AVIATRICE

I squeezed my eyes shut and crossed my legs, settling in like I was about to binge-watch my favorite comedy show, except the stars of this latest episode were Papá and Dad, live in their natural habitat: the Great Father and Son Bicker-fest. It was a scene I knew all too well, a comforting routine in our family dynamics.

"Pops! I told you not to kill the poor rat!" Rinig kong reklamo ng tatay ko habang paakyat ito ng hagdan papuntang second floor ng bahay.

"Are you insane, Apollo? That's a rat! It carried germs and bacteria!" Panenermon sa kanya ni papá. "What if it came in contact with clean clothes? Food? Personal things? You know how dangerous that is?" Napahinga na lang ako nang maluwag dahil kahit ako ay hindi ko alam kung paanong pati yun ay pinagtataluhan pa nilang dalawa.

"Still! You could have just trapped it and thrown it outside!" Paglalaban pa ni dad.

"And what? Let it march inside the house again? Good God, Apollo! It's a pest!" Nangungunsimeng palatak ni papá.

"What if may pamilya ang dagang yun? Pops, you just killed a—" Narinig ko ang mga yapak na parang patakbong umaakyat ng hagdan kaya paniguradong hinahabol na ni papá ng baston si dad.

"You brat! You must've come from my left nut because you don't do anything right!" Pagmulat ko ng mata ko ay naabutan ko silang naghahabulan paikot sa sofa na nasa harapan ko.

Just look at them acting like kids. Their way of flaunting their 'incredible' bond is just so... unique.

"Jesus died for you, and this how this motherfucker grows up!" Tumama ang dulo ng baston ni papá sa pwet ni dad kaya napaaray ito. Tumakbo si dad sa sofang kinauupuan ko at dinuro si papá.

"First, you said I came from your nut, gaslighting me that I don't do things right! Now you're dragging the name of God to reprimand me! So what if Jesus died for me? That's manipulative!" Saglit na inayos ni papá ang glasses niya, at kitang-kita ko ang pangungunot ng noo niya.

"That's mockery! Who taught you that manners?"

"Who else? Of course, you! Children learn from their parents!"

"Go to hell, Apollo Coronia!"

"Oh, yeah? You'll go there before me, Afabian Coronia!"

My eyes almost formed thin lines, a silent testament to the strain of their relentless bickering, like toddlers fighting over a toy echoing behind me.

I pulled out my phone when it vibrated. I licked my slightly dried lips when I noticed it was from Distaunce.

have u seen my phone? i can't find it

Parang tinubuan ng sungay dahil sa walang kwenta niyang message. Looking at my father and grandfather, and now my brother. Seriously, when will I have a normal family?

Just as I was about to switch off my phone, a text from an unknown number lit up the screen.

Good morning, my lovely wife. Can you send me the coordinates of your exact location? Don't worry, I'm on my way ;)

Nanguyamis ang mukha ko dahil sa nabasa ko. Why the heck does he need my coordinates?

Napatingin ako sa labas kung saan tanaw ang white sand ng beach. After our house was decorated with raining bullets, we decided to settle in our rest house in Palawan.

I went to my GPS app and sent him my coordinates before throwing my phone in the sofa. Paglingon ko sa gawi nila papá ay pikon na pikon itong nakatingin kay dad na may maliit na bukol sa ulo. Napailing na lang ako dahil sa kakulitan nilang dalawa.

"Can the two of you behave like adults?" Sinundan ko sila ng tingin nang umupo ang mga ito sa sofa na nasa harapan ko na parang robot na nakaprogram na gawin ang kung ano mang sasabihin ko.

I sigh. Surprisingly, as the only woman in the family, they paid attention to me and did exactly as I requested. Napansin ko ang pag-irap nilang dalawa sa isa't isa nang magtama ang paningin nila sabay lagay ng malaking space sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

"You know my fiancee will be visiting us today, right?" Napaayos ng upo ang mga ito, suddenly attentive to what I'm about to say.

