Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 15

My eyes widened a fraction as I stared at him. I immediately closed my open mouth as I swallowed hard to stomach his words. Suminghap ako at nahulog ang tingin sa baba.

He's right. I am torturing myself. But I think it's for the better though. Mas mainam na lumayo ang loob ko sa kaniya dahil hindi ko na alam kung masi-sikmura ko pa ba ang isiping ganoon lang sa kaniya kadali na ipagtulakan ako palayo.

I won't settle for someone who doesn't see my value, my worth. I won't settle for someone who didn't even bother lifting a finger just to fight for me. I won't settle for someone who willingly pushed me away, and even looked like he never doubted his decision when he did that. Na para bang hindi man lang siya nagdalawang-isip pa.

"He's not worth it." mahinang saad ko na ikinagulat naman ni Liam. Tumingala ako at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa kaniya. I humorlessly let out a small chuckle. "For him, I'm not worth it." walang buhay kong saad.

His brows furrowed. His eyes softened. Mabilis siyang sumulyap sa lalaking kanina ko pa nararamdaman ang titig na nakapako sa akin. Nakita ko kung paano tumalim ang tingin ni Liam kay Archein. I quickly gazed at Archein and saw the confusion is his eyes.

Walang buhay kong inalis ang tingin sa kaniya. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Liam na nakaharap na rin sa akin ngayon, ang malamlam niyang mga mata ay parang tumatagos sa kabuuan ko.

"Don't say that, Harley. You are worth it. You're worth more than what you think." his soft voice spoke, slowly creeping towards my heart.

Tipid ko siyang nginitian.

"But..." he trailed off. His soft voice still sound low, talagang ayaw iparinig ang pinag-uusapan namin sa mga taong nasa harap namin. "I do wonder. Paano mo nasabing hindi ka worth it para sa kan'ya?" makabuluhang tanong nito.

There a glimpse of hesitation in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed with worry and a bit of curiosity.

Sumulyap ako kina Archein at ngayon ay nakitang busy na rin sa pag-uusap ang dalawa. Archein and Liz was now having their own world, talking to each other while even giggling.

Agad kong iniwas ang tingin at muling nahanap ng mga mata ko ang mga mata ni Liam na matamang nakatingin lang sa akin. Malamang ay hinihintay pa ang aking sagot.

The pain registered inside of me as I unwillingly recalled what happened that day. The reason why I look down on myself. The reason why I doubt my own worth. The reason why I am dearly heartbroken.

"T-tinulak niya ako palayo, L-Liam." halos bulong na lamang iyon. I was weakening as I stated those words, but I still managed to voice them out. Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata ni Liam. "He said he doesn't want t-to see me again, L-Liam." I could the liquid gradually forming on the side of my eyes.

His eyes softened as he looked at me. There was a mix of emotions written on his hazel eyes. A blend of sympathy, confusion, worry, and even anger.

I suddenly felt his palm on my cheek. Shocked, I faced him. Worry was now evident in his eyes. I then felt his thumb gently brushing against the side of my eye, erasing the asset of sadness forming from it.

Tipid siyang napangiti, and it somehow warmed my heart.

My eyes was fixated on him, but I couldn't help but notice the image vaguely forming from the side of my eye. I saw how Archein and Liz was laughing with each other from my peripheral vision. I immediately shrugged it off as I thought that it was better. Hindi nila mapapansin ang ka-OA-han ko rito.

"I really wanted to help you win his heart, Harley." mahinang saad ni Liam nang muli kong itinuon ang pansin sa kaniya. Inalis niya ang kaniyang palad na nakahawak sa aking pisngi. "Because I thought that it would make you happy." he added.