other and had great fun.
"Now, the fun is over. We're here to find out the scores of the competition and also know our winners. Mr Lincoln, may we know the scores and our winners for this year's competition?" uttered Mad. Flora
Mr. Lincoln is a worker in the Clifford's family and have been working for them for over 10years now.
"Yes..ma'am.. The boys had 550 points and the girls had 620 points making the girls the winners of this year's competition." replied Mr. Lincoln
The ladies jubilates and teased the guys. The guys smiled and congratulated them. 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 admiring the other families with their kids. Clifford noticed and tried to engage her in a conversation.
"Sweetheart.., hope you are enjoying yourself?"he questioned
" Yes dear...,it was fun and I enjoyed it."
" I'm glad you are. Of late, you look depressed so l want you to relax and enjoy this picnic." he uttered with a smile
"Okay sweetheart..." she replied smiling
Clifford was able to distract her and they enjoyed their meals happily and peacefully. The families got together again after their lunch reminiscing their past together as a family. 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.
"Dinner is served ma'am." uttered Mrs. Anastasia
"Okay...,we'll be there soon." Mad. Flora replied
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.
"Before we start eating, I want to introduce someone to you. I guess you've all been wondering who the is lady is." she uttered
The strange lady stood from her chair and went over to stand beside Mad. Flora.
"This is Nicole, my friends daughter and the lady I have chosen to marry and have kids with Clifford." said Mad. Flora
Everybody looked on stunned. Clifford stood from his chair furiously, hitting his hand on the table.
"What's the meaning of this mum..." he questioned
Rosita was stunned and heartbroken. She stood from her chair and rushed out of the house with tears in her eyes.
"Rosita.....!" exclaimed Lian and Clifford in unison.
Clifford looked at her mother furiously and went after Rosita but couldn't see her.
*************
Rosita walked on the road absent mindedly, having flashbacks of her mother in- laws words. She was so carried away by her thoughts and didn't hear the horn of the car approaching her. She was brought back to reality by the screams of the people around. She got startled, only to turn to the flash of a speedy approaching car light in her eyes.