My Paradiso

Chapter 11: Sunday Budget, Sunday Sinigang

Chapter 11: Sunday Budget, Sunday Sinigang

The morning light at 8:00 Am, muted by the thin curtains, filtered into Marcus's dorm room. He woke slowly, the echoes of yesterday's thoughts—Celestia's offer, Lorenzo's encouragement—still lingering. He pushed them aside; he needed to focus on something concrete.

He needed to cook.

A trip to the market was necessary. Sinigang was what his body craved, a taste of comfort to cut through the mental clutter. But he checked his wallet first. Five hundred pesos. That would have to do. He had to be smart about this.

The market was a burst of life even on a Sunday morning. Vendors hawked their goods, the air alive with a mix of earthy and pungent smells. Marcus moved through the crowd with a practiced ease, his senses sharp.

First, the fish. He approached a stall with a wide array. His eyes scanned the selection, calculating. Milkfish was the classic choice, but the price varied wildly. He spotted a vendor with a smaller, but fresh-looking catch.

"How much?" he asked, pointing to a milkfish.

The vendor quoted a price. Marcus winced inwardly. Too much. He moved on, comparing prices, finally settling on a decent-sized milkfish for 180 pesos at another stall. Not the best, but within budget. He carefully checked the gills; they were bright red.

Next, the vegetables. Tomatoes. He squeezed a few gently, checking for firmness. He needed about half a kilo. He found a pile of ripe ones, selling for 60 pesos a kilo. He picked out the best ones, handing over 30 pesos. Onions. A couple of medium-sized ones would do. He got them for 20 pesos.

Then, the greens. Kangkong. He found a lush bunch. 30 pesos. He added it to his basket.

The tamarind. This was crucial. He spotted a vendor selling fresh tamarind pods. He knew the paste was cheaper, but fresh was always better. He bought a handful for 80 pesos.

He did a quick mental calculation as he walked, ensuring he hadn't gone over budget. He had enough left for rice and maybe a small treat.

Back in his dorm, the small kitchen felt less lonely, filled with the promise of a home-cooked meal. Marcus laid his ingredients on the counter. He worked efficiently, his movements precise.

He cleaned the fish, scaling it and gutting it with practiced ease. He chopped the vegetables. He prepared the tamarind, boiling the pods to extract the sour juice.

The cooking process was a familiar rhythm. Water boiled in the pot. Tomatoes and onions simmered, softening and releasing their flavors. The tamarind juice went in, turning the water a light brown. The fish followed, cooking gently. Finally, the kangkong, wilting into the broth.

The aroma of sinigang filled the room, a comforting blend of sour, savory, and earthy notes. It was a simple dish, but it felt like a feast.

He was setting his small table when a knock echoed through his dorm.

"Yo, Marcus! You in there?" Lorenzo's voice.

Marcus smiled. Of course. "Come in, Lo."

Lorenzo entered, his eyes widening. "Dude, that smells amazing! What is that?"

"Sinigang," Marcus said.

Lorenzo's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? You made that? It smells incredible!"

They sat down to eat. Lorenzo devoured the sinigang with gusto.

"Man," Lorenzo said, wiping his mouth, "you've got to do something with this talent. This is insane."

Marcus shrugged. "It's just food, Lo."

"Just food? No way. This is... this is passion on a plate. You could open a restaurant. You could be famous!"

Marcus shook his head, a familiar resistance rising within him. "I don't know about that."

Lorenzo leaned back, studying Marcus. "You're good, man. Really good. Don't let that go to waste."

The two of them talked late into the afternoon, their conversation weaving between food, dreams, and the uncertainties of the future.