Moth to a Flame

Inizio

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign. We are now crossing a zone of turbulence. Please return your seats and keep your seat belts fastened. Thank you."

Napatango na lang ako bago ibalik ang earpods sa tenga ko. I was playing Taylor Swift's Lavender Haze as I closed my eyes. Napangiti na lang ako. I don't know why but I always find comfort in her songs.

I'm damned if I give a damn to what people say

After a few seconds, I felt the shaking of the plane. I opened my eyes and looked out the window. I can see the dark and heavy clouds. Pagtingin ko naman sa matandang katabi ko ay may hawak na itong rosaryo at tahimik na nagdadasal. Hindi ko maiwasang matawa.

Turbulence is normal especially in unstable weather. It's just like driving a car on an uneven road or sailing a ship in the waves. As long as you had your seatbelts on, it's completely normal. Pero hiindi ko naman masisisi ang may katandaan na dahil mas mabilis talaga sila nerbyosin lalong lalo na sa mga first time sasakay ng eroplano.

Kahit pa naka earpods ako ay narinig ko ang pagsigawan ng mga tao. The moderate turbulence suddenly became severe. Turns out the aircraft is suddenly out of control. Tinanggal ko ang earpods ko at nabingi ako lalo nang marinig ang pag-iyak ng bata sa likuran ko.

"A-amahan namo nga naa sa mga l-langit. . . P-padaygon imong ngalan uma—Yawa tabang!" Majority of the passengers started panicking but I remained sitting on my seat on the aisle.

"Lord! Virgin pa ako, ayoko pa mamatay!"

"May defense pa ako bukas, Lord! Ayaw ko bumagsak!"

"Hindi ko pa naanakan ang girlfriend ko, let me live please!"

"Promise Lord, hindi na ako mambababae, huwag mo naman ako patayin huhu!"

I frowned. What the hell is that?

"Mommy! Is the plane gonna crash? Are we gonna die?" umiiyak na wika ng batang babae sa likuran ko.

"No, sweetie. The pilot will have it under control. Just close your eyes and pray," her mother comforted her.

I turned my gaze in the window and I gasped when I saw the left engine was on fire. The turbulence increases the burning velocity of the gases present, accelerating heat production and increasing pressure rise rates—so combustion was possible.

Pinakiramdaman ko muna ang eroplano. That's weird, the left engine is on fire—the pilot would have detected it and the lights should start blinking. Umayos ako ng upo. There must be something wrong.

When the severe turbulence turned into moderate, I unbuckled my seatbelt and immediately stood up. It was not suggested to take off the seatbelt, and it was difficult to walk but I still managed to reach the cabin where the crew are seated.

"M-ma'am, please go back to your—" I cutted her off.

"Tell the pilot the left engine is on fire," mahina kong wika upang hindi marinig ng ibang tao.

Nanlaki naman sa gulat ang mata ng mga nakadinig. One of them stood up and went to the cockpit. Tumalikod na ako at akmang babalik na ng upuan ko nang marinig ko ang tarantang boses ng flight attendant.

"T-the pilot is out!"

"W-what do you mean the pilot is out?"

"Captain Morgini had a heart attack!"

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad. That won't be a problem. The aircraft could still fly even with one engine. The co-pilot could just inform the tower with the pilot's condition and request for an emergency landing and paramedics.