A layer of the atmosphere in which the temperature increases as altitude increases.

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December 5th, 0500Z (1300LCL)
Location: Bohol, Philippines

"First, you'll hear a love story. And second, you'll definitely hear the phrase: "Because flying feels like home"."

Capt. Zablan's words to me strike like a cord. It is like a reminder all over to me from what I've just seen out of from the dreamscape. And it is only making me quite guilty about punishing César about something that he truly loves above all.

It may be so presumptuous of me to even say that his love for the dream version of me will never be enough compared to that of his desire with flying. But then, every time I remember him now... after that recent dream, I can't help saying that there is a different form of affection there. Not to mention that when I look up at him, it all once again reminds me that I love every part of him—even that part who is in love with flying. That I am in love with a man in love with the skies.

I can also attest to that of Capt. Zablan's words. I may not have heard the entire story of why César chose to be a pilot over than to be a chemist, but I heard a glimpse of his time with flying. And I agree with Capt. Zablan in saying that it sounds like I am listening to some love story at that. To add, I do not need to hear it from him that he also feels at home when he is flying than elsewhere.

Elian, however, is a completely different matter. He remains an enigma. A great ambiguity in all there is. What he hides behind that façade surely is something no one, even me, can possibly know of; unless he himself willingly shows it. But I doubt that he will; precisely where he and César tend to be different, I guess.

After ensuring the necessary shots at the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument are complete, with my and Capt. Zablan finally reaching the peak's viewing deck, the rest of the team head on to the next part of the trip that coincides with our lunch at the Loboc River's Floating Restaurant Cruise. Due to our number, it is a good call for the reservation and lead us to have for ourselves the entire cruise, complete with the variety of foods served and musicians eager to be part of the promotional shoot no matter how small the exposure may be.

But then, it looks like I am only feeling the queasiness and sickness that seems to be brewing for the past few days since the promotional shooting starts that coincides as well to my restless sleeps due to the dreams. It seems to have piled up so well that despite wanting to have the appetite to eat more from the wide collection of foods, I can't help my brain that is telling me to slow down.

My colleagues recognize it at first that when we finish our lunch and everyone's wanting to get the promotion shoot continue on for the rest of the cruise's trip, I am given the clearance to remain at one corner to settle down and rest. I hate being a nuisance, but fighting against them now may only result for me to worsen and be unable to work properly in the next coming days. After all, we're just almost halfway throughout this promotional shooting.

I cross my arms on top of a cleared table and watch how the flight crews are the ones currently under the spotlight with the on-board musicians. Both Capt. Zablan and Elian, however, are watching behind the reels; talking in hushed voices as usual over something that only them will definitely know about. I suddenly remember that secret I shared with Capt. Zablan at the start of this promotion, and I wondered if he had told Elian about it already; as if I actually mind.

In the end, after a heavy sigh, I press my face against my arms and try to sleep. The soft sway and lull of the cruise itself, the usual voices in a promotion set, and the vibrant music being played, in a normal day, will not mind me at all and lead me straight to sleep. I may be the usual light-sleeper, but I find it quite easy, too, to fall asleep amidst the noise itself.

Unfortunately, for today, it didn't work in my favor. I doubt that my mind is telling me that I shall not be asleep, and I didn't even dare to wish to return at once at that dreamscape; quite fearful of seeing the aftermath of that dream.

Or maybe, the very reason that I am somehow dreadful of being back to that dreamscape is the remembrance of my own embarrassment.

I mean, it is really very, very, very weird to dream of such thing. It might be a little easy to deal with if it had been foggy or hazy, wherein I only remember a few touches, a few words, a few feelings... but the details? Every single fucking detail of it, as if I have it recorded and currently being played in replay whenever I close or open my eyes... I think I truly need some clinical help. To top it all is the fact that it is not just any unknown stranger's face, but a familiar one that is just a few feet away from me right now, who've been acting like someone interested of me for those strange interactions between us, and I didn't even see him anything beyond compared to that dream.

Tangina, (Y/N)... Pagkabalik talaga natin ng Maynila, sisiguraduhin natin na magpapatingin tayo sa psychiatrist.

