Mean Sun

Mean Sun is the position of an imaginary sun in a solar day of exactly twenty-four hours, behind the real sun in February and in advance of the real sun in November.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

"We're here," Sage remarks, and all I can do is stare. "Bakit nakatulala ka diyan?"

"Seryoso ka ba na ito 'yong hotel na offered sa inyo during long-haul flights," bahagya kong bulong sa kanya.

I mean... We are going to be staying here?!

The building in front of us right now is clearly a high-class hotel. During my scroll for a hotel close to the airport and also sa mga popular sites like Manhattan and Queens, Alethea New York is on the top of the list kaya ganoon din ang presyo. On top of that, according kay Sage, this is the hotel that Royal Orient Airways always books for its flight crew staying over here in New York for the long-haul flights.

"Grabe naman ang benefits na mayroon kayo as a flight crew ng Royal Orient Airways," I add, still staring at luxury itself.

"Not much, but Alethea is a condotel. But, para sa mga hindi aware, it is a series of luxury hotels with fine dining and expensive meeting facilities." He scoffs, "And also, being part of Royal Orient Airways' board had allowed us for a timeshare program with respective Alethea's properties internationally."

Kaagad akong napatingin sa kanya at mas lalo akong naguluhan. "Wait... Are you implying that..." Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa hotel. "Alethea is also owned by—"

Tumango siya. "Yes. Under VGC's real estate subsidiary group of Verano Development Corporation. And yes, right now, VGC's CEO and VDC's President is—"

"Mister Nikolai Verano."

"Right. Nikolai basically has the helm with all of it. Though Royal Orient Airways would be transferred under new leadership by next year, but it's all just formalities to serve as some sort of a wedding gift."

Shit... Naalala ko na naman 'yong time na personally ko siyang na-meet, along with the rest of Royal Orient Airways' board members. Hindi naman ako makapaniwala that I've met the man, and even take for granted his bachelorhood when I am way below his paygrade. And also, the man is happy and in love; surely a fairytale story compared to how much a roller coaster ride mine and Sage's had been as of now.

Sage suddenly laughs out of the blue. "Siguradong-sigurado pa naman ako na makikita mo kaagad ito pagkatapos ko i-message 'yong hotel sa iyo, tapos naligaw lang din."

"Hey!" Kaagad akong namula.

Totoo na by afternoon, tinanong ko sa kanya 'yong pangalan ng hotel para makapagpahinga ako. Binigyan niya na nga ako ng hotel keycard and hindi naman ako makakapunta sa hotel na dapat kong pag-stastayan since 'yong ibang documents necessary para sa check-in ko, pwera sa mga identification cards and passport, ay nasa maleta ko rin. Not to mention that Sage had made sure that I've canceled those reservations. And true, in my search for this hotel, kahit nakita ko na talaga siya earlier on, ay hindi ako makapaniwala na iyon nga ang tinutukoy ni Sage; that's why we've decided to meet elsewhere.

Hindi naman kaagad siya tumigil sa pagtawa, kaya bahagya ko siyang kinurot sa tagiliran at sinabihan pa siya lalo, "Stop laughing!"

"Sorry, sorry..." He calms down. "It's just, ngayong naiimagine ko kung ano ang naging itsura mo..."

"Oh, come on..."

"I'll be honest to say that I like that sulky look, too. Tonight seems to be fun." Siguro ganoon nga talaga ang nararamdaman niya, since hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti niya ever since na nagkita ulit kami pagkatapos niya mapatawag sa trabaho. And despite all the jokes, he remains to be too gentle. "Be careful. May hagdanan diyan."

"Thank you..." I mumble.

Hindi ko naman magawang manatiling galit sa kanya kung tratuhin niya ako ngayon ay para akong isang prinsesa... Hindi talaga ako mananalo laban sa kanya, ano?

Bumilis naman lalo ang tibok ng puso ko noong pumasok kami sa hotel.

☆ ☆ ☆

Sage explains to me that the Alethea brand is just one of the many projects of the Verano Development Corporation under its hotels, resorts and casinos. Eloriah is on the top as its luxury wellness resort and spa with less than forty chains worldwide, fifteen of it are in the Philippines; then Alethea as a luxury hotel with fine dining restaurants, expensive meeting facilities and gaming centers; the Alveera and Esplanda brands of an all-inclusive hotel, spa and resort, with the previous being found in the city and the latter by the beach; and the Arelis, locally, and Surelis, internationally, brands of modern comfort hotels which are four-star hotels still despite being on the lowest tier of the company. Wala pa 'yong mga township developments nila and residential condominiums such as that of Verity, Alvaro, Lavera and Viera.

