Crabbing

Crabbing, also known as sideslip, is what a pilot does when a crosswind is blowing sideways and needs to keep direction of travel down the centerline of the runway. The plane is pointed to the side, but the flight path is going "straight" with the wings level. Other type of slip is a forward slip, which basically has the same procedure but is used for losing altitude while traveling generally forward; usually done when an aircraft is on a high approach at final.
To do the slip, ailerons to the direction of the wind and opposite rudder to maintain the airplane's axis while controlling approach speed by the elevator, and power to control rate of descent.

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Preceded by: FLIGHT PLAN Flight 31 - Crosswind

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SUMMARY:
Nikolai and Yumi were having the so-called "coffee date" that their primary flight instructor had suggested, just on time that he was asked by his father to join him for a game of golf with a business partner.

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Nikolai's POV

To be honest, ever since no'ng celebration ng first solo ni Spencer at marami-rami siyang nainom na tinapangan niya pa na huwag uminom ng chaser at that, hindi ko alam if I should've just stopped her from drinking more. But then, she already rejected an offer of a chaser from me at a moment and continued drinking, so all I can do is to ensure that she and the girls will be safe back to their villa. Mukha namang, compared sa kanya, maayos-ayos pa sila Madam at Rylie. Problema na lang talaga nito pagkagising niya mamaya na may hangover.

My mind is already thinking of what to cook for breakfast and lunch to be then delivered sa villa nila as a cure.

Sinamahan namin nila Kael ang mga girls pababa ng villa namin, since inoocuppy namin 'yong directly na villa sa itaas ng mga ibang boys. And since ang mga girls is kailangan pa mag-drive patungo sa kanila dahil mas malapit sila sa may gate, samantalang kaming mga boys is malapit sa may reception building which could be about a hundred meters away din, better ensure na okay pa para magdrive si Madam na siyang may dala ng sasakyan at sasabayan ng mga girls.

Halatang nasa ibang mundo na si Madam at si Rylie, pero matino pa kausapin noong tinanong ko if kaya nila pareho mag-drive. Sila Carina at Nikki naman ay magka-akbay na habang patuloy pa rin sa pagkanta si Nikki. Inaalalayan naman ni Kael si Ange, of course, alam na naman ng batch namin na sila na. And ako, ito, naiwan si Yumi na kasama ko at tumatawa na rin mag-isa.

Noong napansin ko na medyo matatapilok siya ay kaagad ko siyang hinawakan sa braso to help her regain her balance, and tinawanan niya lang ako noong sinabi ko sa kanya na lasing na siya.

"Hindi ako lasing!" sabi niya sa akin. "Nakainom lang. Tignan mo, diretso pa ako kung maglakad." Kumalas siya sa hawak ko and unsuccessfully na napatunayan sa akin na kaya niya pa, since she walks in a way a snake slithers.

Pinigilan ko naman kaagad ang tawa ko at tumango. "Oo. Mukhang iba na ang description ngayon ng isang straight line."

Bigla siyang tumigil at pumaling sa akin. Bahagyang nakasimangot at linapitan ako that I freeze on my spot. Lalo na noong bigla niyang linapat ang kanyang mga kamay sa pisngi ko. Tumingkayad siya upang ilapit ang kanyang mukha sa akin at sinabi ng mahinahon, "Kaya nga ako hindi nag-engineer, eh. Dahil hindi ako marunong mag-drawing ng straight line. Kahit ruler gamitin ko, slant naman."

The cat catches my tongue at this moment. Hindi ako makapagsalita ngayong ang lapit-lapit ng mukha niya sa akin. About six inches apart, at hindi ko alam kung anong susunod niyang gagawin.

She carresses my cheeks when she stops tiptoeing and pouts. Cute. "Kainis naman, eh..." she stammers. "Ano ba dapat ang sabihin ko sa kanya?"

I raise an eyebrow at the sudden change of the discussion.

