Love's Gamble

One funny core memory we shared was me introducing you to the Philippines' Sweepstakes—or simply, "Lotto."

Although gambling isn't exactly where I'd recommend putting your hard-earned money (GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY!), it had become common in the circles we were in. Some were into online cockfights, others bet on NBA games, while many played the "Ending" game during the PBA season.

I told Dani that I had tried online betting myself for a while, but I made sure to set a hard limit. The moment I reached that limit, I walked away and never looked back. I guess it was more of a discipline thing than anything else. The only form of gambling I kept was buying Lotto tickets.

Aside from the usual 6/42, 6/45, 6/49, and 6/58 draws, I also enjoyed the scratch cards where you'd try to reveal three matching symbols. There were different variants like Red Hot, Banana, and a few others.

One day, we were at the mall, nearing the end of another fun day together. As we approached the exit, we passed by a Lotto outlet.

There wasn't any discussion beforehand. We simply drifted toward it.

Dani was game for it.

We bought a few tickets for that night's grand draw, then each picked up two scratch cards—just for the sake of having more chances.

As I scratched mine, I already knew I wasn't winning.

But hers?

Lo and behold, Dani won on her very first scratch card.

Her winning moment!

Talk about beginner's luck!

She was ecstatic after winning on her first try. If I remember correctly, we used her winnings to buy dessert afterward. It was the perfect way to end an already wonderful day together.

I found myself reliving that memory while going through my things. Then I remembered that on the last day I saw her face-to-face, I had stopped by another Lotto outlet before meeting her.

I guess I needed that little bit of luck. I was hoping it would somehow give me the confidence to ask Dani if we could try again. Seeing her that day was a gamble too—one I wasn't sure I could win, for the sake of both of us.

By the end of that night, every ticket I bought had lost.

Lost gambles of the day

So did the biggest gamble I took that day.

Just a reminder to everyone: gamble only what you can afford to lose.

Do it responsibly.