Iniisip ko pa lamang ang mga iyon, paniguradong nalulula na ako sa presyo. To add that each series brand ay hindi lang isa ang project but countless others; and not just lcally, but also internationally. For Verity series alone, alam kong hindi lang sa Pasig but there are others in countless parts of the Philippines.

I mean, gets niyo naman, ano? Ma-strestress lang ako kakaisip kung gaano kayaman talaga ang mga Verano.

"The receptionists was all smiles, huh?" I comment by the time we reach Sage's timeshared room's respective floor.

"Well, acquainted na naman ako sa halos lahat ng staff dito," sagot ni Sage. "Ikaw ba naman na matagal-tagal na rin na-assign sa route na ito."

I'm really going to Sage's room now, right?

Ngayon lang nag-sink in sa utak ko 'yong reality na iyon. At hindi ko alam kung kaba or excitement ba ang nararamdaman ko.

Hindi naman ito 'yong first time na kaming dalawa lamang. I mean, nakapunta na rin ako sa condo niya. Still...

"We're here," batid ni Sage noong tumigil kami sa harap ng Room 1502. He makes a notion with his chin towards the door at me. "Hurry."

I blink. "Ano?"

He gives me a crooked smile at my puzzlement. "Both my hands are full, kaya ikaw ang kailangang mag-bukas ng pinto. Nasa iyo naman 'yong duplicate, 'di ba?"

Oo naman. And totoo na hindi niya mabubuksan sa dami ng bitbit niya ngayon.

I rearrange the plastic bags and switch them between hands before checking my bag in search of the keycard.

"Hindi mo naman naiwala, ano?" tanong ni Sage noong biglang naging seryoso ang itsura niya.

"Hindi, 'no!"

"Joke lang. Ito naman, hindi na mabiro. Para kasing takot na takot ka."

"'Wag mo kasi akong tuksuhin. Ito na nga—"

"Gamitin mo na nga lang 'yong sa akin." He puffs out his chest a bit for emphasis. "It's in here."

"O-Oh..."

"Come on." Sage smirks knowingly. All it takes is a light brush of my fingers through his clothes, for sure, to feel how well-defined he must be underneath—

Umiling ako kaagad at nagawang makuha na ang keycard sa bulsa ng bag ko. "No. Ito na 'yong keycard na binigay mo sa akin, oh? Okay na," sagot ko sabay lagay ng keycard sa may sensor.

Pagkatapos no'ng click ng lock, bahagyang tumawa si Sage at naunang pumasok.

"Whoa—"

Kagaya ng nauna kong reaction noong pinakita niya sa akin ang condo niya sa Verity, hindi ko mapigilan na mamangha sa ganda. Dagdag pa roon ang paghanga ko sa pagka-luxurious ng lugar. Pero, kailangan ko pa ba husgahan? Verity, Alethea and also Royal Orient Airways... top-class in terms of comfort and luxury. Pero, for sure, compared sa flight tickets na about the same na rin ng ibang mga airlines, paniguradong malayong maging mura lamang ang mga establishments nila...

Kaagad naman akong yinakap ni Sage pagkatapos niya maibaba ang mga dalahin niya sa malapit na counter sa may main door; maging kuhanin sa akin ang iba ko pang dalahin. At binulong niya sa may tainga ko, "Hindi ako makapaghintay. Mas gusto ko lamang mapag-isa na kasama ka..."

Pero... paano 'yong food at wine?

Naramdaman ko kaagad ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko at mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko noong nagkatama ang aming mga mata.

Parang nararamdaman niya na medyo nagdududa pa ako ay bahagya niya akong hinalikan sa pisngi. "I actually wanted to take my time and really enjoy things. Just let me have a taste..."

"Ah!"

Sage's hands work up my over my pants as he nibbles playfully on my ear. And fuck, I'm ready to give myself over to what comes next, until—Shit!

"Wait, Sage," I say, squirming from his hold. "Teka lang. Stop!"

He pulls away but keeps his arms lock around my waist and raises an eyebrow at me. Halata sa mukha niya na nagtataka siya kung bakit ko siya pinigilan kaagad pagkatapos ng lahat-lahat.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at sinabi, "No. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ko. It's just..."

Shit kasi talaga. Pumunta akong New York para mag-drama and all. Kaya, right now, alam ko na I have literally the worst underewear on!

Alam ko naman na walang pake si Sage sa ganoon. Given his self-confident experience... he surely had seen it all. At alam ko rin naman kung ano ang usually expected para sa mga katulad namin. Fuck, I have a fair share of having to deal with the storytelling of such things mula kay Mika! True, baka almost perfect match talaga kami... but can I really give him what he wants?

Double shit, Yvie. Bakit ba ako nag-aalala ngayon tungkol doon? Akala ko ba naka-get over na tayo tungkol doon?

