Scars and Skies Above (Sky Series 1)

BOARDING

Prologue
MASON

I hit the PA button to announce the change in our flight.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. Due to the unexpected situation we are proceeding to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago where we'll be landing so that a passenger will get a medical assistance. Thank you for understanding."

The purser, Erin, gave me updates about the situation in the cabin. The old man was already stabilized but he needed to be brought in the emergency room to be checked by a cardiologist. The doctor on flight was a neurosurgeon but she did so well.

I made an announcement before we descent on the runway.

"Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing."

We landed swiftly on the airport and an ambulance was already waiting outside.

Lumabas na ako ng cockpit para tignan ang situwasyon sa loob at para maihatid rin ang pasyente sa ambulansya. Pagkalabas ko ay nakita kong kinukuha na ng stretcher ang pasahero.

I spoke to airport officers and immigration officers first to inform them about the emergency medical situation and to give them updates.

Corbyn tapped my shoulders as he went back from the ambulance to check the situation. His eyes were wide, he looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"What's wrong? Where's the doctor, I wanna thank her."

"'Yun na nga, e. May problema bro."

"What?" I asked and looked back at the ambulance.

"I should probably go there and check the passenger."

Pababa na sana ako ng eroplano nang hilahin ako ulit ni Corbyn pabalik at muntik pa akong mahulog sa hagdan.

"Problema mo?" Umayos ako ng tayo ko at kumapit sa railings. Patuloy lang akong bumaba at sinundan ako ni Corbyn.

"She's here." Sabi niya.

"Asan?"

I heard him sigh. "I mean, Gabby's here, she's the doctor."

I stopped dead on my tracks.

Tama ba ang narinig ko?

"This is not a time to joke around, Corbyn."

"Seryoso bro! Nasa ambulansya siya ngayon nagrereport sa EMT don!" Tinuro niya ang ambulansya and I saw a familiar figure with her back on me.

I froze in my place, unable to walk or to even move. After years of waiting, dito pa pala kami magkikita?

Will she push me away again? Paano 'pag lumapit ako sa kaniya, iiwas pa rin ba siya ng tingin sa'kin na para bang ayaw na talaga niya akong makita?

Kaya ko ba?

"Bro, umamin ka nga, superhero ka ba? Kanina lang pinaguusapan natin siya tapos ngayon, surprise! she's here! Kakaiba ang summoning powers mo 35,000 feet above ground!" Pangaasar ni Corbyn.

"Para kang tanga, bumalik na nga tayo sa loob."

"Hoy, teka! 'Di mo lalapitan?"

Tinignan ko ulit siya na nakikipag-usap sa sa mga medics doon. Even with her back on me, I knew it was her.

Gabby.

I smiled bitterly. "Para saan pa?"

"Hanggang ngayon ba naman torpe ka pa rin? Si Gabby lang 'yan bro." Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at pilit na tinutulak ako palapit kay Gab. "Si Gabby na nang-iwan sa'yo." Then he laughed.

I glared at him and punched his arm.

"Aray, ang pikon naman nito ni Cap!"

"I'll go back, ikaw na bahala rito, I need to do an engine check first."

"Engine check ka pang nalalaman diyan. Duwag ka lang, e. Takot ma-reject bro? Hinahanap ka ni Gabby roon lapitan mo na!"

That stopped me from walking away.

"She's looking for me? How did she know I was here?" I asked, confused.

"Good morning passengers. This is your Captain Madrigal speaking..." he mocked my voice and grinned.

I sighed. "Right."

"Totoo nga kasi, hinahanap ka niya roon."

"Shut up, I'm not in the mood, babalik na ako."

"Sandali lang, hintayin mo na! Papalampasin mo ba ang pagkakataon na 'to? Kung ako sa'yo flex ko muscles ko. Magpapasikat na ako, malay mo maawa sa'yo tapos balikan ka."

I held the bridge of my nose. "I really can't have a peaceful flight when you're around."

"Gabby!" I heard him shout.

Shit.

What should I fucking do? Can I face her? Fuck, bakit ngayon pa? I looked at the ground trying to count the dust in the runway. Fuck, was that even possible?

I heard footsteps as she got closer and closer.

"Hi." Her warm voice enveloped me. Even her voice sounded so fucking great. Shit.

"Gabby, my favorite girl! Na-miss kita! Wait, 'wag mo sabihin kay attorney na ikaw favorite ko, ha. Baka ipakulong pa ako non!" Sabi ni Corbyn.

I slowly raised my eyes to look at her and all the air left my lungs. I couldn't breathe.

God, she's so fucking beautiful.

"Gabby." I said in a thick voice. I haven't said her name aloud for years but it still sounded like home on my lips.

She gave me the most beautiful smile known to mankind. She looked so happy. So alive. Fuck, I'm doomed.

"Mason."

I'm glad she's all right.