The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

11

Drakon Da Vinci
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The sky was clear, a bright Saturday after two days of canceled classes due to the storm that had just passed. Streets were still wet, with puddles reflecting the late morning sun, remnants of the flood that had caused chaos in Santa Mesa. We’d extended our school’s sports fest and intrams, pushing back events that should’ve wrapped up on Thursday.

I should’ve been at my mom’s kakanin stall hours ago, helping her out. But, guess what? My alarm didn’t go off. It’s funny now, but I was in deep trouble then.

I threw on a black v-neck shirt and some shorts, not bothering to check the time. I rushed out of my room, only to be greeted by Manuel in the living room, his face lit up with a smug grin.

“Lagot ka, Kuya Drakon,” he teased. “Mama’s been waiting for you all morning. Orders are piling up. She even told me to throw cold water on you to wake you up, pero di ko ginawa. Bad 'yon eh.”

I ruffled his hair with a chuckle. “See, that’s why you’re my brother. You follow Mama’s rules even when you could’ve had fun with it. Di tumunog alarm ko, kaya sorry na lang. But hey, you’re in charge of the house, okay?”

He gave me a thumbs-up, but I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. I reached over and tweaked his ear.

“KUYAAAAA!” he howled, attempting to swat me away, but I was already out the door, laughing as I dodged his fists. Manuel was always quick to get annoyed, but he knew I was just messing around.

“I’ll buy you kwek-kwek later, ting-ting! Basta bati na tayo ha? Love na love kita, promise!” I called out, teasing him even more as I caught a glimpse of his grumpy face through the window.

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I stepped off the jeepney, the familiar scents of our neighborhood welcoming me as I walked towards my mom’s stall. The aroma of sweet sticky rice and coconut filled the air, and I could already see a few regulars hanging around. Mama’s kakanin is a local favorite; people come from all over just to get a taste.

The bell above the door jingled as I entered, and Mama looked up from behind the counter, her hands busy preparing an order. She flashed a smile, but there was no mistaking the glint of reprimand in her eyes. “Buti naman at nakarating ka, pay-pay. Akala ko nakalimutan mo na kami. Di nanaman tumunog alarm mo noh?”

I sheepishly nodded, heading straight to the kitchen where she was working on fresh batches of her famous kakanin. On-hand orders like these are best served warm, after all.

“Try mo nga itong bago kong ube-halaya anak,” Mama urged, her excitement obvious. “Kaloka yung umorder nyan, dami say pero galante. Sige na, tikman mo!”

I grabbed a spoonful of the vibrant purple dessert, savoring the creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor. It was heaven in a bite. “Sarap 'ma! Parang ako lang.”

She laughed heartily, wiping her hands on her apron. “Hay, buti naman at nasarapan ka, anak. Kasi nyang tatay nyo, tinanong ko kung masarap, sabi mas masarap daw ako! E di nag-walk out ako sa inis. Hmph!”

As the laughter between us settled, customers began to trickle in, attracted by the irresistible smells of freshly made kakanin. Mama seamlessly balanced taking orders and chatting with the regulars while I helped with restocking the shelves and wrapping up the orders.