AVIATRICE

Three days. It has been three days ever since I received a message from that perverted civilian. Kakabalik ko lang kahapon galing Pilipinas, and luckily today is my day off. My next flight from Italy to the Philippines will be tomorrow. 

I'm happily spending my leisure time in a cafe near Della Signora, a plaza in Florence, Italy. It's approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes away from the hotel I stayed, but I liked it here. The buildings and infrastructures were rich in Renaissance architecture; the ambiance is also pleasing just by gazing at the framed art on the walls inside this establishment. 

I was peacefully listening to San Francisco Street by Sun Rai when a message from Distaunce popped up. 

You out somewhere? Please wrap your poor brother a sandwich and cappuccino. 

Iginulong ko na lang ang mata ko bago ipatong ang phone ko sa glass table. I don't mind bringing him one, pero paniguradong sa loob ng dalawang oras ng pagbyahe lusaw na ang kape niya pag dating ko ng airport. 

I texted him back before opening one of the group chats that belonged to my circle of friends in the Philippines. Kassidy just broke up with his three-day boyfriend, who doesn't let her go out with the girls in the bar for a party. And now she is talking to another guy who is green but is a mama's boy. 

Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys)
Istg, he's a soft boi! Super gentleman and soft-spoken!

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Amaccana Kass! Sino na naman yan? 

Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
Break na sila nung gym rat? 

↫Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) replied to Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
Break na sila nung gym rat? 
Ekis din talaga sa mga gym rat na lalaki mga pakboi! 

Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
E sino na naman yang bagong lalaki ni akla? 

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Sinech itey?

↫Kassidy (Tirador Ng Depboys) replied to Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) 
Sinech itey? 
Si guy na may car na mama's boi! 

↫Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) replied to Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys) 
Si guy na may car na mama's boi!
Hindi ka ba matutulad dyan sa issue ni Kyline saka nung Mavy na mama's boi? HAHAHA omg

Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys) 
Hoy! Hindi naman siguro! Although mama's boi siya he lives independently na kaya! 

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) 
D mo sure! Gaga mas malala ang trauma sa soft spoken na mga lalaki! 

↫Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys) replied to Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
D mo sure! Gaga mas malala ang trauma sa soft spoken na mga lalaki!
Base from experience ba yan? KSKSKSKS 

Sachal (Aviatrice Sachal Coronia removed you from the group)
Mas malala pa rin trauma ng mga lalaki galing sa inyo

Kassidy Typing. . .

Arianne Typing. . .

Fejia Typing. . .

Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys)
Gaga ka talaga! Akala ko ni-remove mo na kami sa GC! 

 Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Tangina talaga neto ni Avi minsan na nga lang mag message sa GC parang nang aamok pa ng away. 

Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang) 
Hala! ni-remove ako ni Avi?

↫Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) replied to Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
Hala! ni-remove ako ni Avi?
Makakapag-message ka ba kung ni-remove ka? Bobo lang? 

Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
Ganon ba yun? 

 Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Gusto mo try? 

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) removed Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang) from the group.

Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer) 
Si Fejia parang hindi nag Grade 2 amp

↫Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys) replied to Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Si Fejia parang hindi nag Grade 2 amp
Ibalik mo na yun gago! Baka i-post niya mga pics natin nung lasing tayo! Mayayari pa tayo! 

Napailing na lang ako. Na-miss ko rin tong tatlong bugok na 'to. We've known each other for three years now. Nakilala ko lang sila sa isang bar sa Pilipinas. The three of us were coincidently involved in a misunderstanding that led to a catfight with a group of women. Going back, the reason was just so funny. 

Ang naaalala ko lang, they were jealous of the attention we're receiving. Marahil ay kami lang ang tinitignan at pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng mga lalaki roon. Honestly, it was such an immature fight. Sometimes, people should accept the fact that there are those born prettier than them. 

Nagtipa ako ng ire-reply sa kanila. I informed them that I will have a flight tomorrow and I can stay in the Philippines for three days. Matagal na rin kasi simula noong nagkasama kaming tatlo. 

Sachal (Aviatrice Sachal Coronia removed you from the group)
When are you all free for the next three days? I will be staying in the Philippines for a while. 

Kassidy (Tirador ng Depboys)
Yess! Sa wakas! Bar tayoo! Marami akong bebeboys na papakilla sayo!

Arianne (Tirador ng Engineer)
Ehem! Beke nemen may kakilala kang mga Aeronautical Engineer dyan? 

Fejia (Tirador ng Gurang)
Huyy! Ipaalam niyo ako kay mommy! 

