Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XI - 7500

An emergency squawk code used by pilots to inform ATC of a plane hijacking taking place, which means that the pilots have either been forced to change course or are no longer in control of the aircraft.

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December 3rd, 0500Z (1300LCL)
Location: Cebu, Philippines

I stare once more at the name of the stall: A1 Cebu Self-drive Car Rental. And my mind playbacks Elian's words to me when I asked him if we are really in the right place than the delicacy shop that I am expecting to dee.

"Just a waypoint," he said.

Just a waypoint, my ass. Tangina. Ano na naman itong kalokohan ang pinasok mo, (Y/N)?

I follow after Elian, not wanting to be left behind after being lead here.

As expected, it is a simple office with an attendant, who is already talking with Elian as if they've known one another for a long time already. In just a few minutes of listening to their conversation, not being able to have a grasp of what they are talking about among themselves, the attendant looks at me for a second and then asks something out. I don't need to understand his words for me to know that he is definitely inquiring about what is my relation with Elian; and as they speak in Cebuano, I am not able to get a good grasp of what had been conversed about me. They finish talking with a chuckle, and Elian receives a car key. Afterwards, they bid one another farewell and we're once again back outside the shop.

Only once out did I finally insist in breaching the subject of what is going on right now. I say, "Teka nga lang talaga. Sumama ako sa 'yo para doon sa delicacy shop. Pero dinala mo ako rito sa isang car rental. 'Wag mong sabihin sa akin na 'yong tinutukoy mo na shop ay nasa Negros pa?"

He looks away and purses his lips, and then asks in return, "Hindi ko ba nabanggit sa iyo kanina?"

This is definitely a facepalm-worthy moment. "Tangina, hindi! Ang sinabi mo lamang ay sasamahan mo ako doon sa delicacy shop pero hindi mo sinabi na nasa kabilang isla pa!"

"Ikaw na nga lang ang sasamahan, hindi ka pa nagtaka?" He scoffs.

"Sige. Kasalanan ko na hindi ko tinanong sa iyo kung saan 'yong shop. Pero, tangina kasi, hindi ko naman inaasahan na ang tinutukoy mo pa na shop ay nasa Negros. I mean, look. Papunta kang Negros tapos sinabi mo na sasamahan mo ako tapos—" I instantly cut myself off. Because, double shit... He did tell me that he's heading to Negros, right? Then, he did offer if I want to come with him to a shop he knew that served the best Negros delicacies... Fuck, did I just fall to the trap of accepting his offer to accompany him to the next island over without making it appear anymore awkward as it is?!

Seryoso bang yinaya ako ng isang Elian Basa kung saan man siya pupunta ngayon?!

I turn my stare back at him, realizing that he is looking at me as I have that moment of realization. And fuck it all, he definitely reminds me so much of César right now.

It is strange finding them having the same aura at this moment. Him looking at me intently, all the while waiting for my reply. And for some reasons, that unexplicit offer to come with him somewhere during such a day-off is like some bells ringing in my mind to think of this as a 'date'.

But we're not even in that kind of relationship at all. At least, I will not be surprised if it will be César asking the dream version of me such a thing. With Elian, however, it is too fishy. Well, yes, true, we're spending more and more time together for the past few days, but it hadn't been to the point like this that it is just the two of us. In the entirety of my lifetime knowing he existed, this is by far the longest time that it had just been us. We're not even friends to treat and offer one another a spontaneous trip somewhere beyond the schedule; acquaintances is even a far-shot that we'll definitely be strangers. At least, until it no longer isn't for such an interaction as this right now.