Flight Deck (FLIGHT series #02)

Flight 10 - Chandelle

Chandelle

Chandelle is a steep climbing turn in which an aircraft almost stalls as it uses momentum to increase its rate of climb.

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"Welcome, sir and ma'am!" bati ng isang waiter sa amin. "A table for two, is it? This way, please."

Sage didn't take me to a hotel, as I've first thought of, but to a comfortable restaurant just a block away. At totoo nga na may alam siyang lugar around the area that fit the bill.

Pagkatapos ng lahat ng ginawa ko para makahanap ng perfect spot, nakaisip kaagad siya ng replacement. Of course, alam niya ang mga lugar na may masarap na pagkain and also a hot date spot; given his experience and love of food.

"Cheers," he remarks, lifting his wine glass at my direction. Ang unang dumating naman kasabay ng menu ay isang bote ng white wine.

"Cheers..." giit ko habang pinipilit ko na hindi mag-flinch under his challenging glare.

The sound our glasses make resemble a gong signaling the start of a fight. The first round has begun.

"May gusto ka ba with the appetizers?" tanong sa akin ni Sage a few seconds after namin matignan ang menu.

"The bundnerteller looks delicious," I remark.

"'Yon din ang iniisip ko." Bahagya naman siyang ngumiti.

"Pero 'yong goulash and zwiebelsuppe... mukhang masarap din."

"Bakit hindi na lang lahat ng iyon? Nasa shortlist ko rin 'yong mga iyon."

"Puro appetizers and soups naman, kung ganoon." Tinignan ko naman ang iba pang nasa menu. At kahit si Sage ang nagsama sa akin dito bilang option for tonight's dinner, ako pa rin ang taya para sa dinner na ito.

"Check mo 'yong signature dishes nila." He draws a little closer in order to help me turn the menu to the page that reads Signature Dishes. "Siguro magugustuhan mo 'yong Peppersteak Swiss Inn or 'yong Zurich Geschnetzeltes nila. Then, a Gerard Bertrand 6 Sens Blanc for the perfect wine pairing. Anong sa tingin mo?"

"I'll take the Zurich Geschnetzeltes," sagot ko.

He nods, and before turning to the waiter to settle our orders, he says, "Then I'll have the Peppersteak Swiss Inn." Afterwards, when the waiter leaves, he turns to study my face with an interested smile. "Mukhang magkatulad tayo ng taste sa food. Baka nga totoong mag-soulmates tayo."

Tinitigan ko siya pabalik. "Kung ganoon ang tingin mo, perhaps we can satisfy each other... in all kinds of ways."

Hindi naman nawala ang ngiti niya at pawang napataas lamang siya ng kilay. "Excuse me?"

"Magkakilala na tayo since high school. Kahit matagal na 'yong last natin na pagkikita before the most recent ones, masasabi natin that we know each other in ways other people don't, 'di ba?"

"Sorry to break it with you. Pero hindi ko kailangan ng mga useless stuffs as that. If I'm physically satisfied, then I'm fully satisfied."

Useless, ha?!

"Another round of wine." Kinuha niya ang bote ng white wine at inalok na salinan ang baso ko pagkatapos niya lagyan ang sa kanya. "All fine with you?"

I chew the inside of my mouth. "...Yeah."

"Mukhang hindi ka masyadong enthusiastic sa sagot mo. Lightweight ka ba? O gusto mo lang talaga na i-keep up 'yong guard mo?" He pulls the wine away from my glass, placing it back on the table.