Surge

Surge is a sudden increase in something such as electrical power or to move with force like a wave. If combustion pressure increases above compress or outlet pressure, the airflow will reverse in direction and surge forward through the compressor.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Sage...

The dim lights reflect in his clear eyes. Neither of us are unable to look away, until I manage to find an opening.

Kinuha ko ang baso ng Blushing rose at inubos iyon ng isang inuman. Nahihiya ko namang batid sa kanya, "I should get going."

"Kaagad-agad?"

"It is rather late and kailangan ko magsimula na magbawi ng tulog para 'di ako mahirapan sa mga susunod na araw sa changes ng shift," saad ko.

"I see." Halata naman ang pagka-disappoint niya, though it is only for a moment, and he deftly pulls away. "I'll drive you home," he adds before standing up first that earns the rest to look at him. He explains to them that he'll be back and just drive me home real quick, reasoning out that it is as I've said.

The others appear disappointed, but they are much more accepting than Sage appeared. Before leaving though, they said that it is nice meeting me and I better be with Sage sa mga susunod pa nila na mga pagkikita as this. That's something I am looking forward to as well.

Sage keeps a hand by my lower back, ushering me to the elevators. However, he asks me to wait for a second and returns with the same bouquet of daisies and dahlias that turned out to be his surprise. And I can't help but thank him bashfully.

Did I mess this up? Bakit hindi ko magawang sabihin na gusto kong mag-stay na kasama siya?

A part of my brain is telling me that I shouldn't force Sage, knowing that he has to spend time with his friends, and that he has an early start tomorrow, too. But then, that's not the only thing that left me worried.

Sage seems... cold, somehow. Anong nangyayari?

Wala naman akong magawa kung hindi hayaan na lamunin ako ng regrets hanggang sinamahan ako ni Sage sa may labas at patungo na kami sa parking lot noong sinabihan ko siya, "Sage, you don't need to drive me home. Magtataxi na lamang ako."

He frowns. "Why? I'd love to drive you home, and assure myself that you are safe."

"You don't actually need to. Nakapunta na nga ako rito mag-isa, eh." Medyo na-guilty ako sa sinabi ko, lalo na noong nakita kong mas lalo siyang nalito. "Thank you for making time for me today," I tell him with a small smile.

"Ako nga itong dapat nagpapasalamat sa iyo. For coming all the way out here." He tucks his hands on his pockets. "Are you uncomfortable with... them, that's why?"

"Hmm? You mean with them?" I shake my head at once. "Nope. Talaga lang na kailangan ko magpahinga nang mas maaga kapag Tuesday. Medyo hectic ang shifts namin, if you know. Okay lang sana if pa-hapon or pa-gabi 'yong schedules, but paaga nang paaga."

"I see. But it doesn't change the reason kung bakit ayaw mo na ihatid kita."

"If you drive me home, imbis na mas matagal kayo makakapagbonding, you'll be missing a lot."

"I'd prefer to be with you, Yvonne."

Medyo nabigla ako sa sinabi niya at noong tinitigan ko siya ay halatang hindi siya nagbibiro. For a while there, I'll finally give up and take his offer. But... do I have te right to be the one on the receiving end again and again? I gulp in hard and remind him, "Well, may meeting ka pa rin bukas. What time will it be?"

"Eight in the morning. It's a shareholders' meeting," he answers.

It is already late in the evening. "The more reason for you to be well-rested. Not to mention na hindi rin kita hahayaan na magdrive to and from our house na mag-isa."

"Nag-aalala kang magdrive ako na lasing?" tanong niya.

"Oo. Mapaano ka pa kaya!" Now, that's a rather valid excuse para mag-taxi na lamang ako. "Kaya, talagang mag-taxi na lang ako." I almost laugh seeing him pout like a kid. Hinawakan ko naman ang kanyang kamay at inudyok siyang samahan ako palabas para maghintay ng taxi. This time, he didn't fight me back.

"Funny that I and the others are all arriving tomorrow still drunk." Bahagya siyang ngumiti. "And that you are worried about all of it."

"For the record, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na shareholder ka ng kumpanya na ito." Huminga ako nang malalim at tinitigan muli ang entrance hall. "Who would know? Sage Nathaniel Martinez, the stingiest man I know during high school, investing? Ibig-sabihin ba na kayo-kayo lang din bukas?"

