AVIATRICE

"Oh, look who's late." Mabilis na nagkasalubong ang kilay ko nang marinig ang boses ng nagsasalita sa tower.

I manoeuvred the aircraft and held on the lever as I prepared to land.

"Shut up and let me concentrate." I heard him laugh na para bang tuwang-tuwa itong marinig ang naiinis kong boses.

"You are an hour late, SA 909. What explanation would you give to the departing passengers?" I rolled my eyes. His annoying voice never fails to piss me off!

"You should be thankful at least we arrived." Lalong lumakas ang tawa niya kaya naman napangiwi na lang ako.

Bwiset.

Hindi naman talaga dapat aabutin ng isang oras ang pag-delay ng flight. Bukod kasi sa masama ang panahon, may eroplano pa sa runway so I need to go around and wait until the plane takes off.

Tapos ako sisishin niya bakit na-late? E kung ibangga ko kaya tong eroplano sa tower para malaman niya hinahanap niya.

"At least butter your landing," he snickered. Talagang nang-aasar siya.

Butter landing means to perfectly land smoothly. Iyong landing na hindi mo man lang naramdaman na nakalapag na pala. It wasn't that hard, pero paano ko gagawin yun e malakas ang hangin? I could only do a hard landing kaya inaasar niya ako kasi alam niya sa sarili niya na hindi ko magagawa iyon.

"50. 40. 30." I tilt my head and focused my vision on the runway habang pinapakinggan kung ilang metro na lang ang pagitan ng eroplano sa lapag.

"20. 10." I released the lever as I felt how the plane shakes for the hard landing I made.

"What a shame. Anong klaseng landing 'yan, Sachal?" Impit niyang tawa.

"Piss off, Distaunce!" Bugnot kong atugal.

Kung pwede ko lang siya sagasaan ng eroplano ginawa ko na. Napakamapangasar ng yawa.

As a pilot, our pride comes from the take off and landing of our aircraft. Napaka-smooth kasi tingnan ng mga plane na nakapag-butter landing. It shows how well-practiced and elegant the pilot is.

Now he's purposely trying to insult me dahil ilang oras ang flight from Philippines to Italy tapos ganon pa ako magpa-landing ng eroplano. Narinig ko ang pagtawa ng co-pilot na katabi ko kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Why the hell are you laughing, Nat?" Umiling-iling naman ito.

"So this is how it feels like if the pilot and the tower are siblings," aliw na aliw nitong anas. Iginulong ko na lang ang mata ko.

That's right. That ATC in the tower is my older twin, Aviatrix Distaunce Coronia. And yes, our names are fucking rediculous. Sachal and Distaunce sounds like Social Distance. Iyon ay dahil may lahing baliw ang tatay namin at yun ang naisipan niyang ipangalan.

"Do the taxiing of the plane, umiinit ang ulo ko sa bwisit na yun," Utos ko kay Nat matapos tanggalin ang earmuff sa tenga ko.

After that incident when the pilot had a heart attack and the plane lost its control, I almost got in jail. Paglapag na paglapag ng eroplano sinalubong kaagad ako ng mga pulis. The ATC took the initiative of calling them for safety purposes. Nagtataka siguro ang mga ito kung sino ang kasama ni Natlan mag maneuver ng plane kung gayong walang malay ang pilot.

Hinanapan nila ako ng pilot's license pero wala akong maipakita. Military air force pilots don't really need to have pilot's licence when flying F-16 Fighting Falcon or an F-22 Raptor.

We can do a barrel roll or whatever the heck we want with the plane since we had years of proper degree in aviation and completed officer training. Although we do have some documents to certify we are capable of flying a certain plane, I left mine. It's still considered illegal to pilot a plane without a licence.

Mabuti na lang I had my Air Force ID with me. Somehow it proved my identity. Kung hindi ay baka imbis umattend ako ng birthday ni Kassidy ay ako pa ang i-unboxing nila sa bilangguan.

