Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 15

I took a glance of my food. It was a lot of strawberries for me. I like strawberries, but not that much though. I think it's too sweet for me. Pero wala na akong magagawa. Iyon na ang orders ko at nakalapag na iyon sa harapan ko.

I took the slice of the strawberry jam tart and took a bite off of it. My eyes widened at the sweetness of the food. It was good. I hummed in satisfaction as I gently nodded continuously as I stared at the food I was holding.

The crust of the soft but solid pie together with the sticky texture and sweet flavor of the strawberry jam was just a great combination. Napakasarap, kaya't agad akong kumagat muli rito.

"Is it good?" napatingin ako sa nagsalita. It was Archein. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang ang mga mata niya agad ang sumalubong sa akin nang humarap ako sa kan'ya. I was slightly taken aback, shocked that he was already gazing at me.

Ako ba ang tinatanong niya?

I saw how he licked his lower lip as a small smile crept into his lips. "Nevermind." saad nito bago tuluyang umiling at humarap sa kaniyang katabi.

I blinked twice as I stared at him. I indistinctly heaved a sigh before my gaze landed on the food in front of him. Agad na nangunot ang aking noo nang mapansing lahat iyon ay strawberry flavored.

Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko nang mapansing pareho kami ng dessert. He also have a piece of strawberry shortcake and strawberry jam tart. Ang naiiba lang ay ang inumin niya. It was a cup of iced strawberry cream.

Napabaling ako kay Liam nang marinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa. He raised a brow at me as our eyes met. The side of his lips was formed in a slight curve.

"What?" I mouthed.

He leaned closer to me. "See. Couple kayo." natatawang anito sa aking tainga kaya't agad ko siyang tinulak palayo. He was still giggling as I pushed him away. I just rolled my eyes before it landed back on my food.

Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagkain at talagang napakasarap ng mga iyon. No wonder this coffee shop was already that popular, truly deserved.

Habang sumisimsim sa aking matcha latte ay hindi sinasadyang nahulog ang aking tingin kay Archein. Nagulat na lamang ako nang makitang sa akin rin ito nakatingin. Our eyes met for a brief moment, but I cannot read any emotion from his. He quickly averted his gaze and it landed on the girl sitting beside him.

Sinulyapan ko rin si Liz na ngayon ay busy habang nagtitipa sa kaniyang laptop. Magkasalubong ang mga kilay nito habang ang kaniyang kanang kamay ay nasa keyboard ng laptop at ang kaliwang kamay naman ay nakahawak sa maliit na muffin na kinakain niya.

Muling bumalik ang titig ko kay Archein at agad na nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay nang makitang sa akin na naman siya nakatingin.

Anong problema ng lalaking 'to? Tsk!

Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at napunta iyon kay Liam. He was grinning ear to ear as his gaze was continuously darting towards me and Archein. Pabalik balik ang tingin nito sa amin kaya't agad ko siyang pinagtaasan ng kilay.

He just shook his head as he took a bite off his croissant. Matapos ay mas lumapit siya sa akin. He then smiled before talking.

"Bakit mo sinabi sa kan'ya na nanliligaw pa rin ako sa'yo, Harley?" mahinang tanong nito.

I was taken aback by his question but I already hunched that he's going to ask about it. I bit my lower lip as I gazed away. Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa pagkain ko. I took a bite off my strawberry shortcake first before I answered his question.

"Wala. Gusto ko lang." I nonchalantly answered. I don't want to talk about it.

"Tss." he scoffed, dahilan pala muli akong mapatingin sa kaniya. His brows furrowed in confusion, his eyes looked at me worriedly. "Palagi mong sinasabi sa'kin na tino-torture ko ang sarili ko kapag lumalapit ako sa'yo. Pero ngayon, ikaw 'tong tino-torture ang sarili dahil lumalayo ka sa kan'ya. I thought you like him." saad nito.