The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

13

Drakon Da Vinci
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I walked away from the gymnasium, still fuming from my encounter with Renz. Ang yabang talaga. Siya na nga ang bumili, siya pa ang magpapalaki ng isyu. I glanced at my phone to check the time—late na talaga ako for the council meeting, pero malamang tapos na rin yun by now.

Sighing, I headed towards the student center where I could sit for a bit and collect my thoughts. But as I passed by the main hallway, I overheard some students chattering excitedly. "Laban na ng Engineering vs. Political Science! Manood na tayo sa court!"

Manok ko pa naman mga Pol Scie, dahil na rin kay Kaizer.

I felt a slight tug of curiosity. Should I? Renz had practically dared me to watch their game earlier. Alam kong joke lang 'yung impeachment threat niya, pero knowing him, he’d probably use it against me later just to mess with my head. And honestly, kahit papaano, I wanted to see if his team was as good as everyone hyped them up to be.

“Bahala na,” I muttered to myself.

I made my way to the gym, trying to blend in with the crowd. When I arrived, it was already packed with students—mostly from Civil Engineering, syempre. They were all wearing their team colors, waving banners, and screaming for their players. The atmosphere was electric, and I could feel the tension in the air. Engineering was known for being competitive in sports, especially basketball. Political Science, on the other hand, was known more for debates than athletic prowess.

As I slipped into the bleachers, I spotted Renz on the court, warming up with his team. He was all business now, dribbling the ball with practiced ease, his earlier cockiness replaced with laser focus. Kahit naiinis ako sa kanya, I had to admit—he looked good on the court. He moved like he owned the space, commanding attention with every step.

"Laban na!" The referee’s whistle pierced the air, and the game began.

Engineering had possession of the ball first. Renz quickly got the ball and moved like a blur across the court, dodging the Political Science defenders with ease. He made a sharp pass to one of his teammates who immediately sank a three-pointer. The Engineering side of the bleachers erupted in cheers.

I crossed my arms, watching intently. Political Science was trying, pero mukhang hirap sila sa pace ng game. Engineering was faster, stronger, and more coordinated. Renz was clearly the star, directing his teammates with hand signals and quick calls. Parang siya yung coach sa court, and his team followed his lead without question.

As the game progressed, I noticed how Renz didn’t just rely on his skills. He was strategic, always looking for openings, always a step ahead of the defense. Nakakainis, pero ang galing talaga niya maglaro. It wasn’t just about speed or shooting for him—it was about outsmarting the other team.

I leaned back against the bleachers, trying to ignore the growing admiration building inside me. Bakit ba ako nandito, pinapanood ang kupal na ‘to? I should be at the council, doing actual productive things. Pero here I was, glued to the game. Even my irritation couldn't keep me from appreciating his talent.

Halfway through the game, Engineering was already ahead by 15 points. Political Science looked winded, and it didn’t seem like they had any tricks left to turn the tide. Renz was everywhere—stealing the ball, setting up plays, scoring points. He wasn’t just playing for his team; he was making sure Engineering crushed Political Science into the ground.

Then, in the middle of a fast break, Renz stole the ball again and dashed towards the basket. Time seemed to slow down as he soared through the air, going for a dunk. The crowd erupted in wild cheers. Even I couldn’t help but gasp at how effortless it looked. For a moment, all I saw was Renz dominating the court—unapologetic, unyielding, and completely in control.

He landed smoothly, grinning as his teammates crowded around him to celebrate. Napatingin sya bigla sa bleachers, sa direction ko. Our eyes met, and his smirk grew wider. Alam ko na nakita nya ako kanina pa. Tapos he did this exaggerated wave, as if to say, I told you so.

Nag-init ang mukha ko. That smug bastard. I glared back at him, pero deep down, I knew he won this round. Even if he didn’t say it out loud, he was rubbing it in my face—na kaya niyang mag-perform nang ganun, at kaya niya akong iparamdam na small fry lang ako.

The game ended with Engineering wiping the floor with Political Science, 85-62. As the teams shook hands, Renz made his way towards the bleachers where I was sitting.

“Enjoyed the game, Pres?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel.

I crossed my arms and shot him a look. “Talo 'yung team ko. Ano sa tingin mo?”

He chuckled, completely unbothered. “Well, I did tell you to watch. Di ba mas exciting when you’re here in person? You get to witness greatness up close.”

“Greatness? Yabang mo, ah,” I scoffed. Pero hindi ko siya pwedeng tanggihan, he played like a pro out there.

He grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Sabihin mo nalang kasi na na-impress ka, Pres. You don’t have to pretend.” He draped the towel around his neck, leaning in slightly. “Admit it. You enjoyed watching me play.”

I rolled my eyes, standing up to leave. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Salarza. I’m still not convinced.”

“Sure, sure,” he said, smirking as I walked away. “But I saw you cheering a little. Next time, maybe you'll wear Engineering colors?”

I flipped him off as I headed for the exit, hearing his laughter echo behind me. Damn him. Even when he’s not trying, he always manages to get under my skin.

As I walked across campus, I couldn’t stop thinking about the game—or rather, about Renz. Hindi ko maitanggi na magaling siya. Kahit hindi kami magkasundo, he had a way of making everything revolve around him. Nakakaurat, pero hindi ko siya kayang i-ignore. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

Burgis talaga. Pero I’ll admit—he knows how to put on a show.

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