Eight
MASAYA, masaya ako ngayon, but at the same time, kinakabahan din.
Today is my first productive flight. We are presently in our office. I am just a field reserve today. But still, I'm happy because I am really working as an operating crew starting to this day.
"Gab, balita ko kasama raw si Aubrey sa Incheon flight."
Bumaling ako kay Kit. Tsismis na naman ang hatid niya syempre. Pero dahil si Aubrey iyon, makiki-tsismis ako.
Nagka-katext din naman kami minsan kaso, kung hindi about sa work eh parang colleagues lang kung mag-usap.
Mahina pa kasi ako ngayon, soon I'll court her when I have the chance, and if she's ready, of course.
"Talaga? Sayang, sana makasama ko siya sa flight."
Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako. Sana magka-milagro at ma-upgrade ako. Si Chris ay may flight na rin ngayon sa Melbourne. Kami ni Kit ngayon ay field reserve lang.
"Gabriel Lamare?"
Napatingin ako sa boses na tumawag sa akin. It was our scheduler. Tumayo ako at nilapitan siya.
"Yes Ma'am?"
She smiled. "Hi, you are upgraded into a flight today. Incheon flight specifically."
May inabot siya sa akin na sobre at extra uniform. I froze. I can't believe this. Totoo ang himala. Ngayon naniniwala na ako na may himala.
Nora Aunor is shaking...
"Gab, congrats," bati nila.
Ngumisi sa akin si Kit. "Ingat sa flight brad! Good luck!"
Wala pa rin ako sa sariling lumabas sa office. Sakto naman na naabutan ko sina Aubrey at iba pa na kasama ko sa flight na nagche-check in.
"Hi Gab! I can't believe we are on the same flight!" nakangiting bungad ni Aubrey.
Sinuklian ko siya ng ngiti at saka siya tinitigan. First productive flight, first allowance, and first flight as a cabin crew with Aubrey. Damn! It feels like I'm walking on the clouds.
We just had our check-in and immigration so now we are walking along the jet bridge with our luggage. Aubrey is filming a video. Itinapat niya sa akin ang camera.
"Say hi to the camera, Gab!"
I smiled and waved my hand. I still can't believe that I'm with Aubrey again! Maybe, I can make a move. Kahit magpakita lang ng motibo na gusto ko siya?
Bahala na...
We are in the galley right now. I heard from our purser that we will just have our discussion right here. Since maaga pa raw. Hinihintay lang namin na dumating ang captain.
Ni-review ko na lang ang bookings namin for today's flight. One hundred and seventy ang passengers namin. And it's a layover flight. Damn! Exciting!
"Hello everyone. Kamusta?"
Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. Dahan-dahan akong humarap.
He's wearing his pilot uniform and his sexy smirk. The attractiveness is still there. His well-built body and handsomeness are fucking crazy!
His eyes met mine. I did not blink nor move. I still remember what happened at his house. Nakakahiya pala 'yung ginawa ko. Biglang talon sa swimming pool nang walang dahilan.
He even lent me his clothes! I shut my eyes when I remember my clothes na iniwan ko sa bahay niya. Kamusta na kaya sila? He told me that he will give it back to me.
"The flight is three hours and forty-five minutes. The weather is good and safe..."
Ni hindi ako makapag-focus sa mga sinasabi niya. Shit! Ayokong pumalpak sa unang productive flight ko.
"Okay! It's time!"
Nagsigalawan na ang mga kasama ko sa flight. Nananatili naman akong nakatayo.
"Hey Gab, okay ka lang?"
Napabalik ako sa ulirat nang marinig ang boses ni Aubrey. Nag-aalala ang mukha nito kaya umayos ako ng tayo.
"A-ah, oo ayos lang. Sorry."
She smiled making my face heat. Fuck! Nakakahiya ako!
"Okay! Buti naman! We can do this!"
Those were the last words I heard from her before I started to work. For today's flight, I was assigned as a galley attendant.
I'm just waiting for the announcements to end. Masokowkow started announcing everything. Nagsimula na rin na ipakita ang mga safety demos. Just a little statement from our purser and we are now flying in the sky.
Since this is my first productive flight, I want to give my best in this getaway to be memorable.
I am currently at the galley preparing food and beverages for the passengers on the economy class.
Nang matapos ang lahat ng preparasyon ay tumungo na ako sa economy class para mag-serve. Smile rito, serve roon.
I happily sighed when I did all the things right. I received a call from the flight deck. It's time to feed the pilots.
I need to calm down. I'll just give the food and I'm out. My hands are shaking while preparing their food, and I don't know why.