"Well, the entire batch ay shareholder ng airlines. Tapos may iba na from the outside. But those others ay mga shareholders din ng iba pang subsidiaries ng Verano Group of Companies. Kaya hindi mapapalitan ng date or what, kahit na si Nikolai pa ang CEO. Consider it as a shareholder of all other subsidiaries, too."

I nod, trying to catch up with his explanation. "So... how much percent is your actual share?"

Sage smirks before brushing away a loose strand of my hair from my face. "I am trying to make this relationship work. So, for now, it's a secret. I hate it that you'll only fall in love with me more due to my current net worth."

At that, I pout.

He laughs much more before pulling me to him in a tight embrace. He buries his face in my hair and let's out a pained whisper. "Don't worry, it is nothing much. As you've said, enough for an investment. For now, ang mahalaga is to stay healthy and be happy. And you're exactly what I need to be that."

"Sage.." I wrap my arms around his back, sending to him all my feelings with that gentle pressure. We stay like that hangga't may vacant taxi na tumigil, and it is time to finally let go.

☆ ☆ ☆

Huminga ako nang malalim at dumiretso sa kama pagkadating ko ng bahay. Almost more than one hour na since noong nag-goodbye ako kay Sage, pero hindi pa rin siya mawala sa isipan ko.

Ngayon ko lang na-realize that I truly want to be with him. But it's a little selfish for me to think about. To add, something about the way Sage's acting seems off...

'Yong beautiful bouquet ng mga paborito kong daisies at dahlias. 'Yong pag-introduce niya sa akin as his girlfriend sa kanyang mga malalapit na kaibigan at katrabaho. 'Yong paghatid niya sa akin sa may taxi, 'yong yakap niya at 'yong chaste kiss niya sa noo ko... With no illicit invitations in sight...

Naging sobra-sobra naman ang pagka-gentleman niya ngayon...

Naalala ko naman kung paano kumilos si Sage bago pa kami magkahiwalay. Noong linagay niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa bulsa... kukuha ba siya ng hotel keycard back then?

Dati, he would have been pretty showy about the whole thing. But now... Ibig-sabihin ba na gusto niya talaga akong alagaan ng mabuti bilang girlfriend niya? That would make me happy...

But still, this nagging feeling is making me doubt that it's all there is.

☆ ☆ ☆

Roughly two weeks later noong nagkatugma ulit ang schedules namin ni Sage, or rather, I opt to plan a surprise for him. After all, ever since noong last namin na pagkikita, nabanggit niya sa akin na he'll be much busier the following weeks due to him studying for a new route he'll be flying. Kaya naman napagdesisyunan ko na i-surprise siya mismo sa airport pa lamang.

Speaking of connections and immunity... Malayo-layo rin ang nararating ng CAAP ID ko and ng ATC license. Pero 'di ko naman sinobrahan ang pang-aabuso as I settle to have access until the gate after check-in and before immigration itself, and from the arrival gate to the conveyor belts.

First time ko gawin ito, but Mika told me, since siya nga talaga ang nag-suggest sa akin, that it is safe. But jittery pa rin ako habang naghihintay ako sa may lobby, given that it is too huge na baka 'di kami magkita ni Sage. After all, for the arrival ones, all it takes is an immigration, the taking of luggage, a long array of lobbies and finally the checkout. And also, since our last meeting, nagkaroon nang pagbabago sa relationship namin.

Sanay na akong madalas mag-message si Sage every now and then. But for the last two weeks, he'd done nothing but send curt replies to my messages. That being said, ayaw ko naman isipin na busy lang siya dahil sa work, but my brain is pushing such notion to the limit of me turning paranoid.

If I remember correctly, he had mentioned that he's arriving at Manila by 11PM tonight. And wala namang magtataka sa bahay if I leave at such a late hour; since noong bumalik sila Papa at Mama a week ago, I was surprised to find them leaving again for Batanes after just three days. In short, hindi ko kinakailangan na mag-explain sa kanila about things as this; to add, hindi ko pa nga rin nababanggit sa kanila ang tungkol sa amin ni Sage, since my parents are no doubt friends din ng parents niya. Alam niyo naman, madalas na magkakaibigan ang parents natin with our elementary and high school friends.

I decide to come an hour early para magkaroon pa ako ng time to prepare with the surprise. Just imagining it has me grinning, but that doesn't last for long upon not only seeing the latest change in the arrival board monitor and the announcement that followed.

22:25. ROA135. From London/LHR. Arrived. ETA 23:15.

