Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 11

Tumango-tango ako nang makuha ang sinasabi niya. I sighed as I deeply thought about it. Pinalis ko ang mga luha na tumulo mula sa aking mga mata at muling humarap kay Sid.

"Maybe he's just afraid." Sid stated.

I scoffed. "He's a coward then."

I tried to understand Sid's point. Pero kung totoo man 'yon, I can actually understand him. Maybe, he's also just afraid to show his true emotions. Kung ganoon, duwag siya. Tsk.

"You should actually talk things out, Harley. It's better if you communicate things." she said.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "Thank you, Sid." I said before hugging her. She hugged me back and I felt her warmth. I know she's not good with words and her only way of comforting was her warmth. And I'll always appreciate it.

Ilang minuto pa ay bumalik na si Sid sa upuan niya. Ngayon pa lang daw kasi siya gagawa ng assignments niya kaya inasikaso niya na. Meanwhile, kumalma na ako at napagdesisyunan na lang na gumawa muna ng reviewer para sa upcoming quiz namin mamayang hapon.

How funny that I'm using Archein's technique in making a review material. Neat and clean. Well, ginamit ko lang naman iyon dahil effective naman talaga. No other reasons.

I guess Sid was right. If I really want to clear things up with Archein, I should talk to him about it. Hindi ko alam kung totoong natatakot lang siyang ipakita ang totoong nararamdaman niya, and if so, maybe there's a slight chance that he also likes me. But I still don't want to keep my hopes up. We'll just talk.

"Harley." I was interrupted from writing a reviewer when I suddenly heard a familiar voice calling my name.

Ibinaba ko ang hawak kong ballpen at humarap ako sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na iyon at ang nadatnan ko ay ang imahe ni Liam.

"Liam?"

"C-can we talk?" may halong kabang aniya.

I sighed. Tumayo ako sa harap niya. Aksidente akong napatingin kay Sid at nakitang nakaharap din ito sa amin. I immediately gazed away and looked back at Liam. Tipid akong ngumiti rito bago tumango.

Sinenyasan ako nitong lumabas. Nauna utong naglakad palabas at sinundan ko lamang siya. Nasa labas lang kami ng room namin nang tumigil kami sa paglalakad.

"Liam, I'm sorry about—"

"Are you really dating Archein, Harley?" diretsong tanong nito. He really is straightforward.

I blinked twice as I sighed gently. Tumingin akong muli sa kaniya at mahinang umiling. "No. Hindi ko siya boyfriend, Liam." diretso ring sagot ko.

I saw the building hope on his eyes. He pursed his lips before he decided to speak.

"So does that mean—" I cut him off.

"But I will not be entertaining you, Liam." I immediately added. I saw how the hope on his eyes crumbled. His forehead knitted as he blinked multiple times. His gaze was stuck on me for a moment, but it landed on the ground a second later.

"B-bakit, Harley? Can you at least, give me a chance?" his gaze landed back on me. His orbs were pleading, hope was trying to re-build itself.

"I'm sorry, Liam." Tuluyan nang gumuho ang pag-asang natitira sa kaniyang mga mata. "I don't like you that way, Liam. I'm sorry if I lead you on. I just suggested that we can eat lunch together again, but I didn't know you gave a different meaning to it. I'm really sorry, but I won't entertain you, Liam." saad ko.

It took him almost a minute to digest my words. "I, I understand." he said. Muling bumagsak ang tingin nito sa baba. "D-do you like someone else? If you don't mind me asking." he torturously asked.