AVIATRICE

Napatitig ako sa tatlong babaeng kasama ko. Napailing na lang ako nang nakitang medyo may tama na silang tatlo. As soon as I landed in the Philippines, they spared no time to invite me for a night out. And here we are, drinking in a club.

"Look at us!" Dinuro ako ni Kassidy, kasunod ay tinuro niya rin si Arianne at Fejia. "We're in a club but we're wearing business suits!" Humagalpak ito ng tawa.

Saka ko lang napansin na naka formal attire pala kaming lahat. We were wearing neutral colors and old-money-styled suits. Tanging si Kassidy lang ang naka two-inched above the knee skirt, the rest of us were in tight slacks.

"How's your work, girlies? Aside from Avi, of course. We all know she nearly died." Kassidy wheezed before chugging her drink.

"All is well, though puro reklamo ng mga engineers ang natatanggap ko dahil sa complex ng designs ko, wala pa rin naman silang magagawa." Arianne snorted before crossing her legs. Napalingon naman kami kay Fejia na nakakunot na ang noo.

"I received a call to organize a party last week, I clearly heard it was a party, kaya binonggahan ko ang designs. May mga balloons and confetti's and invitations, naka red carpet pa! Nagulat na lang ako sa mismong araw ng event, kabaong ang bumungad sa akin. Funeral pala, tangina." Kitang-kita ang inis sa mukha ni Fejia habang nagkukwento kaya hindi namin mapigilan matawa.

"Gaga ka, baka naman nabingi ka. Ang layo ng party sa funeral!" Iling-iling na wika ni Kassidy.

"I thought so too! But it turns out yung tumawag sa akin is anak sa labas nung namatay! She's got beef with her dead father kaya imbis funeral ginawang birthday party ang theme! Dinamay niya pa trabaho ko!" Bugnot nitong atugal bago lumaklak ng alak.

She looks pissed. Well, I can't blame Fejia. She takes her work professionally. Siya ang pinaka workaholic sa aming apat. She takes pleasure and satisfaction by organizing people's once-in-a-lifetime events.

"How about your love life?" Sa pagkakataong ito ay ako naman ang nagtanong. Arianne clapped her hands.

"Don't get me started! Oh my Gosh! I met this guy, he's a Civil Engineer. Akala ko green flag siya, since he's a good guy. Isang araw na-admit ako sa hospital kasi inatake ako ng anemia. He donated three bags of blood to me. I was thankful and all until one day, I caught him cheating with a girl." She paused for a while and hissed. "Syempre, I broke up with him! I don't tolerate cheaters!" She continued.

"Isang araw pumunta siya sa bahay ko asking me na ibalik sa kanya yung dugo na binigay niya sa akin. Like, hello? Paano ko ibabalik sa kanya? Timing may regla ako ng araw na yun. Kaya sinampal ko ang napkin ko sa mukha niya at sinabihan kong magbabayad ako sa punyetang dugo niya monthly!" Kulang na lang ay umusok ang ilong ni Arianne habang nagkukwento.

Unang bumunghalit ng tawa si Kassidy. "Gaga, ganyan talaga ang mga lalaki. Nice lang sila for a few weeks, after niyan end na yung free trial kaya lalabas na totoong ugali nila." Parang ulagang hinampas-hampas pa nito ang mesa kakatawa sa naging kwento ni Arianne.

"Mga red flag talaga yang mga engineer, Arianne. Hindi ka pa ba nadadala? What's with you and your obsession with engineers e mga amoy bakal at semento naman mga yan." Patutsada ni Fejia.

"Oh, look who's talking! Ikaw nga mga nagugustuhan mo mga gurang! What's with you being attracted to older guys?" Fejia rolled her eyes and faced her.

"Older guys are more emotionally mature and stable. They are less likely to be involved in an argument and would choose to compromise. I want a man to be my peace, not my chaos.  That's what makes them attractive to me." On a serious take, she had a point.

"Ang seryoso naman ng sagot mo, Fejia." Pairap na komento ni Arianne bago ngumuso kay Kassidy.

"Oh, Ikaw kamusta naman love life ng fashion designer naming playgirl?" Pang-aasar niya pa rito.

Mabilis itong napangiwi. Nilagyan ko ng alak ang baso ko at uminom. It looks like she had a lot to tell. "Remember the last time I said na I'm talking with a Mama's boy? I thought it was good since he was a filial son. Pero, I was wrong. Lahat ng desisyon niya nakadepende sa nanay niya. Ultimo kahit destination ng date namin." Halata ang pagkairita sa boses niya.

