Easily remembered, useful guide to a more complex principle. Examples of these rules-of-thumb every pilot should know are the calculation of glide slope descent rates, course corrections, the 50/70 rule to abort a takeoff, windshears, civil twilight, and when flying through gusty approaches or for crosswind landings.

* * *

I didn't panic by the time I open my eyes back to the dreamscape. Perhaps, I am already used to with the idea that every time I fall asleep at night, I end up in the same world. Though not in a continuous manner that there had been weeks of difference between one another, it somehow remains free-flowing that I didn't find myself in the past then back or whatsoever from the previous. However, this is the first time, since the past few dreams ago, that I wake up exactly at the moment I, somehow, dreadfully and embarrassingly hope not to.

Unless, this is another time... Pero, tangina, hinay-hinay lang!

The room is still quite dark as no light had been lighted from what I remember of, and the capiz windows remain closed; but the glow of the moonlight, about to be replaced by the sun in the next few more hours, filters in a soft light. Surprisingly, it isn't that warm or cold, though I can feel the lingering sweat across my skin and the comforting heat that radiates from his naked body pressing closely against mine underneath the blankets. My entire body feels heavy and sore that I flush at the memory of this dream itself.

I slightly shift, turning closer to where César remains asleep. Apparently, I've made used of his arm as a pillow that will certainly be numb by the time he wakes up, and definitely he didn't mind as it presses me closer to him. But he remains asleep and gives me such a fortunate moment to have a glimpse of him this way, trailing then my fingers across his features.

He seems so vulnerable, and much younger as he sleeps. Though I always find him evidently happy, with only few moments that I'll be graced by a frown from him, this time, he appears completely at peace as I tentatively brush away the few strands of his hair away from his forehead and then trail the strong set of his eyebrows. His beautiful dark eyes underneath closed eyelids, and the long and elegant lashes that kisses his lightly sun-kissed skin. His straight nose, and the sharp contours of his cheekbones and jawline. And his slightly parted lips... How can a beautiful man love this dream version of me at all?

Even my brain and heart, which definitely conceptualizes this dream... it is strange that it can make such a world as this feel so real that makes me long to be here and forget the other plane.

I would welcome any kind of life as long as I am on the same plane as César, I ponder. I'll definitely do.

Suddenly, César's lips curl to a smile, causing me to freeze that before I can even pull my hand away, he catches my wrist and presses my fingertips against his lips to kiss each of them. "Would you prefer me to continue sleeping so that you can continue your exploration, my love?"

"'Wag mo sabihin na kanina ka pa gising?" I inquire, feeling my cheeks reddening and my lips drawing a smile, too.

He opens his eyes halfway, looking at me. "Good morning, (Y/N). Or..." He lifts his left arm to check the time on his wristwatch. "Right. Masyado pang maaga, kaya pala madilim pa. And yes, I woke up roughly ten minutes ago. Hindi ko lang inisip na pagnanasahan mo talaga ako kahit natutulog ako."

I slap him against his shoulder before burying my face against my hand on his shoulder. "Baliw ka talaga. Kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi mo."

"Ano namang masama doon sa sinabi ko? Anong masama na pagnasahan mo ang magiging asawa mo?"

"Kahit na..."

"Hey. Anong reaksyon 'yan? Come on. I want to see the beautiful face of my future wife first thing upon waking up."

I definitely blush more than I did, causing me to bury my face much more, quite defiantly.

He breathes in heavily, turning to surround his arms around me tightly, and presses me against him so perfectly like a piece of a puzzle. His fingers then twine through the strands of my hair and whispers against my crown, "Shouldn't we be past embarrassment as this after what happened last night?"

I shiver slightly before finally daring to crane my neck to look up at him. There's still the evident hunger in his eyes, but they always gaze at me so lovingly. "Hindi mo ba iniisip na... that we've become too reckless?"

"Reckless?" He raises an eyebrow at me before drawing closer to lean his forehead against mine this time and presses a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. "I'm yours, and you're mine. Hindi man lang sumagi sa isipan ko iyon."

"Talaga bang hindi mo naisip na baka itong ginagawa natin ay mali? Since hindi pa tayo kasal?"

"Pagkatapos natin mabuhay ng matagal, at iniwan na natin itong buhay dito sa lupa sa ating mga anak, at sa ating mga apo, at sa ating mga apo sa tuhod, at tuluyan na nating nakaharap ang ating Tagapaglikha... maybe, by then, you can ask Him yourself."