"Sabihin ko ba na sayang?" Linihis niya ang tingin niya sa akin at nagpatuloy, "Sayang dahil alam kong hindi pwede?"

Ano raw?

"Pero tulungan ko na lang siya ng ganito." She turns to look at me intently. Habang tinatawag na siya ng ibang girls upang sumakay na sa sasakyan, and bago siya mag-comply sa kanila ay sinabi niya sa akin ng masinsinan, "Kahit anong mangyari, suportahan mo si Cade Hernandez, ha!"

And that's it... awkward no'ng nangyari dahil lasing na siya. Naguguluhan ako sa kung sino iyon at bakit niya nasabi 'yon sa akin.

The following day, akala ko magagawa ko na i-breach 'yong subject about that, but failed since nahalata ko na medyo iniiwasan niya ako. The day after that, may pagka-awkward pa rin kahit magkasama kami sa sasakyan patungong airport and pabalik ng villa, at pinipilit namin mag-usap, at least, ng tungkol sa naging lipad namin with Capt. Corpuz. Only now, that I gain the courage and moment to throw the question to her.

"Bakit mo sinabi sa akin na 'suportahan' ko siya?" I ask, watching her intently to see how she appears surprised that I've inquired such thing to her.

Hindi mawala sa isipan ko na baka iyon 'yong lalaki na kausap niya noong inuman, and 'yong linoloko ng batch na ang rinig nilang tawag ni Yumi ay 'Babe'. Kung siya man ang kausap niya at that time, then it seems na nakakabingi din pala ang pag-inom ng alak.

"S-Sinabi ko ba iyon sa iyo noong lasing ako?" she shyly asks me, flustered and embarrassed. Mukha talagang hindi niya maalala.

I nod, taking my cup another time for a drink.

"Ah." She places her fork down and then smiles. "Well, ganito kasi..."

And so she tells me. That Cade Hernandez is one of her older brother's close friends and classmate in high school, apparently senior niya. Currently part of the architect division of resorts, hotels and casinos ng Verano Development Corporation. Kaya niya nasabi sa akin na suportahan ang kakilala niya is because in a month or two, I'll be part of the decision makers for the design of one of the projects. If I remember correctly, mayroon nga sa schedule ko na nakasulat something about it. Some schedule by end of July or first week of August 'ata.

She further tells me that it might be a little bias na sinasabi niya ito sa akin, and sinabi ko naman na if Cade Hernandez's design is indeed the best there is, I guess I'll be choosing his idea among others, even without her telling me.

And, for some reasons, habang nakikinig ako sa explanation niya, ay hindi ko magawang mahiya kaagad dahil sa kung anu-anong pumapasok sa utak ko since that day. I'll be honest to even say that it had pricked a portion of my heart about not knowing who is the man, and even letting myself delude the same intuition that the others had probably heard. It turns out na wala pala ako dapat ikabahala.

"Hey," Yumi calls for me, leaning forward as she looks at me intently. She frowns slightly and adds, "Ayos ka lang? Bigla kang namula."

Ngayong binanggit niya iyon, siguro that's exactly what I've been feeling. The warmth on my cheeks that I've been trying to hide due to my own embarrassment in reading the situation the wrong way. But, for her to point it herself, only reddens my cheeks for sure. I shyly avert my eyes from her and mutter, "A-Ayos lang ako. Hindi ko lang inaasahan na you'll go through some extreme measures for a friend."

"Oh." She then smiles fondly, making me think another time that there must be something more than just friendship at that. "Well, I am the type of person na kapag kailangan ng kaibigan ko ng tulong, I'll not doubt helping at all. But then, kahit sinabi ko sa iyo iyon, please, sana hindi naman maging bias bigla ang vote mo for that."

