"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the tarmac." isang officer ang nag-announce gamit ang handheld mic. The loudspeaker crackles over the noise of the crowd.
"We are about to witness a brief aerial demonstration by one of our finest, showcasing the precision and power of the Philippine Air Force." tuloy ng announcer.
I rolled my eyes dramatically, taking a slow, dramatic sip from the iced champagne glass I was barely holding. Mainit na nga, maalikabok pa. Both of which I definitely don't like. Kung hindi lang ako na-blackmail ni Dad with his usual 'accompany me, or I'll cancel your trip to Maldives' tone, I would've been anywhere but here.
My father, Senator Ramon Eliseo Madrigal, was already clapping vigorously. He is one of the most generous donors sa mga welfare and development initiatives ng Air Force kaya't hindi talaga siya mawawala sa ganitong mga event. Our company also supplies almost everything, aircraft parts, fuel, and even maintenance services for the Air Force. Kilala niya halos lahat ng ranking officer by name, bawat general by their golf schedule. I grew up with a constant reminder that our business keeps the skies running. Kaya naman, this Annual Air Force Anniversary Exhibit was his natural habitat.
But not mine. Politics, influence, military partnerships? None of these things truly interested me. Ang gusto ko? Freedom, art, and anything that smelled better than jet fuel.
All around me, people turned their heads toward the open field shimmering under the noon sun. A sleek, gray fighter jet was already accelerating down the runway. It was beautiful, brutal, and completely mesmerizing. Napasinghap ako, when the it lifted off the runway and sliced through the sky like it owned the heavens. Lalong nagpalakpakan at nagsigawan ang mga tao, but then their voices faded into background noise. All I could hear was the thunderous pulse of the jet. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa kalangitan. The aircraft tilted with precision so clean that it looked almost choreographed. Rolling, looping, diving, then soaring again with calculated grace. Parang sinasayawan niya yung langit. Every turn was deliberate and every angle was perfect. There was no hesitation, no error, just pure skill. Impressive, I'd admit.
Lalong nagpalakpakan at nagsigawan ang mga tao. Even my father was whistling, completely absorbed. And when the aircraft descended for landing, my pulse followed it. The wheels touched down in a perfect kiss against the concrete. The landing was so gracious and effortless. Muli akong napasimsim sa champagne at doon nagbukas ang cockpit.
The pilot jumped down the ladder. Tall, broad-shouldered, his flight suit clinging in all the right ways. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. Napatitig ako. Especially when the helmet came off and revealed a face that was all sharp angles. His jaw was clenched in that effortless authority that made him look even more dangerously put-together. He looked lethal and perfectly carved.
"Captain Adam Velasco, everyone." said the announcer. "Tactical demonstration pilot, Fifteenth Strike Wing."
Adam Velasco?
Applause rippled across the crowd again. Mabilis niyang tinanggal ang flight gloves at inilagay iyon sa bulsa. Nagbigay siya ng isang saludo sa commanding officer, at nakipagkamay na rin sa iilang mga opisyal na naghihintay sa tarmac.
"Impressive, isn't he?" My father's voice broke my trance.
Napakurap kurap ako, not realizing he had moved closer beside me. Nakapwesto siya a few steps ahead with one hand resting on his cane, while the other is tucked neatly into his pocket. Nasa likuran ni dad ang kanyang security aide, while an Air Force protocol officer hovered nearby, sinisiguro na ang mga VIP guests katulad namin ay komportable sa ilalim noong white canopy.
He lifted his champagne glass slightly, almost like a toast. "That's Captain Velasco, one of their best. You're looking at the Air Force's golden boy."
Nag-angat ako ng kilay at ibinaba ang hawak na champagne glass. "Golden boy? You say that like you know him." I said, trying to sound indifferent.
"I've met him a few times. His father, Brigadier General Andres Velasco, was your grandfather's protégé. The Velascos have worn the uniform for generations, their legacy runs in the whole Armed Forces. A family of soldiers."
Tumango tango ako. My grandfather was a retired Air Force general. I didn't even know bakit hindi pumasok ng military ang aking ama because he looked up to his father so much, pero heto siya at tinahak ang daan ng pulitika.
"So he's like... military royalty then?" napataas ang isang kilay ko. Dad chuckled and then nodded.
