A flight towards or away from a radio station while using direction finding equipment.

* * *

I suddenly get a good grasp of the life of my dream version. And it seems it isn't any good at all. César didn't need to tell me those; because it is like some old memories that seem to be unlocked at this moment then. As if some part of an old life that blends too well with that of my own; and one that I'll definitely not be able to forget, the same way I do with the happenings in my dream (except for the dates) upon the waking world. But then, knowing that part of this dream version of me's history is almost like intruding to someone's life that I shall not judge at all.

However, I can't stop the onslaught of information. Leading me to learn that this dream version of me had been orphaned at a young age, grew up living with my paternal aunt who've been like a doting mother, and yet, dream me left in pursuit of being a military nurse. The reason for choosing such the choice of career, however, seems to be some impulse action as one of the only possible futures of a woman. And somehow, along that way, I've met César, but even that respective moment and the length of courtship remains covered by a screen of smoke.

A part of me is at ease and happy that I don't need to be bitter of the moments that this dream me shares with Elian's look-a-like; but I'll be lying if I'll not admit that I am wishing and hopeful that I know. Knowing will definitely make me understand what is this thing between them truly is, wherein I am like some third-party having to deal with all of this that are supposedly theirs alone.

At the same time, I am quite guilty that I am still thinking that César and Elian had been the same. No matter how they share the same face, the same physique, and perhaps a parallel history, too, they are two completely different persons. Not just because one exists in my dreams alone and the other is from the real world; but because César loves this dream version of me with no objections at all. If there will be one greater sin then, it will be me wishing that this dream is reality instead than the other way around.

After all, the lines between reality and dream blurs too well that it draws me in. And as I've told myself the last time, that I hoped this dreamscape will not continue and I'll not be returning here is because of the subsequent fear of not only wanting to remain asleep and exist here. But the fact that the more time I spend with César here, the more I understand why I am in love with him in this plane. He is easy to like, and very much more then to love especially when it is requited.

To be honest, I am thinking much more of this than to take into account the fact that we are now watching some movie entitled Babalik Ka Rin. Of course, I do not know the cast and not even the director. Despite it being a Filipino movie, and set in the neutral black-and-white tone normal around this time—it is supposed to be eye-catchy given the pack of people gathered. However, I am not blaming the cinematography or effects or the editing for it not to be appealing to me; but the fact is that the story flow is like the ones I am aware of back in reality. It feels like the same repetitive romantic cliché had been going on as early as this time.

What I have been thinking of is much more intriguing. Very much some foolishness crossing my mind as I turn to César, seated right next to me. I am hoping that he will not ask me for some opinion about the movie later on because I don't know how I'll be writing a reflection paper for something less interesting.

He has an elbow prompted against the armrest, leaning then his cheek against his knuckles; and his other arm on the rest as his fingers silently drumming the leather surface. And I smile to myself, fully knowing that I am not the only one getting bored.

I then overlap my hand against his, and I feel him flinch a little at the touch but he slowly relaxes as he looks at me. In the rather dim light, it is almost like a crime to think of the vibes to be intimate being in a public place in general. Or perhaps, an additional factor to it had been the fact that the light highlights deep shadows on his face that visibly heightened the sharp and chiseled features. Thankfully, it is dark enough inside the theater that my blush hadn't been evident and I can still stare back at him.

Am I even allowed to fall in love with this man? I ponder. Fuck me, naging crush ko nga ang kamukha nito kahit may pagkabaluktot ang ugali; paano pa ngayong talagang isang malaking green flag itong kasama ko ngayon? Is it really strange to fall in love with the man of my dreams?

César is clearly inspecting me, waiting for what I am about to say or do next. Realizing that I am not planning anything but just to take his attention away from the movie itself, he leans closer that his face is practically just an inch or two away from me and his breath tickles my cheek a little when he whispers, with that deep and husky voice, by my ear, "What's wrong?"

I almost gasp as he plays with my fingers, trailing every span of my digits with his, and my smile widens at the same time my heart skips. "Wala naman. Napansin ko lang na parang bored ka na sa pinapanood natin."