"You look awfully serious." Sage reflects that of mine; he suddenly grows serious, too. "Kung natatakot ka or nag-aalala tungkol sa kung saan, sabihin mo lang sa akin."

Natatakot ako dahil first time namin ito—totally first time ko, and first time niya with me, after a string of one-night stands, no doubt. Knowing as well how rigorous the annual CAAP medical is, and how physically demanding it is to be an airline pilot, and knowing how prepared Sage always is to even hand me a condom the last time things had been too heated... I definitely have nothing to fear. Pero para kaming nasa honeymoon phase pa lang in regards sa lahat ng ito. Ang hirap pa rin ma-determine if we're even a good emotional match for one another.

At kung tunay na 'yong one percent incompatibility namin ay hindi tungkol sa physical match namin—you know what I mean—baka ito na rin ang maging huli.

"Yvonne," mahinahon at mahinang tinawag ni Sage ang pangalan ko.

Ibinalik ko ang atensyon ko sa kanya at umiling. "Sorry. Wala 'kang dapat ipag-alala. My mind just wandered somewhere for a moment there." Bahagya kong kinirot ang kamay niyang nasa may likuran ko pa rin at tumawa. "'Wag mo ako i-pressure at madaliin, Martinez."

"Tinutukso mo talaga ako, ano? Mas lalo lang akong na-eexcite." He politely, if jokingly, takes my hand; planting a soft kiss on my knuckles.

Ngumiti ako pabalik sa kanya, habang pinapangarap ko na hindi niya naririnig ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko. Lalo na noong linapat niya ang kanyang mga labi sa akin at marahan akong hinalikan. And fuck, he's such a good kisser when he deepens the kiss and pulls me solidly against his frame.

Shit... I feel like I'm burning up.

When he pulls away, I am already catching for my breath. Paniguradong napansin niya iyon para siya'y ngumisi at tanungin ako, "You still want more?"

"I... I am perfectly fine for now!" Self-control, Yvonne. Self-control.

Still lingering in the taste of his kiss, Sage nods and moves to stand behind me. His hands land onto my shoulders, causing me to flinch slightly, only to realize that he's helping me out in removing my coat bago niya isabit sa may hook. Inabutan niya naman ako ng mga tsinelas bago kinuha ang mga pinamili namin. Habang patungo siya sa kung saan ang kitchen ay sinabi niya sa akin ng may bahagyang tawa, "As always, make yourself at home."

I blink, gaping at how fast things had moved. I slightly slap my cheeks to make me wake up from my daze before changing to the pair of slippers he had handed to me and walk in the room itself. I realize na compared sa condo niya na may separate room ang kitchen, this one offers the great room and it appears to be a little smaller without removing the hint of luxury and coziness.

"'Di ba nabanggit mo dati na gusto mo akong makitang magluto?" tanong ni Sage habang inaayos ang mga kailangan para sa lulutuin niya.

Naalala ko naman bigla noong sinabi ko iyon sa kanya at napangiti bigla. Linapitan ko siya at tumungo sa may counter katapat sa kung saan niya hinuhugasan ang mga lulutuin. "Naalala mo pa iyon?"

He scoffs. "I remember every detail concerning you."

The same as I, muntikan kong masabi sa kanya at nahiya ako kaagad dahil kung ako ang magsasabi no'n sa kanya ay paniguradong magmumukha akong stalker niya talaga ever since high school.

Ipinaling ko naman ang atensyon ko sa ibang bagay at napansin ko ang dalawang maliit na crab ornament sa isang dulo ng counter. Hindi ko naman mapigilang hindi sabihin na, "Ang cute naman!"

Sinundan naman ni Sage kung saan ako nakatingin at bahagya siyang tumawa. "Ah, yes. Bumili ako ng mga iyan dahil naalala ko sila Cinnamon at Paprika."

Cinnamon at Paprika, of course... 'Yong mga pangalan ng mga alaga niyang crabs.

"Dahil doon napa-isip ako bigla na tanungin ka." Ibinalik ko ang atensyon ko sa kanya habang may mga kinukuha siyang iba pang mga tools sa mga cupboard. "Bakit mo sila pinangalanan after food? I mean, sa spices?"

As some sort of a coincidence, when he looks back at me, he recently reaches out for a bottle of cinnamon and paprika on each hand. And with a serious look, clearly unlikely of him to say, he speaks, "Because they're so cute I just want to gobble them up."

"Akala ko hindi ka kumakain ng crabs?" tanong ko pabalik.

"Nakalimutan mo ba na sinabi kong 'cute'?" He slowly breaks into a small smile. "You're the same, actually."

