6. Sour Loser

Ruth, Naadu and Alicia were playing ludo in the garden and chatting heartily like old friends. Ruth filled Naadu in on how Esther threw Patricia out of the house the other day. The way she narrated the whole incident made Naadu laugh her heart out. "I always knew that sister of mine was crazy." "Crazy? In fact she's correct babe. I'm waiting to see if she'll dare come here again." she giggled. "She will, that girl has no shame. I wonder what lies she's been feeding my brother." Naadu said and played her turn, then counted. When the topic of Patricia was raised, Alicia went mute. "But Alicia, tell me honestly what made Esther fight for you for the first time?I thought you two didn't get along well?" Naadu tried to drag her into the conversation as Ruth played her turn and counted. She shrugged her shoulders and played her turn then counted. "What do you mean by that?" "Aunty Naadu, I guess it's a matter of, the enemy of my enemy is my friend." she said and Naadu laughed. "I guess so." She played her turn and counted too. "But Alicia, what really is the cause of the rift between you and Esther?" Naadu inquired as Alicia played her turn and counted. "To be honest, I have no idea. She just doesn't like me, I don't know why." Alicia said. "Has it always been like that?" Naadu inquired curiously. "For as long as I can remember. That's since we first met, she's always been distant with me as if I've wronged her. But we use to chat on phone anytime Nii calls her or she calls in my presence. But the moment we met she changed." Alicia explained. "Then that's strange." Naadu said.

They changed the topic and were now discussing a series they watch together. "That lady behaves just like Miss Patricia so I don't like her at all." Ruth said causing Alicia and Naadu to laugh out loud then they heard clearing of throat and turned in that direction. Ruth was startled when she Braden and wandered if he heard what she said. "Hi, lil bro." Naadu waved him over while Alicia rose up from her seat and went towards him. "Did you need something?" She inquired. "I wanted water. I called all the phones no one answered then I started calling out your names still nothing, so I came looking every where for you all still nothing. I even thought you all stepped out and left me alone. I decided to get the water myself from the kitchen then I heard the noise." He explained. "Sorry bro. We wanted some fresh breeze."

"Should I get the water for you?" Ruth asked up on her feet. "No need, I already drunk some." "I'll get you a chai_" "No. I will." Ruth dashed off to get the chair. "I was going back inside." "You'll get bed sore. Join us here." Naadu said and he stared at Alicia who nodded her head in agreement, just when Ruth brought a chair for him. They all took their seats and the ladies continued their game and he watched them playing.

He especially observed Alicia. The way she was comfortable and free with his sister and Ruth was as if they've known eachother for a very long time. But how and when? He was very curious. Alicia isn't bad looking at all. Infact, She was a very beautiful woman he observed. When They were done playing the game and Alicia lost, Ruth stood up in joy, "Finally, I also won and didn't lose." "So, where are you going?" Alicia asked smiling. "To the kitchen, I want the happy ending to last the rest of the week or if I come again, it'll definitely end in tears for me." Ruth said causing them to laugh out loud. Nii smiled widely while shaking his head. "It's still too early to cook dinner." Alicia said but she shook her head. "I'll go and prepare then I'll come and observe." She run off.

"That girl is a handful." Naadu chortled. "Are you joining us to play?" She asked her brother. "You know I don't like this game but let me join you just for today." He said and Alicia helped him into Ruth's chair. They started. A little while later, "No, You can't do that." Alicia exclaimed and held Nii's hand from counting. The contact startled him and he stared at her. She left his hand, "Do what? I'm counting and you're in my way so you _" "I don't have to do anything, leave my player alone." She insisted and he laughed. "How do I count if you're in my way and I don't kick you out." He teased. "Naa, please tell your brother to play the game well." "I'm playing well, you're just a sour loser." He teased. Naadu just watched them with a smile on her face. "Naa" Alicia called and startled her out of her thoughts. "Nii, that rule is not included in the game. Follow the rules we stated before we started the game." Naadu said. "I should have known to you'd side with her." He said. "I'm not taking sides, just stating facts. Count so we can continue." Naadu said. Alicia pulled her tongue out to tease him. Nii found it amusing. He smiled and shook his head and counted then Naadu played her turn and counted. "I'll be traveling out of the country with Oscar, he has a medical seminar there." She informed them. Alicia paused her play and stared. "How long will you be gone?" Alicia inquired with a sad face. "It's four days, he's to register for the seminar, which starts Tuesday, on Monday so we'll leave tomorrow evening and will return Sunday or Monday." Naadu informed them and Alicia played her turn. "Why is your face gloomy? Scared I'll chew your head off?" Nii teased. Alicia rolled her eyes at him. He laughed out loud as his sister displayed a broad smile on her face. "It's so nice to see you laugh again after a long time."

"Making fun of me makes him happy." Alicia said. Nii smiled and Naadu chuckled at her comment. "Teasing is a way of showing affection." Naadu said and this time Nii chuckled. "True though, I've to tease her more often then I might develop affection for her." he teased again and Alicia rolled her eyes and looked back on the game. Naadu smiled and they continued with their game.

•••

"Ruth!" Nii called entering the living room. She rushed into the room from the kitchen with a napkin on her shoulder. "Mr Lartey, you called me." "Yes. Do you know why Miss Alice is still not back?" he inquired. "She went to church. she closes at 11:30." Ruth replied and asked if he needed something. "It's past 12 noon now." he said. "She'll be here shortly. should I serve your lunch?" "No please, I'll wait for her."

Nii sat in a couch and turned on the TV to watch. He was so bored that he dozed off. Alicia's entrance woke him up. He turned towards the door to check who it was. "Finally, you returned. Next week Sunday I'll go with you to church." He said. "Next week is Ruth' s turn." Alicia informed him. If I'm also going, we can all go together and Ruth wouldn't have to stay home." he suggested and Alicia seem to be thinking it through. "Don't worry your pretty head thinking about it. Let's have lunch then we can play ludu." He took his clutches and she helped him up. "I'm not playing ludu with you." she said while helping him with his clutches. "Why? Are you scared of losing, since Naa is not here to defend you?" he said with glee. "In your dreams. Even with all the cheating you couldn't win." she stated as they walked to the dinning room. Nii chuckled, "You mean with Naa cheating for you." he sat on the chair she dragged for him and thanked her. "Let's play it on your terms and we'll see who'll lose and cry." he winked at her and she rolled her eyes at him. Ruth was smiling as she served them. She felt things are gradually getting back to how it used to be. Nii used to pull Alice's leg all the time and she'll be fuming with anger until she realises than he was only teasing her. They prayed and ate their meal quietly.

After the meal, Alicia went to change into her home cloths and returned to the living room to watch TV only to meet Nii there with the ludu. "I said I'm not_" "Please, just one. I'm bored." "Watch a movie or listen to music or something." she said. "What do you think I've been doing since morning?" he made a sad face. "Okay, no cheating." she said and he raised his hand to pledge. The both sat on the rug in the middle of the living room, opposite eachother, with the ludu between them and played. Almost through with their third game, Nii still had 3 players on board and Alicia's last player was on her way home. she played the dice "Six... 2 six... and... three. Yeeaahh. I won again." She jubilated and pulled his hand to tease him. He stared with a smile. "You stole all my six." he said making her laugh out loud. Ruth who was standing at the kitchen entrance couldn't help smiling too.

'It's been a while since Miss Alice laughed this hard from the bottom of her heart.' she was thinking. She prayed things come back to normal again.

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