A visible trail of condensed vapor left behind by an aircraft flying at high altitude.

* * *

The morning sun's rays definitely wakes me up from my otherwise light slumber, causing me to groan and turn my back against the windows to bury my face against the pillows. It smells a mixture of soap and mint with a hint of sandalwood, almost manly.

Hmm... did I just think of the smell as 'manly'?

I slowly open my eyes to gain a bearing once more, and then freak out. Bolting widely awake, a hand of mine touches the edge of the bed, causing me then to fall over entangled in blankets. I grunt at the subsequent pain and feel that it is quite too real. As everything is definitely once more too real to just consider it anything but.

I fumble out of the blankets to free at least my arms, and when I do, I rub the drowsiness of sleep from my eyes and with wide expectation, I turn once more to the now empty bed and then to the capiz windows.

Shit. Am I once again back in this dreamscape?

I shut my eyes closed, and slap and pinch my cheeks to wake up at once. But like the time I've tried it once before, my surroundings didn't change.

They say that telling our brains to wake up from this dream often works; however, it didn't seem to be the case.

Resigning that I shall see how this play out this time, I sigh heavily, pull myself up from the floor and then sit back on the bed with the blanket. Turning behind me, it seems like I've been all alone. That's at least quite a stretch of difference compared to the heart attack I almost encountered the last time I've been here. However, it is quite a strange feeling that I didn't see César first thing in this dream's morning. Is it possible that this is a continuation?

If I remember correctly, I've gone to bed that night all by myself, troubled about the notion from where I have such great intuition that such a place is named after him; only to wake up with the news that I am envisioning it to be some sort of a fanbase dedicated to Elian. If that is truly the case, will that mean that me sleeping in the real world leads me to be awake here in this dream and vice versa? Will that mean that I've been gone in this dreamscape for only a few hours, when it feels, right now, had been a long time ago already?

Anong petsa na ba ngayon? I ponder. And yet, tangina naman... Anong taon nga ulit 'yong World War 2? 'Di ba't sabi ko na tatandaan ko na para magkaroon naman ako ng idea kung ano ang mga susunod na mangyayari if ever na I end up sa panaginip na ito ulit?

As if remembering César's command as some second nature, I take a shawl from the nearby chair by the window, surround the soft and smooth fabric around my frame and head out of the room in search of where I know the calendar will be hanging by the kitchen. And by the time that I find myself face-to-face with the calendar, I am staring once more on the same month and year—August 1941.

Pero anong araw na ngayon?!

A part of my brain is telling me that: "No, it isn't 2 August 1941." Even though I last remember being here on the first day of the month. To add, something else also catches my eye. Something that isn't there before but is now printed as a reminder.

Below the number 15, a small note is written that reads: "Induction Day".

I lightly touch the calendar, trailing the words written on that date and it is strange to find my own handwriting. Is it possible that there is truly something behind "Induction Day"? Is it that important for me, without me having a recollection of it, too, to write it down as some sort of a reminder? Or, if not for me, then for César, perhaps?

And yet... seriously, I've been only here in this dreamscape for just a few minutes, I guess, and I've been thinking of César more times than anything else? Is it because, he is absent right now? Or is it truly because he had been back at camp, just as the last time that I remember of?

Pero tangina talaga... kailan nga ba ulit 'yong World War 2? Kahit hindi 'yong exact time; or 'di kaya, kahit man lang kung kailan 'yong Pearl Harbor? Dahil, according sa basic history, iyon 'yong pre-cursor sa invasion ng Japanese sa Pilipinas, 'di ba?

"(Y/N)?"

I instantly drop my hand from the calendar and turn to the direction of the front door from where I hear my name being called with a soft knocking against the wood.

"Schatzi, sa tingin mo ba maririnig ka ni (Y/N) kung ganyan kahina at kahinhin ang tawag mo?" a man's voice followed the call from the other side of the door with an audible heavy sigh.

"Porket kayo kasi kung magtawag kay César akala mo wala ng bukas," this time, the same feminine voice who've called for my name earlier, replies.

"Aray! Okay, okay. Basta kapag hindi pa rin sinagot ni (Y/N) pagkalipas ng isang oras, talagang lakasan mo na ang pagtawag, ha?"

