Bewildering Flights with you, Captain

1

"Cabin crew, please take your seats and prepare for landing." I was panicking a bit when Markus announced that. After a month, we met each other again.

When the plane landed, I already knew what's about to happen. I assisted and thanked the passengers as they exited the plane. My smile faded when Markus stopped in front of me.

"Cap-"

"Ms. Pineda, please follow me." I just nodded and fixed my things before following Markus.

Pumasok kami sa kotse niya. I played with my nails, instead of looking at him. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang paghiwalayin niya ang mga kamay ko. He held my hand and intertwined our fingers.

"Ava, it's been a month. Did I do something wrong?" No, I did something wrong, Markus. "What's wrong, baby?" I felt my heart jumped when he called me 'baby'.

"Markus, I told you, it was just a one-night stand..."

"Let's extend that one night then."

I shockingly looked at him. Extend? Ano ang gusto niyang mangyari? Fuck buddies?!

"Ayokong maging fubu mo." I saw amusement in his eyes when I said that. Sa sobrang inis ko, binaklas ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Ava, I wasn't talking about that. I want to spend time with you, date you, and court you."

"Markus, seryoso ka ba? Dahil kung oo, sigurado akong hindi tayo magtatagal. Alam kong mahilig ka sa bagay na 'yon... Hindi ko maibibigay 'yon sa 'yo hangga't wala akong pinanghahawakan. Ayoko nang maulit ang nangyari nung gabing 'yon."

I looked away when I felt my cheeks heated. He was staring at me while I was talking... His right hand rested on the headrest of my seat, while the other held my hand which was resting on my thigh.

"Ms. Pineda, look at me. C'mon, I won't bite or eat you. Promise, I won't do that... Unless, you tell me to do so." Nahihiya akong tumingin sa kaniya. He smirked when I did that. Inayos niya ang nakakalat na buhok ko. "Ava, that one night has given me a chance to be happy without hurting others. I finally found the reason to be serious again. You are the reason. Don't worry, I won't force you to do that thing again. Just give me a chance to court you and I'll follow whatever you want and whatever you'll say."

"P-P'wede bang pag-isipan ko muna?" He flashed a sexy smile when I asked. "Ayokong magdesisyon agad.."

"Sure." He fixed his position and started the engine of his car. "Address, please? Ihahatid kita."

The next days were normal. Markus would take me out on a date when both of us don't have a flight. After work, we would usually eat and sleep in his house. That was our routine for rhe past days.

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa balikat ni Markus habang nasa coffee shop kami. Nang malaman niya na rito ako madalas nagkakape, dumiretso na kami rito. Binabasa niya ngayon ang paborito kong libro. From time to time, may itatanong o sasabihin siya sa akin tungkol sa story. Hindi ko nga alam kung natutuwa pa siya sa binabasa niya.

"Are you sleepy?" His voice was music to my ears. It was very calming... Like the sound of the ocean waves that meet the shore, the falling leaves from the trees, and the sound of the rain.

"Hindi naman... Nagkakape tayo, oh. Hindi na ako astig niyan kapag inantok ako habang nasa coffee shop." He chuckled when I said that. Natawa rin tuloy ako. "Anong chapter ka na?"