"Yes, that man who represented as your brother's lawyer. The same man who also saved you from the assassination attempt?" Paninigurado ni dad. Tumango ako.

Gusto ko sana matawa dahil sa sinabi nito. That wasn't just a simple assassination attempt. I almost died! "Who could it be?" Kasunod na tanong ni dad sa kawalan habang nasa malalim na pag-iisip.

Panigurado ay iniisip niya kung sino sa mga naging kaaway niya ang may balak na pasabugin ang bungo ng mga anak niya. As an agent, he lived his life with many identities and probably killed someone else's family member for the sake of his mission. So, revenge is very common.

It would be easier if it's just one of his past clients. However, it's different this time. The Sicilian Mafias were involved in this, which is no longer a problem that the authorities can resolve by law and justice.

"I have many questions about what happened, but I'll personally ask him later." Napalunok ako sa sinabi ni papá. Nakagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko.

Bago sila makauwi ng bahay noong time na yun ay nalinis na ni Salvatore ang mga bangkay na nagkalat sa mansyon. All the evidences that it was a work of a certain organization was disposed.That's why even dad couldn't find any traces of them.

"How about you inform us where you hide the secret weapons next time?" Biglang sulpot ni Distaunce. Nakaakbay ito sa balikat ni dad at papá habang nasa likuran ng sofa. He was wearing a plain navy blue shirt and grey sweatpants.

"Paano magiging secret yun kung sasabihin namin sayo?" Pamimilosopo ni dad.

"Who hides an earpiece in a freaking shoe rack? Who the hell hides a hidden compartment full of guns under the kitchen stove, huh?!" Nakangising luminga ang magaling kong ama kay papá na ngayon ay naniningkit na ang mata.

"Not to mention, may naglagay pa ng sandamakmak na baril sa library! Wow, knowledge is power! And oh, the grenades hidden in a compact shelf under the bathtub!" Egsaheradang atungal ni Distaunce.

"Sinong baliw magtatago no'n doon? Hays!" Tiningnan ko ang reaksyon ni papá at mukhang nagdidilim na ang ekspresyon nito habang nakatingin sa apo niyang may kalahi rin niyang baliw.

"Ouch!" Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong mapahalakhak nang hampasin ni papá ng baston si Distaunce sa balikat. Despite his old age, he was still fast enough to catch his grandson off guard.

"Sabi pala ni Manang Linda luto na raw ang mga pagkain at naka-serve na sa cottage sa labas." Ingos ni Distaunce habang inilalayo ang sarili sa mga hampas ni papá.

"Alright! I'll go get something from my room first." Diretsong tumayo si papá at naglakad patungo sa kuwarto niya habang negrereklamo kung gaano kasakit ang likod niya.

"Nagrereklamo na masakit likod niya pero kung makahabol at makahampas parang wala namang iniindang sakit!" Bubulong-bulong na wika ni dad bago rin umalis at pumunta kung saan. I'm guessing he'll probably just change his clothes.

Nag-vibrate ulit ang phone ko kaya dinampot ko ito sa sofa.

I'm coming down.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. Coming down? Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako at nagtungo sa balcony. Baka palapag na siya ng airport. I stood with my eyes closed, allowing the refreshing sea breeze to brush against my face.

"What the hell is that?" Naimulat ko ang mata ko nang marinig ang boses ni Distaunce sa likuran ko. Napatingala ako sa tinititigan niya.

"That's dangerous!" Mula sa direksyon ko ay may natanaw akong tao na tumalon mula sa chopper.

Can you send me the coordinates of your exact location?

I'm coming down.

"That crazy bastard!" Wala akong sinayang na oras at kaagad tumakbo palabas ng bahay. Nakapaa lang ako at naka-white sundress pero wala akong pakialam.

Pagdating ko ng dalampasigan ay napatingala ako. I can barely see from the sunlight, pero may nakikita akong bulto ng tao na mabilis na bumabalugsok pababa mula sa himpapawid. Napamura na lang ako.