"Sinong mag-aakala na mapapaaga ang dating natin?"

"Normal na 'yong mga ganito, 'di ba? Kapag naman papunta, delayed na kapag delayed na rin nakapag-airborne."

Shit. I know that voice!

I turn around in surprise and see Sage in his uniform, complete until the winter coat he is currently wearing and the cap, walking in my general direction as he converses with three other pilots whom namukhaan ko kaagad, since na-introduce sila sa akin ni Sage two weeks ago. Trailing behind them are the cabin crews, with their luggages, too. And at that, my first instinct is to hide in the shadows of a nearby pillar.

Napaaga ng isang oras ang flight niya?

"It's only common since it's almost winter up north," saad ng isa pang kasama niya na piloto. "And jet streams could save us an hour or even two hours of flight time."

Meteorology and Navigation, Yvie. Of course!

"Right, right, Axel," banat ng isa pang piloto. "The best thing is we're able to go back home. First time ni Sage at Spencer magkaroon ng lipad to London. Anong masasabi niyo?"

"Kagaya lang din ng sinabi mo, Zander, being able to go back home is still the best thing," sagot ni Sage na may bahagyang ngiti.

Mukha namang hindi ako napansin ni Sage or ng mga kasama niya pa habang nagpatuloy sila sa kanilang pag-uusap kasama ng mga cabin crew. Habang pinapanood ko sila, pakiramdam ko ay napakalayo pa rin namin sa isa't isa. At the same time, I feel a sharp, familiar pain in my chest.

Never mind talking to him—it takes everything I hve just to keep looking back then. Sino mag-aakala na maalala ko lang din lahat ng iyon?

Pero... girlfriend niya na ako ngayon, 'di ba?

I wait until I can no longer see him before pulling out my phone and sending him a message.

Me: I happen to be in the area. Pwede ba tayo magkita today?

Please, I hope na makatanggap ng response mula sa kanya...

☆ ☆ ☆

"Yvonne!" bati sa akin ni Sage na may malawak na ngiti. Hindi siya nag-atubili na puntahan ako kaagad at yakapin ng mahigpit.

"Sage..." Happiness bubbles up in my chest. Nakatanggap nga lang ako ng message kay Sage sometime after 11PM. At noong nabanggit ko na nasa airport ako, napag-desisyunan naming magkita sa lounge ulit.

"I'll be honest to say na nagulat ako noong nakita ko 'yong message mo," he says, pulling away before holding my hand and ushering me to the elevators.

"May inasikaso lang din ako at inabot na ako ng gabi. I am much eager to meet you," sagot ko.

"Hindi ko inaasahan na magkikita tayo today." His smile is as refreshing as ever. But the entire situation... pakiramdam ko ay may mali tungkol sa lahat ng ito.

For one, hindi niya ba sasabihin sa akin na maaga siyang nakarating or anything about the change in his flight? Hindi ba dapat sabihin niya 'yon sa akin kung wala siyang tinatago?

"You're awfully pretty calm and quiet today," remarks Sage. Medyo nakakunot ang noo niya noong tinitigan niya ako pagkatapos namin makapasok ng elevator. "At mukhang pagod na pagod ka kahit na simula pa lamang ng rest day mo ngayon. Busy masyado sa work?"

"Alam mo naman kapag malapit na ang holidays. Mas busy, so yeah. Ikaw?"

"Same. Hindi pa talaga ako sanay sa bagong route na ito. Compared to Sydney and New York, London is quite different. Pero hindi naman ako pwede magreklamo. It's a learn-on-the-job kind of place."

"Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganito ka kasipag." Bahagya akong tumawa.

Sinabayan niya naman ako sa pagtawa. "Aminado ako tungkol diyan. Anyone who'll know me during high school, or college, or even during flight training, paniguradong masasabi ang ganyan."

"Siguro nga, pero halata naman na grabe ang pagsusumikap mo rin para marating kung nasaan ka ngayon."

Napatahimik naman doon si Sage at akala ko noong una ay dahil narating lang namin ang lounge kaya ganoon, pero parang mas malalim pa ang dahilan.

"Sage?" I inquire, watching him across the seat.

"Oh, sorry. Wala lang. Napaisip lang din ako na baka sa pagitan nating dalawa, mas ikaw ang nagsumikap." He smiles softly in return.

"Ako? Hindi 'no. Kung ganoon, eh 'di piloto na rin ako ng airlines."

