Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 5

I was gently biting my lower lip as I was kicking some tiny pebbles on the pavements as I traced my way to a nearby playground.

Nang makarating sa playground ay katahimikan lamang ang sumalubong sa akin. Dahil gabi na ay walang mga bata ang makikitang naglalaro rito. In fact, kaunti lang ang taong narito. 'Yung iba naman ay mga napapadaan lang.

I breathed heavily as I walked towards the swing. Naramdaman ko ang lamig ng kadena ng swing nang hawakan ko ito. My mouth gaped as I immediately took my hand away. I just rolled my eyes before touching the chains again. Hindi ko na masyadong ininda ang lamig ng kadena at inalalayan na lang ang sariling umupo sa swing.

I heaved a sigh for the nth time as I swung from my seat. Mahina kong tinutulak ang sarili gamit ang paa kong nasa lupa bago inangat ang paningin at tumitig sa kalangitan.

I unconsciously smiled but it soon faded as my lips began to tremble. I again, sighed, to stop myself from tearing up.

Marahan kong isini-swing ang sarili ngunit nabigla na lamang ako ng makarinig ako ng isang mahinang pagtikhim. Hindi pa man ako nakalilingon sa kung saan nanggaling ang tunog na iyon ay may nakita na agad akong isang bagay na inabot sa akin ng isang pamilyar na hubog ng palad.

I stared on the cornetto ice cream the familiar hand was offering. I then slowly traced the owner of the hand and slowly lifted my gaze. I just pursed my lips when I saw Archein, looking at me with a small smile.

Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang may hawak na cornetto at hindi na nag-alinlangang kinuha iyon mula sa kaniya.

It was already cold, but I wouldn't mind eating some ice cream tonight. Lalo pa't matcha ang flavor ng cornetto na ibinigay niya.

"T-thank you." mahina ang boses kong saad.

Hindi siya umimik kaya't nilingon ko siya. He was now holding at the chain of the swing beside me. I noticed that he was also holding an ice cream cone with his other hand. Gaya ng akin ay matcha din ang flavor n'un.

Agad akong namula nang maalala ang sinabi niya noong isang araw.

I like matcha, too. But I like matcha lovers more.

Agad akong umiling nang mapagtantong namumula na naman ako. I just gently swung my swing while I was looking at him. Ang mga kamay ko naman ay busy sa pagbubukas ng cornetto na hawak ko.

"Bakit ka nandito?" iyon ang naging tanong ko sa kaniya.

Bumaling ang tingin nito sa akin. "I was walking my dog." kaswal na sagot nito. My eyes widened with the mere notice of the word dog. He must've noticed that I was looking for the dog he was talking about so he pointed at somewhere.

Lumingon ako sa kung saan siya nakaturo at nakita ang isang maliit na tuta na nakatali ang leash sa gilid ng bench.

Napangiti ako nang tinitigan ko ang tuta. It was cutely sitting while looking at his owner. I didn't know Archein is a pet lover. Gusto ko rin ng pet dog pero bawal iyon sa bahay. Allergic kasi si... Chelsea.

Muling bumaba ang tingin ko nang maalala ang kapatid ko.

"Why are you sad?" rinig kong tanong ni Archein. I slowly licked on my ice cream cone as I gently swung my swing again. Ang mga titig ko ay nananatiling nasa baba.

"I'm not sad." I said as I tried to sound casual. Again, I licked on my matcha ice cream cone. Matcha cornetto is actually my favorite flavor as it is also my comfort food.

Nakita ko mula sa peripheral vision ko ang pagbaling niya sa akin. He hemmed boyishly, obviously not believing me.

"You are so easy to read, Harley." he said. I just pouted at his statement. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, concern was evident in his voice.