third time's a charm

24

"So...our family's been following the seer's guidance for generations, praying in temples, believing in signs to dodge misfortune?" Win's words reverberated in the living room. His gaze landed on his dad, who promptly disclaimed any involvement. "Not my thing. It's her family's deal. They don't fancy me much for it."

Ingrid shot Wei a scathing look before refocusing on her son with a sigh. "According to your grandparents, being born with extraordinary luck marks you as cursed. When you reach adulthood, that luck turns sour, and you die alone."

Win swallowed hard. "Thanks for pointing that out, Mom. You've given me so much HOPE."

"I don't have all the answers, okay? But many in our family met the same fate, dying without companionship. Your uncle, for example..." Her voice trailed off at the memory. "I distanced myself from our kin, save for him. He warned me against it, fearing one of my children might inherit the curse."

"But Win's always had bad luck," Thana interjected. "His fortune turned when he grew up---graduated, got a good job..."

"That's why I hoped the curse skipped us! Until your uncle told me Win's the chosen one."

Wei was puzzled. "So, Bright's not cursed, but our son is?"

"That's not what I said!" Ingrid snapped. "Bright's curse came from my stupid brother when he felt jilted by Bright's mother for breaking up with him!"

"So, both boys are cursed. Why not let them be together?" Wei suggested. "It's like the blind leading the blind."

Win shot his father a wry look. "Did they survive? Or did they both fall off the cliff?" he asked sardonically.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"Mum," Win interjected, "how do we lift Bright's curse? I don't want him suffering for loving me."

"Why would he suffer?" Wei added. "You deserve someone who can cherish and love you faithfully."

"Our connection's not genuine. He's under a spell---"

"Enough," Thana cut in. "Let's find a cure for Bright's curse first, then see his true feelings."

Win slumped on the sofa; frustration evident. "Why was I born with this fate? Why me?"

Seeing their son in a predicament, both Wei and Ingrid exchanged a glance, understanding his distress. His mother's tone softened with apology. "I'm sorry...I tried to shield you and Thana from anything that could befall either one of you. That's why our family always prayed in different temples every year, and I spent my time asking you to follow the signs. I mean, it's the only way to keep the bad luck from following you two."

"But Dad doesn't believe in it," Thana pointed out to their father, who was now munching on the banana bread their mother had baked prior to their so-called family 'meeting'. "Shouldn't that have any adverse effect?"

Ingrid looked at her husband, her expression solemn. "Now, you should understand why your grandfather never liked your dad!"

"Grandfather hates everyone," Win said. His mind reeled to events before meeting Bright, realizing Thana was right. He'd been lucky in some aspects, like his career. Though it wasn't enough to make him happy, he'd never felt threatened, except maybe when celebrities hurled curses at him for what he wrote. Other than that, life was a breeze. Then again, his mother had a point. Since childhood, their family prayed in temples. Despite his father's skepticism---he was pretty sure his dad was also an atheist---he followed to support his mom. He was trying to be a good dad...

Nevertheless, he had already accepted the fact that his fate was entwined with a series of bad luck, as Madame Sukie had foreseen in her vision. What he couldn't accept was Bright being stuck with him when it wasn't even his fault that those feelings kept growing. Bright deserved to be happy with someone else. Not him.