"Very much." my father hummed thoughtfully, samantalang ang parehong mata namin ay sinusundan ang lalaking pinag-uusapan. "His uncle was one of the best naval tacticians I've ever met. And his cousin is the youngest Rear Admiral in the history of the Philippine Navy."
"How old do you think Captain Velasco is?" I asked casually. My head tilted a bit, studying Adam again as he spoke with a group of junior officers.
Dad hummed, tila nag-iisip. "Late twenties I think? Baka nasa twenty seven or eight."
Tumango tango ako at kinuha ang champagne glass kanina, I swirled it and pretended to drink para maitago ang maliit na ngiti. So.. he's old enough to know what he's doing but young enough to still look that good in uniform.
While watching him, I realized how weird it is, kasi sa dami ng mga lalaking nakilala ko sa mga social gatherings ni Dad, lahat ay trying so hard to impress. Pero siya, the way he carries himself, hindi ganoon. Which makes him more interesting. Ang hirap ipaliwanag pero may kung anong aura sa kanya, authority without arrogance. Maybe that's what real confidence looks like. Hindi yung built from money or connections, but from skill. From purpose.
Biglaan siyang lumingon sa gawi ko, as if sensing someone's gaze. For a fleeting second, his eyes met mine. I looked away too late.
The announcer's voice came through the speakers again, calling the officers to greet the guests. Dad straightened, fixing his cufflinks. The line of pilots began moving toward our section, helmets tucked neatly under their arms, including Captain Velasco.
Maybe this Air Force exhibition isn't so boring after all, naisaisip ko. I smirked and straightened in my seat, trying to compose myself. Nakita ko ang paglakad niya papalapit sa aming pwesto. He's smiling towards the people na madaraanan niya. I swear even the air seemed to still as he approached.
Nang makarating siya sa harapan ni Dad, he gave a simple salute. "Good afternoon, senator." his voice was deep and controlled. It sounds like authority and silk wrapped together. It's infuriatingly sexy.
Dad returned the greeting warmly. "Captain Velasco! Impressive work up there."
"Thank you, sir. It was an honor to fly for this event." ngumiti siya habang nakatuon pa rin ang mata kay Dad, then his gaze shifted to me. Unconsiously, I cleared my throat.
My father gestured in my direction. "Captain, this is my daughter, Clara Concepcion. We call her Cion. She just flew in from a... very extended overseas trip."
I managed a polite smile, the kind of smile I reserved for his business dinners. "Hi... Uh... Captain Velasco." bati ko, hoping that my voice didn't sound as awkward as I felt.
I offered my hand and he took it gently, his grip was firm but not imposing. "Pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
"Cion." I corrected automatically, letting my hand linger a fraction of a second longer than necessary. "It was more than spectacular, Captain. I'm impressed."
"Thank you, Cion." he replied, giving a brief, barely perceptible nod.
May kung anong lumukso sa dibdib ko nang marinig ang pagbigkas niya sa pangalan ko. My God! Sana ay hindi ako nag-blush!
Muli siyang tumango at ngumiti. I definitely noticed the polite curve of his lips. Pero ang kumuha ng atensyon ko ay ang mga mata niya. There was something in the way his eyes softened that made it impossible for me to look away. They weren't just brown, they had this faint gray tone in it, like a storm that knew exactly when to calm. Nanatili ang titig niya sa akin ng ilang sandali bago bumitiw sa handshake. He then immediately straightened his posture, returning his attention to my father while I pretended to listen but completely caught in the gravitational pull of this man's presence.
The event stretched long after sunset. The crowd had mostly thinned matapos ang ilang oras. Yung mga matataas na opisyal at ilang guests ay nagsipag-alisan na kanina, but of course si Dad ay naipit pa sa isang mahabang usapan with the AFP Chief of Staff. His aide was politely pretending not to look bored. Pero ako, I'd long given up waiting for him kaya napagpasiyahan kong mag-explore na lang muna rito sa loob ng base. I told him I had a sudden headache and needed some air.
I was lying, of course. My head is perfectly fine. My heart, however, was in desperate need of a closer inspection of the new exhibit. Naglakad ako palapit sa hangar area at hindi naman nagtagal, nakita ko na si Captain Velasco. Still in his flight suit, now rolled halfway down his waist with the sleeves tied around. Nakasuot siya ng itim na shirt bilang panloob, revealing tightly corded muscles. Mukhang abala siya sa pagche-check ng kung ano sa undercarriage ng jet. He's holding a flashlight in his right hand.