"He wants a traditional woman who will submit to him. A virgin and a good cook that does not go to parties. But he isn't a virgin either, hindi rin siya marunong magluto. He goes to parties more often than I am. Why are his preferences only applicable to me? Bakit hindi niya rin i-apply sa sarili niya?" Napailing na lang din si Fejia at Arianne dahil sa naging hinaing niya.

"What's with men wanting a home girl but secretly wanting to screw a party girl? Shame on them." Arianne bluntly stated while playing with the glass of liquor on her left hand. Her tone sounded disappointed.

"What are you girls talking about? A home girl is the best, they are obedient." Napalingon kami sa tatlong lalaking dumaan sa table namin. Napataas ang kilay ko nang bigla-bigla itong umupo sa tabi namin nang walang imbitasyon.

"Obedient? You only want women to obey you and not question anything." Matigas na wika ni Arianne habang nakatingin nang masama sa lalaking katabi niya.

"Exactly. What do women like you serve on the table anyway? All you do is give us a child and care for the house. While men go out and make a living to feed you." Nagkatinginan kaming apat. I saw a glint of anger in their eyes. Oopsie.

"What kind of mentality is that?" Singhal ni Kassidy.

"It's called alpha mentality." The other guy proudly answered.

"More like a toxic mentality for me." Ungos ni Kassidy.

Kapwa sila may katabing lalaki at ako ang nakapwesto sa gitna nila na walang katabi. "Ah, you must be an independent woman? One who pays her own bills and doesn't need a man, hmm?" Tinitigan ko lang si Kassidy na kanina pa kumikibot ang bibig.

"There's no such thing as an independent woman, jerk. There's nothing special about a woman being able to live on their own and pay their bills. It's called adulting." Binalya ni Kassidy ang braso ng lalaking umaaktong akbayan siya.

"You claim to have an alpha mentality, but you have narrow-ended arguments." She countered. This time, Arianne stood up and glared at them before she spoke. 

"And what do women serve on the table, you say?" She paused.

"Absolutely nothing," She smiled and slammed her drink on the table. "That's why you marry a man so that he can bring things to the table with you." Sarkastiko niyang saad.

"We also don't need you at our table, and we'd appreciate it if you pick up girls with your mentality." Pagpapalayas ni Fejia sa kanila.

Pikon namang tumayo ang mga ito. "You all are boring." I tilt my head. Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang lalaking nagsabi no'n.

"And what makes you interesting?" Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. Kapagkuwan ay nginisihan ko rin siya.

"Your looks are average; your fashion sucks, and your mindset is trash." I maintained eye contact with him and smiled.

"On second thought, someone might be interested in you. A garbage collector to pick up trash like you." Umigting ang panga nito. He left without saying a word. Insulted.

"Whooo! You girls sure is scary as hell!" Sabay napatuon ang atensyon namin kay Distaunce naka nakasandal sa pader malapit sa table namin. He was leaning his back with his arms crossed.

"Thought you'd need my help, so I kept watch. I was amazed how you all handled those jerks with class and elegance." They gave him a dead-ass stare. Itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay niya sa ere.

"Relax! Eto na aalis na! Nasa kabilang table lang naman ako! Hindi ako sasali sa sa inyo! Tsk!" Rumolyo na lang ang  mata ko.

Umuwi rin si Distaunce 'gaya ng gusto ni papà. He arrived with Nat and Greece, who also planned to have a vacation in the Philippines. We were given two weeks to rest and receive counseling, while Distaunce was suspended for a month for breaking a protocol.

"Pero maiba tayo, Avi. Ano nakain mo at ikaw ang naunang nagtanong tungkol sa love life namin?" Nagdududang tanong sa akin ni Kassidy. She was giving me a suspicious stare na para bang may malaking bagay akong tinatago sa kanila.

"Oo nga, that's so odd. Nasaan na yung babaeng nagsabing hindi niya kailangan ng lalaki para sumaya?" Gatong ni Arianne bago magtawag ng waiter para umorder ng bagong set ng alak.

"Ay hindi talaga sisilbi sa akin yang motto ni Avi. Hindi ako cactus na nabubuhay kahit walang dilig." Hirit ni Kassidy. Napahalakhak naman ang mga ito.

"But seriously, what's up, Avi? Did someone catch your attention? What was he like?" Interesadong tanong ni Fejia.

"Is he tall and handsome?"

"What's his line of work?"

Napasapo na lang ako dahil sa naging kasunod na tanong ni Kassidy at Arianne. They're jumping into conclusions again.

"I am not in love." Sabay nagsikunutan ang noo nila.

"Then what?" They chorused.

