It is a sunny afternoon. The rains have ceased for sometime now and harmattan is fast approaching, giving the locals opportunity to hang outside and enjoy the swart cool breeze that pervades the environment. Sitting under the mango tree and playing the local board game Diego and his friend Fabian were enjoying themselves when Gucho joined them.

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmPRrFKYRQJikMbmAB6KaYmeFHkuyYqoS2GiZeAGSCAiHw/1711500729707.jpg)
[Source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-cocktail-drinks-602750/)

After exchanging pleasantries with the duo, he watches them play for a while to see who will win before he joins the game. Having played for over thirty minutes Diego played his master stroke and won. He jumped up in utmost excitement.

"I thought you will not cave in so easily man"

"Relax Diego, I only wanted Gucho to join the game, hence I had to play into your hands to quicken your win", said Fabian.

"Hahahaha, I see. But you've held on for too long man and I had to apply some tricks to tilt the game in my favour". "That's my secret though, I won't divulge it".

"Ok Diego, Fabian continued, let's see who will win now that Gucho has joined. It is the best player with the best set of skills and tricks that will win". 

Gucho sat down and restarted the game. In a matter of minutes he was eliminated. At first he wanted to make a fuse about it but Fabian persuaded him to step aside and watch. He was just unlucky to have been so easily eliminated. 

Reluctantly, Gucho sat up and allowed Fabian and Diego to play and then determine who wins. Diego reshuffled the game and both players started to play. It was indeed a tough one. Twice Diego threatened to win but Fabian skillfully pegged him back. 

Then came the moment all was waiting for as Diego never know that Fabian was arranging his game. As it got to his turn to play he gracefully played it and dropped the final dice. Diego was stunned. He became speechless as that was the only time Fabian attempted to win. The ease with with Fabian won made Gucho to rise up and shake him. 

"Man, you really planned your game. Just look at the finesse", said Gucho. Both laughed heartily with Diego still processing the loss. 

"Oh, well, you did well man. That was a well thought out game by you. I think you deserve one bottle from me too", Diego said.

Everybody laughed as they shook hands. Fabian then brought out a keg of palm wine he had kept since last night. 

"Kala, please get me three mugs let's teach this "palmy" a lesson". The three men laughed heartily as Fabian removed the board game and clearing the table for the wine. In a matter of seconds Kala came in with three local mugs.

"Gentlemen, please accept accept my little kola", Fabian said as kala passes the local mugs to the two men. His father Fabian poured out a bit into his own mug and poured  a few drops on the floor before tasting same. He smacked his lips.

"Ah, this is it gentlemen. This is what we need now". "This is the handiwork of Doku. His palmwine is always good. I got this yesterday morning", Fabian said.

"Doku is a seasoned taper. We'll miss him should he decides to relocate from this village", Gucho said. The three men laughed as Diego reminds them that Doku isn't going anywhere. He only knows how to tap palms and that's all. And there is abundance of raffia palms in the community.

Diego and Gucho took turns to collect from the wine jar. Each beckons on the gods to join in the feast before they sip. Kala watches the men from afar. His father Fabian signalled him to bring kolanuts for the men and he zooms off.  

As the three men drank, conversation began and ranges from farming to women and their children to politics. They bemoan the lackadaisical attitude of government towards the rural dwellers and conclude to vote them out in the coming election.

Gucho clears his throat intermittently as if the wine has stuck there. The other two men knows he was about to tell them something but is trying to find it difficult to voice it out. They looked at each other and encouraged Gucho to tell them.

Gucho began, "my brothers, you know the last time I went to the hospital for checkup I was asked to desist from eating red oil and you guys know how I devour my roasted yam with it. That's my favourite meal. How will I cope now. I've been thinking about this since yesterday when the test results came out". He lowered his head as if defeated. 

Diego and Fabian looked at each other and realize the agony their friend was passing through. Tapping him on the shoulder Diego began; "Gucho cho my man, you see life is more precious than even all these our material acquisitions. You only live once so adhere to the instructions given so that we'll continue to see you and share moments like this together".

Fabian nodded and lending his voice to the candid advice of Diego then suggested Gucho takes the roasted yam with vegetable sauce without anything oil added.

"Ah, that's better Fabian. I didn't even thought about that. Veggies are abound. My wife will spice it up for me so that I continue eating my delicacy. You see, that saying that a problem shared is a problem solved is a truism". 

The three men laughed heartily and continued their drinking, this time with vigour.

*This is my participation in "The Ink Well Fiction Prompt #162: You only live once" Please check out the announcement post [HERE](https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-ink-well-fiction-prompt-162) if you want to join the contest.*