CAPTAIN
NEW YORK
"Flight attendants, prepare for landing please. Cabin crews, please take your seats for landing." I indicated. We are about to land to the City that never sleeps. One of the busiest country in the world. This is my second time to fly here and indeed, sobrang daming tao talaga.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at the John F. Kennedy Airport. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you.”
A little more, at malapit na kaming makapagland sa gate ng JFK Airport. Together with Anton, we're silently uttering a prayer.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to John F. Kennedy Airport. Local time, 10:54 in the evening and the temperature is 22°C. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign."
For sure the one who's announcing is F.A Delos Santos. One of our new flight attendants. In fairness, hindi na siya kabado at nabubulol just like the last time.
"On behalf of Buenavidez Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening! Enjoy!"
And then I finally turned off the Fasten Seatbelt Sign. Anton and I did a fist bump after we safely landed here. We may not say this as often but every safe landing is a blessing not only to us but to all our passengers as well.
We will be staying in a hotel for tonight just to rest and gain energy again. That flight was exhausting and dehydrating. Hindi na kami magste-stay dito ng few days because tomorrow afternoon we'll head back to Manila again.
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We are now here at the hotel. Roommates kami ni Anton. Pagkapasok pa lang ng kwarto ay hawak hawak agad niya ang phone para i-dial ang kaniyang asawa. Ako naman, diretso banyo para maligo.
Habang nagsho-shower ako, bigla kong naalala ang kaisa-isahang bracelet ko. Napahawak ako sa braso ko at nataranta dahil hindi ko ito suot. May sentimental value ang bracelet na iyon dahil bigay ng Mommy ko. Hindi siya pwedeng mawala.
Binilisan ko ang pagligo ko tsaka karakarakang nagbihis para hanapin sa bag ko ang bracelet.
"What are you finding?" asks Anton while he's on call with his wife. I did not answer and continued looking for it.
That served as one of my lucky charms whenever I'm flying. It cannot be missing! Simula noong nag-start ako maging piloto, hindi ko na siya tinatanggal. Nakasuot lang ito sa akin, tapos ngayon...wala. Hindi ko makita.
"Anton, have you seen my bracelet?"
"What bracelet?" he asked. Tapos na pala siya tumawag kay Pia.
"The black one. Yung may initials ko."
He shook his head, "Ah, yung suot mo lagi? Hindi ko nakita. Baka naman naiwan mo sa Pinas at nakalimutan mo lang?"