Kinuwento ko sa kanila ang sitwasyon ko. Nagdaan ang ilang segundo ay nakatingin lang ang mga ito sa kawalan na para bang may malalim na iniisip.

"So your grandfather wanted to see you get married?" Napatango ako sa naging tanong ni Arianne.

"Is it a typical arranged marriage thingy?" Fejia questioned. Umiling ako.

"He simply wants you to find love?" Kassidy concluded.

"May natitipuhan ka ba?" She added. "Maybe a stranger in Italy or your co-pilot? A passenger?" Lumagok ako ng alak.

Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay may imahe ng lalaki ang biglang lumitaw sa isipan ko. I laughed in my head. Why the hell am I even thinking about that jerk? The alcohol must be trying to play games with me.

"Si Avi may matitipuhan? Impossible. Maniniwala pa akong maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya pero ayaw siya lapitan dahil akala nila boyfriend niya ang kambal niya." They started laughing. Well, Arianne was right.

Some men tried to pursue me but immediately stopped when they saw me close with Distaunce. They had no idea I had a twin then, and it was a blessing in disguise. At least I didn't have to deal with desperate men all through these years.

"May sa aso rin 'ata yang kambal mo e, kahit saan sinusundan ka. The moment you decided to be a commercial pilot, he resigned as a high ranked lieutenant to become an ATC. Does he have a sister complex?" Fejia started nitpicking.

But it was all God's plan. If he wasn't an ATC by then, I am not sure how I would survive that hijacking if he wasn't there to help. "How do you plan to find a husband in just a few weeks?" Pang-uusisa ni Kassidy. Her eyes were looking at me with curiosity.

"Clearly, she can't say no to Lolo Fabian. She owe him a lot." Aniya ni Arianne habang may hinahalungkat sa purse niya.

"I got a brilliant idea!" Gegewang-gewang na lumapit sa gawi ko si Kassidy na may kakaibang ngisi sa labi. Pabagsak siyang umupo sa tabi ko sabay angat ng phone niya.

"I am a famous fashion designer, and you can't underestimate my fanbase. I will post you on all my social media platforms looking for a suitable husband. Nakakasigurado ako kinaumagahan may pagpipilian ka na." I look at her as if she just said something I would disapprove of.

"Oh, come on! Give it a shot, Avi! This is the fastest way! Ano gusto mo makipag-blind date sa sangkatutak na lalaki? That'll be a waste of time!" Pangungumbinsi niya pa. Umiling ako per mukhang kahit ano mang sabihin ko ay hindi niya papakinggan.

"That's actually a nice idea. Patingin ako, ish-share ko sa timeline ko!" Pati si Arianne ay tumabi na rin kay Kassidy at nakikalikot ng cellphone.

"Count me in." And the three started arguing about the post's content and what pictures to include.

ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.

Kinaumagahan ay naalimpungatan na lang ako dahil sa sigaw ni Distaunce. "Via! Pakikuha ng pizza na in-order ko sa Food Panda!" Sabog akong bumangon sa kama ko. Nakarinig ako ng ingay sa sarili kong banyo kaya napatingin ako doon.

"Distaunce?! Why the hell are you showering in my room?! Wala ka bang sariling shower sa kwarto mo?!" Singhal ko sa kanya. 

"Sira ang shower ko! I won't take a while, I will be done in a few minutes—oh! Can I use your shampoo? And your soap—and body wash, too!" Pinanlisikan ko siya ng mata.

My bathroom was made of clear glass, and even though I couldn't see him clearly because of the foggy effect from the shower's heat, I could imagine him going over my things with a wide smirk on his lips.

"Those are expensive! Bayaran mo ako!" Narinig ko ang pag-ingos niya. 

"You are the pilot here! You earn more than I do! Mayaman ka na nga buraot ka pa!" Bumangon ako sa kama ko at nakapamewang na humarap sa pinto ng banyo ko. 

"Magbabayad ka or kakaladkarin kita palabas?" He sighed in defeat.

"Okay fine! Just pick up the food outside! Naka COD yun, kunin mo na lang ang pera sa likod ng case ng phone ko! Kanina pa naghihintay ang Food Panda driver doon!" I clicked my tongue. Aga-aga, hindi pa ako nakahilamos at mumog inuutusan na ako. 

Pinulot ko ang phone niya na nakalapag sa mesa ko bago bumaba ng kwarto ko. Why would he even crave for a pizza early in the morning? Tsk.

Paglabas ko ng gate ay nagkasalubong ang kilay ko dahil wala naman akong nakitang Food Panda driver. Hindi kaya umalis na yun sa sobrang tagal? Parang tanga naman kasi 'to si Distaunce alam na may hinihintay na order nagawa pang maligo e dalawang oras pa naman bago matapos maligo ang hudyong yun. 