"Of course. I understand. After all, hindi lang naman ako ang boboto for that. Though my vote will have much more value, it will still depend on their own creativeness and compliance with the criteria. And for him to be already part of our business's architectural divison, at such a level at a young age, his skills are surely centered to something surreal yet inventive and revolutionary," I assure her, clearing my throat afterwards. "Portfolios of architects applying in the company are personally browsed and decided anonymously by my father. Prinsipyo ni Lolo na namana ni Papa. Skills outstands recommendations by so-called backers."

"Pero..." Bigla siyang umayos ng upo and bahagyang kinagat ang kanyang labi. Nahihiya niyang tinanong sa akin, "Iyon lang ba ang sinabi at ginawa ko at that time? Walang kakaibang nangyari?"

I stop for a second and then look at her.

For others, this will be the perfect opportunity to lie and tease. However, I don't think rushing and taking the upperhand is the right way. By time, perhaps.

Umiling ako at bahagyang ngumiti. "Nothing strange. Just the fact that you proving you can walk in a straight line ends up being a crooked line."

Bigla siyang namula, flustered once again na 'di niya na naman maalala na nangyari iyon. "H-Hey!"

At least, I already feel that the awkwardness that settles for the past few days had already eased down. Bahagya akong natawa sa naging reaction niya, relieved. Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay biglang tumunog and nag-vibrate ang phone ko sa pocket ko. Kinuha ko kaagad ang phone ko and nakita na si Papa ang caller, kaya tumingin ako kay Phoe at sinabi, "Phoe, excuse me lang. Si Papa tumatawag. Sagutin ko lang."

"Oh, sure," sabi niya.

I smile back at her bago tumungo sa may restroom upang sagutin 'yong call. Since kung sa labas ko sasagutin, for sure magagalit si Papa na 'di niya ako maintindihan with all the noise of the cars and buses outside. Apparently, the call had been short. He just told me that he's heading here in Subic for a meeting with a business partner tomorrow and he is asking me to have dinner with him later. Alam ko na kung saan tutungo 'yong usapan that I've been the one who've directly ask him about it. Tinanong ko si Papa if he's planning to have me come with him for tomorrow's business affair. And I know na hindi ko pwedeng gawing excuse na may lipad ako bukas, since alam ko na he can just call the training and operations department, and hindi ako mabibigyan ng schedule at all for tomorrow.

Hindi nga nila ako hinahadlangan na magpatuloy with flying, which is I am thankful for that. But then, I need to accept the fact na in the future, I'll be needing every experience I can with dealing business partners. I just actually didn't think that it will end up this way at all.

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So, inanyayahan si Papa ng business partner niya for golf. Sanay na akong marinig na madalas ang meetings with partners is not done inside an office room or in some fancy restaurant. It is usually done during a game of golf, horse racing events, and even Formula One Grand Prixs. Kaya siguro pinag-training kami dati ni Papa in understanding the concepts of those sports, knowing that it will come in handy as this.

Handy nga sana, kaso, I'd actually want to go back sa villa and think of this day that it didn't happen. After all, hindi lang ako ang nagulat. Pareho kami ni Papa. Ine-expect namin pareho na I'll start learning through their conversation. Hindi namin ine-expect that I'll end up being some escort sa anak na babae nitong business partner niya.

If I remember correctly, Jake Murphy ang pangalan no'ng kalaro ngayon ni Papa. Real estate tycoon from England na nakilala ni Papa during the business summit kung saan ko siya sinamahan last December. Walang head's up sa amin ni Papa na kasama niya 'yong anak niya na si Daphne. To describe her at first meeting... I'll say that she is posh and visibly, in every way, a daddy's girl. Long and wavy blonde hair with bright blue eyes, typical English physique. About the same age as I do. And to add, may pagkamalandi.

Unang kita pa lamang, halata naman. Like noong in-introduce kami sa isa't isa ng parents namin, 'yong ngiti niya is medyo seductive. Not to mention na sa init ng araw ay nagawa niya pang mag-makapal na makeup. I hate girls who wear makeups in the first place; it disgusts me. Lalo na ang lipsticks, nakakainis kapag nag-iiwan ng marka.