"Sa susunod kasi, hatakin mo na lang si César para walang problema."

Getting a bearing of who those two might be, I am able to breathe out a sigh. I fix my shawl much properly, remembering that the notice is definitely for the presence of guests. However, even if without the reminder, I'll definitely do so as I feel that the silk nightgown is a little thin and provoking in a sense? Anyhow, before they can call for me again, I answer the front door.

Clara has a hand raised, definitely about to knock another time, and she is not alone, for Antonio is also present just right next to her with a bouquet of white lilies. She instantly smiles upon seeing me and greets, "Good morning, (Y/N)!"

"Ah, good morning, Clara. Antonio." I open the front door much more and usher them in. "Pasok kayo. Kakagising ko lang din. Nakapag-almusal na ba kayo?"

"Ayos lang kami, (Y/N)," Antonio remarks after he closes the door behind their entry and both of them settle on the living room, as if already familiar. "Tamang-tama lang din pala ang dating namin at akala namin kailangan pa namin pwersang pasukin 'yong bahay para masigurado lang na ligtas ka nga."

Bakit? May nagtatangka ba sa buhay ko rito?!

Clara clicks her tongue and scolds him, "'Wag ka nga magsalita ng ganyan, isusumbong talaga kita kay César na kung ano-ano ang iniisip mong gawin habang wala siya rito. Panigurado na kapag nalaman niya, hindi ka na niya papapuntahin dito sa kanila."

"Schatzi naman. Nag-aalala lang din naman ako. Alam mo naman na malalagot din ako kay César kung may mangyari kay (Y/N)."

"Maigi na lamang talaga at 'di ka na namin kailangan gisingin pa, (Y/N). Pero kung kakagising mo pa lamang... hindi ka pa ba mag-aayos?"

Mag-aayos? Para saan? I almost ask and not wanting to appear suspicious at all, I take note of her attire for today to get a good grasp of what's really going on.

She is wearing something much formal than that of the nurse's outfit that we were both wearing the last time. It is still something that a nurse will be wearing, but has a much more militarized notion to it that I remember had been part of my clothes in this world, too, when I look back at my closet from before. Is it really possible that I am not just any nurse but a military nurse?

And today seems like an important day for such attire. Don't tell me that what is written in the calendar, that Induction Day, is about it? Or rather, it is the fifteenth of August today?! Like, it is really not a continuation of my dream; but I've just returned to the dreamscape two weeks later on?!

Are dreams supposed to work that way? Even having the same concept of a dream in a row seems weird already. Not to mention that even having the feeling that this dream feels so real like it is another life in a different world makes it all weirder, too.

"(Y/N), 'wag mo talaga sabihin na ngayong araw ka pa talaga napasarap ng tulog?" Clara teases with a light giggle.

I blush and reply as I make my way back to the bedroom, "Ito na nga. Mag-aayos na ako. Saglit lang din naman ako."

Antonio laughs at that. "Diyos ko, kayong dalawa talaga ni César. Bagay na bagay talaga kayo sa ganyang ugali niyo pareho."

I let the comment slide despite not knowing what he means. In the end, I return back to the room to finally prepare for whatever today is meant to be.

* * *

I indeed find a matching uniform from that of Clara in the closet just as I remembered. And as I've earlier already learned that we're colleagues, I take in to fault that we're to wear something as that today. Hence, after taking a quick bath, I choose to dress equally and appropriately. Taking a bag with me and ensuring that I look as presentable as I am able, effortlessly managing to fix my hair with what I currently have, I once again leave the room to find the two laughing and conversing quite intimately.

The closing of the door seems to cut them away from each other's attention and back to me. Both of them looking flustered that I catch them on; but for some reasons, than to be awkward at the prospect that there seems to be something really going on between Antonio and Clara from the real world and then to here isn't at all an edgy or bitter feeling. To be honest, it feels quite fine that I am happy for them; but the underlying thought that it isn't as much as I think concerning that of this dream me and that of César.

Once more, I am thinking of him again more differently now than that of Elian; probably just the prospect of not seeing him in this dream right now is making me feel things that I believe I shall not have. Especially not towards a person who only lives in my dream, and the real world one is completely aloof.

