Navigating Hearts ( Aviation College Series #1)

Chapter 03

A 2-year associate course in Aviation Electronics Techonology in the field of Aviation where I was in. It wasn't even part of my plan in the first place. Me? In aviation industry was kinda out of my league, too far from my radar. Takot din naman ako sa kuryente pero bakit ko pinili ito? Dalawang taon lang ang aaralin kaya anong kapalaran ang ibibigay nito sakin?

But then, I found myself memorizing the various aviation terminologies. I found myself getting curios on how a simple electrical circuit works. I found myself studying the different parts of an aircraft and how I admire its breathtaking beauty. I found answers on how an Aircraft actually flies. Aircrafts are beautiful. Ang sarap nilang panooring lumipad at kung paano nila naabot ang bughaw na kalangitan.

Marami ang nagsasabi na wala raw akong mapapala dito kundi gastos lamang. Wala raw kwenta ang mga ganitong kurso. Mas magiging successful daw kapag 4-year courses ang kinuha. Mas marami raw ang oppurtunidad ng mga kursong may degree.

I'll prove them wrong. I'll show them the future that I'm going to have in this field, regardless of the degree.

"Una na ako sayo Ate!" narinig kong paalam ni Kaye, pamangkin ko. I was preparing for school too, pero mas nauna siyang natapos.

"Mag-ingat ka."

"Ikaw din po."

"Deritso uwi mamaya."

Grade 11 pa lang si Kaye. 2 years ago, Aunt Tamara, Kaye's mother died because of a brain tumor, so I had to work hard for the both of us. Nasa public school naman si Kaye kaya allowance lang ang problema. Sakin naman, I got a full scholarship because of my grades, I just have to maintain the required average for the last remaining year of my course para di ko na po-problemahin ang tuition ko.

Saktong may humintong jeep paglabas ko ng highway, hindi pa ito puno kaya sumakay na ako, mahirap na baka matagalan pa ako sa paghihintay ng susunod.

Muli itong huminto sa isang waiting shed dahil may bumaba, inabot ko muna ang sampong piso na pamasahe ko sa driver at tsaka umusog ako sa may dulo para mas madaling bumaba mamaya.

"This is such a fucking crazy idea, William!"

Napatingin ako sa lalaki na biglang sumakay ng jeep. We were wearing the same uniform. Hindi ko pinahalata ang gulat ko nang mapagtanto ko kung sino iyon. Nakasukbit sa kaniyang balikat ang itim na messenger bag at nakatapat ang cellphone sa kanyang kaliwang tenga dahil may kausap siya rito.

"We are not going to make this kind of bet again, not in any way dude!"

"You can't pull another stunt on me again, William."

My nose filled with his manly scent with a bit of mint when he seated beside me. Inaamin ko na mabango siya, hindi gano'n katapang at hindi rin masakit sa ilong, ano kaya ang shampoo nito? O kaya bodywash? But why am I curious anyway?

Binaba niya na ang kaniyang phone at nilabas ang wallet at dahil nga magkatabi lang kami, I saw a lot of debit cards and a 2x2 picture of him. He took a 1000-peso bill and handed it to someone next to him.

"Paki-abot po ng bayad." He said struggling. The old lady next to him gave him a serious look. "Sampung piso lang iho."

Sino ba naman ang may tamang pag-iisip na magbibigay ng isang libo para sa sampung piso na pamasahe? Di ko tuloy napigilang matawa dahilan para mapalingon siya sakin.

Nawala ang pagkakunot ng kaniyang noo nang magtama ang paningin namin. His lips slowly formed into thin line, suppressing a smile. I frowned, parang timang!

"Good morning." He greeted, smiling. I just rolled my eyes, avoiding his gaze. I couldn't stand any eye contact with him anymore.

"You have a very unique way of greetings." Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at sa labas nalang ng jeep ibinaling ang tingin, nagmamadali nang bumaba.