Soul Of An Airplane- INCOMPLETE VERSION (PUBLISHED Under GSM)

Kabanata 02

Kabaanata 02

Dreams

"One, two, three, one! One, two, three, two! One, two, three, three!"

I was panting so bad as we finished having push up with my teammates. Alas tres pa lang ng umaga pero lahat kami ay pawisan na at hinihingal na nag-e-exercise sa field.

After the long months of training, this will be our last day bago ang victory ball namin mamayang gabi.

Just by thinking about it, excites me. At last, lahat ng pagod at sakripisyo namin ay matutupad na rin.

"Cadet. Monroeville, lead your team to the barracks and do the cleaning and prepare the venue," mautoridad na utos ni General Eliazar sa akin.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" I salute to General Eliazar before he left us and let me lead my team. I am the tallest among the girl's squad kaya ako ang naging platoon leader.

"Attention!" tawag-pansin ko sa mga nagpapahingang kasamahan na agad namang tumalima nang magsalita ako.

"Cadets, as you heard what General Eliazar said, we need to do some cleaning in our barracks. We also need to ready the venue for the victory ball later. We are assigned in that particular area so we must do it now. Understood?"

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am!" actively, my squad answered me like I am really the highest one.

"Okay, attention," I stand snappily as I lead my team. "Tunton kanan, na! Handa... Harap! Harap patalikod, harap! Dismiss!"

"Thank you, Ma'am!" my squad shouted bago tumalikod and walk towards our barracks.

Pagod man ang mga katawan namin pero halata sa mga mukha ng kasamahan ko ang saya at excitement na nararamdaman katulad ko. That's what we've been waiting for. Finally, makakamit na namin ang pinakaasam-asam na pangarap.

"I feel so proud to myself thinking na matatapos na natin ang training mamaya." My teammate, Alaister, is currently fixing our sheets. She looked so happy and excited just how I feel.

"D*mn! Me too! I am so excited! I know my parents will surely proud of me!" dagdag ni Talia sa sinabi ni Alaister.

"Susunduin ako ng family ko paglabas dito! I'm excited to see them! I missed them so much!" at sunod-sunod na saad ng mga kasamahan ko na halatang excited nga.

It saddened me. Buti pa ang mga kasamahan ko may sasalubong paglabas nila dito sa training ground, while I don't have one. It hurts me though it motivates me also.

'I am doing this for dad. I'm sure he's proud of me even if he can't see me wearing my complete uniform, yet,' alo ko na lang sa sarili ko.

"Are you okay, Delaney?" I smile weakly to Talia and nod.

"Yeah. I just... miss my dad." Mapait akong ngumiti.

"I'm very sure he's so proud of you. Kahit ako, sobrang proud ako sa 'yo. You deserve all of this."

Talia is a very good friend of mine and so as Alaister. Never did they judge me and always comfort me when I'm sad and misses my family. Talia and Alaister are my family here. And so as my teammates simula noʼng pumasok ako sa training. Nahihirapan akong mag-adjust dati dahil hindi ako sanay na malayo kay Daddy. Pero dahil laging nasa tabi ko si Alaister at Talia ay nabawasan ang lungkot ko.

"Congratulations to our newest Air forces graduate!" Sabay-sabay na pumalakpak ang mga seniors namin matapos na sabihin iyon ni General Eliazar. Ganoʼn din ang ginawa namin.

"I know all of you are excited for this. But for now, I'm calling our Second Lieutenant Delaney Adair Monroeville for her message." Malaki ang ngiti ni Talia at Alaister habang tinatawag ang pangalan ko.

A loud of applause welcomed me as I walked towards the stage. I feel so intimidating in my complete Air Force uniform. I salute to my seniors before I stand straight. Huminga muna ako ng malalim before I give my message to my fellows.

"Not because we already graduated doesn't mean that it's the end of our journey, in fact, this is just the beginning. We, cadets and lieutenants, are here to show up to the people that we're here, ready to help anytime. I am so thankful that I chose my passion over anything. It may be sound and look so dangerous but it's our hearts who's calling us to do this. We trusted ourselves that we can do this. With the help of our seniors, majors, captains and generals, I know we can do it. Thank you so much for trusting our abilities of helping others. As a cadet and lieutenant, we vowed to ourselves that we are willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our nation. Again, congratulations to us. Good evening and thank you."

A loud of applause welcomed me again. My tears welled up in my eyes. I swallowed hard to stop my tears from falling. It heated the corner of my eyes but it did not stream down. We're trained to be strong. And crying wasn't in our option.

"Again, congratulations Air Forces. Toss for the successful training!"

General Eliazar's voice echoed in the venue. Kasabay noon ang kwentohan at tawanan na pumuno sa buong hall.

The party get started and everyone looks very happy as they let theirselves eaten by the happiness they're feeling right now. While on the other hand, I remained sitting in our table, smiling widely while watching everyone enjoying the party.

This is the beginning of my dreams. I'll promise to you, Dad. And now, here I am tinutupad ang aking pangako.

You may be not here, not able to see and hear your voice congratulating me and saying you're proud of me, but I know, in my heart, you are. You are very proud of me.