AVS 1: Catching Flights

XXIX

Chapter 29 : Want a Date?

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" I screamed early at the morning repeatedly as I paced back and forth in my living room. Doll amusedly watched me while drinking tea and Liya's laughing her heart out on the phone.

"Oh my gosh, Doll! Kung hindi mo ako tinawagan, hindi ko mawi-witness ang iconic moment na 'to," anito habang tinatabon ang mga kamay sa bibig niya.

I scrunch my face at her before slumping myself on the empty sofa.

Tumawa si Doll habang si Liya ay malaki ang ngisi mula sa screen. I glared at Doll's laughing face and Liya's irritating smile on the small screen.

"Well, shouldn't you sympathise with me instead of laughing your ass off?" I spread my arms sideways while giving them a ridiculous look. "That man is back! And I am sure that my life will be a living hell from now on!"

"Come on, darling. You always said na naka-move on ka na and now here you are. Hindi pa nakakaabot ng 24 hours ang pagkikita niyo tapos sobrang bothered ka na," Doll said as she placed her phone on the phone stand.

I stammered, "I-I am not bothered! I'm just irritated."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, sabi mo e."

I crossed my arms and looked at her irritatingly. Liya's cough caught my attention. "Well, Ash, if you want to hear it straight, I don't think you've moved on completely. And don't tell me that I am wrong because you won't go ballistic with his unexpected presence if you really do."

I fell into deep contemplation with what Liya said. "Well, I guess you're right..." I stood up and walked towards the stairs. "But surely I've moved on, siguro nagulat lang talaga ako sa presensya niya at hindi ako nakapaghanda mentally."

"Okay, now you've said it, I'll go now. Mom just texted me. May homecoming dinner para sa taong 'yon. Bye, mwa," Paalam ni Liya at agad na binaba ang call. I looked at Doll na nakaupo lang do'n sa sofa habang nilalantakan ang slice ng chocolate cake na hinanda ko para sa kaniya.

I mentally rolled my eyes at her disposition. "Close the door when you leave. And please do leave soon."

Narinig ko pa siyang sumigaw sa baba habang papaakyat ako. "You know, you're the worst host I've ever met. Palayasin ba naman agad ang bisita. But then again, if I have a penthouse as pretty and aesthetic as this, I would definitely keep it from everyone else too."

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at dumiretso sa study. She's right, I own a penthouse now. After graduation, hiningi ko sa parents ko na bumukod mag-isa. They begged me to stay sa condo namin ni ate but I disagreed. It's better to leave it as it is to preserve the memories. Besides, ate love that condo. So might as well give it to her. Since then, I have been living in this penthouse. Made it according to my style and started anew with the space I am given.

As soon as I sat down the swivel chair, narinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto ng unit ko. Hindi ko na 'yon inisip pa at agad na binuksan ang computer para makapagsimula na sa trabaho. Although I am a pilot now, binibigyan ako ni dad ng mga paperworks concerning the airline I am currently employed in. Ayon sa kaniya, gusto niyang matuto akong pamahalaan ito para at least makatulong sa burden ni ate kapag naitransfer na sa kaniya ang posisyon ni dad.

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagrereply ng emails at pagbabasa ng mga papeles ay tumunog ang phone ko sa gilid. I checked on it and noticed na may two unread text messages ako. Kumunot ang noo ko sa nakita. Hindi naman active ang imessage ko kaya nakakapagtaka kung sino ang nagsend nito lalo na at lahat ng transactions ay ginagawa ko sa email, at madalas ako kausapin ng mga kaibigan, kahit sina mama, sa messenger.

I opened my inbox to see who texted, pero puro numbers ang bumungad sa akin. I randomly opened a text.

+639450000000

Hey, Liya! It's Jake, and I got your number from your dad. Just want to let you know that I really enjoyed the date last night. I hope I have a chance to score another one.

My right lip slightly raised as I read the message. Actually, blind date ang nangyari kahapon, but then again, I don't have to tell everything to Claeg just cause he's asking, do I? Hope he had fun thinking over my date, though. I typed in my reply.

Hi, Jake! I surprisingly also enjoyed the date last night. As for the second one, you sure do have the chance. But I'm swamped with work recently. How about I text you when I'm free?

To my surprise, he replied quickly as soon as I sent the message.

Yeah, sure. That would not be a problem. Just hit me up if you're done with work and I'll immediately clear my schedule for you. Thank you for not turning me down. Take care!

I smilingly read his text. He's not that bad. An accomplished man of his age. He started to expand his father's business overseas and just opened an extension in the domestic market. He's even an investor of the airline I am co-managing. Also, he's thoughtful and a straight-cut gentleman. A good boyfriend material, that is. Siguro kung magiging successful ang pangalawang date namin ay sasabihin ko na sa kaniya na pwede naming i-try pumasok sa relasyon. I mean, that's the whole concept of our blind date: to find someone.

I started opening the other number.

+639050000000

Hello, Miss Pilot! How's the date?

I rolled my eyes. Kasama ang number niya sa binigay na information ni dad. Akmang magta-type na ako ng reply nang may dumating na bagong mensahe galing sa kaniya.

Well, let's get down to business, shall we? Ikaw nagsabi yesterday afternoon na first day ko today and I want to know the technicalities about the planes I am going to drive and the basic infos of the pilots I am going to train.

I quickly typed in my reply.

Yes, Mr. Cole. I do remember telling you that I will be discussing things with you on your first day. How does later in the afternoon sound? I don't have any flight today but I will drop off at the airport for some documents. Let's discuss things over in my father's mini office there.

Mabilis dumating ang reply niya sa akin.

Well, let's not make the atmosphere tense. It's fun if we go out to discuss things. Say, do you want a date?

Gago.

As I've said, we'll discuss things in my father's office at the airport. Thank you for your understanding.