"Pinapanood natin, o pinapanood ko? Kanina ko pa napansin na ikaw ang unang nawalan ng gana." He chuckles lightly as we converse among ourselves alone; as quietly as we can not to catch other's attention nor spoil the boring experience to the other viewers.

"'Di ba ikaw ang nagyaya nito? Dapat sinisigurado mong hindi ako mawawalan ng gana basta-basta lamang," I counter.

"Hmm... I can think of something, pero hindi ko alam if it will be entertaining enough for you."

"Try me."

He straightens on his seat before letting go off my fingers for his other hand to surround around my wrist, and instead, the digits formerly playing with that of mine earlier, to gently settle against my thigh, causing me enough to jolt in surprised. Despite it not being some skin-to-skin contact, as I am wearing a dress, it is enough to make me embarrassed at how bold he can be. Adding to the fact that he also places my hand against his thigh and my palm makes contact with the smooth material of his pants.

For those days na hindi ko napanaginipan... kahit nakakahiyang isipin pero... may nangyari na ba sa dream version kong ito at kay César? I mean... hindi na ba ako virgin sa dream na ito?

I immediately close my freehand around his wrist, and try to slowly remove my other from him; knowing fully that my cheeks flare so red that I may appear like a tomato right now, and I mutter quite harshly, "César!"

He let go off my hand and even pulls away that of his from my thigh. He then takes my hand, twining his fingers around mine and tells me, "Let's get out of here. Baka pareho lang tayo makatulog dito at walang magmalasakit na gisingin tayo kapag natapos ito."

I am unable to argue as he tugs me along with him that as we move out of our seats, both of us crouching as we whisper our apologies to be given a way out, and by the time that we're out of the theater, I can't help but to be embarrassed with what just happened.

César, however, didn't manage to stop himself from laughing. He looks at me, definitely seeing my confused expression that he draws me to a tight hug and lightly kisses me on the forehead. "I'm sorry, my love. But we can say na gumaganti lamang ako."

Gumaganti? Para saan? Ibig-sabihin... I mean, don't tell me... there had been a time that it had been the other way around?! Like, ako 'yong naging bold enough to make the first move?!

Thankfully, he is hugging me that he can't see my expression. I then bury my face against the fabric of his dress shirt, be immediately comforted by the familiar scent of him. However, my mind is still asking if... like, you know, did something already happen between this version of me and César? I mean, I am expecting them to be quite conservative given the era this dream is set, compared to that of reality; however, this is as it is, a dream—wherein things could be bend, somehow.

I suddenly remember the first time that I encounter such a dream. Of waking up on the same bed with César, and be kissed. All of it are things that I only experience here despite having no such thing as that from the real world. I don't want to also think that even this dream version of me hadn't been only lucky of finding love from César, but also be in a very stable and healthy relationship.

"However, it is not enough reason for that. Alam kong may panahon para doon," he adds. This time, in a much more soothing and reassuring tone. "We'll get there soon, and it is fine to continue waiting. 'Wag mo lang din ako paghintayin kahit kapag kasal na tayo, (Y/N)."

I mentally ease out, somehow calmed down from my paranoia that César is certainly a gentleman to not push me on to something that I don't want to. There is no doubt that with him not finding my earlier reaction as a weird one means that nothing yet is to happen. I then tell him with a small smile, "Kung ganoon, dapat magpakasal na pala tayo."

"Don't provoke me. Alam kong kinakabahan at natatakot ka. Ako rin naman. Pero alam kong hindi lang natin kailangan madaliin ang lahat. Then, things will work out and everything will be fine," he says.

"Thank you." I press myself closer to him as I surround my arms around him, too.

For some reasons, this definitely feels so familiar that I am hating myself for wanting to remain here now more than ever. But I am fearful of wanting something out of a dream; afraid that I'll be disappointed the next time I fall asleep and not find myself here but elsewhere. But for now, this is a mark I want to leave. Or... we can make it much more apparent.