Later on the airline hired me to work for them. Since I want to try to pilot a commercial plane personally, I agreed and that's how Natlan became my co-pilot after the passing of his father.

"Oy Sasha, sabi ng kapatid mo sabay na raw kayo mag lunch," pag-aagaw pansin sa akin ni Nat.

He calls me Sasha, from Sachal. I hated it at first pero nasanay na rin ako at wala na akong nagawa.

"Tell him to fuck off!" Bumunghalit naman ito ng tawa kaya dinampot ko na lang ang flight bag at overnight carry on luggage ko palabas ng cockpit.

I'm sure all the passengers have left the plane at hindi nga ako nagkamali, the seats were empty. The cabin crew immediately bowed and greeted me with a smile on their faces. Tinanguan ko lang ang mga ito habang inaayos ang sleeve ng suit uniform na suot ko.

"A pleasure to be on flight with you, Captain Coronia." One of them said with a hint of italian accent in her voice.

"See you on the next flight," diretso kong wika habang inaayos ang cap sa ulo ko.

As I stepped out of the plane, the swift breeze of the wind welcomed me as it drifted my curly auburn hair in the air. Kitang-kita ko kung paano matulala ang marshal at ang mga baggage handler sa baba nang matanaw ako.

"B-buon pomeriggio, signora." Pagbabati nito sa akin ng magandang hapon.

I continued walking and strolling my luggage as I entered the arrival area in the airport. A familiar woody citrus scent lingered in my nose—Creed Aventus Perfume. Awtomatikong umarko ang kilay ko nang may sumabay sa akin sa paglalakad.

"You know, Soul Airlines deserved the name it has." Inirapan ko naman siya dahil sa sinabi niya.

"I mean, kung ganon ba naman lumanding piloto nila talagang lalabas kaluluwa nila sa katawan." He snorted.

"E kung i-landing ko kaya yung eroplano sa noo mo para tumahimik ka?" Kinunutan niya ako ng noo.

"Hey! Why are you attacking me!"

"Attack na 'yan? Eto yung attack oh—" Akmang ihahampas ko na sa kanya ang dala kong bagahe nang bigla siyang lumayo sa akin upang kumapit kay Nat na nasa likuran ko lang pala.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. When I look around, saka ko lang napansin na nakatutok pala sa akin ang atensyon ng mga taong nasa departure area. Taas noo akong rumampa sa daan habang hila-hila ang luggage ko.

"Mommy, may girl pilot po pala?"

"Yes naman baby."

"I thought they're for boys lang po?"

"No, baby. Girls can do what boys can."

"Gusto ko rin maging pilot mommy!"

Napangiti na lang ako. That's right, choices of jobs should not be discriminated against by genders. Over the world, only 16.4% women are commercial airline pilots, the rest of 84.6% are men. As a female pilot, I struggled so much to prove myself. Even after years of training and experience, there are still people out there who would doubt your ability just because you're born a woman.

"Ang ganda niya, jowa niya kaya 'yang nasa likod niya?" Napalinga naman ako sa tinutukoy nila at muntik na ako masuka nang inguso nila si Distaunce.

"Mukhang hindi naman. Bodyguard niya 'ata." Muntik na ako matawa nang marinig ang hindi makapaniwalang pagsinghap ni Distaunce sa likuran ko. Hindi rin nakatakas sa pandinig ko ang paghagikgik ni Nat.

"B-bodyguard? Sa gwapo kong to b-bodyguard?" Sa pagkakataong ito ay kapantay ko na siya maglakad at nakaawang ang bibig niya habang tinuturo ang sarili niya.

"Nat, mukha ba talaga akong bodyguard?" pag-uulit tanong niya. Nilingon ko naman siya nang may ngisi sa labi. Iginayak ko sa gawi niya ang bagahe ko.

"Pakidala ng gamit ko, bodyguard." I heard his inaudible curses that made me laugh.

ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.ೃ⁀✈.