Akmang papasok na ako sa loob nang may tumigil na big bike sa tapat ko. My eyes landed on its customized parts down to its perfectly modeled grip. I know little about big bikes, but I'm sure this one's expensive. 

"Here's your pizza, madam." Napa 'ha?' na lang ako sa isip-isipan ko. Hindi ko masyado pinansin ang Arabic accent niya dahil naka-glue lang ang mata ko sa ganda ng big bike niya. 

I look at him. He looks like a decent guy. He was wearing a cargo pants and a plain black sando. May kung anong tela na nakapalibot sa ulo at ibabang bahagi ng mukha niya. I can only see his thick brows and hazel eyes. Napatikhim ako. 

He's the delivery guy? He doesn't look like one! Ni wala ngang Food Panda box sa likod ng big bike niya. Mukhang mas mahal pa nga ang gas ng big bike niya kesa sa inorder na pizza!

"The dogs were chasing me so fast like a ghazaal! I had to run away!" Mula sa malayo ay nakita ko ang may karamihang aso na tumatakbo papalapit sa gawi namin. A Pitbull and a German shepherd. 

"I had to go!" He squeezed his hand on the grip, starting his engine. "Oh!" He look back at me as if he just remembered something. "You're so tagal bumaba so I already paid for the pizza! Yalla!" Matapos niya iyong sabihin ay humarurot na ito paalis kasabay ng mga asong patuloy pa rin humahabol sa kanya. I was dumbfounded. Clueless and weirded out. 

What the fuck is his deal? Natagalan lang ako bumaba siya na nagbayad ng in-order na pizza? Delivery man ba talaga yun o isa na naman sa mga mayayamang walang magawa sa buhay?

Gulong-gulo akong pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Saktong paakyat na ako ng hagdan ay kakalabas lang ni Distaunce sa kwarto ko habang tinutuyo ng towel ang basa niyang buhok. Nilahad ko sa kanya ang hawak kong pizza box at kaagad niya naman itong kinuha at binuksan sa harapan ko. 

Nang magkaharap na kami ay naamoy ko ang shampoo ko kaya naningkit ang mga mata ko. Kapag talaga makita kong maraming bawas yun ay sasaksakin ko siya. "You want some?" I pursed my lips and took one slice of pepperoni pizza. 

"Ay oo nga pala, you should check your phone, kanina pa notif nang notif." Paalala niya sa akin bago bumaba ng hagdan patungong sala. 

Tamad na tamad akong pumasok sa kwarto ko at humilata sa kama. Antok kong inabot ang phone ko na nakalapag sa ilalaim ng kumot ko. My eyes narrowed when I saw 500+ emails in my professional business email account. Kaagad kong binuksan ang nagtatatadtarang emails at nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa subjects na nakalagay. 

"Husband Application?" Napabangon ako. I started clicking on my social media accounts and was bombarded by follows, mass reactions, and comments on my posts. The tag #TheSearchAviatrice went viral, and different men claimed they had all the requirements posted on social media. 

Bigla naglaro sa utak ko ang sinabi ni Kassidy kagabi. "I am a famous fashion designer, and you can't underestimate my fanbase. I will post you on all my social media platforms looking for a suitable husband. Nakakasigurado ako kinaumagahan may pagpipilian ka na." Napahilot na lang ako ng sentido. 

I visited Kassidy's account and saw hundreds of thousands of likes and comments on her post there. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang mga pictures ko na sinama niya sa post. There was a picture of me at my flight school, during work as a commercial pilot, at a party, and at the bar last night. 

I did not bother to check on the comments. Nagtungo ako sa account ni Arianne at Kassidy kung saan naka-share din ang post ni Kassidy. I bit my lower lip. Their face card never declines, in addition of their professions. A lot idolized them and follows them. Hindi nakakapagtaka na mabilis kumalat ang post ni Kassidy. 

"To those interested to marry our friend, email your application form to this—" Mariin akong napapikit. Akala ko nagbibiro lang siya. Hindi ko alam na talagang pinanindigan niya ang sinabi niya. 

I went to my desk and opened my laptop. Nahihibang na siguro ako para hindi sila pinigilan kagabi. I frustratedly opened my email and deleted every online mail with Husband Application as a subject. I was about to report Kassidy's post when a new email popped on my screen. 

𝗠𝗥𝗦. 𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘

The title subject immediately caught my attention. Salvatore? That surname again! I need to know who he is. Wala akong sinayang na oras. Agad kong binasa ang laman ng email niya at napanganga na lang ako. 

What does he mean by saying my search is over?

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