I frowned. If I remembered it right, Fejia is already a consenting adult. She's around 25 or 26 but her parents still controls her life. Modern Cinderella ang peg. Bawat lakad namin kailangan pa talaga namin siya ipaalam sa mom niya or sa dad. Pahirapan pa yayain, kulang na lang gawan namin ng PPT nanay niya para lang payagan siyang lumabas.

Sachal (Aviatrice Sachal Coronia removed you from the group)
I'll let you know if I arrived. See ya, girlies!

I was about to exit the messenger on my phone when another message popped up. It was from another group chat. This was exclusively for female airline workers. Doon ay kanya-kanya naman silang agawan sa mga newly hired pilot at airport security force. Most of them were young flight attendants who were head over heels for wanting to be in a relationship in the workplace.

For me, though, having a workplace relationship is inappropriate. It causes distraction and unavailability to finish work professionally. 

I muted the group chat and locked my phone. I called for the waitress to order a black coffee and proceeded to open the book I just bought recently. It was entitled 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck'. It was a pretty interesting book that helps you become a better person, to become realistic and practical when dealing with the decisions you make in your life. 

"Ecco il suo caffè nero, signora." I smiled at the waitress before putting my book down. She served me a pure black coffee with a three-layered pancake. 

[Translation: Here's your black coffee, ma'am.]

I was enjoying my coffee when I felt a tall man sitting before me. I did not bother to glance at him and focused on reading my book. "C'è qualcosa che ti serve?" Hindi niya pinansin ang tanong ko kaya kumunot ang noo ko. 

[Translation: Is there anything you need?]

"May I have the same order as this lady?" Doon ay binaba ko na ang kapeng hawak ko upang tapunan siya ng tingin. 

I nearly spit the coffee out of my mouth when I recognized him. Those striking green eyes and chiseled jawline. He's the man who went inside my hotel room in the middle of the night! 

"You again?" I whispered—umayos ako ng upo.

"What are you doing here?" Kaagad kong tanong sa kanya. 

I scanned him from head to toe. He wore a formal black suit with a navy blue hanky on his breast pocket. Agaw pansin din ang cufflinks niya na may kakaibang disenyo ng ahas. He was also holding a black leather briefcase. 

Is he a lawyer? 

"Do you own this coffee shop?" Umiling ako. He snickered. "This is a pubic establishment, so why can't I be here?" Napairap na lang ako sa kawalan dahil sa pamimilosopo niya. I don't think this is just a mere coincidence. Malaki trust issues ko sa mga ganito. 

"For a person who entered my room in the middle of the night, texted my number like a creepy stalker, and suddenly showed up in front of me out of nowhere, you got the nerve to be this arrogant?" I blurted out, glaring at him. 

Bumuka ang bibig niya upang sumagot sa akin, pero hindi na natuloy ang kung ano mang sasabihin niya dahil dumating na ang waitress para ilatag sa mesa ang order niya. 

"Do I look that threatening?" He asked after sipping his coffee. "I just want to express my gratitude for helping me that night." He added with his monotone voice. 

Tinitigan ko lang siya. There's no particular emotion in his deep green eyes. It was blank, and I could not even read it. 

"I don't trust animals with a tail in front." I countered, lifting the book to avoid eye contact with him.

"Likewise. I don't trust someone that bleeds three to five days and doesn't die." My eyes almost twitch with his response. Binaba ko ang librong hawak ko at tinitigan siyang prenteng nakaupo habang sumisimsim ng kape. 

I could not make any further conversation with this man. Just exchanging a few words with him made me conclude he was difficult to deal with, or was it because he was a lawyer? 

"Helping you was the basic thing a civilian could do seeing you in that state," I commented, fixing my hair against the back of my ear. 

Narinig ko ang paglapag ng cup ng kape sa mesa. I glanced at his direction. He was leaning his arms on the table. Ilang pulgada lang ang layo niya sa mukha ko. "The first thing a normal civilian would do is to call a police for an intruder and bring him in the hospital for treatment." Napakurap-kurap ako. 

When did he become this close to me?  Before I could even generate more thoughts, I was interrupted by his voice. 

"But instead, you tended my wounds personally and took care of me without asking anything. I don't know if you're smart or just dumb enough to let a stranger inside your room." He moved his face closer to mine. Tanging ang libro lang ang nagsisilbing harang sa pagitan naming dalawa. 

"It's not possible that you've fallen for this face, haven't you?" He teased. Saglit kong nahigit ang hininga ko. For some unknown reason, my face was flustered, earning a wide grin from his lips. 

Fortunately, I was able to bring myself back on track. I smiled and gave him a smug look. Marahas kong tiniklop ang libro sa pagitan ng mukha naming dalawa, dahilan upang matamaan ng dulo ng libro ang tungki ng ilong niya. 