Because, aside from how I am afraid of my own mind; I am also afraid that this is turning to something such as an unhealthy obsession just because he is unattainable. And those type of people are the scariest for what they can do in the name of that.

Suddenly, I sense someone drawing closer to me, as well as the dropping of something on the table and the scraping of the nearby chair. And before I can even see who it is or what is that item placed, Elian speaks up, "For your digestion."

I instantly freeze, and only when I somehow manage to ease myself did I slowly push myself up and look up at him.

It is indeed him right there, sitting on the chair next to me, while his back is on me. He is facing the back of the cruise itself, watching the light swells that our floating restaurant causes as we trail down the river. Holding a lighted cigarette stick, he adds, "Mabuti na lamang at may mainit silang tubig at fresh leaves para sa tea."

I look around us for a second, and despite me not hinting that the others mind as they continue on with the shoot, I didn't know already what are they surely thinking about this.

It only makes me remember Lara's words to me that everyone is practically gossiping about the possibility between me and Elian; however, as some sort of respect to both of us, they didn't say anything at all. Instead, they only deduce about it and nothing more to think of. But now, it seems they'll have something to add to their rumors.

I turn back to him, looking at his side-profile. I fight the urge to tell him that the reason of my queasiness had been about him, and it is not indigestion or whatsoever. However, I am not in the mood to fight him; so, I just say, "Thank you."

Elian didn't answer to that, and just blows a smoke.

Taking the nearby cup of hot tea, the warmth spreads through my palms. The smell of mint reminds me of César, and since I and Elian haven't been too close at all for his scent to sweep through me, too... this being the closest we ever been, I can catch a soft hint of the same scent of the familiar mixture of soap, mint and sandalwood.

Is it possible that I've always known and attributed such smell to Elian resulting then for César's? I doubt it, and yet...

"I know na napag-usapan natin na maging professional tayo with one another," he speaks in a small voice a minute later. He keeps his eyes fixed onto the drifting swells as he keeps his long legs crossed and the ashes of his cigarette shyly falling to the nearby ashtray. "Looking back at it, I remember that only you said so. I didn't say that I'll follow the same path as you do."

I sigh heavily after taking a quick sip of the tea. "Hindi ko rin naman inaasahan that you'll agree with me. Masasabi ko rin na what happens is dahil hindi ko ineexpect 'yong doon sa Isabela, kaya ganoon. However, I am being honest to say that I truly wish for us to return to the way we are before. 'Yong nagtratrabaho sa same company, though different departments and that's it. Ayaw kong pag-usapan tayo ng iba, lalo't wala namang dapat pag-usapan."

"Rookie... Kahit wala akong gawin, may pag-uusapan at pag-uusapan sila. Sinabi ko na naman sa iyo kung bakit ko tinanggap 'yong promotional shoot na ito, hindi ba? It just so happens that ikaw 'yong nagpadala ng e-mail, sinagot ko, and the link all ends dahil Atenista raw tayo pareho. You're thinking too much of many things."

"If that's the case, bakit mo pa sinabi 'yong sinabi mo na 'yon sa rooftop doon sa Davao pa lamang? Noong unang gabi?"

"Because you're too tense with me around. Hindi naman ako nanunuklaw, at parang takot na takot kang mapag-isa na kasama ako."

"If totoo man 'yon, bakit naman ako sumama sa iyo para sa mga pasalubong na iyon? Tapos talagang parang kinidnap mo naman ako at isinama sa bahay niyo sa Isabela?"

"As I've told you, I am always looking at you, and I see you."

"Ano ba talaga ang ibig-sabihin no'n?"

At that, he suddenly grows quiet.

I gaze at him, trying to gauge a moment that he'll react or what with my question, but he didn't. It seems like he already predicts that I'll be asking that, and now that I did, I am hoping for an answer. However, like from back then, he decides not to expound about the subject any further.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang gulo-gulo mong kausap, Elian Basa... Diyan kayo ibang-iba ni César...

I take a sip of the tea, looking back at the still on-going shoot. It seems like Capt. Zablan had joined the team, and I can't help but to ask him, rather too sarcastically at my end, "'Di ba tinanggap mo 'yong offer na maging parte nitong promotional shoot? Bakit ayaw mo panindigan?"

