I loved playing games as a teenager. I remembered the fun I used to derive from playing a whole lot of games. But as I grew older, I became very competitive. The desire to always win rose in me and I forgot how I was supposed to have fun. I guess it was fun for me as long as I was winning.
Back then, the common game I used to play was Ludo game. I used to play this game with anyone and everyone who was interested and whilst playing, I used to study everyone's moves do as to form a counter attack against them later.
Our house has an open space with a large mango and almond tree. This made it possible for our neighbors to come to our compound during their free time to play games. Sometimes we would sit on the bench to play, other times, we sat on a large mat.
I always looked forward to weekends because that's when we mostly come together to play. I am very ruthless when playing this board game. It was no competition, but I mostly made it one.
Some of the elderly men refused to play with me. Whenever I asked to play with them, they'd tell me to run along and play with people my age. I somehow convinced myself that they didn't want to get trashed by me because their wives had been trashed by me before.
This went on for a long time, till one day, a family friend came around. He was like a neighbour for some time before moving to his own house in another area. He came around just to say hello and spend some time with people around. He saw me playing the game and asked to join in.
“Haa, don't allow Rukkie win you too. She can play very well”, Mummy Daniel, who is also a neighbour said to the man.
He just smiled and said nothing. I, on the other hand was feeling like a boss,.thinking that I would win as usual.
The first dice were rolled as the game began. I watched keenly as he rolled out “double-sixes” on the dice with ease. I used to think the probability of getting that is 1 out of 36, but for him, it was more of once at least every five outcomes which made him get more rolls than usual.
He was ruthless just like I was, not caring if my piece has traveled for miles and was about to enter it's home. He was me but much more better and he showed no mercy.
The first game ended with him winning. The second game started and I was sure I would win because I had just one seed left while the man had 5 seeds. But to my surprise, he won me again.
He won me twice making the scoreline to 2 to zero.
“No, I must win at least once”, I said to myself as I begged him to play once more. He obliged me and then we started playing again for the third time. I used all the strategies I knew on him but they seemed useless.
“Who is leading?”, a neighbour passing by asked and someone pointed to him.
“What?
“Rukkie is losing?”
“ I thought I'd never see the day when Rukkie would lose in a Ludo game” , she said as she moved closer to join those watching our game.
The third game lasted longer as I gave it my all trying to win but the man won again, making it three to Nil.
For the first time I knew I had to give up before this man finish spelling my name in Victory. Maybe, if I had played more, I might have won but I wasn't willing to take that chance.
The game ended and some of the women around danced in victory. I tried not to let their taunts get to me but I wasn't happy for not winning anything.
The man told me to pay them no heed. He shook my hands and told me I was one of his formidable opponents he had ever played with.
The game was the topic of our neighbourhood for many days after. I always believed I was unbeatable but that day I was humbled.
To add salt to injury, Baba Daniel whom I have been pleading with to play with me for a while now began calling me village champion. Even though that made me unhappy, I learnt to laugh over it.
Losing the game made me feel bad but it made realize how others must have felt about me winning “back-to-back” before.
That loss made me realize that games are only fun when all players enjoy themselves. Most especially, when others also get to win from time to time. Since then, I had to loosen up a bit and not make it a competition like I used to.
Thank you all for reading.