"César," I call for him, almost chuckling as I pull away from him and look on at the store opposite from the Dalisay Theater. This time, I am the one tugging him to come along with me, adding, "Come on."

He allows me to lead him on, even running down to cross the street after ensuring that the traffic is clear. And by the time we both stand at the said shop, he stares at the signage and at the glass stall first before looking at me.

"This is much more entertaining for me than an old romantic movie," I tell him. "At ang daya naman na ako may litrato mo, tapos ikaw, wala kang litrato ko."

"Nagseselos ka ba?" he asks me with a pointed look.

"Hmm... Siguro?" My smile widens, pulling him along with me inside the photo studio and as this is my own initiative, I speak with the photographer myself and thankfully, César had been cooperative to have our photos taken. Despite being quite stiff than the usual I am aware of in my reality, it is fine with me as I set a physical mark on this world with these photos of ours that when we're done and told when to pick it up, we decide that it is also almost time for his parents to expect us for dinner.

By the time we're inside the car, I try to dig deeper with César's earlier question to me if I am jealous. Thankfully, I didn't say with assurance that I am, and delivered the playful answer. However, looking down on my finger wearing the engagement ring, it makes me incredibly jealous how perfectly planned the life of this dream me is.

"Happy now?" César asks me afterwards.

I look at him. "Yes. Ngayon, mas lalong pwede mo na sabihin sa kanila na may fiancée ka na. With a matching picture."

He laughs. "Alam na naman nila kung sino ka. At matagal na nilang alam 'yon, kahit bago pa nila malaman na engaged na tayo." At that, with his attention still on the road ahead, he raises his right hand for a second. Only now that I take notice of the stainless chain bracelet he is wearing. I don't know if he always wears it with him as he usually is in his uniform, and there are only two times, including now, that I see him in a dress shirt instead. It seems like it is his trademark to have the long sleeves folded until his elbow. "Binigay mo ito sa akin. Though para siyang military-issued one, but you are quite sneaky to even have your name engraved on the inner side."

Even that part isn't something that I know of; already beyond the reaches of this dreamscape. However, it seems like it is really a sneaky move. I know that it is strange for pilots to have too many accessories on them as one may limit their movements. But, somehow, it makes my heart soar that even a small trinket seems so precious to him that I'll not even doubt it myself that ever since receiving it, he hadn't taken it off at all. Like some handcuff to remember that he already belongs to someone.

To the (Y/N) of this dream. To me.

* * *

I know that this isn't my first time to meet César's parents. Or rather, in this dreamscape, it isn't. I definitely meet them countless of times already to know their names and even how they look, strangely enough. But I can't stop myself, as César also mentioned, not to be quite fidgety and be anxious. True, I just need to be myself in meeting them, but it is easy to be said than done. Especially when I am an active dreamer on this dream than be an observer alone.

But the thing that definitely catches me, continuously, in surprise, is the fact that César isn't just from any ordinary family. Sure, he may say that his family are commoners, but I'll definitely correct him by saying that they are "private". Because, I mean, he is an Ateneo graduate, been allowed to enter flight training, afford an apartment and a car, and their house... I mean, yeah, I don't know where to start with describing it all but it is definitely an expensive and visibly well-maintained house of the era with a rather large garden that seems too huge for his parents alone.

For one, despite all that, they don't have any servants, and I wonder what is his parents' work to be capable of maintaining the house as it is and to afford such a lifestyle? I wonder if even Elian has the same wealth; which he definitely has given his own undoubtful prestige.

"Oh, (Y/N)!" His mother, a beautiful and visibly joyful woman roughly just twice my age, exclaims as she rushes out of the house and greets us from the terrace. She seems much happier to see me that she even embraces me first than César. "It's so good to see you doing well. 'Lika, 'lika, pasok. Sinigurado ko na inihanda ko rin ang mga paborito mo."

"Ah! S-Salamat po," I stammer, unsure of what to say as I am being ushered in the house, being dragged in to the opulent entrance hall and living room.