He was entirely focused on his work, completely alone, completely in his element. Something I find unreasonably attractive. I crossed my arms at nagpanggap na tumitingin tingin sa paligid habang lumalakad. Bumaling siya sa akin, the beam of light catching the sequins on my gown.
Tumigil siya sa ginagawa, I took it as cue para mas lumapit. Isang malapad na ngiti ang iginawad ko. The kind that usually gets me out of trouble pero somehow, alam ko na hindi iyon gagana sa kanya. His quick and assessing gaze flicked to me. I feel like in a matter of seconds, he already formed a complete opinion about me.
"Miss Madrigal, this area's restricted after the exhibit." He said with a tone that wasn't rude, but with a clipped precision to it.
I know he's literally telling me to leave pero syempre hindi iyon ang gagawin ko.
"Oh, well..." I said, glancing down at the fine layer of dust already coating my silver heels. "I just wanted to take a closer look at the exhibit. Hindi ko kasi masyadong natingnan kanina."
"You want to take a look at the aircraft?" marahang nagsalubong ang kanyang kilay, bakas ang pagkalito.
Umiling ako, nanatili ang mga mata niya sa akin.
"Oh, not the aircraft. I was referring to the Captain, actually. I thought you were part of the exhibit." lalo akong lumapit bago nagpatuloy. "You know, the whole Air Force vibe. Discipline, posture, jawline..."
For a split second, one corner of his mouth twitched into an almost smirk, before he schooled his expression back to stone. I sensed the faintest spark of intrigue in his expression. The kind of look men give when they've just met someone who throws their world slightly off balance.
"Miss Madrigal, I am not part of the exhibit." he said evenly.
I sighed, pretending to be disappointed. "Sayang naman. It's the most interesting one I've seen all day."
He pursed his lips and let out an exhale. Akala ko'y papatol siya o may sasabihin but he just crouched down to secure one of the cables on the ground without saying anything. I rolled my eyes. What kind of man ignores a perfectly good flirtation?
I watched him for a moment as he tightens something under the wing. I hate that calm, unbothered look of his, it only made me want to ruin it more. Maybe I just need a better punch line?
"You must really love what you do. I mean flying..." I said, folding my arms. "Or you must really like it when people look at you... from below."
Natigilan siya. The clink of metal against metal stopped. Bahagya siyang tumuwid at hinarap ako. I saw how his lips parted as if he was amused or he wasn't sure if he'd heard me right. And then the faintest ghost of a grin curved on one corner of his mouth.
He exhaled, the sound was almost like a laugh. "Well... It depends on who's looking."
Kunot-noo ko siyang tinitigan. Trying to understand the source of his amusement pero agad bumalik sa blankong ekspresyon ang mukha niya. He then proceeded to crouch down near the aircraft's underbelly, one knee bent, the other braced on the ground.
"How did you learn to fix those? Is that part of your training sa Academy, or you took a separate course?" I asked.
"You ask a lot of questions, Miss Madrigal."
"Of course!" I said, clasping my hands behind my back as I took a few slow steps around him na tila isang supervisor. "Curious ako sa maraming bagay, Captain. I like to know things."
He looked up and met my eyes, his right brow rose just a little. "Ano pang gusto mong malaman, Miss Madrigal?"
Naghintay siya sa tanong ko, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin, I smiled sweetly.
"Are you single?"
Napakurap siya roon, siguro ay nagulat sa tanong ko. His eyes remained on me for a few more seconds na parang tinitimbang kung nagbibiro ba ako o seryosong ako sa tanong ko. But then he simply turned his back on me to inspect something on the jet's undercarriage.
"That's classified information." tipid na sagot niya.
"And why? It's just a simple yes or no Captain!" angil ko.
"Because not everything is meant for public knowledge." sagot niya, calm but with the faintest trace of humor under his tone.
"You could've just said no."
He glanced over his shoulder to look at me. I saw a smirk but then he licked his lips immediately before responding. "And ruin the mystery?"
I almost laughed. God, he's smug and frustratingly attractive. Nag-angat ako ng kilay, trying to look unaffected.
"Okay then! I've got time to figure them out." I shot back at him. Kung akala niya it would make me back down, he clearly underestimated my curiosity.
"Good luck with that, Miss Madrigal."