Nang matapos ay dumiretso na agad ako sa cockpit. He's the captain for today. He looks so hot as always, and how many times did I say that?
He's so serious while controlling the aircraft. From his good-looking face to his perfectly built body. Everything about him is desirable.
Tumikhim ako. "A-ah time for meals."
Lumingon sa akin ang first officer. It's Warren Buendia. He smirked when he saw me. He automatically glances at Captain Lien and shook his head.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa naging aksyon niya. Kinuha niya sa kamay ko ang pagkain, tumalikod na agad ako at saka dali-daling bumalik sa galley.
Mabuti na lang, hindi niya ako napansin.
"Hi Gab!"
Napapitlag ako sa boses na tumawag sa akin. Aubrey with her cute face. Shit! My heart is racing so fast like crazy! Masyado nang magulo ang mga nararamdaman ko.
"H-hi, Aubrey. Kamusta?"
Pucha! Nakakakaba pa rin talaga kapag kaharap ko siya. She pursed her lips. Nanliit ang mata niya na parang nag-iisip.
"Hmm. I'm enjoying our flight. Noong una, kinakabahan ako pero 'pag nagtagal na pala i-enjoy mo na lang!" cute niyang sabi.
I want to pinch her cheeks. Our last flight together was still memorable for me even if I did something crazy back then...
"Yeah, me too."
I'm still looking at her. Sana mahalata niya na may gusto ako sa kaniya. Para hindi na ako mahirapan pa. Akma ulit akong magsasalita nang makarinig kami ng tikhim sa kung saan.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang purser namin. Shit! Nakakahiya. Dali-dali kaming bumalik sa ginagawa.
The flight just passed smoothly. I heard the captain's announcement. I am currently sitting at the jump seat together with Aubrey.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at the Incheon airport. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened."
I can see the fascinating view of Korea. I almost forgot! It's winter since December na. Mabuti na lang at dala ko ang trench coat na ibinigay ng airline sa amin.
"Thank you for flying with us, Mabuhay."
Finally! Fucking fuck! Lay over flight in Korea! Puwede kaming gumala. Puwede ko rin kayang maaya si Aubrey?
Kasalukuyan naming hinihintay ang sundo papunta sa hotel. Free accommodation with allowance pa!
Isinuot ko ang trench coat at pinagmasdan ang mga tao. This is my first time in Korea so I am just a little bit amazed by the place and nation.
Naramdaman ko na may nilalang na tumabi sa gilid ko. I slowly turn my head and saw Captain Lien with his serious look. He is still wearing his black coat and hat. He's so cool, bagay na bagay talaga sa kaniya.
Bumaba ang tingin niya sa akin kaya umiwas ako ng tingin. Masyado na yata akong matagal na nakatingin sa kaniya.
Tumigil ang isang sasakyan sa harapan namin. Nauna nang naglakad sina Captain papasok sa sasakyan. Sinundan namin sila at tahimik na sumakay.
When we arrived at the hotel, we just checked in and went to our respective rooms. Mag-isa ako sa kuwarto dahil halos babae ang kasama ko sa flight. Hindi naman kami puwedeng magsama ni Aubrey sa iisang kuwarto dahil babae siya. At saka hindi rin siya papayag.
Inayos ko na lang muna ang mga gamit ko. Sobrang lamig! Mabuti na lang at handa ako sa mga gamit pati na sa mga damit ko.
Pagkatapos ng pagmumuni-muni ay napagpasyahan kong maligo. Nagsuot ako ng damit na panlaban sa lamig. Sa kalagitnaan ng pag-aayos ko ng buhok ay nakarinig ako ng katok.
Bumungad sa akin ang magandang mukha ni Aubrey. She's so lovely in her outfit.
"Let's eat Gab! Libre raw ni Captain." She giggled.
Natigilan naman ako. Ano pa nga ba ang ipagtataka ko? He's so rich as fuck! Tamang-tama na rin. After we eat with the crew, maybe I can ask her to be with me.
"Okay!"
Kinuha ko lang ang cellphone at wallet ko bago lumabas ng kuwarto. Naabutan namin sila sa lobby na nagtatawanan. I suddenly got excited.
"Oh ayan na sila. Let's go!"
Napatingin ako kay Captain Lien na nakapamulsa at seryoso pa rin ang mukha. I tried to smile, but he looked away.
Oh, what happened? Did I do something wrong?
We arrived at the Korean restaurant. Nagbibiruan pa sila na kumain na lang daw kami sa Filipino restaurant dahil na-miss daw nila kaagad ang Pilipinas.