I click my tongue. "'Yong seryoso kasi, César."

"Seryoso nga rin ako." He laughs. "And what is there to be worried of? We're also about to get married. At ano ba talaga 'yang reaction mo na 'yan? You've managed to have around your finger, and spent the night with one of the pilots of the most envied and celebrated Sixth Pursuit Squadron."

Not to add definitely for his narcissistic nature that he's also one of those celebrated pilots of the already celebrated squadron. One of their poster boys, surely...

I pout. "And I fear that that ego of yours will kill you." Looking away from him as I bite my lower lip, pulling him closer to me as I press my ear against his chest to be assured of his beating heart, I add in a mutter, "At dahil din doon, I almost lost you."

At that, César didn't have a comeback right away. However, he sighs heavily and it is enough to make me feel guilty on making him feel as if the discussion regarding that isn't still over.

If I remember correctly, my previous dream definitely put a conclusion to that. An agreement crossed the two of us, and I know that he understood the depth of my worries. I know as well that he was sorry about what happened; too distraught by the knowledge alone that he caused me to be, and very much about my wild accusation that I'll always be secondary to him. And it had been quite too selfish of me to demand so much from him, when all of this is practically just a byproduct of my dream.

"(Y/N)..." César calls for my name at the moment that I am almost drawn to the sound of his heartbeat lulling me to sleep. However, his next words pull out every ounce of my relaxation when he asks, "Do you think it is wise if I'll... You know, if I leave PAAC and flying altogether?"

I push myself away from him to practically stare at him in shock. In a sense, I think I shall be elated hearing his intentions but now that I am hearing it... I am definitely not just surprised, but angry? I blink at him and his seriousness had been evident this time that I am starting to fear how much my words from last night had broken his will. If ever, I hate to be the reason of him choosing anything else other than what makes him happy; and so, I counter, "Anong pinagsasabi mo?"

"You heard me loud and clear." He smiles sadly. "Pagkatapos ng nangyari kahapon at 'yong sinabi mo sa akin na 'you're not the one I ever most loved'... believe me, it hurts so badly hearing that from you."

I gulp in hard.

"Pero... sa tingin ko 'yon ang kailangan kong marinig." He then reaches out a hand to caress my cheek, tucking the strands of my hair behind my ear. "Mawawalan lamang ng saysay ang lahat-lahat kung hindi nakikita at nararamdaman ng pinakaimportanteng tao sa akin na siya ang pinakamahalaga."

I can feel my eyes starting to water with his words, and I slowly surround my hands around his wrist, stopping him from cupping my cheek as I close my eyes and press my lips against his palm.

Suddenly, I remember how he looked yesterday when he talked a few about flying in general, about his flight training to be exact. I then remember when Capt. Villamor said that it was wrong of me to think that they were all so eager to die. And then Capt. Zablan's words to me about how every pilot's flight journey is a love story. And Elian agreeing with Capt. Zablan's statement that the reason he chose to be a pilot than continue a career in chemistry is because the sky feels like home for him.

I know that in this dreamscape, César, a man who've been in love with the sky, equally loves this dream version of me. I guess, he hadn't had any flaw that makes me think otherwise until that of yesterday alone. He loves so magnanimously, so pure and innocent that I am starting to think that the fault is on me instead. That I am unworthy of it all, and he had proven it so much more with how he makes me feel. As if my name is a prayer, as if I am a saint or a goddess, as if I am all deserving of that devotion.

"César," I call for him and slowly lift my gaze to stare at him, waiting for what my answer will be. Instead, I question him right now, wanting to hear his own side than just mere assumptions, "Bakit mo ba talaga naitanong ang tungkol diyan? Pwera sa mga nasabi ko na... hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganoon ang turing mo sa mga iyon?"

"Dahil naalala ko bigla kung bakit hadlang ang mga magulang ko talaga na mag-piloto ako," he answers at once, without any further hesitation. "Sabi ko nga sa iyo kagabi, nakatatak sa isipan ko 'yong sinabi sa akin ni Mama dati kung bakit ayaw niya ako mag-piloto. Dahil nga raw... "Pilots have short lives, and I do not want my son to die young". Tapos nangyari na nga 'yong close call na 'yon. Na kahit alam kong beyond the operational limits, I still dare pushed the airplane to such a stress just to prove na possible 'yong maneuver if properly commenced. Then, itong suspension nga. Tapos 'yong naging pag-uusap din namin ni Kapitan Villamor. Alam mo ba na kinausap niya ako pagkatapos mo mag-walk-out after that sobriety test?"

