The Sea, The Gambler and The Prince

I am a gambler. It's 2020, and it is popular among college students.

And while my parents are busy working hard to pay for my studies, I chose to waste it and have fun. Who cares, right? I'm young, I'm free, I'm having fun, and I live in New York.

While the world is fast asleep, here I am, with my friends having fun and drinking till the sun rises up.

I took a deep breath through my nose, and the place was a combination of sweet cherry-balm and cigarette smoke. I stared at my friends as they snatched and tossed clumps of money on the table. They all sneered and yelled at each other like a mad gambler in a horse race.

I felt happy on the outside. And while I am smiling and enjoying, I couldn't bury the sadness I have deep inside. Weirdly, I feel empty while I am surrounded by my friends and fancy lights. I am laughing with all my teeth showing, but I still feel like something is lacking.

I am reprimanded many times that sometimes it felt as natural as breathing. In fact, most people would rather live in silence and do what society expects them than to do what they really want. It's impossible to be permanently happy in this world. It's impossible to find real Happiness in an inanimate object. But why do we crave for wealth and power? Does Superman become happier when he was called the strongest superhero? Or the ultimate power that we're all trying to achieve is the public image of wealth and sugarcoated lies? Humanity has always been disinclined to the real meaning of humanity. Because it's still easy to call something a name, but doesn't really do what it's expected to. It's easy to call yourself an artist without really proving that you can draw. You can call someone a dancer by just showing you random, unconfident moves. But, in life, we have stages. Someone may be mediocre, while someone may be a beast. Some may do better than you, and you will never be as good as them. Because you are too focused trying to be like someone you're not. Because nothing in the world that you may call 'like you' because you weren't born twice of the same mother, the same time, the same day, month, year, and father. Someone may be born on the same day, month, and year, but not father and mother of the same exact as yours. Someone may look like you, and the similarities end there. Because no one can have the same exact length of every strand of hair like yours, the same skirt you wore on the 6th of June, 2020, with the same phone, and music you have playing in your iPod. No one. And you're not even sure if someone who looks like you has an iPod or Zune or can he even afford to buy one?

My friend suddenly backed out when he was out of cash. He wasted a total of $7,800 and still up for another round.

"I'll get some more." He winked.

As he blended with the crowd, it was my turn to toss a handful of cash. I put my hands inside my pockets and snatched a handful of crumpled dollars. I threw it without counting, and I suddenly felt robbed.

Then I wondered. Why are we so possessed with the wealth of this world? Why are we acting like we were born with the gold of the world? Because as what I could remember, babies were born without wearing any garments. Without any pieces of jewellery and fancy clothes. But when we die, we were dressed in tuxedos and gowns. We were mourned with golds and prayers, as if like those two come along like coffee and water.

Is that the Love of wealth? Or the sin of endless desire? It was considered a miracle that one can live in the street begging for some coins. And yet the birds live without paying the grounds. And however, birds strive without wearing any fancy clothes. What do humans lack that birds have? Wings? Feathers? Or the grace and unconditional love of God?

"Last round and the winner will loot the money bag." Announced the casino guy.

The game went on, and my friend came back with his bag full of cash. His mother is a doctor, and his father, a lawyer. He smiled when he saw that he was the one with the most money. And he sneered at us.

I realized that I should go home. I am feeling dizzy too because of the alcohol and smoke, and I don't think I'd win the game. But I already put my bet, so I am not sure if I should stay for a while or go home.