The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

5

The cafeteria buzzed with noise as we sat around, killing time during our break. It was one of those rare moments where the universe decided to give me a breather, kahit na sira-sira ang schedule ko. My circle was small, just a handful of people who didn’t mind my quiet demeanor. Akala kasi ng iba, aloof ako. Pero ang totoo, hindi nila alam na aso’t pusa kami ng kapatid kong si Manuel.

“Tatakbo ka nga talaga, Drakon?” Fei said, mid-bite. “Malakas kalaban mo ah. Crush ko ‘yun dati, kaso nakaka-turn off. Puro babae followings niya sa Instagram.”

I smirked, shaking my head. "Daig pa niya ‘yung mga nag-aral sa all-girls school. Huwag mo patulan ‘yan, likas na talaga sa mga engineering babaero. Takot ‘yan sa commitment."

I popped a piece of puto into my mouth, savoring the caramel syrup. Baon ni Mama—solid, as always.

“Uy, puto ba ‘yan ni Tita? Pahingi, ang sarap n’yan, shuta,” Fei whined, reaching over. I pulled the container away, giving her a teasing glare.

But eventually, I gave in, handing her one. Ayaw ko namang magka-physical abuse dito. “Ayan na, isa lang, ha.”

She grinned and popped the puto into her mouth. "Bibigay mo rin pala, eh. Gusto mo talaga dinadaan pa sa dahas."

I sighed. Mama, kung nakikita mo lang kung bakit hindi tumataba ang anak mo.

We were in the middle of our banter when a shift in the cafeteria’s energy caught my attention. The sound of girls cheering filled the space, and I turned to see Renz strutting in like some kind of local celebrity. Ampota, ano bang nagustuhan ng mga ‘to? Pangit ng taste. I eyed him from head to foot, his smirk plastered on his face like he owned the place.

He made a beeline toward our table. My guard went up.

"Hey, Fei, didn’t know you were friends with Drakon here," Renz said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Tangina. Mutuals pala sila. Sira ka talaga, Drakon.

Fei shifted uncomfortably but shrugged it off. "Yeah, bestfriends kami, labmates pa. Why do you care?"

Renz leaned in, his eyes flickering towards me. "Oh, I was just thinking—baka gusto ni Drakon mag-start ng fan club. You’d be his number one fan, Fei."

I felt heat rise to my face, irritation brewing. "Don’t compare me to you, burgis. Hindi ko ginagawang bola mga babae para pagpasahan."

Renz just chuckled, that irritating laugh of his grating on my nerves. "Relax, Drakon. It’s just a joke. Don’t be so sensitive."

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to retaliate, but I could tell Fei was getting uncomfortable. Bakit nga ba nagustuhan mo ‘tong tukmol na ‘to dati, Fei?

Then, out of nowhere, Renz leaned closer to me, his tone changing. “You know, Drakon, you're really cute when you're mad,” he said, his voice low. Tarantado talaga 'to.

I pushed him away, glaring. "Hoy, burgis, wala ka bang babae na madadali? Wag mo ako idamay sa laro mo. Di tayo talo." I paused, letting my words sink in.

"Sabagay, puro babae kasama mo, baka nahawa ka na? Natuluyang bakla?" I added.

Renz just laughed. "Come on, Drakon. I’m just trying to make you loosen up. Para kang babae na may regla, pre-med."

I stood up, shoving my chair back. "I’ve had enough. Wag kang mag-alala, tol, hindi ako kinikilig sa'yo—kinikilabutan ako.

Renz pouted mockingly but didn’t follow me as I stormed out of the cafeteria. Still, I could feel his eyes on me. Apaka-tarantadong burgis talaga.

---

Later, in class, I tried to shake off the lingering irritation. Quiz time. I needed to focus, especially after last night’s lack of sleep. Manuel stayed up late again, on some call or whatever. Buti na lang may bago siyang phone, napalitan ko gamit ang scholarship money ko.

The questions started coming, and I tried to zone in. Pero si Renz, seated just across from me, kept throwing snide remarks, obviously trying to break my concentration.

"Puwede ba, burgis, manahimik ka?" I hissed under my breath. "Yang hininga mo, nakakainis."

He grinned, knowing he was getting to me. But then disaster struck—my ballpen ran out of ink. I slammed it against the desk in frustration, drawing Renz’s attention.

"Need a pen?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

I hesitated, but I didn’t have a choice. "Yeah, thanks."

He handed me his pen, a smug smile spreading across his face. "But it’s gonna cost you.

Burgis na burgis, ampota. Laging may kapalit. "Ano gusto mo? Bilisan mo, kailangan ko ng ballpen."

Renz leaned in, his voice low again. "I want a kiss."

I recoiled, glaring at him. "Hoy, Renz! Nakakalalaki ka na ha! That's not gonna happen. Kahit ikaw nalang ang huling lalaki sa mundo, tangina, hindi kita ikikiss."

He laughed, clearly enjoying the power play. "Oh, come on. It’s just a kiss. I won’t tell anyone."

I tossed the pen back at him. "Keep your pen. Di ko kailangan mag-utang ng ganun kalaki. Tarantado ka."

He refused to take it back, his grin widening. "No, no, Drakon. You owe me now. And I always collect."

The quiz continued, but I could barely focus, too distracted by Renz’s antics. Hindi pa tapos ang tarantadong ‘to. One thing was clear: I wasn’t going to let him win.

Not now, Renz Saadvera.