I bite my lower lip and admit, "Yes. Nabanggit niya rin sa akin kahapon. Pero nabanggit niya rin na kung may makakagawa ng maneuver na iyon na ligtas at buhay, alam niyang kayang-kaya mo. Na 'yong nangyaring aksidente ay hindi talaga ang kabuuan kung bakit ka niya pinatawan ng suspension."

He scoffs. "Piling that all up, and then lahat-lahat ng sinabi mo sa akin... parang nawalan ng sense lahat ng assurances. It all made me think that flying might actually not be my best choice, after all."

Pinagsisisihan niya na lahat-lahat ng iyon dahil sa nangyari? Pagkatapos niyang ipaglaban at paghirapan ang lahat-lahat ng iyon para marating kung ano siya ngayon?

César pulls his hand away from me, pushes himself up from the bed before properly leaning then back on the headrest and the pillows. He sighs heavily. "Having to say that now tastes so bitter. It is quite such a big pill to swallow." He laughs lightly at that, and when I didn't say anything, he drops it at once. "Pero... panigurado na ang laking ginhawa para kala Papa at Mama kung maririnig nila na aalis na ako ng PAAC at hindi na magpapatuloy sa pagiging piloto. Na ipagpapatuloy ko kung ano ang nakalaan na career ko since graduate naman ako ng chemistry. Makakahanap din ako siguro kaagad ng trabaho na related doon." He then looks down at me before caressing his knuckles against my cheek. "At panigurado ma-rerealize mo na kaya kong iwan ang lahat para sa iyo, (Y/N)."

But... do I want that? Am I ready to see the aftermath of that decision of his? Ever since seeing this dreamscape, seeing how he looks too much like Elian, it is strange of me to say that I've never removed the notion of him being a pilot at all. It is like that title is already attributed to the both of them; that taking it away is like taking everything that made them who they are.

And then, in the future, will I be seeing them distraught that I've been part of those who've hindered them from that future they longed for? Can I bear the knowledge that I am one of the reasons they're turning their backs from what they loved the most? Am I being gaslighted right now?

No. I don't think so. To be honest, if there is someone who made such an implication in the first place, it had been me. And it had never been my intention for him to feel that way; and I know that he also didn't mean for me to be troubled in such a crossroad the same way.

"Do you regret it all now? Being a pilot?" I ask.

"I'll be lying to say that I do. Alam kong madami ang matutuwa kapag sinabi ko iyon; but, in the contrary, it is sickening that I am fooling myself." He answers, "Being a pilot is the best choice I've made... until yesterday had shown me that it isn't."

It definitely is very much because of what happened yesterday, isn't it? Tapos ginatungan ko pa kagabi...

I didn't realize that it will weigh too much in his mind that last night, he also told me to be honest about what I am actually feeling. And how much a fool I am to do and trust him with the truth. My words surely feel like the last nail to the coffin.

Biting my lower lip, I pull up and draw closer to him, surrounding my arms around him as I gasp in my vain trial to keep myself from crying. I know that it is all my fault that lead to this series of doubts for him, and I hate that in this dream, I've become quite desperate to force him to choose between what truly makes him happy.

"(Y/N)..." Worry is audible in his voice when he calls for me. And even though he is forcing me to face him, I only tighten my arms around his frame and bury my face against the nook of his neck and shoulder.

I gulp in hard and says against his skin, "César, I've known you as a man in love with flying... kahit na alam mong delikado o mahirap o kung ano pa man." I sniff, struggling to keep the tears from clouding my voice. "At alam ko na sasabihin mong... mas napapabilang ka sa himpapawid kasama ng eroplano. Na parang mas feel mo... that you're home kapag ganoon."

"Hey." His voice this time turns urgent. He shifts and finally catches my jaw, making me look at him. In the blurriness of my vision, I can hint that heavy frown that graces his handsome features. He clicks his tongue and brushes away those tears of mine with his thumb. "Hey, listen, my love. Alam mong hindi iyan totoo. I'm definitely much more in love with you, so don't think so less of yourself."

I shake my head. "Hindi ako naiinis, o nagagalit, o nagseselos, César. Alam ko naman na... kung may tao kang mamahalin at nanaisin na makasama buong buhay... alam ko naman na ako iyon."

"But still..."

