A weather front created when air is force upward from the Earth's surface, as when a cold front overtakes and undercuts a warm front.

* * *

I'll be honest to say that it takes me by surprise the moment that I wake up another day in a rather different and strange place. But that curiosity only lasts for a minute when I realize that there are others with me in a rather large dormitory, all of us with our own single beds lined against the walls across another, separated with a cabinet and a bedside table. The lights remain switched off, and the sky outside is slowly brightening when all others with me in the room also wakes up from their slumber to start the day. And finding out the young woman who occupies the next bed from that of mine gives me enough bearing that I am back to this dreamscape.

But it is strange to find myself in the same dormitory as Clara than be on the familiar view of the bedroom back then in the apartment this dream version of me shares with César. In short, it seems like a relief to that the continuation of my dreamscape doesn't involve anything of César; as I've made a sudden decision back then in my reality to be far away from the prospect of Elian and him as much as possible for the sake of my own sanity not to be delusional that one is making a mark on the other unintentionally.

In short, I am starting to doubt my own mind on which plane is to believe to be that of reality and dreams. I guess one will say that it shall be evident, but I still can't help asking myself then.

Paano kung mali pala talaga ako ng akala? Na mali lahat ng nalalaman ko?

I sigh heavily and slowly sit up on the bed. The other ladies are already fixing their beds and preparing for the day as some sort of a known routine. And for some reasons, despite knowing that I must act the same as they do from the back of my mind, I feel a little drained in thinking that in the other plane, I am troubling myself with problems concerning that Elian is influencing my idea of César, and here right now, I am thinking the other way around.

"Good morning, (Y/N)," Clara greets me with a hint of a sleepy smile as she fixes her blanket. Like the rest of things, my eyes adjust to the darkness, causing me to see her then clearly. "Nakatulog ka ba ng maayos?"

I wonder about that when all of this is part of my dream. At that, I shrug my shoulders and feel a little fatigue. "Hindi ko alam. Parang gusto ko pa rin bumalik sa pagkakatulog."

She sighs heavily and sits on her bed after placing the folded blanket atop her pillow. "Ako rin. Simula pa noong isang linggo. Kinakabahan ako."

Noong isang linggo? Anong mayroon?

I look at her intently, and it seems like we're not the only one in the middle of some chatter as the others are also murmuring among themselves about anything under the sun. However, my curiosity to what Clara just said is not very much 'anything under the sun'; it is definitely quite too specific to figure out.

"Alam ko ganoon din ang nararamdaman mo noong nalaman natin 'yong roster ng mga lilipad for the dogfight training," she adds with a slight pout. "Alam ko naman na parte iyon ng training nila, pero kinakabahan talaga ako sa mga mali or aksidenteng pwede mangyari."

"Sabi ng iba, kung kailan mo iniisip na may mangyayaring masama, mas lalong nangyayari," I point out.

"Eh naman kasi... Ang hirap kaya na alam mo na wala kang ibang magagawa kung hindi ang mag-alala. Pagkatapos natin masigurado na fit silang lumipad para sa training, whatever happens after that, especially upon take-off, wala ka na magawa kung hindi paniwalaan sila." She bites her lower lip. "Kung pwede nga lang sabihan si Tonio na 'wag na... pero alam kong ito 'yong gusto niya. Alam kong naiintindihan mo rin ako, (Y/N); dahil, panigurado, ganoon din si César. Minsan mapapaisip ka na lamang kung ano ang mas importante sa kanila."

Minsan naguguluhan na rin ako... Or rather, naguguluhan na talaga ako. Naguguluhan na ako sa lahat ng nangyayari.

Because, I figure something strange by now... or back then when I've accepted the fact that if I am to choose between reality and this one, I've somehow recognized that I've fallen in love with one since finding out that César existed. Contrary to that of my reality which intensifies the mystery that only keeps piling up in the presence of Elian. And now, it had been quite too evident for me that I am now more attached to this dreamscape than anything else.

It is easier to understand this plane of life than the troubles of reality itself. I guess, that's just how it means to be. For life to be filled with mysteries, and for the desires reflected in my dreams easy to move along with our favors.

