Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 14

I groaned frustratedly.

Certain scenes were flashing before my eyes. How his eyes glimmer when he looks at me sometimes. How he would always listen to my rants. How he would always be there when I'm feeling down. How we laughed together with his silliness.

I mean... it's normal to feel that way when you consider someone as your friend, right? But then... the times when he really acted... jealous?

How his eyes lit in confusion and disappointment when I told him to stop pretending to be my boyfriend. How his cold tone registered into my whole being whenever I'm with Brent or Liam. How he dragged me out of the gym because he heard Liam and his plan to take me out for lunch. How pain was evident in his eyes when I never answered his question if I was actually entertaining Liam.

How bitterness crept into his words as he spoke the words suitor and lovebirds.

Mixed signals pa ba 'yon? O talagang nagseselos siya? Genuinely? I was wrong. He never showed me little affection. In fact, he never lacked showing affection. He showed me what I can hardly believe, because it was just too much.

I was so engrossed by the thought that he was hurting me, by the thought of him, treating me as his toy, as a joke. But right then, the times that he actually shows me that he cares about me, the time when he would always make me happy, and the the thought of him always being there for me... was taken to the back of my mind.

Masyado kong binigyang pansin ang mga oras na tinatrato niya akong parang laruan kaya't 'yung oras na tinatrato niya akong parang... may pakialam siya ay nakalimutan ko na.

There are times that when I look straight into his eyes, I could see the glimmer of happiness taking over it as he looks back at me. Na para bang masaya siya, genuinely, kapag kasama niya ako.

But I would always tell myself that it couldn't be, right? Kasi hindi maaari 'yon. Kasi malabo. Malabo pero at the same time... hindi.

"Speaking of." napapitla ako sa sinabing iyon ni Faith. I came back to my senses and faced her. She was facing the entrance of the cafeteria, and as if on cue, I turned my gaze to where her eyes were fixated.

Parang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko at parang nakumbinsi ko ang sariling talagang imposible ang mga iniisip ko kanina lang dahil sa aking nakita.

It was Archein. But he's with someone. Not just someone though. He's with Liz.

Agad na nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay habang pinapanood silang dalawa na naglalakad patungo sa isang mesa. Their eyes never darted our way. Because they were busy laughing together as they walked towards the table.

I rolled my eyes as I stared back at my food.

Well at least he's not taking that girl at the library. At least hindi sila doon kumakain. Katulad ng ginagawa namin ni Archein.

"See? It really is impossible." pirming saad ko nang tumingin ako sa dalawa. Pareho na rin silang nakatitig sa akin. Faith's lips were pursed while Sid's brows were furrowed. Umiling na lang ako. "Kita mo't may bago na agad." I scoffed.

"You don't know her Harley. Baka kaibigan lang." pahina nang pahina ang boses ni Faith nang sabihin niya iyon.

I stared at her, confused. "'Wag mo na siyang ipagtanggol, Faith. Wala na rin naman talaga akong pakialam. Wala akong pakialam kung may bago na siyang babae at kung ilan pang babae ang i-entertain niya." I said firmly.