"I guess you will have to lose your license as a lawyer to prove that statement, attorney." Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito bago muling bumalik sa pagkakaupo sa upuan niya. Sumimsim ulit ito ng kape na para bang wala lang nangyari. 

Now that I have looked at him, he seems decent. But of course, I was judging him based on how he clothed himself. His attitude was nonchalant, a perfect fit for his profession. 

"Do you love the coffee?" That's no brainer kaya tumango ako sa naging tanong niya. 

"Alright." He took a pile of paper inside his briefcase, stood up, and went to the counter. He was talking to the waitress for a few seconds and spoke to someone over the telephone. Maya maya ay may binigay siyang papeles sa waitress at bumalik mula sa pagkakaupo. 

"As a sign of gratitude, I bought this establishment under your name." Naibuga ko ang kape na iniinom ko dahil sa sinabi niya.  

"You what?!" Naisinghal ko sa kawalan. 

Who the hell buys a whole coffee shop as a sign of gratitude? 

"I will not—" Itinaas niya ang kaliwang kamay niya kaya napatigil ako sa pagsasalita—wait, why did I even listen to him? 

He picked up his phone from his pocket and returned to sit before me. "Yes, did they already arrive in the Philippines?" Pumintig ang tenga ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. I stared at him once again. Hindi naman siya mukhang may lahing pinoy, but he doesn't look like a pure Italian either. 

"Make sure my babies are safe." Umawang ang bibig ko ng ilang segundo, pero kaagad ko rin naman sinara iyon bago niya pa makita. 

Mukha namang ka-edad ko lang siya, may hitsura rin at may trabaho kaya hindi impossible na may asawa at anak na siya. Unlike me, who is also old enough to get married and have kids but stays single to explore and enjoy my life. Don't get me wrong, I got the beauty and brains. I am also financially stable, but I am only single by choice. 

"I don't think this is necessary, I don't live here." Binalik ko ang libro sa loob ng bag ko at tumayo. I need to leave. 

"Pull out the money and documents you used to buy this establishment. I don't need it." I was about to leave when he held my wrist. Natigilan ako nang may kung anong ilaw na sumilaw sa mata ko. 

A red laser. 

"Don't move." He commanded, his voice firm and serious. 

Nanlamig ang kamay ko. Halos hindi na ako huminga nang makita ko ang repleskyon ng maliit na pulang ilaw sa glass windows ng cafe. It has been years since the last time I witnessed that small dot. 

A sniper's mark. 

I calmed myself down and pretended as if I didn't notice anything. Bumalik ako sa pag-upo. I clasped my hands on the table and stared at it while thinking. Isang rason kaagad ang pumasok sa isipan ko. Our identities were concealed in that mission. No one could have leaked any information because it was classified. 

But why am I being targeted? 

"Is there something wrong?" Nabalik ako sa realidad nang bigla magtanong ang lalaking kaharap ko. He sounded worried at some point. Now that I realized it, I don't even know his name. 

"Nothing. Is there anything else you need?" I asked, trying to make the conversation even longer. 

Inikot ko ang paningin ko. Wala masyadong tao sa loob ng cafe pero marami ang tumatambay sa labas. At this rate, I could not afford to go out. Who knows what's waiting for me outside? Baka may iba pang madamay kung sakali. 

"I would like to return something from you." Nawala sa isip ko ang pag-aalala nang may iwagayway itong manipis na tela sa harapan ko. Kaagad na nangamatis ang mukha ko dahil sa kahihiyan. 

My lace underwear!

"You little—" I attempted to snatch it away from him, but he leaned in closer and smirked at me. 

"Little?" He mused. "Are you sure it's little?" Hindi ko alam kung magla-lag ba ang utak ko sa ginagawa niya o sa mga pinagsasabi niya. 

"Why are you shy?" He continued to tease. "You were brave enough to use it to bandage my wound." Tumayo ako upang agawin ito sa kanya, but he stood up and raised his left hand higher. Dahil sa tangkad niya ay hindi ko ito maabot. 

Napabuga ako nang malalim na hininga. Talagang naaubos na pasensya ko sa lalaking 'to. Bumwelo ako. I plan to climb on his knee and jump to get my hands on my underwear, pero nagulat na lang ako nang pagtalon ko ay sinalo niya ako as if he was already expecting I'll do that.

Ngayon ay nakalingkis ang binti ko sa bewang niya. His broad chest was able to withstand the impact of my body, but he suddenly faked a fall. Kasabay ng pagtumba namin ay ang nakakabinging pagputok ng baril. Nabasag ang glass windows at buong akala ko ay maliligo na ako sa bubog. 

When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see this perverted man on top of me, shielding me from the broken glasses. I gaze at him with a confused face. 

What the hell is going on?

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