VALENTINO SERIES 1: Enslaved By His Touch

Kabanata 60

Kabanata 60

Rabiah

My hands are already sweaty as I keep my gaze on the fuel icon. One of the cabin members is already taking the co-pilot seat, waiting for my instructions on how we'll land this plane.

"Ma'am," tawag sa akin ni Job. "Are we . . . going to die? Can I . . . pray first for my sins?"

Nilunok ko ang bara sa aking lalamunan saka ko inilipat ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Are you religious?"

Marahan siyang tumango. Hindi ko siya masisisi kung natatakot siya ngayon. Malayo pa kami sa airport. There is no way we'd get to the runway on time with enough fuel. Sa kabila ng trainings nila para sa ganitong sitwasyon, tao pa rin sila. Nakararamdam ng matinding takot ngayong totoo na ang emergency situation.

"Y-Yes, Ma'am," sagot niya sa medyo nanginginig nang tinig.

"Good. Now, if you're religious, you know God listens to prayers. He does. So instead of praying for your sins, please pray that we'll get our passengers to safety." Humugot ako ng hininga. "C-Can you do that?"

He pursed his lips and nodded. Maya-maya ay inilabas niya ang rosaryo niya at sinimulang magdasal nang mataimtim.

Tahimik akong sumabay sa aking isipan habang nakatitig sa fuel icon. I know I'm not perfect. I've done a lot of mistakes, too. But I wanted to live. I wanted everyone in this plane to live. 

Gusto ko pang makitang umakyat ng stage ang mga kapatid ko kapag nagtapos sila ng pag-aaral. Gusto ko silang mapanood na maabot ang mga pangarap nila. 

Si Vivy? Gusto ko siyang yakapin at halik-halikan ng ilan pang taon. I wanted to give her the love my mother wasn't able to give me and my siblings. I still want to play with her until she doesn't like toys anymore. I want to teach her how to do tattoo, make espresso, and fly her first plane the way her dad had taught me. 

Gusto ko pang maglakad sa simbahan nang nakatitig kay Russia. I wanted to say my vows and keep it until we're gray and old. I want to build a future with him. To make up on those years that we had lost.

I . . . wanna be with him, not because I'm a slave to his touch but because he's all that my heart wanted to beat for.

Namuo na ang aking mga luha nang hindi ko na naitanggi sa sarili ko ang takot ko dahil kaunti na lamang ay mawawalan na kami ng fuel. "Diyos ko, pakinggan Ho ninyo kami . . ."

I shut my eyes and let my tears fall. Nagwawala na ang aking dibdib dala ng takot, ngunit sa mismong pagsambit ni Job ng "Amen", isang ingay ang nilikha ng transponder.

The static sound lasted for a couple seconds before a familiar voice came in. 

"Baby . . ."

My heart swelled. Ang ibabang labi ko ay nanginig kasabay ng pagbuhos ng aking mga luha. "R-Russia .  . ." I sobbed. "I don't know what to do. Maybe I'm not really for this. Maybe I chose the wrong dream . . ."

"Don't cry, baby. I'm here. I'm with you."

Hinaplos ko ang aking singsing habang pilit na pinakakalma ang sarili. "N-Nasa tower ka?"

"No, Biah. I'm in our sport plane and on my way to your coordinates." He sighed. "Listen carefully to everything I will say, okay? Stay with me, baby. We'll get your plane to a safe ground."

I sniffed and wiped my tears. "O-Okay." 

"That's my girl. Now look down. See if you can spot any land."