Clara sighs heavily another time as she stands from her seat. "Well, kailangan matuktukan si Tonio na mock dogfight lang ngayon at 'wag siya masyadong matuwa na isipin na parang totoo iyon. Sa tingin mo ba sumosobra ako sa ganoon, (Y/N)?"

I blink and then shake my head. "Panigurado namang alam ni Antonio kung bakit mo siya mapagsasabihan."

"So... pagsasabihan mo rin si César, ano?" she inquires.

Teka nga... Binabawi ko. Hindi ko maintindihan.

* * *

Okay, binabawi ko na ulit. Mas madali talagang mapagtanto kung ano ang nangyayari rito. At least, dito hindi ko kailangan mamroblema sa kung bakit sobrang sweet ng pakikitungo sa akin ni César; compared sa kung anu-anong mga pinagsasabi at pinaggagawa ni Elian.

So, I manage to get more information as I always do every time I am in this dreamscape. As we prepare for the day, I learn from Clara that since the suspension of mock dogfight trainings due to the incident that involved Lt. Ruperto Luzon and Lt. Godofredo Juliano roughly a month ago, dogfight trainings are once again allowed since last week. Of course, before it was allowed once more, every PAAC pilot underwent the past three weeks of rigorous studying and readings about the limitations of the Peashooters and the art of aerial combat. Since Peashooters are a one-crew plane, each one was given a chance to have a feel of it once more with basic maneuvers before being given a roster of their dogfight trainings as there were only twelve Peashooters available for them to use in rotation. And today, both César and Antonio are part of today's mock dogfight.

My assignment for today is to oversee that the pilots part of the training are all fit to fly. It is not weird to ensure that pilots are able to do their tasks safely; but it is a little unprecedented that all they have to fly is just a pilot's license and that's it. Secondary are the things they need like a flight computer, a log book, and the standard uniform and gear. I am sure that in my world, there's definitely a few more needed licenses than just that.

Hence, after a breakfast with the rest of the nurses assigned to the Sixth Pursuit Squadron, I head on to where the medical bay is, since Clara is assigned to be on-site of the training today. Hence, I find there, early to be the first one to submit to a pre-flight check, is none other than but César. Or rather, he is the last one to be there by the time I catch sight of the time.

I know that there is no way that I'll be able to avoid him; very much the same way that of Elian in the waking world. However, in this dreamscape, it seems like it is a wrong decision to try avoiding César, when at the sight of him right now, my heart is scolding my brain for even thinking of wanting not to cross with him.

"Good morning, (Y/N)," he greets me at once, with that charming smile, and he seems to have debated whether to move closer to me or not and decides to remain seated on the nearby bench by the entrance. He is wearing something out of the uniform I usually see him in, for this time, it is definitely inappropriate to be in such a formal apparel with him up for a flight; hence, he is wearing the military-issued khaki flight suit, zippered and belted, though he keeps the buttons unbuttoned to expose his collarbone that visibly shows the said medallion that his father mentioned he had been wearing ever since receiving it from his mother, and some sort of a classic style of him to have folded the long sleeves until his elbows then. He is holding on to his leather jacket, cloth helmet and goggles, and white silk scarf; all prepared for flight.

"Ah, good morning," I almost stammer with the greeting, a little bit taken by this new look of his. I do not mean that it is strange to see him in that uniform, but he is definitely handsome and hot.

Tangina, (Y/N). Tangina talaga...

"(Y/N)," one of my colleagues, who've been there first, calls, and giggles. "Kanina ka pa hinihintay ni tenyente. Natapos na magpa-pre-check ang mga kasamahan niya tapos nagpaiwan dahil mas gustong sa iyo pa magpa-pre-check. Jusko."

"Hindi naman ako mahuhuli," he remarks and looks on at his wristwatch. "Saglit lang din naman 'yong pre-check."

"Naku, tenyente. Humahanap ka lang ng rason para makita si (Y/N)," another colleague remarks before ushering to me a clipboard that I hurriedly take. "Alam naman ng buong kampo na iyon ang dahilan mo."

"Then, there should be no further surprises about it," he replies.

I head on to a nearby vacant desk of where to conduct the necessary procedures upon reading the file that had been handed to me. As expected, it is César's previous record along with the basic information necessary. For an athlete as César, there is definitely no problem concerning his over-all health that many will envy him for being too fit and active. Since I've been taking in the details, I wave for him to draw closer and be seated on the chair across. I ask him as I take a seat myself, placing the clipboard on the table, "Bakit hindi ka pa talaga sumabay sa mga nagpa-pre-check kanina?"

