Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

X - Beacon

A light or radio signal for navigational purposes. Switching on the beacon lights usually meant that the master switch is on; hence, alerting the people on ramp to proceed with caution as the aircraft may start its engine or move away from its parking.

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December 3rd, 0000Z (0800LCL)
Aircraft registration: Airbus A321-231 | RP-C9918
Departure: RPMD | Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao, Philippines
Arrival: RPVM | Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Cebu, Philippines
Flight route: RPMD - JOFE3P - JOFER - W8 - BOHOL - BOHOL1 - RPVM
(RPMD – JOFE3P – JOFER – W8 – BOHOL – BOHOL1 - RPVM)

After today's morning flight from Davao to Cebu, with passengers with us in order not to have a ferry flight alone, everyone decides to use the rest of the day to our own liking. For once, the schedule had been quite free, and it also makes me have a good excuse to spare myself from meeting Elian more. With the latest dream, I am also starting to grow cautious of having to interact with Capt. Zablan, knowing what his fate is in my dream, but his happy-go-luck nature definitely didn't help enough when I am the one assigned for the cameras installed in the cockpit for the flight. Thankfully, it is all the rest of interactions that I need to deal with until being given a free signal to spend the rest of the day how I want it.

After all, the only reason that we can slack somehow like this is because Cebu is still the airline's secondary hub. In short, even if the airlines will be needing to pay for the overnight stays of the aircraft, it isn't as expensive as a stay to an airport not considered a hub.

However, the folded jacket on top of my packed clothes is like a mockery to me that there is no chance for me to escape a confrontation. If I ever want to keep a professional relationship with him, it is better to make that as a statement. Thankfully, Elian is yet to do something that will cause a lot of raised eyebrows.

I mean, he said before that me having his jacket will cause an additional flare of commotion and gossip about what is truly going on between us. When I first feared that he will take it on his own ways, it seems like he just let it go as how he wants it to be and nothing more. In the first place, it appears like he is just playing tricks with me.

To make some sort of finality to it, I decide that I'll be returning his coat to him not later this day. Since it had been in my possession for a few days, it is only proper of me to have it cleaned before being returned. And since it isn't a suit jacket or what, I just search for a laundry shop.

I swear that the cashier at the shop looked at me in question about what I am actually thinking of only having a jacket to be cleaned and dried, and nothing more. I mean, I have clothes worth of for the rest of our trip and I fear that it will cost me more to add that of my own. Hence, even if the jacket weighs below the minimum, I am willing to pay the necessary cost for a kilo and the soap to be used. And due to the quantity, I am all out of the laundry shop in less than thirty minutes.

Before heading back to the hotel, I take a quick lunch and stay by the seaside while treating myself some ice cream. I know that I need it, especially upon realizing at our arrival where we are supposed to be staying at.

"Siguro 'di niyo na inabutan 'yong dating airport dito sa Cebu, ano?" Capt. Zablan asked the rest of us by the time we're disembarking the plane, and then he laughs. "Though hindi pa naman ako ganoon katanda para maging piloto at that time. But family travels. However, a little bit of history. At that former airport din nagmula 'yong eroplano ni Ramon Magsaysay bago mag-crash doon sa may Balamban. Pero matagal-tagal pa rin bago pinasara 'yon dahil nga sa ginagawang improvement dito sa current airport."