Lumabas ako ng banyo habang naka bathrobe. After having dinner and bickering with Distaunce ay bumalik na rin ako sa hotel room ko upang magpahinga. This hotel is owned by the company of the airline I worked at. The crews also reside here to wait for their next flight.

As for me, my flight tomorrow would be around 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I checked the clock on my side table, it's currently 9:00 PM and napagdesisyunan kong magbukas muna ng messenger ko habang nakaupo sa dulo ng kama.

As soon as I scrolled my messages, nahilo na lang ako sa dami ng dm's sa akin. Some of them were from the pilots in different airlines, flight attendants and random people I don't know.

It's a good thing I always keep my status offline for a reason that I don't want to be bothered by anyone. Isa-isa akong nag leave sa mga GC na in-add ako randomly. I deleted all messages from unknown people and muted friends that only knew me when they needed something.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko nang may nakaagaw ng pansin ko. I pursed my lips and raused an eyebrow.

"Samahan ng mga tigang? What the fuck is this?" I saw Distaunce's name pop out in the group chat so I immediately clicked the chat box.

Sachal? What the hell sino nag add sa kapatid ko rito???

Basa ko sa chat niya nang makita niyang nag seen ako sa GC. When I scanned the pictures and videos from the media I frowned. The pictures were from the newly hired flight attendants and officers in the airport. Mandalas sa mga video na makikita doon ay puro porn. The members of the groupchat were the pilots and co-pilots and some of the young marshals and ATC's.

The audacity of these people to feast their eyes on these women without consent. Sa inis ko ay isa-isa ko silang ni-remove sa group hanggang wala ng natira. I understood they're men with urges pero it's never right to take pictures of them at pag-agawan na akala mo mga bagay lang na gusto nilang paglaruan.

I deleted the group and tossed my phone in the bed. Maya-maya ay narinig ko ang pagtunog ng notification ko. It was probably from Distaunce or from the pilots asking not to expose them—but who cares?

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko sabay patay ng ilaw. The only light that illuminates the room is the lamp shade on the left side of the bed. Hihiga na sana ako sa kama ko nang makarinig ako ng doorbell. Napaismid ako. Sino ba namang animal ang mambubulabog ng ganitong oras?

Syempre walang iba kun'di si Distaunce.

Hindi ko sana siya pagbubuksan ng pinto pero paulit-ulit niyang pinipindot ang doorbell na para bang nagmamadali. Padabog akong bumangon ng kama at nagtungo sa pinto. I opened the door with my right hand and clenched my left fist para salubungin ng suntok ang pagmumukha niya.

Pero nagulat na lang ako nang saluhin niya ang kamao ko gamit ang palad niya. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang ang liit tingnan ng kamay ko sa palad niya. It was dark so I was not able to see him clearly.

Is Distaunce hand had always been this big and rough?

Naipikit ko ang mga mata ko nang manuot sa ilong ko ang kakaibang bango nito. Mabilis naalerto ang katawan ko nang malaman na hindi si DIstaunce ang kaharap ko. Akmang papalag na ako sa hawak niya nang bigla niya akong kargahin na para bang bagong kasal.

"Who-" I was not able to talk for a moment when I had a closer look at him.

His figure was tall and his body looked well-built. Maganda ang hugis ng kilay niya at makapal ang pilik mata. He had this jaded eyes that look mesmerizing and chiselled jaw that is slightly clenched that compliments his inviting lips.

"Where is he?!" Napalingon ako nang marinig ang boses na iyon mula sa medyo nakaawang na pinto. It seems like someone outside was trying to find something.

"Cooperate with me," he said in a low and raspy tone. I had no idea what he meant. Nanatili lang ako nakatitig sa kaniya habang sinusuri ang pagmumukha niya.

Nagitla na lang ako nang bigla niya akong ihagis sa kama. Ay tangina ang wild mga mhiema! Mabilis kong dinampot ang lampshade sa tabi ko at inamba itong ihahagis sa kaniya.