He smirks. "I am not lying when I said that I want to see you before the flight. I'll definitely need my lucky charm."

I scoff as I hand to him the thermometer, him definitely aware of the basic pre-flight check himself. "Anong oras ka natulog kagabi? Kumpleto ba naging tulog mo?"

"Yes. Eight hours, at least. Kumain din ako ng heavy breakfast. Wala akong ininom na antibiotics or what; at hindi rin ako uminom ng alak, last time ay noong Friday." He then offers an arm to me as I push the folded sleeve out of the way before surrounding the inflatable cuff of the sphygmomanometer around to take his blood pressure. "I'm feeling actually good today. Much better now that I see you, (Y/N)."

Colleagues of mine clear their throats, definitely hearing him.

I flush and look away as I remove the cuff from his arm, and take note of his blood pressure. I also take note of his temperature as he hands the thermometer back to me. "Mukhang wala na akong ibang dapat itanong sa iyo, since sinagot mo naman lahat ng dapat kong malaman." I gulp in hard and stare at him. "Congratulations. You're fit to fly today, lieutenant."

César laughs as I make my escape to have his record signed by a resident doctor before returning afterwards to hand a medical clearance to him. And I think that it is enough time for me to find him no longer alone with my other colleagues assigned for today.

Four other pilots are there, definitely to fetch him up for the roll-call of today's mock dogfight. And, just like the previous encounters I have, it no longer takes me by surprise to find out that I know them beyond this dreamscape, but being captains of my reality's airline, too. I've already met Geronimo back then, and upon hearing Godofredo's name, I know at once that it will also be the same one I know from the company. However, a part of me is still taken aback in finding Captains Emmanuel Conde and Victor Osias here, too.

By the time that I make it back, I catch sight of Capt. Conde laughing—or should I address him as 'lieutenant', the same way that all of them seems to be ranked that way? He also adds, "Iba po pala talaga kapag pumapag-ibig ang isang César Basa. Dinaig mo pa masyado si Toñito."

"Tsk... para namang hindi ka rin pumapag-ibig, Manuel," Geronimo counters. "Maigi na lamang at nakadestino tayong manatili rito sa kampo; kung hindi, pahirapan ka rin mahagilap."

"Ganoon talaga. Kayo naman," insists Godofredo and ushers for César to get moving. "Kaya kapag nandoon na sa eroplano, keep your hands on the controls, and not in your pants. Kaya nga nasa itaas ang utak, and not that shaft."

The five of them laugh at a definitely boy's talk.

I clear my throat as I approach them slowly and call for him, "César." I then hand to him his medical clearance, as he breaks away from the others for a moment, the rest of them looking at me.

"Ah, (Y/N), good morning," the airmen greet me in a supposed-to-be unison but ends up to be unsynchronized.

"Manonood ka ba ng mock dogfighting?" Victor inquires.

I shake my head. "No. Hindi ako naka-assign to be on-site today."

"Hmm... Pwede ka naman manood since hindi rin naman kayo ganoon kaabala. Kailangan ba ni César humingi ng excuse kay doc para payagan ka?" Manuel asks the next with a knowing smirk painting his features.

"Parang hindi ko rin kakayanin manood, kahit na mock dogfight lang iyon," I answer. "Mas lalo lang akong kakabahan. May tiwala ako kay César, kaso hindi ko mapipigilang hindi mag-alala."

Geronimo clicks his tongue. "Sana lahat nandito ang love life."

Godofredo places his hands on Geronimo's shoulders and ushers him out. "Ayos lang 'yan. 'Lika na nga, bago pa tayo lahat mapagalitan ni kapitan."

As some sort of courtesy, I see them out of the medical bay. However, César lingers a few more seconds behind from the others as he stands right next to me.

By the time I am about to ask him why he isn't heading on with the others, he says, "(Y/N)." And he caresses my cheek, drawing his face closer to mine as he kisses me. Surprising and all too familiar. That by the moment he pulls away, his thumb outlining my lower lip, he grins and adds, "My lucky charm."

