Eighteen

Chapter 10

"Ladies and gents, welcome onboard flight PA 721 ..." The Captain's disembodied voice went on on the speakers.

And as the Captain reached the end of his announcement, I couldn't help but notice the change of atmosphere around Leon; it seemed as if an overcast had formed over his head.

"Is this your first time?" I asked, knowing well this couldn't have been his first.

"Third time," sagot niya habang sinusubukang kumalma.

"You can hold my hand if you want to?" patanong na alok ko.

He was rather caught off guard at my offer. I would rather help than do nothing next to someone who was shaking in fear. Dahan-dahan niyang inabot ang kamay ko. I shifted on my seat and let him grasp my hand tightly. Masyado nang masikip hindi pa man umaangat ang eroplano. Ilang minuto ang lumipas at nagsalita ulit ang Captain sa speakers.

"Cabin crew, please take your seats for take-off."

I heaved a deep breathe. Siguro kinakabahan din ako sa magiging lagay ng kamay ko. No kidding, his grasp felt like a vise around my fingers.

The plane started to move. It only moved but if my hand were a person, it had long been dead from suffocation. I felt like the bones in my hand were breaking into pieces. Ininda ko na lang dahil mukhang mas lumalala ang takot niya sa pagtakbo ng eroplano sa runway.

The plane started to get faster and faster until we were slightly elevating. Nabitawan ako ni Leon nang maayos na ang lipad namin sa himpapawid. He pushed a very harsh sigh from his throat. Ayaw kong pagtawanan ang lagay niya, hindi ko lang talaga napigilan.

He was pale, and so I saw how blood rushed to his face, making his ears red, when he caught me laughing. The thick arch of his perfect eyebrows showed how much discomfort he felt right now.

"Sorry. Masakit?" Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at tiningnan. His touch was soft against my skin, like he was scared it would break. If he had only tightened his hold earlier, maybe it was completely broken now. Mas malaki pa naman ang kamay niya kaysa sa akin.

"A bit, but I'm fine," nakangiting sagot ko.

"Sorry . . . Ate." He sounded unsure again. Sa tuwing tinatawag niya akong 'ate' lagi siyang hindi sigurado. Pasimple ko lang siyang nginitian para isipin niya na ayos lang ako kahit hindi talaga. At least, he looked fine now.

"Good noon passengers. This is your flight captain speaking. I'd like to welcome everyone again on flight PA 721 bound for London. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 34,000 feet at an airspeed of 450 knots, that is 518 miles per hour. It's 12:01 pm in the Philippines, while in London, with the sun yet to rise, it is 4:01 in the morning. Due to the lack of tailwind support, we are expecting to land a few minutes behind schedule, but needn't worry because we will make sure to safely arrive at our destination, folks! The cabin crew will be coming around in about twenty minutes to offer you light snacks and beverages, and the inflight movie will begin shortly after that. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight."

The Captain's voice was attractive. They performed the safety briefing, and not long after, trolleys rolled along the aisle. I had one box of milk, while it was water for Leon; he needed that. Nakataas ang tabon ng bintana namin dahil ako ang nasa gilid at mas gusto ko na napapagmasdan ang labas. Pero kumpara sa nararamdaman ko, tingin ko nalulula na ang katabi ko.

I gestured at the porthole and said, "Should I?"

"Ah, no, please. You must enjoy the view." He smiled. That was the first time I heard him say more than a few words.

Next to us, in the middle column of seats, were Dad and Kuya. Sa kabilang banda naman, kasunod nina Dad, ay sina Mamang at tita Sarah. Dad's eyes turned to me. Inabot din ng tingin ko si Kuya na nagbabasa ng pinahiram kong libro.