"I take it that I'm not the only one that's special. Alam ko na ikaw din."

I can't believe that I'll be hearing praises as such from him. Mas lalo lamang akong natutuwa at kinikilig, pero...

There's really something going on about his attitude now. He feels cold and distant that makes his compliments hard to take at face value.

Bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko?

"Sigurado ka ba na hindi ka pagod?" tanong sa akin ni Sage sa kabila ng pagkatahimik ko. But when he peers into my face with worry, mas lalo lamang akong naguguluhan. "Gusto mo na tumawag ako ng taxi para sa iyo? It is already late."

Umiling ako. "Sage..."

"Bakit?"

"Uuwi ka ba sa condo ngayon or mag-stastay ka sa hotel?"

"Hindi ko pa napagdedesisyunan?" The look he is showing right now at me is one of disbelief and uncertainity about the reason I am asking things as this to him now.

So... hindi niya ako aalukin na mag-stay kasama siya? Nandito siya ngayon, kasama ko, pero pakiramdam ko ay ang layo-layo pa rin namin sa isa't isa.

And this isn't some new feeling... I've been feeling like this ever since we started dating.

Lahat ng pangako niya towards someone he'll be considering as his girlfriend... 'Yong breakfast sa New York, or 'yong pagsabi ng pangalan ng mga alaga niyang crabs... It is always with kisses, never going any further. Ano ito?

Ilang beses ko na gusto tanungin sa kanya kung tunay ba na in a relationship kami. Gusto kong malaman sa kanya kung ano ba ako para sa kanya. Hindi na ba ako worthy to be considered as a casual hook-up for him?

I stamp out those negative feelings and call for his attention another time, "Hey, Sage?"

Halata naman na gulong-gulo na rin si Sage sa kung paano niya ako tinititigan ngayon na parang tinubuan pa ako ng isang ulo. "Yeah?"

"If okay lang sa iyo, I'd like to stay with you."

He blinks. "Tonight?"

I nod. "Yes."

His expression never changes as he pulls out his phone and presses a few buttons. Mukha namang inaasikaso niya ang hotel reservations for that. Afterwards, he stands up, offering a hand to me. "Alright. Then, let's go."

Pero, para talagang pinipigilan kami ng tadhana, ay siya namang tunog ulit ng phone ni Sage, causing him to stop just as quickly before we reach the elevators.

"Sorry. Phone call." He turns his back to me as he speaks through the phone. "Martinez speaking. Nasa Ops pa rin ako..."

It's too late already, almost midnight. And kakagaling niya lang sa isang long haul flight, 'di ba? So hindi ito tungkol sa trabaho. Posible ba na babae ang kausap niya? Isa sa mga naka-hook-up niya before? Or one of the flight attendants from earlier?!

I try to keep my jealousy at bay, waiting for the call to end.

When he finishes, he turns to me with a dismayed and embarrassed look. "Sorry about that. That was a business call. Apparently, I still have some up in my schedule."

Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko.

"Yvonne?"

Hindi ko matanggal 'yong pakiramdam na simula noong umamin kami sa isa't isa ng nararamdaman namin, parang may kakaibang feeling na nagsasabi sa akin na may mali. Pero hindi ko malaman kung ano iyon. Bakit?

The small gap I noticed at first grows wider. At kinakabahan ako na 'yong slight sense of discomfort na iyon ay mauwi sa isang mas malaki pang kaba at duda.

———————————————

A/N: Hello, and welcome June!

It had been quite a hassle for me. After all, AAG had failed to inform me that in order to process my papers for an Instrument Rating CAAP exam, I'll need to take a refresher course for the Certificate of Ground School completion. So, here I am, just finished 9 out of 10 final exams of AAG for the certificate itself. And damn, I didn't know how I manage to pass those exams from two years ago. Here I am struggling with the standards set by AAG while CAAP exams aren't that much that of a headache.

By the way, to cure a few of your headache, too, after a raised eyebrow of what magic had happened for a flight to arrived an hour ahead than estimated, well there's an explanation for that at the newest author's note: Arriving at your destination an hour ahead than estimated? Very possible!

Vote, comment and share! 👀 Also, follow me on twitter @23meraki for more updates, trivia about the story, aesthetic boards, and etc. Love, love, love! <3

UPDATED: 02 June 2024 | 1150H

#FLIGHTseries02 || #FSFlightDeck