Hindi sila mahirap pakisamahan. Sa totoo lang ay masaya silang kasama kahit na junior pa lang kami ay hindi iba ang pakikitungo nila sa amin ni Aubrey.
"Thank you Captain ah! The best ka talaga!" Nagsitawanan sila.
Busog na busog na kami, sobrang dami ng nakain ko. Hapon na nang makarating kami rito kaya gabi na rin kami natapos.
"Alam n'yo, masuwerte ka kapag naka-flight mo si Captain Lien! Napaka-galante nito eh!" singit ni first officer Warren.
Nailing na lang si Masokowkow. Ngumuso ako para pigilan ang ngiti. Ewan ko kung bakit natatawa ako ngayon.
"Guys! First snow daw ngayon! Ang suwerte natin! Ayaw n'yo ba gumala?" they suggested.
It's actually a good idea. Nakaisip bigla ako ng plano. Sa una, magsasama-sama kaming gagala tapos hihiwalay kami ni Aubrey! Nice! I'm so witty.
"Let's go to Namsan tower!"
Nakasunod lang kami sa lakad nila. Magkasabayan kami ni Aubrey maglakad habang gumagala rin ang mata ko sa paligid.
Medyo naiilang ako dahil nasa likod ko si Masokowkow. I feel like he's staring at me. Pero parang hindi ako weird ngayon dahil wala akong nararamdaman na kakaiba sa kaniya.
Maybe, I'm getting rid of that feeling! Fuck! At last! But—he still has the same impact though.
"Let's ride a cable car!"
Nakapila kami ngayon para sa cable car. I can't see Aubrey, where is she? Gumala pa ang mga mata ko at naaninag siya kasama ng ibang crew sa likod.
Nang mapatingin sa harapan ay nakabukas na ang cable car. Hinihintay na sumakay ako. Akma akong aalis pero may biglang nagtulak sa akin papasok.
Nawiwindang akong tumingin roon. Bakit siya pa?
Of all people?!
Sa huli ay hindi na lang ako nagreklamo at umimik. Mabuti na lang at balot na balot siya kung 'di ay baka ano na naman ang maisip ko.
Pero panira naman siya sa plano ko. Ang akala ko makakasama ko na si Aubrey sa cable car at sabay kaming titingin sa sights pagkatapos ay aakbayan ko siya dahil nalalamigan siya.
Wala! Sira ang plano!
Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako. Nakakahiya naman sa ibang tao na nasa loob kung lalabas pa ako. Habang seryoso naman na nakatanaw si Captain Lien sa labasan. Tahimik na lang din akong tumingin sa tanawin.
Paglabas ay bumungad kaagad sa amin ang dagat ng mga tao. Halos magkasintahan ang nakikita ko.
Then suddenly, the snowflakes are falling. I can't believe my eyes. I just found myself reaching the snow on my hands.
I can't help but smile. It feels surreal. My heart flutters every time I get to catch the snow.
"Isn't it crazy?"
I slowly turn my head to the person beside me, only to see Captain Lien who was looking at me intently.
My brows furrowed in confusion. "What crazy?"
"They are locking their love padlocks. But who knows, they will only break up. They are just fooling themselves."
Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kaniya. I was taken aback. I can't even utter a word. I heave a deep sigh and cleared my throat.
"W-what do you mean?"
He avoided my gaze. He slid his hands on his pockets. Suddenly, I just saw him holding a padlock. He wrote something on it.
Naglakad siya patungo sa kung saan halos ang mga love locks. Inilagay niya roon ang kaniya at sandaling pinagmasdan ito bago bumalik sa tabi ko.
Maybe he wrote their names. Chastity and Lien.
I smirked.
"Then you are just fooling yourself, " I said, mocking him.
Such a hypocrite.
"How can you say so?" I can sense his captivated voice.
"Akala ko ba, magbe-break din? So, what's the point of locking your love locks there? I mean—don't get me wrong, I know it was you and Chastity, but—"
"Who said I wrote Chastity and me?"
Natigilan naman ako. Napapahiya akong nag-iwas ng tingin. If it was not Chastity, then who would it be? Is he a cheater?
"Are you betraying her?" Nakakaloko akong tumawa.
I kinda feel awful about Chastity, but I can't tell her, that's their problem. Hindi ako puwedeng makialam sa relasyon nila.
I heard him cracked up. Nagtataka akong tumingin sa kaniya. Ano ang nakakatawa? Baliw ba siya?
I froze when he unexpectedly pinched my nose. My eyes widened. I can't move. But one thing's for sure, my heart is beating so fast.
No...
This is just my reflex.
He chuckled. "You're really an idiot."