Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 3

I calmed myself before looking at him.

"Doon tayo." he said as he pointed somewhere. Lumingon ako roon at nakita ang isang bakanteng lamesa sa bandang gilid ng cafeteria.

Nang ibalik ko sa kaniya ang tingin ko ay tumango lang ako sa kaniya.

"Mag-order muna tayo." I said. Tumango siya kaya't naglakad na kami patungo sa counter. We ordered our own food and I noticed that he only ordered rice and chicken curry. Habang ako naman ay may kanin at dalawang putahe ng ulam. Mayroon pang juice at sandwich.

He still wanted to pay for his food but I insisted on paying. Ginamit ko pa ngang rason na may utang ako sa kaniya pero hindi siya nagpatinag. Sa huli ay ako pa rin ang nagbayad dahil naunahan ko siyang magbigay ng pera sa nagbabantay.

Nang matapos mag-order ay umupo na kaming pareho sa itinuro niyang table kanina. It was a table for two, magkaharap din kami ngayon.

"You eat a lot?" he casually asked as he got comfortable with his seat.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "Ah, gutom lang." I answered. It was true, gutom lang talaga ako. I haven't eaten a lot since breakfast. Kahit kaninang break time ay isang tinapay lang ang kinain ko.

Alam ko namang hindi na dapat ako bumili ng maraming makakain dahil ilang minuto na lang naman ay kailangan na naming bumalik sa klase, but I couldn't help it, I'm hungry.

"Ikaw? Bakit ang kaunti ng pagkaing binili mo?" it was my turn to ask. Kuryoso akong tumingin sa kaniya.

He smiled a little. "I don't eat a lot." anito.

I nodded a little.

"By the way, how did you learn my name, Harley?" ang tanong na iyon ay naging dahilan para magsalubong ang aking mga kilay. I stared at him as I pursed my lips.

"Crush ka ng kaibigan ko." I honestly answered. Nakilala ko lang naman talaga siya dahil sinabi sa amin ni Sid na crush niya ang lalaki. Well it turns out, hindi naman pala siya seryoso at happy crush lang naman niya.

A playful smile was shown in his face. "Really?" he seemed amused. He then took a bite off his food before raising his face.

But what caught me off guard was his sudden stare at me. Tumingin siya ng diretso sa mga mata ko at bahagyang naningkit ang kaniyang mga mata.

"Eh, ikaw? Crush mo ba ako?"

My eyes widened. I blinked multiple times before avoiding his gaze. "H-hindi 'no!"

He playfully chuckled at my reaction. "You're cute, Harley." he stated.

Mas lalo lang yatang namula ang mukha ko dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. What the hell is this? Is he flirting with me?! Hindi ba't kasasabi ko lang na crush siya ng kaibigan ko?! Nam-bola pa talaga.

I calmed myself before looking back at him. "Eh ikaw?" I casually asked, trying to dismiss what happened earlier.

"Kung crush din ba kita? O kung pa'no kita nakilala?" he teased.

My eyes widened as he said that.

"K-kung pa'no mo 'ko nakilala!" I defensively confirmed.

Though... maybe I should him ask the other question as well. Ah, shut up, Harley!

He chuckled, obviously amused at my reaction. He then shook his head sidewards, dismissing the joke he uttered.

"I caught Brent chatting someone yesterday. It was you. And he told me your name. Sinabi niya pang kilala ka niya dahil pareho kayong volleyball player." he explained.