Batter: 2

As expected, their red velvet cupcakes were a roaring success. Their novelty cupcake was now getting more orders from couples and parties for their unique themes. It was hectic but at least it became a headstart for Kazim’s future business. Afterall, it was just another few months left before he finished college.

Everytime Kazim get orders, he made sure that he baked extra cupcakes to give to the homeless. During the few weeks, he managed to get to know some of the official residents in the backlanes. Some were just generous enough to be sitting with him while eating the cupcakes.

One particular guy was a guy Kazim called Uncle K. With an old supermarket stroller, Uncle K roamed the nearby street for recyclable goods before selling them. The first time Kazim approached him and gave him those cupcakes, he accepted with tears streaming down his face. Luckily Kazim brought mineral water along or Uncle K would have choked.

Others were more reserved. They just said thanks and walked away shyly. An old woman just stood in front of Kazim when he gave the cupcake. She was speechless. The only thing she did was cry.

It almost reminded Kazim of his mother.

One night, Kazim again went to visit Uncle K. It has been a pretty busy week and talking to some of them have become an escapism to Kazim.

Since they met, Kazim can see that Uncle K looked a lot more calmer. It must have been difficult to be going through the day without anyone on his side. Uncle K used to be popular when he was young, according to the guy. Money came easy and so did booze. And booze was just the thing that ruined his life. It caused him money, friends and family.

‘ My son may be a little bit older than you,’ Uncle K said while sipping coffee.

‘ Do you want to eat something uncle? Something that you crave?’ Kazim asked suddenly, just for the sake of making it less of an awkward moment for both of them.

After a few minutes of silence, Uncle K said with a smile,’ roti naan.’

So, roti naan it will be.

                                                        *     *    *

‘ Olive oil, baking powder..’

‘ Hey Kazim!’ came the slap on his back while he was picking out ingredients for the roti naan.

‘ Eh Ariffin!’ Kazim turned around to see his business partnerr’s happy face. In the process of doing so, he nearly dropped the steel basket in his hands.

‘ I was just picking up some ingredients for our project tomorrow,’ Ariffin said, gesturing to a list in his hands.

‘ I see.’

‘ What are you doing here?’ Ariffin peered into Kazim’s basket this time.

For some reason, Kazim refused to say what he was planning.

‘ Just something for dinner tonight. My sister will be back so I’m just planning to make pizza or something.’

‘ Cool. So see you later,’ Ariffin walked to the other end of the shop.

This would be Kazim’s little project and no one should know.