"Walang hiya! Baka imbis na kasal ay lamay pa ang mangyayari dahil sa ginagawa ng siraulong 'to!" Bulyaw ko sa kawalan. Napapalakpak na lang ako nang makitang nakapag-parachute siya.

Inis kong sinundan ang direksyon niya upang salubungin siya sa paglapag niya. I saw him landing perfectly on the ground without stumbling. Nakatalikod ito sa akin at mukhang abala sa pagtanggal ng parachute sa katawan niya.

I was about to kick him out of frustration when he swiftly shifted his body to the left as if he was already expecting a violent reaction from me. "Yes, I missed you too, love." He snickered, flashing his handsomely irritating smile as he fixed the sleeves of his professional attire.

Why is he wearing a formal suit? Did he came from a meeting with his clients?

"How can you welcome your soon-to-be husband with a cute flying kick?" I frowned. Cute flying kick? Talaga namang sinusubukan ng lalaking 'to ang anger issues ko.

As I exhale, I feel the air blowing through my mouth, gently lifting the hair strands away from my face. Relax, Sachal. Be good. You don't want him to meet your family with a black eye.

"Why are you casually dropping from the sky like it's no big deal? You are not an arsenal to be airdropped like that!" A gentle grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he set the parachute down on the sandy beach.

He stepped closer to me with a soft chuckle, his eyes filled with amusement. "Are you worried about me?" Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang maramdaman ko ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa ulo ko, gently giving me soft pats in the head.

"Don't worry, I won't do it again." Nakayuko nitong paninigurado upang mapantayan ang tangkad ko. Napakurap-kurap ako dahil sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin. That green eyes of his. . .

I shoved his hand off my head and walked away with heavy footsteps. Kinuyom ko ang magkabilang kamay ko habang namumula ang mukha. What the hell is that interaction? Why does he look at me in such a way?

"Via, saan ka ga—oh is that—Salvatore, my man!" Napaismid ako dahil sa reaksyon ni Distaunce.

ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.

"So, that's what happened." Komento ni dad nang marinig ang kwento ni Salvatore kung paano siya nasangkot sa gulo na naganap sa bahay. Although what he said was a lie, I couldn't complain. With a family like mine, I doubt if they want me to be wedded into a consigliere.

"As a lawyer, I will always be put in a life-threatening situation, so I was trained and prepared to defend myself." He reasoned out. Tumango-tango naman ang mga ito.

"You mentioned you have lived in Italy since you were young?" Pinanood ko lang si dad na ini-interrogate siya.

Surprisingly, my father is acting like a behaved parent. And Salvatore looks calm while answering his questions. Actually, mukhang prepared na prepared siya. "Yes, my mother was half Filipina and half Spanish, and my father was a pure Italian." My lips formed into an 'o' when I realized how good his genes were.

That explains his green eyes and features, which make him look more like a European than an Asian. "My older brother just recently died, and I took his son under my wing." At nagsimula na nga siya i-kwento ang talambuhay niya sa harapan ng pamilya ko.

I didn't pay attention to it since he probably made that up. Why would a consigliere simply give information regarding his private life? I'm sure he already thought of the lies and stories he intended to say in front of them.

"So, what do you like about my granddaughter?" Muntik ko na maluwa ang kinilaw na nginunguya ko dahil sa naging tanong ni papá. Kasabay pa ng tanong niyang iyon ay nilabas niya ang baril niya at nilapag ito sa mesa. Mabilis akong kumuha ng tubig para uminom.

"Papá—"

I was about to protest his question when Salvatore looked in my direction to smile at me. "I admire your granddaughter's bravery, sir." Nang-aasar naman na sinipa ni Distaunce ang paa ko sa ilalim ng mesa. He was making cringe-worthy faces.

Katabi ko si dad habang kaharap ko naman si Distaunce at Salvatore. Nasa dulo naman ng mesa si papá. Feeling all eyes on me, I quickly picked up a glass of water. I pretended to take a sip, using it as a shield to hide my flushing cheeks and avoid the embarrassment of being the center of attention.

