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The flight from Manila to Doha felt endless. Brenda knew it would take about 9 hours, but sitting still for that long made her restless. Out of boredom, she reached into her bag and took out a small pocket-size photo of Josh. She stared at it for a long time, her heart aching with missing him.
The woman seated next to her noticed and smiled kindly.
Miss? Kabayan?
Ka-kabayan, O-oo, Brenda. Brenda replied, extending her hand.
Leslie, sa Doha ka rin? the woman introduced herself.
Brenda nodded.
Oo, pasensya ka na ha, medyo na ho-homesick kasi ako.
Leslie smiled warmly.
Ah, First time mo? Kaya mo ‘yan. Ako nga 1 yr old lang ‘yung baby ko nung una kong punta sa Qatar.
They talked for a while. Brenda showed her the photo of Josh. Leslie looked at it with gentle eyes.
Ang gwapo, may kamukha siyang artista noon. Si John Lloyd.
Brenda smiled through her tears.
Siya ang inspirasyon ko. Para sa kanya ako nandito.
The flight continued with their conversation easing Brenda’s nervousness. When they landed in Doha, Leslie’s brother Jerome was waiting for them. He helped carry their luggage and drove them to Najma Villa, where Brenda would be staying.
Upon arrival, Brenda met her flatmates — Minnie and Winnie. They were kind and welcoming, showing her around the house and helping her settle in. Later that night, Brenda finally called Franz and Josh.
Hello, Josh! Kumusta ka anak? Brenda said, her voice full of emotion.
Mommy, hello! Kumusta ka na po? Josh replied excitedly.
Brenda smiled.
Eto, kagabi pa ako dumating kaso sabi dito madaling araw na daw dyan kaya hindi na muna ako tumawag. Ikaw Josh anak kumusta ka?
Josh told her about his day with Franz. Then Brenda asked to speak with Franz.
Thank you ha sa pag-alaga mo kay Josh.
Franz replied warmly.
Ok lang, ikaw musta ka jan Bru?
Brenda felt a wave of relief hearing their voices. She was far from home, but she was safe. Tomorrow Friday, Winnie and Minnie planned to take her around Doha and to the Museum of Islamic Art.
Back home, I continued my role as Josh’s father with everything I had. I learned to cook simple meals, to comfort a crying child at 3 AM, to help with homework, and to be patient when I was exhausted from work. The Love Bus became our sanctuary. We would ride it together, talking about school, about Mommy Brenda, about life. I tried to keep her memory alive for him.
Mama mo, malakas siya. Nagtatrabaho siya para sa’yo. Maghihintay lang tayo sa kanya.
The weight of single fatherhood became both a burden and a quiet honor. I learned to balance work, parenting, and my own emotions. And through it all, the Love Bus kept running — carrying me through another day, another challenge, another hope that Brenda would come home soon.→ story continues tomorrow!
A quiet thought came to me during those long rides… love is not only about being together. Sometimes it is about staying strong when the person you love is far away, and believing that the distance will one day bring us back to each other. The desert winds may separate us, but they cannot break what we have.
Updated July 8, 2026 from original post date October 2, 2011.
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