Tapos sinundan pa ng pagiging maarte niya na paturo raw sa golf. Since busy sa pag-uusap ang parents namin, sa akin siya pumapaling upang magpaturo. Hindi ko alam if sinasadya niya ba na maging clumsy or what pero mga dalawang beses niya na nabato 'yong pinaka-club. Mabuti na lamang at kaagad kong nasalo 'yong una and ng caddie 'yong pangalawa. Kahit nag-offer na ng tulong 'yong caddie, rinequest pa rin talaga na sa akin magpaturo.

Nakakainis na, ha...

"Oh, so you're taking up flying?" she asks me as we follow our fathers sa next course. Matining 'yong boses niya na medyo nakakairita, and maging 'yong tawa niya na halatang peke.

Kung pwede lang magmaktol and sabihin kaagad kay Papa na babalik na ako ng villa dahil hindi ko na kayang manatiling makasama itong babae na ito... pero alam ko na hindi pwede. Looking at the relationship between the Murphys, napansin ko na kahit ano ay sadyang ibibigay ni Mr. Murphy para sa anak niya. And mahirap na ito, baka mamaya ako na rin ang hingin nito.

Being the gentleman and to continue appeasing this woman, I answer with a strained smile, "Yes. I am currently building up my flying hours for first solo."

"First solo?" she inquires. Pwede bang tigilan niya na 'yong pagkakaroon ng interest sa flight training ko, since halata naman na napipilitan lang siya na kilalanin ako ng maigi para patuloy akong ngumiti and makipagusap sa kanya.

"The time that I am to be released to fly the aircraft on my own without the supervision of a flight instructor," I reply. "It is a great accomplishment for a pilot."

"Oh! I see!" She claps her hands and giggles.

Please, Lord. Help.

"I want to see your first solo video, if possible. I also want to witness it." She stops for a second when she suddenly remembers something, causing her to pout. "But then... why are you taking flight training if you're not going to be a pilot? Aren't you going to take over your family business in the future?"

"That's true, but flying is a passion that I've craved for since I was a child," I tell her. "It is an achievement I've gained on my own by the time I finish flight training."

"But you should start focusing as well with your family business. It isn't easy to just suddenly take over it in the near future."

"I guess, Miss Murphy shares the same sentiments as I do."

She chuckles lightly.

I don't even mean it as a joke or what.

"I've been shadowing my father since I was a child. My mother also does," sagot niya. "Dad is also planning to arrange my marriage with someone he can trust with the business. It doesn't mean that he doesn't have any confidence with me, but a merging of company will do us good."

"Disregarding your feelings over the matter?" I ask. Sa totoo lang, kinakabahan na ako sa direksyon ng pag-uusap namin.

Parang may gusto siyang i-point out sa akin pero dinidisregard ko 'yong hints. Dahil ayaw ko nga. If she's telling that to me, is it possible na may idea siya na hindi lang business ang pinag-uusapan ng parents namin?

Napatingin ako kaagad kay Papa na busy sa pakikinig sa kung anong sinasabi ni Mr. Murphy as of the moment. Mukha namang nagkakamabutihan sila na nagtatawanan sila. But then, ang gulo bigla; since just a few months ago, he told me to go on pursuing someone that I truly love. Someone that will make me happy the way that he and my mother are.

Is it possible na sinabi lang ni Papa iyon because buhay pa si Kuya? Like, hindi pa ako ang inaasahan na magiging tagapagmana, kaya okay lang if I'll be choosing the person I'd like to spend my life with? Then, with my brother's death, here I am already accepting the fact of abandoning my career right after training para sa business, maging hanggang sa relasyon ba? Do I even need to sacrifice that form of happiness as well now that I need to do something right? Something that will be seen as advantageous for the company?

