Easing Heimweh (Heim, #1) ✓

30: Surprises

"We're currently 33,000 feet above sea level, ladies," the pilot's mellow voice let out through the speakers. "And Bunso, can you get me some water?"

Everen paused her game with a huff. "Oh, for shit's sake, Kuya El, set this on autopilot!"

The mic clicked back on. "No."

My sister dropped the phone on her seat with a loud groan and got up to fill her fifth cup of cold water this morning. With a deep frown and a hundred words of complaint, she entered the cockpit. I could hear their banter from here, but I let Elton handle our sister alone while the cirrus clouds beneath us caused my momentary distraction.

We were on my private jet with a little over two hours left to reach the island in Cagayan. I'd been manning the controls, but Elton insisted I rest instead. Despite owning a few herself, Everen wasn't allowed to fly any plane that crossed the U.S. boundary without a license—Dad's orders. As for Cali, the woman had a jam-packed schedule the night before, so she invaded our space with her soft snores, also kicking the square pillow she was hugging away, the poor thing falling straight to the floor.

It had been two years since Elton drove a plane. The last time he did it was during his last year of college, where he secretly signed for a double major in aviation and architecture. It wasn't until ten months later that Dad found out, and he was disowned. If I were honest, I'd say I was surprised he volunteered to fly the jet.

Maybe he'd already moved on from his old life.

I heard the cockpit's door swing open. Turning my head, I saw Elton and Everen emerge from the small room. "The skies are clear. I don't think we'll collide with any turbulence," the former commented. "The plane's on autopilot."

"Yeah, after you lost to stupid rock paper scissors," the youngest added.

"You cheated," he argued in German.

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Hush, both of you," I scolded, then pointed to the dreamland-explorer Cali. The two halted right away, eyes shooting daggers at each other, though it seemed like El was winning their silly game. Everen gave up after a sharp eyeroll to her kuya's face and turned her attention to her phone instead. Elton and I shared a look, and we both fought the chuckles that threatened to burst.

"You know she gets easily pikon with you, El," I muttered, smiling. "Let her win for once."

"Don't wanna," he responded as he sat beside the sulking girl. "It's too fun."

Cue another eyeroll from Everen. "Shut up," she spat with her thick German accent.

"No."

"Ugh! Ate!"

I put my hands up in feigned innocence, shrugging. "I'm merely a bystander."

Now the eyeroll was directed to me, and finally, she stood up again. "I can't with you two," she grumbled, grabbing the pillow that Cali kicked away. "Wake me up when we land."

"Okay," Elton and I replied in unison before the door to the bedroom closed with a thud.

Clearing my throat, I glanced at my brother. "Cockpit?"

He nodded. "Cockpit."

I demanded I drive this time. Elton shook his head in protest but gave way still. I had the captain status, he didn't. I need not use the older sister card for that. "Your company is enough," I argued as I turned off autopilot. With careful hands, I played with the controls for a while, the silence enveloping us like the clouds.