So there I was, staring, trying to keep a straight face. That’s what you are supposed to do, right?

So, I throw in my bet. – I see your bet, and I raise you this.

That sounded easy, I had a Full House, and granted I wasn’t the best player, I knew a Full House was a good enough hand.

I don’t even know how I got persuaded into playing. It was for more than money, and I knew it since the beginning. To my right, Life, all empowering yet serene, like if anything that happened during the night was nothing more than what He anticipated. To my left, with a streak of losing hands, Pride, never admitting defeat. It was a good thing He was losing, I wouldn’t want to lose against Him. But whom I feared most was right in front of me and I knew He was very good at this game. The hardest game was involving Destiny and me tonight.

It had been a long night, and nobody had left their seat for hours. This wasn’t just some game like the ones that happen every Thursday night at your buddy’s house, this was no friendly match, and we were playing for keeps.

Anger obviously left early, he didn’t enjoyed losing. Patience always waited for the better hand until he folded his winnings out. The others didn’t do that well either. But there I was, giving out the largest bet increase of the night, trying not to give out my hand, looking back and forth to Life and Destiny as they had their “poker face” on too.

-So what’s it gonna be? – I said – We’ve been throwing the pot back and forth; it’s time to end this now.

After hardly any seconds happened, Life just stood up and left. -That’s how it is on occasion – He said as he walked out the front door, as did Pride.

- Close call – I suddenly thought. It was just me against Destiny, and nobody was moving a muscle. And then, without a word, he evened out my bet. He threw in the power of control into the pot.

- Whatcha got? – He finally whispered.

I slammed down my cards on the table.

- Full House – I said in a confident tone. – Kings and 10s.

A drop of sweat ran down my forehead I saw Destiny not even flinching at my supposedly winning hand. Looking down at the pot right in the middle of the table, then back at me, again without a statement, he put down his cards, “una por una”.

I was al of a sudden struck by a feel of fright. Poker of Aces. I froze up for a second, thinking how could I been so stupid. I don’t even know where I went wrong, and wasn’t ready to believe it. I got greedy and wanted it all, wanted control, but instead… instead I lost the biggest thing I had.

I bet you and all our memories together against Destiny, and Destiny took you away from me…