Iniisip ko pa lamang iyon ay mahirap na tanggapin. Naisip ko na kaagad na magrebelde. Well, as the old saying goes, a man can do anything in the name of love. Dapat ba ay unahan ko na kaagad si Papa bago pa niya ako maibenta sa anak ng isa sa mga business partners niya, kagaya nitong si Daphne Murphy? Dapat ba ay madaliin ko? Pero... roughly six or seven months pa lang at masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari, if ever. Actually, hindi naman nakakagulat since sila Kael nga at si Ange ay—

Suddenly, biglang yinakap nitong babae na ito ang braso ko na kung saan ay bigla akong napatigil.

As in, ang lakas ng loob ng babaeng ito na gawin ito. Anong tactic ito? Para makuha ang atensyon ko kaagad? No, she should start getting her hands away from me.

Good thing na napansin niya 'yong pagkabigla ko and also, pagkadismaya? She asks, "What's wrong?"

Mukhang narinig naman iyon ni Mr. Murphy at ni Papa; for them to also stop walking and turn to the two of us. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang interpretation nila sa sitwasyon na ito. After all, ang ayaw ko sa lahat ang bigla akong yinayakap, kahit braso lang. Naiirita ako sa ganoon, and good thing na hindi ako nagpumiglas kaagad to cause any harm to her. Or else, I can kiss goodbye sa flying for being scolded by my own father for disappointing his business partner. Pero, damn, mukha akong statwa dito na 'di ko alam ang gagawin ko bigla.

Tinawag kaagad ng aming mga ama ang mga pangalan namin. Kapwa nabigla din sila at linapitan kaming dalawa.

"Daphne, get your hands away from Mr. Verano," Mr. Murphy scolds his daughter. Halatang galit siya sa naging trato ng anak niya towards me, at mukhang takot kaagad itong babae na ito na mabilis niyang kinalas ang yakap niya sa akin. He then turns to my father pagkatapos akong tanungin ni Papa if ayos lang ako.

Well, Papa knows that I don't actually tolerate hugs from strangers. Especially from just a random woman na kakakilala ko lang. Hindi ko alam if phobia ba or trauma, basta naiirita lang ako at that.

Mr. Murphy smiles nervously at me, guiltily even. "I-I'm very sorry for the way my daughter had acted upon you, Mr. Verano."

Hindi ako nakasagot doon. After all, may napansin akong kakaiba kaagad sa kanya. How Mr. Murphy's domineering aura seems to fluctuate all at once. Bahagya naman akong tumingin kay Papa upang malaman kung ano ang dapat kong isagot, pero maging ako ay kinabahan sa nakita ko sa mukha ni Papa.

He has a strained smile by now, but I can tell thaf he is furious. If not very, then if looks could kill, the father and daughter already burned to embers.

The same expression na nakita ko lang once out of him noong isang family dinner with the family of his business partner when I was in high school. Nabanggit ng wife no'ng business partner during that dinner na my mother's previous background as a humble flight attendant is a slutty work, and she had climbed the ranks to be part of the Verano family for the fame and wealth. What I remember at that time was my father's cunning and dangerous nature, how he immediately dismissed the partnership and have us leave the dinner at once as a family. The following day, napabalita na lamang sa news that the stocks of that business partner's company plummeted to bankruptcy. It all happened overnight. Since then, I assumed that Papa had pulled some strings for that.

And now, he is staring exactly that way to Mr. Murphy. No, to Mr. Murphy's daughter exactly.

I remember hearing the nickname that business tycoons, both locally and internationally, calls him during the last summit I've attended with him. They call him as the "Elusive Spider of the Business World".

Even with that title, he does business cleanly and so transparently open for the public to see despite keeping our lives as private as possible. No lawsuit had been filed against our family because our records had remained clean, and I know that myself ever since checking for something strange going on within. Not to mention that our ancestors had been so strict that no one from us will enter the world of politics. Hence, focus in the business industry and play fair. I guess, if ever may tinatagong baho ang pamilya ko, I'll only know about it by the time that I've finally take over the company.