"Ah! Nga pala, nakalimutan ko kanina. Pero pinabibigay ni César," Antonio remarks as he stands from his seat and hands to me the bouquet that he earlier has, chuckling lightly. I think that it is strange of him to have one, as he shall definitely have given one to Clara already. However, for some reasons as well, I don't think that the white lilies are what Clara will want at all to receive; and that dull sensation, once more, seems to pertain to my liking in the first place. And it turns out right.

I almost didn't want to take the bouquet but as it is almost shoved at my direction, I understand already that it is really mine to take. Drawing the flowers close to me, the fragrant smell of the flowers pulls a smile out of me; and taking in consideration the full bloom of each, it seems almost unbelievable that such flower will be a beauty given the climate of the country and that it isn't actually the time for them to bloom? Will that even mean that these flowers worth too much already and yet, I am here receiving it still? But a woman can simply just wish for anything in a dream, right? The probability of this even happening in the real world is almost impossible.

"Well, sabihan mo si César mamaya na nakatanggap ka ng mga bulaklak sa kanya through me. Para bayaran niya 'yan sa akin mamaya," he adds.

I look back at him, unsure what he means.

Clara chuckles and stands from her seat, drawing right next to Antonio and explains, "Hindi nga ako magawang bilhan ni Tonio madalas ng mga bulaklak pero alam nito ang mga galawan ni César pagdating sa iyo, (Y/N). Pero halika na at baka mahuli pa tayo."

"At kung mahuhuli man tayo, kasalanan iyon ni César mismo," Antonio counters as the three us heads out.

The first thing I notice is the absence of César's car. It could be with him at base, just as the last time that I've been in this dream, he said that he will need to be there at camp for some sort of training. However, another car is parked by the driveway, seemingly one that denotes Antonio's nature.

He ushers me and Clara in the car before he settles on the driver's seat, easing with the wheels and the drive onward to wherever we're supposed to be at.

Clara scolds him then, "Induction Day ngayon. Alam mong matutuktukan kayo ng mga seniors niyo kung late kayo, o kapag nalaman nila kung anong nangyari kagabi."

Induction Day? 'Wag mong sabihin na ngayon nga talaga 'yon? Parang kakakita ko pa lang kanina tapos tama nga ang hula ko na dalawang linggo na ang nakalipas?

Antonio laughs and as he drives, he then starts explaining what presumably happened yesterday, "Today's Induction Day, definitely our seniors will be mad if one of us is late. Pero alam naman nila ang nangyari kagabi at may iba rin naman na nakasama kagabi kaya damay-damay na lang din. (Y/N)." He calls for my attention to be addressed as such and adds, "Pag-pasensyahan mo na talaga si César. Marami-raming nainom or rather, talagang pinurga kagabi."

"Isa ka rin naman sa mga nanggatong panigurado kay César." Clara clicks her tongue.

"Malamang. Libre 'yon kaya—Aray 'oy!"

"Teka, ano ba talaga nangyari kagabi?" I finally ask them, wanting to quench my curiosity.

"Uhm..." Antonio begins and sighs heavily. "So 'di pa kasi masyadong alam sa kampo na engaged na kayo ni César. Hindi naman sa tinatago niya dahil alam naman naming iba; pero itong si Geronimo. Tangina talaga... Sinong mag-aakala na matalas din pala ang dila no'n kapag malala na ang tama?

"Nag-iinuman na no'n dahil nga Induction Day ngayon at hindi lahat ay kailangan lumipad o kung ano pa man. Tapos nabanggit nga ni Geronimo na engaged na nga kayo, kaya ayon. Napalibre tuloy ng inuman si César at talagang linasing kagabi. I mean... Yeah, it feels like a bachelor's party last night. Na parang sa dami-daming beses na umiinom kami, first time ko na makita talagang lasing si César." He laughs. "Alam ko naman na mataas ang alcohol tolerance no'n, kaso iba talaga 'yong bugbog sa kanya kagabi. Pero 'di mo kailangan mag-alala, (Y/N). Wala naman siyang hangover or what, at gising na rin siya. Noong umalis ako, nagbababad naman sa tubig."