Elian then cranes his neck, not to look at me but at where his team is definitely being shoot with that of my department. He scoffs and puffs one last smoke before swiveling his chair and buries the butt of the cigarette stick to the ashtray on the table. This time, he sits side by side with me. He keeps his legs crossed and then buries his hands against his trousers' pockets before saying, "I did. And to tell you, I am doing it still kahit na hindi ito 'yong nasa job order ko simula noong pumasok ng airlines."

"It is some sort of an additional incentive na natanggap mo, and this is a contract with our department as agreed with the HR. So, deal with it." I add, quite bitterly, "Since matagal ka na kinoconsider ng marami to be the 'Face of the Airlines', now that you're finally living with it, panindigan mo."

"To be honest, hindi ko nga alam kung saan nagmula 'yong title na 'yon."

"'Yong ano? 'Yong pagiging 'Face of the Airlines'?"

"Oo. Iniisip ko na parang sila Tony lang din ang nag-imbento no'n."

I turn to him, with that look that definitely wants to tell him like, 'Are you serious?' Is he being so humble right now that he didn't realize that aside from his popularity due to his talent with sports back then during college, or perhaps about his topnotch brain... didn't he know that his vibes of being tall, dark and handsome a common factor to it? I mean, let's admit it, he has the mestizo-genes and a slightly lighter complexion than the true Filipino color; not just as evident as that of Antonio Mondigo to be so fair-skinned and visibly be considered as a foreigner, but...

Pinagloloko niya ba ako na hindi niya nakikita ang sarili niya bilang gwapo? Or if not the artista and model vibes, but 'yong superstar one? Kailangan ko ba sabihin sa kanya ng personal lahat-lahat ng iyon, ha?!

"I know that being part of Ateneo Blue Eagles noong college, and even won the championships a few times... may be a contributing factor. Dahil kung ituring ng media ang lahat ng players, akala mo lahat gusto maging instant celebrities or what." He sighs heavily. "Gusto ko lang naman maglaro, and that's it."

"I don't think that it is that easy since pumasok ka ng varsity na paniguradong madami ang gusto ring makapasok..." I counter.

He casts a look at me. This time, he is the one showing me the look if I am being serious. But I try to keep the facçade of being insolent that I didn't know too many things about him. "Rookie, masyadong personal matter ang varsity na pinipili talaga sa try-outs kung sino ang may future. Siguro dahil sa tagal ko rin sa Ateneo, even being part of the high school basketball team... yeah, siguro dahil doon kaya naging madali para sa akin ang mapabilang sa basketball varsity team. Pero seryoso ako sa sinasabi ko na hindi ko naman talaga gustong makilala as a basketball player or that. Being active in sports is like my stress-reliever sa studies."

Yeah, fuck me. Sana all kasing galing mo sa time management na nahanapan mo pa ng oras talaga maging isang athlete ng 'di lang isa o dalawa, kung hindi apat na sports, sa kabila ng chemistry major course mo at grumaduate pa with honors. Yeah, sana all kasing daming panahon sa buhay na hindi stress sa pag-aaral.

Maybe he is really that intelligent to find too many times in a routine of practice for basketball, football, track and field, and swimming; then completely ace the bachelor's degree in chemistry with ease. And then dare to take up the complexity of flying as if it is another piece of cake.

"Well, kahit na ayaw mo maturing as a celebrity at dahil gusto mo lang talaga maglaro, wala na tayong magagawa sa kung paano ka bigla nagkaroon ng fanbase dahil doon," I explain. "And it is only common for the PR department to take advantage of that history. You definitely didn't think na dahil lang 'yon sa time mo as a varsity player kaya ka napili, ano?"

Elian didn't seem to focus on my last sentence that he scoffs, almost laughing. "Ironic. Kung ganoon pala, dapat nag-artista o nag-model na lang pala ako. If talagang gusto ko ng spotlight."

"And it is all weird too bakit mo napagdesisyunan maging piloto since chemistry graduate ka," I add.

As if he is quite surprise that I'll be aware of his bachelor's degree, then it is definitely evident in his face now.

