Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XXVII: Windshear

A change in wind direction and speed between slightly different altitudes.

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December 7th, 0300Z (1100LCL)
Aircraft registration: Airbus A320 | RP-C9918
Departure: RPVP | Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan, Philippines
Arrival: RPVE | Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, Caticlan, Philippines
Flight route: RPVE – SAIR1E – SAIRA – SAIRA – W291 – KALAH – Z151 – PALAY – W2 – IOO – TR14 – KLO – KLO7A - RPVE
(RPVE – SAIR1E – SAIRA – KALAH – WAKAN – PALAY – IGANG – IOO – BUSOG – KLO – KLO7A – RPVE)

After what happened last night, I am once back to considering whether to continue the growing acquaintance I have with Elian or not. But as the incident only involves the two of us, and no one else had been around to figure that awkwardness, I can say that I gain a clear understanding that Elian's actions towards me are very much parallel to that of interest; and even if there had been no exact wordings about it, a few words out of him are like clear indications of that from his side.

In the end, I don't want to be so assuming myself that there's really something beyond his actions.

That morning, the rain seems to be prevalent than anything. The winds are also quite too strong that one may think that a storm is coming; however, based on the predictions, there hadn't been any. But the violent waves is enough for our morning activity for the Underground River to be canceled. Not to mention that there are also some warnings that flights may be canceled, too, if the weather worsens. So, instead of being stuck here for a day or more, the rest of the team made an agreement with the flight and cabin crews that we're heading earlier to our next destination.

Hence, by the time we're all done and ready to go, we jump on back to the plane, awaiting clearance dutifully given after ten to thirty minutes of delay for an open window from the weather, and we're all aboard for Caticlan. Since such flight route is not offered by the airlines, this flight turns out to be a ferry one for the purpose of the promotional shoot. With too many vacant seats available, I manage to find a seat far from the rest of my team and live in such a lifetime moment as this.

The take-off and climb out had been a little tricky due to the weather, but it isn't one worthy of worry or trouble as both of our pilots deduced that the weather isn't as violent once above the clouds, and after a few shaking and turbulence, the rest of the flight had been calm and smooth-sailing.

To busy myself, I take my laptop and access through the team's drive of the latest photos and videos we've taken. It is strictly locked that anyone of us can only view it right now and not do anything more, and doing so leads me to look on to respective shoots that primarily involve Elian. And it is really so strange to find how it becomes much more evident that he is starting to resemble so much like César.

Ayaw kong isipin na unti-unti siyang kumikilos na parang si César, I think. Hindi kakayanin ng puso ko!

"(Y/N)?" a flight steward calls for my attention. At first, I didn't recognize him at all, but after a few days of interaction, I finally realize that I learned of his name through my dreams than in this reality. He is one of PAAC's pilots, too; and also, a close friend of César's—Salvador Manlunas. And I do not need to look on at his name plate to be assured that he's really Salvador.

I instantly close the laptop and turn to him with an embarrassed smile. "A-Ah, yes?"

He then places a small cup of warm tea on the next seat's table. The smell of it calms my nerves at once as he says, "Some chamomile tea. Freshly brewed."

I gulp in hard. "Hindi ako humingi ng tea, sir." I correct myself at once, remembering that he also tells me a few days ago, during the PR team and the flight and cabin crews' introduction to address one of us not too formal with one another, "I mean, Sal."