"Kailangan ko pa bang tanungin kung magkano ang ginastos niya?" I ask, knowing already that with what happened, there is no doubt that he is the one who've sponsored their yesterday's drinking spree.

"Uhm, hindi mo na kailangan malaman dahil kayang-kaya naman bayaran 'yon ni César. Paniguradong alam mo na mayaman 'yon," he remarks.

To be honest, ang alam ko lang ay mayaman si Elian. Ateneo boy all throughout, tapos flying talaga. Seryoso. Sino ang linoloko kong 'di mayaman? Pero si César? I have no idea... Just the assumption noong nakita ko 'yong kotse niya; but being part of the military definitely counts a much higher salary, right?

"Sino lang ba nakakaalam na engaged na kami?" I inquire the next; realizing that even Clara didn't seem surprised about it as if she already knew about it compared to the last time I've met her in this dreamscape. After all, it had been two weeks passed than that that she had known about it already.

"A few from our class? Hindi ko alam about sa mga madalas na kalaro niya sa basketball. But... everyone's definitely there to congratulate him last night. So, it's practically the entire PAAC who are already aware of it," he remarks.

"Hindi ko alam na kailangan pala maging lihim no'n para sa iba," I say, almost self-deprecating.

"(Y/N)..." mutters Clara back, some sort of concern audible in her tone.

Antonio sighs lightly and replies, "Siguro naman hindi niya rin balak na gawing sikreto iyon. Bakit niya naman itatago ang tungkol doon? Hindi ko pa masasabi na matagal ko na kilala si César, pero hindi mo kailangan mag-alala about that, (Y/N). I mean, hindi niya panigurado sinasadya 'yong ganoon. But I can swear that he is definitely easy to deal with when it comes to you."

My ears perk at that. About that last thing he just said about... Because I can swear that I've also heard something too similar... from Captain Antonio Mondigo recently.

"But he is definitely easy to deal with when it comes to you. Probably the perks of being both from Ateneo," Capt. Mondigo remarks at that time, and here's his look-a-like and namesake equivalent in my dream, saying almost the same thing, too.

The only difference between this dream and the real world, apparently, feels like what is that between César and Elian; and the fact that here, there is something going on between me and the previous. However, in the real world, there is definitely nothing but just that of strangers and nothing more.

* * *

A/N: Vote, comment and share! Whatever you do means a lot to me, and I am really wishing for some feedback!

A few list of notes to share!
1. "Schatzi" means "dear, honey, sweetie" in German; as it literally means "treasure". As I've previously mentioned from the past chapters, Antonio is a Filipino-German. He used his mother's family name, while his full-blooded German father's name was Krafenbauer; reasons for using his mother's family name was because of the existent prejudice concerning Germans with the previous World War I and the on-going World War II, and the fact that he entered PAAC, which is under the USA, and the latter is definitely too discriminating concerning Germans, hence opting him to use his mother's name. We can't also remove the fact that he may know how to speak German, too.
2. Lily flowers. Okay, so lily flowers, especially the stargazer ones, is my favorite along with the roses. It has a meaning, and it'll definitely have a meaning in the story soon!
3. Alcohol. I won't chide to the fact that I learned how to drink alcohol during flight training. Trust me, I definitely learned it there that my body can take drinking shots of bottles of Black Label and Alfonso, with little chaser of a water or soda, and be not totally drunk and not suffer hangover. Yes, it seems like I built that tolerance. However, it is true that aside from smoking, it seems like drinking alcohol is also associated to pilots despite it being a no-no that there's a so-called eight hours before flight called as. "bottle to throttle", and if ever, alcohol content in the body should only just be 0.04%. But then, alcohol, in flight training, is usually every weekend, sometimes every day in the event of a first solo, and after check rides. And, yeah, let's be honest who shoulders the expenses for everyone. It is never "drinks in the house".

Chapter title: Contrails. For me, contrails is more than just what it is for aviation; it is like some banners in the sky when jets passed by. But then, as I correlate it to this chapter, contrails as a title is only fitting as the Reader returns to the dreamscape to pick up from what the Reader last knows of.

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