"Rapist ka! Tangina mo!" Sa lutong ng mura ko ay pakiramdam ko basag na ang lampshade na hawak ko kahit hindi ko pa ito nahahagis sa kanya.

"Find the chip! Check that room!" Nakarinig ako ng mga yabag ng paa na papalapit kaya napatingin ako sa pinto ko.

Saglit lang nawala ang atensyon ko ay hindi ko namalayan na nadampot na ng lalaking kaharap ko ang lampshade na hawak ko't inihagis ito sa tabi. Dahil sa pagbasag nito dumilim lalo ang kwarto ko at wala akong makitang kahit na ano.

Naramdaman ko na lang na may pumatong sa akin. I felt him pull the sheets to cover us as he held both of my wrists and pinned me down the bed with his right leg sandwiched in between my thighs. My breathings hitched when his hot breath fans on my neck. I couldn't move underneath him.

At this very moment, my mind went blank. I don't know what to do.

I felt blood rushing in my face when he moved his face closer and planted a kiss on the left side of my neck. Kaagad akong napasinghap. Sinubukan kong bumalikwas sa pagkakahawak. I was struggling for my dear life when I felt he slowly loosened his grip on my wirst. Akmang itutulak ko na siya palayo nang bigla niyang sipsipin ang balat sa leeg ko.

I gasped for air. Idiniin niya lalo ang ulo niya sa leeg ko kaya hindi ko mapigilan kagatin ang labi ko. He started sucking and biting my neck that brought a different sensation in my body.

What in the name of hell is he even doing?! 

"Moan." He commanded. 

"H-how disgusting. . ." I managed to utter words despite of my ragged breathing. I felt his tongue traced my collar and planted another kiss there.

"Do it again." Nakagat ko ang labi ko nang lumabas ang mga katagang iyong sa bibig ko. Narinig ko naman ang mahina niyang paghalakhak. 

"I said, moan." Umawang ang labi ko nang maramdaman ko ang bigla niyang paggalaw sa ibabaw ko.

What the hell is he doing? Why is he grinding on top of me?

I heaved a deep breath when something hard started poking on my thigh. Kingina ano yun?

"Sing." Binitawan niya ang kanang pulsuhan ko.

Moan and now sing? Ano ba talaga?

Using his left hand he was able to pin my hand above my head as his right hand lingered on my waist tracing my spine causing me to arch my back. Kasabay non ay ang mariin niyang pagsipsip sa gitna ng dibdib ko kaya hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko.

A low moan escaped my mouth and I saw how his lips curved into a smile.

"That's right, sing for me." He continued to move and the heat I'm feeling started to ignite even more.

I heard him groan when I raised my legs and wrapped it around him. Just then I heard the door open. Napasigaw ako nang bigla niyang kurutin ang hita ko. And somehow my scream sounds like it was from pleasure alone and not because of pain.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay narinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto. That's when this man on top of me stopped from moving and collapsed on my side. I tried tapping him on his shoulders but he wasn't responding.

Mabilis akong tumayo ng kama upang buksan ang ilaw. I went towards him to check on him and I was taken aback when I saw blood on his white vest. Napatakip na lang ako ng bibig.

Gago sino 'to? Hindi naman siguro kriminal to no? Baka ma mama I'm in love with a criminal ako kung nagkataon. 

What should I do with him? Dalhin ko ba siya sa hospital or sa presinto? Napahilamos na lang ako ng mukha.

What have I gotten myself into? 

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ

CHAPTER SHELF

Go-around -occurs when an aircrew makes the decision not to continue an approach, or not to continue a landing, and follows procedures to conduct another approach or to divert to another airport.

Marshal- covert law enforcement or counter-terrorist agent on board a commercial aircraft to counter aircraft hijackings.

Taxiing- movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, in contrast to towing or pushback where the aircraft is moved by a tug

Tower- coordinate takeoffs, landing, ground traffic and aircrafts in flight within 5 miles of the airport.