"So... crab na rin ako ngayon?"

Even this meaningless banter between the two of us makes me extremely happy. And since unti-unti ko na nakukuha ang 'girlfriend privilege' na tinutukoy niya noong nalaman ko ang mga pangalan ng alaga niya at dahil sa naudlot na breakfast namin, kahit iyon ay pinagkaka-ingatan ko na.

Fair enough. Lahat ng pasahero doon sa eroplano kanina ay alam na ang pangalan ng mga alaga niya. Pero ako lang naman ang may alam kung bakit ganoon.

Even in a place like this, the reality that I'm his girlfriend is properly starting to set in. With that, I decide to move away from my seat and tell him, "Let me help you with cooking!"

☆ ☆ ☆

Sage is hesitant to let me help at first but he finally allows me due to my insistence. And so, as I prepare the ingredients for the last meal and he is about to finish with the other one, he glances at me every now and then. "First peel and devein the shrimp."

"...Ooh!" Nagawa ko naman ang sinabi niya after niya ako pakitaan ng mga sampung sample.

Noong natapos naman ako ay sinabihan niya ako, "Tapos, lagyan mo ng olive oil 'yong pan."

"Yes..."

"And you are practically boring holes into my back."

"Huh?"

"Stop staring."

Before I know it, Sage's fingers make contact with my forehead. "Hey!" Napahawak ako kaagad sa noo ko. Mabuti na lamang at nakapaghugas na ako ng kamay pero paniguradong mangangamoy pa rin ang binalatan kong hipon kanina. "Para saan iyon, huh? Ang sakit kaya!"

He turns off the stove for the dish he was cooking and leans closer with a smirk. "Nakatingin ka kasi na parang wallflower diyan. Come on, get up close and have your fair share."

I pout noong nararamdaman ko na namumula na naman ulit ang mga pisngi ko. "Ayaw ko lang na makasagabal sa ginagawa mo. Pero gusto ko lang din na makilala ka pa, at tumulong din sa pagluluto, malamang."

"Then, let's start with the taste." Sage takes a quick and easy spoonful of a creamy sauce from the pan he had just finished cooking. "Taste it."

"Sure ka ba?"

"Yes. Hurry up and taste it." At that, he very unceremoniously shoves the spoon into my mouth.

"Shit, Sage! Ang init kaya!" I open my mouth and fan my tongue. "Dapat hinipan mo muna."

"Ano ka? Five years old?" He places a hand by his waist, suppressing himself from laughing.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Still, aminin ko na masarap."

"I know, right?" After transferring the cooked meal to a platter, he draws closer to me. "By the way, may sauce ka sa may corner ng lips mo."

Kaagad akong nataranta. Of course, I always wish to appear on my very best when it comes to Sage. Akmang kukuha na ako ng tissue para punasan ang labi ko...

Pero hinawakan ako ni Sage sa may baba at sinabihan, "Don't move." And before I know it, he places his lips on the corner of my lips with a light kiss.

Pulling away, he chuckles. "Mmm... Tasty."

Well, isang way iyon para matanggal 'yon!

"You're right. The mushroom sauce for the ham is delicious," he remarks.

Hindi ako naka-imik kaagad.

"Bakit ka nakatulala diyan. Gusto mo pa ng isang kiss?"

"W-Well..."

"Guess hindi ko naman kailangan na magtanong, ano?" Hinalikan niya ako muli. This time, sa pinakalabi ko na talaga; stealing my lips a second time ever so softly. "What a wonderful appetizer."

Ramdam ko naman na mas lalo akong namumula. Siguro kasing pula ko na ang kamatis!

"Hindi na ako makapaghintay sa dessert," dagdag niya.

"Oh my..." mahina kong bulong sa sarili.

All the while I'm reeling from the second kiss, he proceeds with cooking the last meal and he asks me to prepare the table.

Sino may kailangan ng pagkain sa lagay na ito? Masyado na akong satisfied sa kiss pa lang na iyon... Shit, iba 'yong butterflies sa tiyan ko, ha! Ibang busog 'yon, eh!

Between the rich scent from the shrimp pasta, the steam from the ham in mushroom sauce, and the indescribably sweet kiss... I'm more ravenous than I think I've ever been. This dinner na inaabangan ko, probably the last line to be drawn, has finally begun.

———————————————

A/N: Nothing to say much but just so happy to announce that I've bought a new laffy tappy! And also the fact that I am still heartbroken after crying a bucket of tears due to the ending of CW's Reign. The very reason why I've changed my profile picture for that one of a happy #Frary moment. Guys, I am staying on that ship for far too long... who knows until when?

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: 10 June 2024 | 0631H

#FLIGHTseries02 || #FSFlightDeck