Moth to a Flame

Trenta| Time Check

THIRD PERSON

"Welcome aboard, fuckers! This is your sassy flight attendant speaking, and unfortunately you're stuck with me on Souls Airline Flight 909 from Rome to Somalia. Get ready for 10 hours and 30 minutes without using your phone—" Napabalikwas kaagad ng upo si Sachal nang marinig ang sinabi ng flight attendant.

"Who's in charge?"

"Judging by the voice, I think it's Lyrine," Natlan responded while unbuckling his seatbelt. Mabilis niyang binuksan ang cockpit upang awatin si Lyrine na kung ano-ano na namang pinagsasabi.

"Dio mio! Don't tell me she was butt drunk last night?" Greece shakes his head. Kahit si Sachal ay napailing na lang din. It wasn't really new to them. Lyrine is known to go to parties every night and still goes to work in the morning.

"Hey, listen up, folks! Buckle your seatbelt, okay? Not 'cause I actually care or anything, but, like, rules are rules, right? And stow your bags! Seriously, if I see 'em on the floor, I might just throw 'em out myself. Oh, and no asking me for extra snacks—I'm, um, still feeling a bit dizzy over my hangover last night, ya know? Captain, Morgini! How hands—" And she finally shuts up.

Greece gave a soft chuckle before turning his attention to the flight computers. "She nearly got fired last month if it wasn't for you, and now she's making another terrible mistake." He said before handing over the pre-flight checklist.

Sachal scanned the clipboard to check every detail: engine status, hydraulics, fuel levels, and weather conditions. Everything is under control.

"Oh? An'yare sayo?" Magkasalubong kilay na tanong ni Sachal nang makitang parang dinumog ito ng isang batalyon. Gulo-gulo ang buhok at kusot na uniporme.

"Lyrine that drunk ass idiot is crazy drunk and thought I was her ex! She nearly killed me!" Hinawi niya pa ang kwelyo niya upang ipakita ang marka ng mahabang kuko sa leeg niya.

"Last time she thought I was the young priest she fucked and kept on chanting prayers in front of me," Greece casually blurted out, causing them to freeze.

"She what?" Napakagat ng labi si Greece. He remembered he promised Lyrine not to expose that.

"Please, act like you didn't hear anything." It was too late. They couldn't believe she just had her way with a servant of God. From father to daddy real quick!

"Fiumicino Tower, SA 909 to Somalia, Runway 23, requesting clearance for takeoff," She announced. She hoped the other ATC would take her request, but unfortunately, it was her sibling.

"SA 909, Runway 23, hold position." Mabilis na tumirik ang mata niya nang marinig ang kalmadong boses ng kanyang kapatid. She already expected it. Sa tuwing siya ang sumasagot ay laging delayed ang flight niya.

"What is it again this time? A rabbit on the runway?" She shot back, adjusting the headset as her irritation doubled. He better give her a more believable reason this time.

"It's more complicated than that. We got a bit of a situation on the runway," He replied, and it was noticeable that he sounded annoyed as well. "There are people out there dancing." Napatigil naman sa pagchichismisan si Natlan at Greece nang marinig din ang sinabi ni Distaunce.

"Dancing? Bakit may sumasayaw sa gitna ng runway?" Napipikon nitong tanong. Sa rami-rami ng lugar na pwede nila pagsayawan bakit sa gitna pa ng runway?

Napahilot na lang din ng sentido si Distaunce habang tinatanaw ang grupo ng mga kabataan na sumasayaw. "I can't clear you for take off because a crowd of millennials are doing some kind of Tiktok dance party." Eksaheradang napasinghal si Sachal.