The Parallel Red Strings

CHAPTER 13

WARNING:

This chapter may include explicit word/material. Violence: physical and verbal.

Viewer discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics.

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JESS

“They are really serious huh?”

I was pertaining to Ken and Peter. It was a week ago when they started hanging out with my friends. It became frequent. Even inside the campus they were persistent in pursuing my girlfriends.

Halie just rolled her eyes while Yhana smiled awkwardly.

“Ewan ko ba,” inis ang mahihimigan kay Halie. “Akala ko kasi biro-biro lang ‘nung una, kainis naman!”

My forehead creased automatically. “What’s with that overreaction?” I asked.

“I’m, eh ano,” bumusangot siya. “I’m getting to like him na,” Halie finished her sentence.

This shit is some sort of a paranoid. “Babatukan kita diyan eh,” I made gestures. “And so what? You're fucking 17 years old to act like a freshman in Junior High. ‘Saka malandi ka naman talaga.”

“Seryoso nga ako Jess, I'm not messing with you right now.”

I sensed it. She was so serious this morning. Even Yhana were a bit bothered to her growing feelings with Peter. These girls were acting like they are new to these. They had exes! Ako lang ang single since birth dito!

“Come on girls, you folks know what you're doing.”

“Jess iniisip ko lang na, Ken and Peter were somehow a homophobic. Yhana and I talked about this. They seem genuine with their intentions toward sa amin but I despise men or people in general if they are treating others awful simply because of their gender preferences.”

Yhana nodded as a sign of siding Halie.

Deep within I was touched by Halie's belief and the determination she has when she said that. I love her so much. Both of them.

I felt valued and heard since the day I met these two. There are still human in this inhumane world.

But I do understand that those portions of humanity inside of us can somewhat turn into a monstrous fire because of those traumatic incidents that shifts our ideologies as part of defense mechanism.

“Certainly got your points Halie but we might not lose sight of the fact that Ken was once a victim,” I averted my gaze back and forth to Yhana and Halie. “It was the product of his trauma.”

Silence.

“And ang akin lang, I don't want you to pressed your feelings to stop it from blooming dahil lang iniisip niyo na hindi ko sila gusto para sainyo because of what they did to me.”

“We were not thinking about that Jess. I know you'll support us no matter what,” Halie responded.

“So ano ang inaarte niyo diyan? Then let yourselves fall for them. Let your feelings flow like a desperate river.” I chuckled after saying that.

Yhana smirked and looked at me as if I did something wrong.

“You mean, like the feelings you're developing sa lalaking nag dinner sainyo last week?”