Coastline From The Sky- (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 09

Kabanata 09

Coastline

Kahit isang linggo lang akong hindi nakapagpalipad ng eroplano dahil sa trip ko sa Denmark ay ramdam ko sa sarili ko na sobrang miss na miss ko ang pagiging aviator na nananalaytay sa dugo ko. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa flight deck, halos amoyin ko lahat ng sulok at halikan ang cockpit. It feels like I just got my energy back pagpasok pa lang.

The way I touched the monitor, those one-week vacations I took felt like years to me. It feels like the hollow inside my heart has been filled. The sunny skies and crystal-clear water on a Denmark trip have nothing to do with it. Ragged coastline, stunning beaches, and ancient history aren't enough to take my breath away. I am still craving one thing while in that place—the aviation world. This is the home for me—huge, beautifully made, and visible from the sky.

"I miss you!" mahinang usal ko habang sinusuri ng mga mata ko ang loob. Narinig ko ang boses ni Devon na natawa, kaya nilingon ko ito.

"Ang eroplano ba talaga ang namimiss mo o ang co-pilot mo?" Devon giggled. Nakahilig ito sa pintuan ng flight deck, kaya pinanlakihan ko ito ng mga mata.

Mas lalong natawa si Devon dahil sa reaksiyon ko at agad na kinindatan si Arshed na nasa tabi ko lang, nakangisi, kaya ngumuso ako.

"Manahimik ka nga riyan, Devon, itutulad mo naman ako sa 'yo!" I rolled my eyes heavenward. She then gasped.

"Hindi ko mamimiss iyang co-pilot mo, Captain, e araw-araw ko ba namang nakikita ang pagmumukha niyan, sa tingin mo hindi ako magsasawa?" Bumungisngis si Devon. Arshed groaned beside me kaya bumaling si Devon kay Arshed na ngayon ay nakanguso na. “Did you hear what she just said, Officer Salvaleon? Your captain didn't miss you. Payag ka no’n? Ikaw namimiss mo siya, tapos siya, hindi?” Hindi ko napigilang matawa dahil sa pangga-gaslight ni Devon kay Arshed na mas lalong ikinasimangot nito.

Ganito ang routine ni Devon araw-araw bago magsimula ang biyahe namin. She’ll come here in the flight deck as soon as she sees us inside, and then starts annoyed, Arshed hanggang sa makapasok na lahat ng mga pasahero sa eroplano.

“Stop gaslighting him, Devon,” saway ko sa kanya kalaunan.

“I’m not gaslighting him, I am just stating the fact that while you were enjoying your one week vacation in Denmark for being an Aviator Of The Year, and even enjoying while talking to some handsome aviators there, someone is missing you here,” palatak ni Devon. The happiness in her eyes was evident while she tried to irritate Arshed.

“Of course I enjoyed talking to some aviators there. Socializing is part of my business there, that is why I needed to talk to them too—”

“So, your saying that talking to the handsome man you were with is just part of your job there as the representative of QIA?” ulit ni Devon sa sinabi ko kaya umismid ako.

“What’s your point of repeating my words, Devonshire?” I irritably asked her na mas lalong ikinatawa nito.

“Wala. I was just making sure. Baka kasi may isa riyan sa gilid-gilid na nagmumukmok na kasi may kasama kang gwapo at nakipag-picture pa sa ‘yo while you're fulfilling your job as an Aviator Of The Year.” She then glanced at Arshed’s side, kaya nilingon ko rin si Arshed na nakatingin sa akin. He then hissed because of what Devon said.

“Tigilan mo nga ako, Devon, kung ano-ano na lang iyang pumapasok sa utak mo.”

“At least sa utak pumapasok, hindi da bunganga.” Tumawa ng malakas si Devon dahil sa sinabi, kaya napangiwi ako.

I sat down on my chair—beside Arshed— before I busied myself on the monitor. Nanatiling nakatayo si Devon sa may pintuan ng flight deck at inaasar pa rin si Arshed. Na kung hindi pinapatulan ng isa ay sisimangot na lang din.