Seduce the Gambler (PUBLISHED) ✔️

Epilogue

Epilogue

A year after…

Nakasimangot akong nakatingin sa malaking game over na nasa screen ng cellphone. It’s the last chance subalit hindi ko pa rin nakuha ang jackpot.

Realizing the world doesn’t end when you lose, I closed the game, inilapag ang phone sa lupa at nahiga. I watched colorful tree canopies and coiling grape vines hanging above me. A blue sky was peeping through and I felt peace.

Enjoy luck but don’t depend on it for luck wouldn’t remain as your ally. Mas mag-depend ka sa sarili mo at sa mga kaya mong gawin. May mga bagay talagang hindi mo kaya pero okay lang ‘yon. You are enough as you are. Be there for yourself and don’t depend on others to be there for you.

Hindi nawala ang sugal sa buhay ko but now it’s toned down, moderated, and controlled. Mahirap gawin noong umpisa pero dahil nagsikap akong i-manage ito, I could finally say my life no longer revolves around gambling. Isa na lang itong hobby. Pampalipas ng oras. Reminder, paalala ng mga leksyon na hindi dapat makalimutan.

We all have issues but we must find what works for us in order to manage them. A psychiatrist recommended a medicine but depending on medication felt wrong for me. Sinabi ko ito kay Vincentte at nagrekomenda siyang kunsultahin ang kakilalang psychologist. Nakasundo ko ang psychologist na ito, and with her guidance and counselling, unti-unti akong natututong kontrolin ang problem gambling ko.

We have different approach indeed. What works for some may not work for you. Just don’t stop searching for what could work. Hindi madali pero huwag susukuan.

So here I am now, living my life, when all I could do before was run then survive.

A bunch of grapes entered my vision. Bumalikwas ako at naupo, “Yipee! Thank you, Vincentte!”

Pumuwesto siya sa tabi ko at pinagmasdan ako habang kumakain ng grapes. Sumandal ako sa kaniya at iniakbay ni Vincentte ang braso sa aking balikat. Nagdaan ang ilang minuto na kain lang ako ng kain samantalang tahimik siya sa tabi ko.

Nilingon ko siya, “Wala ka bang sasabihin?”

Ngumiti siya sa akin at umiling. I frowned and returned back to eating my grapes when I saw something circular and gold with a purple gem on top hanging on one of the grapes. Napanganga ako. It looked so beautiful. That purple gem was the exact shade of my favorite ripe grapes!

“Vincentte, there’s a ring!”

Kinuha ko iyon at isinuot sa ring finger ko. Ipinakita ko ito kay Vincentte, “Look oh! It’s so beautiful!”

My boyfriend chuckled and said, “I assumed that means we’re now engaged.”

Muli akong napanganga, “What?”

I remained sitting when Vincentte went into a kneeling position, “Sinuot mo agad, hindi mo man lang ako hinintay. May pattern ka talaga.” Vincentte muttered chuckling.

“What? Wait, what’s happening?” tanong ko. Mahirap mag assume. I have an idea but I want to directly hear the words from the only man I love.

He gently lifted my ringed hand to his mouth and kissed the tip of my ring finger, “Marry me, Willow Kageyama.”

My mouth formed the biggest grin, “Yes, Vincentte Van Helsing.” Kaagad niya akong sinunggaban ng halik.

The first time we met on this orchard, I was the thief who stole his grapes. Here we are now, on the same place, and I felt our role had reversed. Vincentte was now the thief who stole my heart and I finally surrender.

Surrender only to those who deserve your love and never settle for anything less. This man didn’t just seduce me. Vincentte Van Helsing made me fall…in love.

I guess you could really fly while falling for our love made me feel I’m flying.