Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 8

I stopped swinging as I stared back at him.

"Without the sun, the moon would be a mere stone floating around space, orbiting our planet." untag nito. Ngumiti siya bago muling tumingin sa kadiliman ng gabi.

My forehead knitted a little. "But the moon's purpose doesn't stop on giving only light on our darkest nights, Archein." saad ko. As a person who have a fair share of love for the moon, I could not agree with him saying that the moon would be useless without the sun.

"I know." muli itong tumingin sa akin. "But the main point is... I don't want you to be dependent on someone, Harley. Be your own star, your own source of light. I can sense that... it's hard for you to make choices of your own. May sarili kang buhay at malaya kang gawin kung ano mang gusto mo. You don't need other people's opinion just to create a conclusion for yourself. Be your own wall to lean on, Harley. Hindi natin kailangan ang mga sasabihin ng ibang tao upang makagawa tayo ng desisyon." may kabuluhan sa bawat salitang sinabi nito.

I just looked at his eyes, they were radiating. I could feel my insides churning, and I could feel my eyes welling up.

How could this man know so much? Am I really that easy to read? Ni wala akong sinasabi sa kaniya tungkol sa mga problema ko, ngunit ano 'to? Hindi ako nabigyan ng notice na totoo palang psychic siya! Geez!

The following days were nothing extraordinary. Nagpa-practice na kami ng rampa para sa Eco-Modelo. Faith haven't told us if she accepted the band offer yet, pero mukha naman na siyang hindi problemado ngayon. Liam was surprisingly being too kind to me. Mayroon din kaming weekly practice sa volleyball kahit wala naman kaming papalapit na game. Our coach just told us na kahit walang laro, we should still maintain our routine. And Archein...

Archein and I are still seeing each other. Lagi rin kaming magkasama tuwing break times at naging paboritong tambayan na namin ang library. We would always talk while studying. Kahit ang pagkain ay sinasabayan namin ng study. We bonded well, maybe because we have mutual likings in our subjects?

What are we even? Hindi ko rin alam.

"Puwede mo na ba akong turuang mag-bake? I'm really eager to learn how to bake, and of course, know your recipe. Your cookie is so good." napapailing ako habang sinasabi niya iyon sa akin.

Noong isang araw niya pa ako kinukulit tungkol doon. He really wants to learn, huh?

"Alright, alright! Mamayang uwian." pagpayag ko naman. Maglalakad na sana ako nang may maalala. "Pero saan pala tayo magluluto? Hindi puwede sa bahay 'no! Baka mapagkamalan ka pang boyfriend ko! Strict ang parents ko 'no!" I said in advance. Although, it's actually ideal to let them assume that he's my boyfriend.

Napailing na lang ako sa sariling naiisip. Gosh, Harley. You're falling.

I am well aware of what I am feeling. But I never really want to address it this early. Alam kong paunti-unti ay nagkakagusto na ako kay Archein... nahuhulog, rather. I can't blame myself though. Si Archein na 'to! He's like a full package that a girl's girl will surely enjoy. I don't get attached easily kaya't maging ako ay nagtataka rin sa sariling nararamdaman.

"Edi sa bahay namin." halos mamilog ang aking mga mata nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Napabaling ako sa kaniya dahil sa gulat. I saw how he licked his lower lip as he gazed in front. "Nandoon naman si Mama. Ipapakilala kita." saad nito.

Kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad patungo sa library. Doon kami magbi-breaktime dahil mamayang lunch ay sa kaibigan ko naman ako makikisama.

I curiously stared at him. Pantay ang lakad namin at sa harap siya nakatingin. This way, I could get a full view of his gorgeous side profile. His nose were protruding, his lashes were curled and extended, and his lips were slightly pursed. Para siyang anghel. Tanginang anghel! Mang-aakit na anghel!