Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16



It is not a mystery how people change their minds in a blink of an eye. People have reasons. Whether it is that deep, or just a mere want for something said.

But I do realize why I've suddenly changed my mind about communicating things with Archein.

I'm a coward.

Courage had just unexpectedly left my soul as the bafflement in his green orbs grew, his eyes making its way towards me, piercing through my whole being.

I got scared. I chickened out. I wasn't ready. So I dodged.

"I need to go." Agad kong kinuha ang aking mga gamit ko at dali-daling tumayo. I then immediately ran, attempting to get out of the place. But his hand suddenly caught my wrist. I tried hard enough to avoid him, yet, he still caught up to me.

Pareho kaming nakatayo sa gitna ng coffee shop. I looked him in the eye as his hand rested around my wrist. I swallowed hard as I looked at his somber eyes glowing pleadingly.

I almost gave in. But the thought of talking to him about my lies immediately crept in. "L-let me go."  I forcefully shoved his hand caging my wrist. I then immediately ran towards the exit as I got free from his grip.

Kumakabog ang dibdib ko habang tumatakbo palayo. I got out of the coffee shop and stopped running as I never felt his presence behind me anymore. I scoffed as I turned my gaze back to the coffee shop.

He never even bothered following me.

What did I expect? Marahas akong nagtiim-bagang. I wiped away the lone tear forming on the side of my eye. My breathing almost hitched as I turned away. Umiiling ako at nagtataka kung saan ako pupunta. Hindi ko na nakita si Liam.

In the end, napagdesisyunan kong tumakbo pabalik sa school. Mas lalong sumasama ang pakiramdam ko sa isiping isa akong duwag. Instead of facing this problem, I chose to run away. And he never even bothered to follow me.

The sun was almost set to disappear. The orange sky gave a hint of how late it was already. My breathing was heavy as I stopped in front of the gate of the school. I never saw Liam anymore. Maybe he went in the other direction. But I couldn't even care less.

I stopped running, I held my chest, feeling the rapid beating of my dear heart.

My eyes felt watery as I carefully caught my breath. My lips were a bit trembling as I recalled the happenings earlier.

Bakit? Bakit ako tumakbo? Bakit naduwag ako? Tama nga sila. May mga bagay na madaling sabihin ngunit mahirap gawin. There really are things you can confidently tell yourself to do, yet when the time comes, the pent up courage you held in your heart can suddenly vanish like a sudden gust of wind.

All the things that I've thoroughly thought of, bravely came up with, and confidently wanted to execute... suddenly swept away like the images of a morning dream that quickly disappeared because of involuntarily waking up.

Ang tanga tanga ko. Pinairal ko ang katangahan ko.

And worse, he never even bothered following me. Like he doesn't even care.

Pilit kong pinunasan ang namumuong luha sa aking mga mata bago ako huminga ng malalim. Pilit kong iginalaw ang aking mga paa upang ipagpatuloy ang paglalakad, ngunit hindi iyon natuloy dahil sa narinig kong boses na nagpatigil sa akin.

"H-Harley." a hoarse voice weakly spoke.

My heart started pounding faster as to how familiar that voice was. My eyes widened a fraction but I immediately caught up by swallowing hard. Unti-unti akong humarap sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na iyon.