It was a hot and humid afternoon in a crowded alley in Tondo, Manila. The sounds of children playing outside, the clatter of tricycles clattering along the narrow road, and the endless karaoke from the other corner blaring their favorite songs were all around.

But for Mang Carding, an ordinary employee in a large shoe factory, this day was anything but ordinary. After almost eight years of working flawlessly, without absenteeism, and always working overtime even though his body was exhausted, his hard work was finally recognized and he was promoted to supervisor.

So, as a reward for himself and a surprise for his wife, Aling Minda, and their two young children, he decided to have a famous bucket of fried chicken delivered. A whole bucket with large servings of gravy, rice, and cold soft drinks that the children loved. They rarely get to eat like this because they are always on a tight budget, so he is sure that his family will jump for joy when he gets home.

While waiting inside the house, Carding constantly wiped the sweat from his forehead with an old bimpo. He called the rider to confirm if he was close.

“Yes, boss, I’m right here on the corner. Just behind the basketball court, there’s a little traffic because someone is playing,” the rider replied, still panting a little on the other line.

A few minutes later, he heard the familiar honking of a motorcycle in front of their small gate.

Carding immediately came out, carrying the payment ready. He smiled at the rider and handed over the money.

“Thank you, boss. Be careful, that’s a bit heavy,” the rider reminded him as he handed over the large paper bag containing the bucket of chicken they were looking forward to.

Carding frowned as he caught the paper bag. The rider was right; it was very heavy. This was not the usual weight of eight pieces of chicken and some rice. It felt like there was steel or heavy concrete inside that was forced to fit.

He entered the house where Minda and the children were already waiting at the dining table, their plates and spoons in hand.

“Oh, what happened to your face? It’s like you saw a ghost there,” Minda asked as she wiped the table with a damp cloth.

“Minda, look at this. The weight of the chicken being delivered,” Carding said as he slowly placed the paper bag on the table.

The sound of it landing caused a resounding ‘crash’ that shattered the silence of the kitchen. The couple looked at each other. The children were just staring, waiting to eat their favorite chicken skin.

“Maybe they overdid the gravy? Or maybe they overdid the rice because they had a promotion?” Minda guessed, but the surprise and nervousness in her voice was undeniable.

Carding slowly opened the paper bag. On top of it were the gravy and rice. She took them out one by one. There was also the large bucket of fried chicken. Its lid was still tightly closed.

But when she lifted the bucket itself, her shoulders almost collapsed from the weight. It seemed like there were five kilos of rice hidden inside.

Anxiety. That was Carding’s first feeling. What if it wasn’t chicken inside? What if someone made a mistake and something illegal was inserted into it? Moduses that use innocent deliveries to smuggle are still common in the news these days.

He felt cold sweat trickle down his back down to his waist.

Page: SAY – Story Around You | Original story

“Carding, open it now. Maybe it’s something,” Minda ordered, stepping back a little, holding her children by the shoulders as protection as if something might explode at any moment.

The tension inside the small kitchen seemed to be being cut through with a knife through the thickest part of it. No one spoke. Only the noise of the old electric fan spinning could be heard throughout the room.

Carding’s grip tightened on the edge of the slippery bucket. He slowly lifted the lid.

The strong smell of oil and spices evaporated, but chicken wasn’t the first thing his wide eyes saw. Instead of the golden skin of fried chicken, a thick foil wrapper greeted him, packed tightly to the very edge of the container.

“What’s that?” Minda whispered, her voice trembling with intense worry.

Carding’s hands were also shaking as she took the large foil wrapper from the bucket. When she touched it, she felt it was warm and soft. It wasn’t steel. It wasn’t contraband.

She slowly peeled off the foil while the entire family stared breathlessly, watching her every move of her fingers.

When she finally opened the wrapper, they were presented with a huge, whole Lechon Manok stuffed with rice, lemongrass, and a salty egg inside.

They were all shocked. No one spoke for a few seconds until Carding’s cellphone suddenly rang in his pocket.

A text message from the rider’s number earlier.

“Boss, I’m sorry. Your paper bag and the order of the barangay Captain across the street who ordered special stuffed lechon manok for their mini fiesta got mixed up. I told him, but he said just enjoy it as his gift to your family because he doesn’t want to take back the food, he just ordered it again. Happy eating and sorry for the trouble!”

Carding blinked several times. He looked at the stunned Minda, and then they both laughed out loud. The intense nervousness and tension that had enveloped them earlier suddenly disappeared and was replaced by pure joy.

As Carding sliced ​​the tender meat of the lechon manok, he couldn’t help but smile with joy. The children, who had been so scared of the tension earlier, were now happily fighting over the eggs inside the chicken.

Their mouths were full and their fingers were stained with oil.

Carding thought, sometimes, unexpected events also bring greater grace. He felt nothing but gratitude.

The family ate with big smiles, talking and laughing because of that unexpected event that they were sure they would talk about for a long time.