"And yes, but still... I'm just saying the truth. At ayos lang 'yon sa akin. Ayos lang sa akin na magpatuloy ka sa ginagawa mo... Sa kung saan ka masaya. But I want you to know that I feel at home with you. More than anything."

He didn't say anything at that and only looks back at me as he continues to brush away my tears.

I take a shaky breath and wield myself to stop. I know that I've been quite a mess, but I am definitely calmer that I can't help but to chuckle and smile at him. Some sort of heavy load that I didn't know I've been keeping finally dissolves. Acceptance helps me to understand that it is truly scary to just take and not to give something in return. And so, I reach out for him, twining my fingers on the strands of his hair as I add, "And I love that about you, César. All of it. Ngayon ko lang medyo napagmuni-muni na, all along, it had been a part of you. And, perhaps, that's definitely the part of you that I've fallen in love with."

For a moment, long enough for me to calm down my tears and for me to doubt if I've said something wrong once more, he is quiet. But when he speaks up again, it grounds me back to the earth, saying, "We should get married."

I laugh, a genuine and carefree one this time that when the tears are gone, replaced with my giddiness, I press a soft kiss against his collarbone, close to the metal chain of his medallion. I teasingly remind me, "Engaged na tayo, César. So, of course, yes. We're getting married."

His hands creep down my bare back and gently give my sides a squeeze, causing me to yelp a little and stare back at him. And when I do, I realize that aside from the seriousness that settles on his eyes, a hazy insatiable hunger reflects on as he corrects himself, "Ang ibig kong sabihin ay magpakasal na tayo kaagad, (Y/N). 'Wag na natin patagalin pa. Let's get married at once."

* * *

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. Reasons for flying. As I've said from the previous chapters, there are definitely too many reasons why pilots chose the career of flying. Most would be because of the travel and it being a childhood dream, and I also told you that of my own reason. But throughout flight training, we were always told by our flight instructors to find purpose with flying beyond it being a childhood dream and for traveling alone. We'll never know what led César or anyone of the Sixth Pursuit Squadron to chose flying, except for Villamor who've mentioned in his book that it interested him when he was watching the planes flying overhead. Hence, we could also say that that was everyone's reason; but it was truly a wonder when it came for César—a graduate chemist to be a pilot. I have flight instructors and batchmates who have varying college degrees, too; and there most obvious answer was their curiosity and the two given above ordinary reasons. If ever César was truly an INTJ, which was how I envision him to be with his life as a college student, then it could all just be a whim or curiosity indeed that he definitely then took pride of afterwards.
2. Is flying really dangerous? Like any other jobs, flying doesn't have a very clear streak of safety. But as I've also said from before that you are more likely to die because of a car accident than of a plane crash... well, aviation industry improved over the years. The industry was still too young compared to others, barely 120 years since the introduction of the first successful fixed-wing flight. There are two sayings for this: "There are bold pilots and old pilots. But there are no bold and old pilots." and "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them yourselves." Throughout the years, these two sayings stick so much to the industry that every accident or incident is a lesson learned by pilots, airlines, and everyone else. 9/11? Cockpit doors are then made of bullet-proofed steel and pilots having an issued gun and cuffs. Pilot suicide? If one of the two pilots went out of the cockpit, a cabin crew must replaced his presence inside the cockpit. Philippine Airlines PR434? Stricter airport security. Those three are just a few examples out of too many other incidents. Though MH370 still remained a mystery...
3. Do I regret choosing to be a pilot? I'll be quoting César's words regarding that: "I'll be lying to say if I do. [...] Being a pilot is the best choice I've made." There were too many down moments throughout training; moments that made me wonder if it had been the right choice. And in those times, I swore that I cry, and asked God's guidance if this is His will. But there are more happy moments, too; accomplishing the exams with flying colors on just one take, first solo, achieving the licenses... All of those fears, doubts, jittery feelings, stress and sacrifice of time and family and friends for studying, studying and studying... it is all worth it. Making it to the industry is another matter; and after my A320 training, it will definitely put me in the greatest test if being a pilot is the right thing. Since the aviation industry is too small, and I'll always feel inferior with too many other pilots, it is hard for every pilot to earn a place in the industry itself. However, I doubt that I'll ever think of it otherwise even if the greatest fallback is yet to happen. Saying these things, I know that I am speaking on behalf of too many, if not all, pilots.

Chapter title: Rule of Thumb. Even without the aviation meaning, rule of thumb definitely is a normal or practical method used for something, usually for an approximate estimation of things. The practical thing here is... *ahem* to have that what happens afterwards...

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