Take a Chance with Me

Jealousy is a Disease!

Jho is having a relapse on Aki. And it hurts so bad!

We had a day break but my mother went home to the province, and I was alone. What's a better cure for the poor heart of this Princess? I knew there was only one person who could help ease the pain, even if just for a night.

"Gwenny," I called out, my voice trembling slightly.

"Yes, Stakuri!" she answered, her voice bright as always.

"Smirnoff tayo," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Woah woah. What's the problem, Staku?" Gwen asked, her concern evident in her eyes as she walked closer to me.

I could feel my composure cracking, the mask I wore so well slipping away. It took three Smirnoffs to get me tipsy and one more to make me open up to Gwen about my feelings for Jho. I had held it in for so long, the weight of my unspoken emotions threatening to drown me.

"Can you kiss me, Gwen?" I blurted out, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked at her, desperation in my eyes.

"Hoy, Staku. Stop na," Gwen replied, her tone firm but gentle. She placed her hand on my shoulder, trying to ground me.

"Please," I whispered, the word barely audible. My voice broke, tears welling up in my eyes.

"No," Gwen said more firmly this time, shaking her head. "I can't. I won't."

"Baka I will forget Jho," I pleaded, my voice cracking under the weight of my despair. "Just for a moment, Gwen. I need to forget."

Gwen sighed deeply, her own eyes filling with tears as she looked at me. "Stakuri, you know this isn't the answer. You can't just kiss away your pain."

"But it hurts so much," I cried, the tears finally spilling over. "I don't know what to do, Gwen. I feel like I'm falling apart."

Gwen pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me as I sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm here for you. I'm always here for you. But you have to face this pain. You have to let yourself feel it."

I clung to her, the sound of my sobs filling the room. The pain was unbearable, a gnawing ache that refused to go away. But Gwen's words, her presence, gave me a sliver of hope.

"I'm so scared, Gwen," I admitted, my voice muffled against her shoulder. "I'm scared I'll never be okay again."

"You will be," Gwen said softly, stroking my hair. "It's going to take time, but you will be okay. You're stronger than you think, Staku."

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, Gwen holding me as I poured out my heart. The pain didn't disappear, but it felt a little more bearable with Gwen by my side. And in that moment, I realized that sometimes, the best cure for a broken heart is a friend who refuses to let you face your pain alone.

---

The days that followed were a blur. I tried to keep myself busy, to distract my mind from the constant ache. I began talking to other boys, hoping that flirting and pretending to be interested would somehow make me forget Jhoanna. But it didn't take long for Jhoanna to notice, and her annoyance was evident.

One afternoon, as I was laughing a bit too loudly at something one of the boys said on the phone, I caught sight of Jhoanna's scowl from across the room. She marched over, her face set in a grim line.

"Stacey, pwede ba kitang makausap?" she asked, her voice tight.

"Sure," I said, following her to a quieter corner. My heart pounded in my chest, knowing this conversation was inevitable.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Just having fun," I replied lightly, trying to keep my tone nonchalant.