"Good evening, (Y/N)," greets his father upon seeing me. Meeting him is like having a good grasp of how César will definitely look by his age; and there is no doubt that their good genetics are what resulted to such heavenly-blessed features that César inherited. He stands from where he is lounging at the living room, listening to some classical music.

I can't help blushing, feeling the quite overwhelming attentiveness. I bow my head slightly and greet in return, "Good evening din po."

Funnily enough, César, who is trailing behind me, seems to be invisible in his parents' eyes. Until he sighs heavily and finally speaks up, "Well, good evening. Did anyone ever miss me?"

His parents at that stop for a second and turn to him. It is his mother who replies first with a pout and a frown, "Hmph! Kung hindi ko pa tinadtaran ng tawag sa Zablan, hindi magpaparamdam."

I realize that both he and his father at that, not seen by his mother, shares a knowing smile and look. An indication that the other understands and no further explanation is needed, but his mother needs some placating.

And so, César draws closer to his mother, and I step away to give them space. He is visibly taller than the woman that when he stands behind and embraces her, she is definitely dwarfed by him. He chuckles as his mother tries to continue being angry, and whispers some soothing words of apologies and strings of explanation.

Of course, a mother's love knows no bounds that it didn't take long for her to give up. She then faces her son, looks at her so affectionately as she brushes his hair, and smiles. "Welcome back, mi cariño."

* * *

A/N: Vote, comment and share! Whatever you do means a lot to me, and I am really wishing for some feedback! Addition to the release of this chapter, I am also releasing another one: Creation of the World of AH; in the said chapter, I'll be sharing some trivia and notes that correlate to my researches of César and the character himself. This is a separate chapter compared to all the notes in the end of the chapters because such trivia deserves their own.

Anyway, how are you all doing? Me, this is currently what I am dealing with for the past two days and even until this moment that I am uploading this chapter! And yes, it is dark to simulate a totally no visibility flight except for runway visibility after a missed approach procedure except for the map light underneath the PIC's control column; but no, this is in a simulator as in the actual, I'll definitely not be seated from my view here on the right seat. Pictures aren't enough to explain how our training is right now as we're flying based on instruments and charts alone, and it is a hassle with the too many things to say in the process to brief charts as this. (Believe me, it is also a hassle to read charts like this. We can fill up an entire back-to-back long bond paper to write down what we're saying just explaining those two charts alone.) And I don't know if César and the others have to deal with charts as this... though not being able to do so prohibits them to fly in instrument needed conditions like weather and even at night... though, again, they did fly through clouds... 🫠🙊 But, nowadays, not rated with an IR, you may have your license revoked if you fly inside clouds. Especially thick ones the same ones that they've mentioned later on based on reports and records...

A few list of notes to share!
1. Babalik Ka Rin was a movie shown at Dalisay Theater from 6-11 September 1941. It was directed by Octavio Silos and was comprised of an ensemble cast of Arsenia Francisco, Rodolfo Ruiz, Patricia Mijares, Victor Svilla, Pedro Faustino, Jose Nieto, Rosario Lam, Guillermo Carls, Vicente Ocampo and Mercedes De Gavino.
2. Dalisay Theater, regarded on its time as the "Home of LVN Pictures", just as Life Theater was the "Home of Sampaguita Movies", was formerly known as the Fox Theater to where American films were exhibited until it was later renamed as such. It was located at Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, near the corner of Gonzalo Puyat Street (formerly Raon Street).
3. Mi cariño means "my sweetheart" or "my love" or "darling". Why the sudden Spanish? Well, let's admit it that it hadn't been too long since the Spanish regime. Most household definitely remains switching between Spanish and Filipino, and with the Americans, English is added in the mix.

Chapter title: Homing. What else to explain but a way to home? But in aviation, homing is quite a little something of heading to the station or a waypoint. Due to the varying degrees or radials, there will be a few diversions but in the end, you'll be needing to return still to the desired location like airports. We're finally giving a glimpse of César's happy and fully supportive and understanding family as parallel to that of Elian's.

Follow me on twitter @23meraki for more updates and trivia. ;)
#CFBArtificialHorizon