I have an explanation set already about how come I know; because the entire Ateneo knew of its top varsity player's degrees, that's why. Looking at it now, it seems like he is right in saying that it isn't just the media who've painted them as more than just college students.

And now that I finally come to such a question, I once again remember Capt. Zablan's words. Perhaps, it is all the reason why no woman or any relationship had been linked to him. That he seems to have no interest with romance, and even a few interactions between us mere strangers—or acquaintances—tend to be too awkward and strange.

"You know, sabi ng parents ko noong bago ako mag-college... Sabi nila sa akin, kumuha ako ng kurso na pwera sa gusto ko ay 'yong madaming job offers na hindi ganoon kadami ang magiging competition. Some courses that are built in skills and of the future. I know na medyo disappointed sila noong pinili ko mag-marketing, but it is the one that I love and envision myself to be in. So..." I nod and bite my lower lip. "Chemistry offers quite too many other opportunities. So, why... What made you decide to be a pilot, right after graduating such a degree na alam kong pinipili lamang ng Ateneo ang top-15 percent passers?"

"Hmm..." Despite that, he didn't answer at once.

I continue, "Hindi ba't parang mas exciting maging chemist? Mixtures and everything, finding something new, creating and discovering... Maybe you have the makings of being a Nobel Prize awardee? Compared sa pagiging piloto. 'Di ka ba nagsasawa kakatitig lamang sa parehong instrument controls sa cockpit, then puro ulap, then runways and airports in a routine basis, and talking over radio na paniguradong kapag ibang lahi na, minsan mahirap intindihin ang English nila?"

Elian laughs, a purely genuine and hearted one that takes me by surprise. Just as I dreamed of César back then, on how charming and refreshing the sound is... there is no doubt that it is how I also feel right now with Elian's. He stares at me after clearing his throat, remarking then, "Rookie, nothing about flying is repetitive. Maybe it might appear like that because of the routes and the procedures and checklists. But no; every single one is different. There's always something that will make one flight unique among the many others in the bunch. And haven't you heard the phrase that "airports are destinations in themselves"?"

"Don't tell me that you've decided to be a pilot because you just want to travel," I point out to him. "Given your pedigree, and sure wealth... pwede ka naman mag-travel kahit saan mo gustuhin ng hindi nagpipiloto."

"Maybe that's one of the reasons. But..." he states before sighing heavily. He then turns his chair another time—facing me—and looks out to stare up at the sky, craning his neck as if in search of something out there. And then, he finally remarks, "I can attest that I just feel like being up in the air is where I belong."

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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. Are flights just repetitive? In a sense, a passenger will say yes. Even we do will say yes. Repetitive in a sense that we're heading to this place again. Flight trainings and airline routes aren't at all different. Hence, there's a so-called "repetitive flight plan". However, there's always something different about it still. So, no, flights are not repetitive still. Take for example two of my flights before my CPL check ride, both flights are a flight from Iba-La Union-Iba (RPUI-RPUS-RPUI); I flew with a flight instructor to deliver a plane, and then take another back with us. On the first day of the flight, close for approach in RPUS, we're told to hold at Bauang because a student is to have his first solo, then after landing, we found out that the plane we're supposed to take with us is still under maintenance. And so, we waited for almost half a day, only to be told to take another with us back. The following day, still the same flight route, however, due to the prevalent winds that expedite our journey to La Union, we side-tracked to Mangatarem before proceeding to RPUS, and found our plane waiting for us; and with the prevalent winds once more, having arrived to RPUI earlier on, we try heading to Mount Pinatubo's crater, but sadly didn't do so due to the prevalent clouds. You see, just these two flights have the so-called "side-trips". There's always something different about it, and those are fond memories to look back at.

Chapter title: Inversion Layer. As an additional fact regarding inversion layer: in normal occurrences, temperature drops in every gain of altitude; however, inversion layer is when normally cold temperature altitudes are trapped beneath warmer ones. It usually happens during the cold months or the winter season. Once again, like that of a "catch point", the Reader who've once ago only looked on to her ideas about pilots, managed to gain more information about the industry itself.

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