Perhaps, the reason that Mr. Murphy acts this way, almost shaking like a prey... it had been actually him who've reached out for a partnership with our family. Siguro, he needs our help and not the other way around. Right now, pushing me at some discomfort of the matter, natatakot siya na he'll be waking up tomorrow to hear his company losing all of it.

I manage to gain my bearing and call my father's attention, "Pa."

He immediately blinks and gone is that look when he turns to me.

I whisper back to him, "I am fine."

He frowns a little and mutters, "'Nak, ayaw na ayaw mong hinahawakan ka basta-basta lamang. Lalo na ng ibang tao, and to top it all, ng babae." He huffs. "Not to mention that hindi naman marriage proposal ang pinaguusapan namin, kung hindi business. If only that girl could get her hands off—"

I smile back at him, realizing at once that I am wrong to assume na ibebenta niya ako sa ibang babae for the sake of the company. Somehow, I am grateful and lucky to have him as my father. "Thanks, Pa," I tell him, "But, please. Wala si Mama to appease you right now. Perhaps..." I take a quick look at the Murphys.

Halatang kinakabahan sila pareho, lalo na si Daphne na siguro ay alam niyang galit si Papa sa ginawa niya and also galit ang sarili niyang ama sa kanya. Talking about double kill.

"Why not... Let's call this off," I suggest. "And then, discuss business matters with Mr. Murphy over dinner. 'Yong kayo lang, Pa. Or perhaps kasama ako, basta't walang..." I clear my throat, alam kong gets na kaagad ni Papa ang meaning ko do'n.

He looks satisfied with my words that he then tells Mr. Murphy just as what I've suggested.

Mr. Murphy continues apologizing on behalf of his daughter until the two of them and their aides left us behind. Mukhang may napagkasunduan na sila ni Papa na schedule and setting to continue their talk for the business.

Afterwards, he turns to me with his arms crossed. A smirk is evidently playing to appear on his face that suddenly make me forget kung paano niya kanina tinitigan ng maigi 'yong dalawa. "Ayos ba acting natin kanina?"

I laugh. "Pa, thank you."

He reaches out to me and jostles my hair, making me feel like a small child once again. "'Nak, pinangako ko na sa inyong magkapatid since then, I'll always be on your side. Especially when it comes to your happiness. It is your future, not mine."

Habang inaayos ko ang buhok ko, na-guilty kaagad ako about sa naisip ko kanina na hindi ako kaagad nakapagsalita.

His smile turns tender. "Gaya nga ng sinasabi ng Mama niyo, hindi naman kami ang magiging asawa ng mga taong magmamahal at magbibigay sa inyo ng kaligayahan. And I believe na maayos ang naging pagpapalaki namin sa inyo to trust that you'll be choosing the right person para sa inyo."

"Pero, siguro it will be a little good to be a little strict with that, Pa?" I chuckle. "I mean, kailangan hindi lang 'yong napipilitan kayo ni Mama dahil mahal namin. I want that, when that time comes, magagawa niyong sabihin sa akin that I've made the right choice. That she is the right choice."

"Hmm... I guess I'll need to start deducing much deeper then." Tumango si Papa saglit bago tumingin sa akin ulit. "Okay, if that's what you want. Why not invite your batch mates for a dinner with me tomorrow?"

Well, that's quite... fast. I blink at him. "Pa?"

He smirks. "I think your mother will be proud to hear that I'm speeding up the waiting game."

Yeah, I almost forgot. Despite Papa's scary title in the business world, he's also known to be quite a romanticist. Sabi nga ni Mama, namana ko raw iyon kay Papa. I guess so?

"And she'll be jealous." He laughs. "Na naunahan ko siya sa pag-iinterview sa magiging daughter-in-law namin."

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Continue with: FLIGHT PLAN Flight 32 - Tachometer