"In situations where danger lurks at every corner, she doesn't hesitate to risk her own life for the sake of others she's never met. Her fearless and unwavering courage caught my eye when I saw her." He confessed, voice gentle and sincere.

Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko at kumuha ng seafood kare-kare. I'm starting to feel weird about his words. Dinampot ni papá ang baril sa mesa at nag-kunwaring nililinisan ito gamit ang table napkin.

"Are you saying my graddaughter is violent?" Narinig ko ang mahinang pag bunghalit ni Distaunce kaya malakas kong sinipa ang binti niya sa harapan ko at pinanlisikan siya ng mata. This jerk!

"No, sir. She's, in fact, a powerful and amazing woman." I huffed. Why does it feel hot all of a sudden? Why is my face suddenly flushing red with all his ridiculous compliments?!

"You are a very distinguished gentleman yourself. You don't need a woman behind you to keep you in check." Striktong mungkahi ni papá.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko, and how they look at each other feels like a powerful, electric connection, as if an invisible bolt of lightning is passing between them, creating a sense of dominance and intensity.

"Woman behind me? My woman deserves to be in the spotlight while I stand behind her to offer my support, sir." Matigas nitong sagot kay papá. That statement alone made papá raise an eyebrow as he looked at Dad with an expression that made me unable to read.

"Alright, you said it yourself. She doesn't hesitate to risk her life in danger. So, I want a good man who can protect and care for her when her family isn't around." Tinigil ni papá ang paglilinis ng baril niya at seryosong pinaglaruan ito sa pagitan ng daliri niya.

"Are you a good man?" Ilang segundong katahimikan ang nanaig sa pagitan naming apat matapos iyon itanong ni papá. It was as if one wrong answer from him and he will instantly pull the triger and blast his brains out.

"Hmm. . ." He trailed and once again looked at me. "I am not a good man, sir." He honestly answered. "But I can assure you that I can protect and take care of your granddaughter for as long as I live." Hindi natinag si papá sa naging sagot nito. He was expecting more.

"Morally upright individuals are always bound by their principles. Their choices and actions align with their morals." He paused, trying to think of an example to convince him. "So, a good man sacrifices one life in exchange for saving thousands of people because that's morally right."

"But for me, I can abandon the world, burn it to the ground, and bath it with blood with a smile on my face as long as it is meant to protect her and keep her by my side." Sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay nanahimik na naman ang paligid, tanging hampas lang ng dagat sa dalampasigan ang nagsilbing ingay.

I gaze at my grandfather, who just put his gun down on the table. Inobserbahan ko nang mabuti ang reaksyon niya. By the looks of it, he seemed satisfied with Salvatore's answer that he was out of words to say. Sinundan ko lang ng tingin ang pagkuha niya ng kapirasong laman ng lobster at nilagay ito sa pinggan ni Salvatore.

"Is the food not to your liking?" I saw a sudden flash of hesitation in his eyes when papá asked that question. Napatingin ako sa pinggan niyang steak lang ang ulam na nakalagay.

"Here, eat more." Pinaglagyan din siya ng adobong pusit ni dad kaya wala na siyang nagawa kun'di ang kumain.

Napahinga ako nang maluwag. Mabuti naman at tapos na sila sa pagtatanong nila. I almost didn't breathe at the thought that papá might find it strange that our sudden engagement was too fast. If Salvatore was an ordinary man, I could imagine him peeing on his pants the moment my grandpa showed a gun on the dining table. Luckily, he didn't bat an eye with his intimidation.

"Hey, man, are you okay?" Kaagad hinanap ng mata ko si Salvatore. He was gasping for air, his hand pressed against his chest as if he was feeling a sharp, stabbing pain.

When I saw rashes on his neck and hands, I stood up from my seat and rushed toward him. I shook him gently by the shoulders when I noticed his throat swelling.

My heart raced as he seemed on the verge of losing consciousness, but despite his condition, he still managed to give me a wink. He is allergic to seafood and still eats the food papá gives him?! 

Is he seeking a wedding or a funeral? This handsome idiot!

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