Take a Chance with Me

You Took A Chance With Me, Against All Odds

"Thank you for flying with us," I softly said to each passenger as they disembarked. Thankfully, my flight was Doha to Manila, so I could go straight home to Jhoanna. It had been three days since I last saw her, and I missed her terribly.

"Bini Stacey?" one passenger said, surprised.

I was happy that people still remembered me as part of Bini. At 29, life had changed so much. From the spotlight, I chose a more private career, but one that had always been my dream. I was grateful to my mother, Jhoanna, her family, and the girls who had been so supportive. Now, it was my second year with Qatar Airways.

Leaving the glamorous life of a Ppop star behind wasn't an easy decision, but it was one that brought me immense fulfillment. Transitioning from the stage to the skies, I found a different kind of joy in connecting with people on their journeys. However, this new chapter came with its own set of challenges. With my company based in Doha, I was required to live there in an apartment, which meant that Jhoanna and I were in a sort of long-distance relationship. Despite the distance, we managed to keep our love strong. The nature of my job allowed me to fly home frequently, thanks to the travel perks provided by the airline. On the days when I wasn't able to make it back to Manila, Jhoanna would sometimes come to Doha.

We made the most of our time together, cherishing every moment we could steal away from our busy lives. Each reunion was filled with laughter, love, and the comfort of being in each other's arms. Even though we missed each other terribly when we were apart, we knew our love was worth every mile between us. Our relationship had weathered many storms, and this was just another challenge we faced with unwavering support for one another.

"Hi! I'm happy that you still remember me," I replied warmly. It honestly touched my heart.

"I was a Bloom, still a Bloom," the woman said proudly.

"Thank you so much for your support."

"Can we take a picture?"

"For sure!"

After some debriefing and checking the cabins, it was finally time to go home to my love.

While others opted for the hotel, Jhoanna was there to pick me up at the airport. Gosh, how I missed her. She gets more beautiful every day. Seeing her on television or the phone doesn't do justice to seeing her in person.

"Stakuuu! My princess!" She greeted me with a warm hug. How I love this woman.

"Mahal!" I hugged her tightly. We headed to the car, making small talk about my flight and the traffic.

Upon reaching the car, there was a flower waiting for me, as always. It was a simple gesture, but one that Jhoanna had maintained throughout the years we'd been together. Every time she picked me up, she would leave a flower on the passenger seat, a small token of her love that never failed to warm my heart. These little things that made me realize how deeply she cared for me and how much effort she put into making each day special.

As I held the flower in my hand, my thoughts drifted back to the early days of our relationship. The what-ifs started to swirl in my mind, particularly one that haunted me—-what if I hadn't taken the chance to admit my feelings for her? That single, terrifying moment of vulnerability had been the pivot on which our entire future balanced. I remembered the fear and uncertainty I felt, the countless nights I lay awake questioning if it was worth the risk. It was a leap of faith that could have ended in heartbreak, and the weight of that possibility had been almost paralyzing.

Sometimes, I couldn't help but imagine. What if I had let my fears hold me back and never taken that chance? What if Jhoanna hadn't fought so fiercely for us, for our love? The thought was almost unbearable, twisting like a knife in my heart. I pictured her wedding day, not with me but with someone else, walking down the aisle towards another man. The image was so vivid, it felt like a physical pain. I could see myself in the background, just a friend, a mere guest at her wedding. Not the maid of honor, not the love of her life—just a familiar face, a ninang to her children, forever watching from the sidelines. The thought of losing her to a life that didn't include me was almost too much to bear.