I definitely flush so red like a tomato at a rather public display of affection. But before I can even scold him for it, he laughs and runs off to catch the rest of his squad mates, leaving me right there praying that he will not be doing anything stupid. Not too stupid that will cause another link of parallelism with his look-a-like from that of my reality.

* * *

It is easy to hint when the mock dogfight starts. The roar of the planes' engines is audible from where the medical bay is at the other end of the hangars and the ramp and of the main runway. After all, the sound of full throttles during the roll and take-off are trademarks of a positive rate of climb.

In the end, I try to busy myself of what I can do than to dwindle with my thoughts of worrying about César and what I'll be doing with the likes of Elian. With that, I volunteer to make a catalog of the instruments available at the bay, and even an audit of medicines we have, taking notes of it all and their expiration dates.

It's practically just as what César's squad mates had mentioned; there's really nothing else to do until something is to happen. And sometimes, it is not a good idea to think of an incident happening at all. At least, there had been an occasional patient at the medical bay of usual cases of headaches, muscle aches, colds and coughs being reported out of not just the pilots but as well as of from the mechanics, marshals and other ground officers.

Until an hour and a half later since the first sound of a plane taking-off, the others finally return for landing. Weirdly, it is still too early than the usual length of dogfight training of at least four or five hours.

My heart hammers in anxiety that something definitely happened. I take note of the number of planes that land, and somehow managed to breathe a sigh of relief when the equal number of planes who've take-off earlier also land in succession.

Then, just less than thirty minutes later, from where I am doing the final audit of medicines and antibiotics, I am informed to assist with a sobriety test with the use of a 'drunkometer'. No matter how funny the equipment may be, it seems to stick around this time.

To add, having a sobriety test in this field is definitely a no-no.

"Sino ang pinapa-petition?" I inquire as I take the two folders bearing records. And I don't need to be answered at all, as the names had been evident by the flaps of the manila folders.

One bears the name: "Lt. L. Bernardo", and the other is of: "Lt. C. Basa".

* * *

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

I've completed my 200 flight training hours yesterday, and I am having quite some strange nostalgia and sadness. Like, I want to fly a C172 once more... It had just been a day and I am already missing the sensation of being up in the skies. And now, all I have are these memories of the last logged hours for the completion of 200 flying hours. It is a little saddening, too, that my GoPro had registered SD card full when I was on short final and I wasn't able to capture how smooth the landing had been; and even my FI only managed to capture a photo because the Cessna practically just sat down on the runway in what he defined to be an Airbus landing.

A 15 minutes ground time at Vigan and I managed to have some mirror selfie at the restroom.

A few list of notes to share!
1. Pilot licenses. Allow me to begin by saying that it is funny that the CAAP Airmen License is not credited by government agencies (like that of NBI, COMELEC, etc.) as a government-issue ID even though it has a picture, signature, birthday, address and had been issued by CAAP, the government agency for aviation in the Philippines, itself! (Kalokohan talaga itong bansa natin, ano? 🫠) To be fair, an airmen's license is a PRC license equivalent; as this gives you the privilege asserted on the license for a particular type of aircraft (not to go on the details but type rating is that you're allowed to fly an Airbus A320, but not an Airbus A350 or Boeing B737 because you're not rated for it; for a car, it is like, you're only allowed to drive a Hyundai Elantra but not a Mitsubishi Montero or a Toyota Vios). Aside from the troubles of the airmen license that expires every two years (PPL) or five years (CPL), and the type rating (annually), additional license includes NTC radio telephony license, Medical license (annually for Class 1), English-language Proficiency certificate (Class 4-6 with varying expiry), and airport pass. If having an airmen license and type rating is hassle enough with too many written examinations and an actual proficiency check of flight, then I think, one must consider that being a pilot isn't an easy road; and the government should start learning that an airmen license exists! Anyhow, before World War II, only an airmen license is necessary to fly.
2. Lt. L. Bernardo is actually a mystery. A "Lt. Bernardo" is mentioned to be part of those pilots "pulled out of Lahug" to be part of the Sixth Pursuit Squadron; and yet, there's no such name from the roster of Filipino pilots at all.

Chapter title: Occluded Front. Very much of an occluded front, what is going on right now is like a sudden shift at all, or something that had gone way beyond. But... what could it be then for the chapter to end in such a way?

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