Take a Chance with Me

Love Encounters

My first encounter with love was quite a comedy show. I fell for a guy who ghosted me because his ex had passed away. As if that wasn't dramatic enough, he eventually decided to become a priest! Talaga naman, divine plot twists!

My subsequent crushes were a series of hilariously bad decisions—they all turned out to be losers who smelled like feet exposed to shoes the whole day. Seriously, maasim and putok should have been their nicknames!

But nothing prepared me for the wild ride my life took at 14. I stepped into the glittering chaos of showbusiness, auditioned for Star Hunt, trained to be part of a girl group during a pandemic, and somehow, by some miracle, ended up as a member of BINI. Little did I know, amidst the dance rehearsals and vocal training, I'd find a love so deep it would take my breath away.

Jhoanna. She's everything to me, even if she only sees me as her best friend. She's my bunot, my constant companion, the person I gravitate towards no matter where we are. It's beyond me how much I want to be near her. I even join her in the shower sometimes because, let's be real, she's not the biggest fan of bathing. Her quirks, her charm, and her immense talent captivate me entirely. She's the center of my universe, and her smile, leadership, wit, and friendship are like gravity pulling me closer every single day.

We have so many fun moments together. There was this one time we built a blanket fort in the living room and spent the night watching movies, eating snacks, and whispering secrets until dawn. We also had an impromptu dance-offs in our pajamas, where we tried to outdo each other with the silliest moves!

But it's when she calls me "princess" that I feel the most beautiful. It touches my heart and makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. Every time she says it, I feel a warmth spreading through me, as if her words have the power to make me see myself through her eyes.

Jho also does things that make me kilig unbeknownst to her. Like when we were rehearsing late one night, and she gently wiped away the sweat from my forehead, her touch lingering a moment too long. Or when she sang a song just for me during a practice session, her voice filling the room and making my heart skip a beat. There are the times we share earphones and listen to music together, our heads so close I can feel her breath on my cheek.

One evening, we were practicing our latest routine. Jhoanna was in full leader mode, directing everyone with precision and passion. She had this way of scrunching her nose when she was deep in thought, her brows furrowed in concentration. It was in these moments that I found myself falling even more in love with her. She was so naturally commanding, her presence magnetic. As she demonstrated a particularly tricky move, her grace and confidence left me breathless.

"Okay, everyone, let's take it from the top! Kaya natin 'to, guys!" she called out, her voice clear and strong. She glanced over at me, giving a small, encouraging smile that made my heart skip a beat.

Later that night, as we were cooling down from practice, I watched her as she chatted animatedly with the other members. Even in casual conversation, her natural charisma shone through. She laughed, throwing her head back, her eyes sparkling with joy. Every little mannerism, from the way she tucked her hair behind her ear to the way she gestured with her hands, was captivating.

Then, there was the moment in the shower. Jhoanna had always needed a bit of coaxing to shower, so I'd join her to keep her company and make sure she actually did it.

"Jhoanna, ang bantot mo! Maligo ka na!" I teased her, knowing full well it wasn't true. She's actually one of the most mabango people I know, and her scent is something I've memorized.

"Uy, grabe ka sa akin, Staku! Kung samahan mo kaya ako!" she retorted, pretending to be annoyed but flashing that smile that makes her eyes curve. That's Jho for you. She's patient and kind, except during her period days and her no-nonsense leader mode.

"Staaakuuu, please. Sama mo na ako ligooo," she pleaded in that baby talk that always melted my heart. I fall harder for her every day and hope I can find the courage to tell her.

"Okay. Sama kita ligo," I agreed, my heart pounding.

As we stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading down, it felt like time slowed. Jhoanna was humming a tune, her eyes closed, completely unaware of my gaze. I watched as the water droplets clung to her eyelashes and the way her hair shimmered under the light. There was something so natural, so effortless about her, that it took my breath away. She turned to me, her smile radiant, and started splashing water playfully.

"Staku, you're not even wet!" she laughed, her joy infectious. I couldn't help but laugh along, feeling my heart swell with emotions I could barely comprehend.

It was in that moment, as we stood there amidst laughter and water, that I realized just how deeply I felt for her. It wasn't just a crush—it was something profound and beautiful. But I couldn't tell her, not yet. I feared losing this precious connection, this effortless companionship that meant the world to me.

Another night, after a long day of rehearsals, we were both exhausted and lying on our beds. Jhoanna was scrolling through her phone, and I was staring at the ceiling, my mind wandering.

"Have you tried kissing someone?" I asked out of the blue, feeling a bit daring.

"Hoy, Staku! Bastos!" she replied, her eyes widening in surprise.

"OA ka!" I teased, trying to keep the conversation light.

"No pa! Ang bad mo!" she shot back, playfully hitting me with a pillow.

"Ha ha same! Tayo nalang kiss," I joked, grinning.

We both laughed, and without us knowing it, our lips collided for a second—it was just a smack. I acted so casually and laughed with her, but inside, my heart was racing.
——

Things started to shift a bit. Jhoanna and Aki from our brother group BGYO became good friends and eventually started talking. She was all giggles and excitement whenever she mentioned him. Aki this, Aki that—he was all she could talk about. My heart could feel the jealousy clawing at it.

"Guess what, Staku! Aki and I talked for hours last night," she gushed one morning, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Oh, that's nice," I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic but failing miserably.

I wondered if I became close with other guys, would she feel the same jealousy? Could she possibly understand the pangs of insecurity I felt every time she mentioned Aki? It was a dangerous game to play, but my heart was already in too deep.

One evening, after yet another rehearsal, we found ourselves in our usual positions—Jhoanna scrolling through her phone and me staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"Staku, guess what? Aki sent me the sweetest message today!" Jhoanna said, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Oh, really?" I said, trying to keep my tone light. "What did he say?"

"He was just being so thoughtful and funny, as usual. It's like he really gets me, you know?" she replied, a dreamy look in her eyes.

I felt a surge of jealousy. "Yeah, he seems great," I said, my voice a bit sharper than intended.

Jhoanna looked at me, a frown forming on her face. "What's with the tone, Staku? Selos ka? Yieeee!"

I laughed, trying to brush it off. "Jealous? Of course not. I'm just tired, that's all."

"Sure, because that sounded so convincing," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, fine. Maybe I am a little jealous," I admitted, surprising myself with my honesty.

"Why?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Because... because I don't want to lose you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jhoanna's expression softened. "Staku, you're my best friend. Nothing's going to change that."

"Yeah, but what if it does?" I asked, feeling vulnerable.

"Then we'll deal with it together," she said, squeezing my hand.

In that moment, I realized just how deeply I cared for her. It wasn't just jealousy—it was fear of losing the most important person in my life.