Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 16

"I missed you, Harley." he murmured in my ears, his voice was trembling.

I was on the verge of tearing up. A rush of different and mixed emotions surged within me. All I could think about was his soothing voice, and him, saying he missed me.

"H-Harley, please, let's talk." saad nito nang kumawala siya mula sa pagkakayakap.

Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa kaniyang mga mata. They were somber, as if he was pleading. I swallowed hard as I felt my knees weakening.

"Is it true, Harley?" he asked. Mabilis ang pamamalik-mata niya at tila ba hindi na mapakali. "Is it true that you're not entertaining Liam?" he added.

I swallowed hard before bowing down. I bit my lower lip as I don't know how to answer him anymore. There was a part of me wanting to tell him the truth. But there was also fear written in the back of my mind. It was a call of uncertainty, and not knowing how to address this feeling.

Ngunit nagulat na lamang ako nang maramdaman ko ang kaniyang palad sa aking mukha. His right hand travelled to my face, gently cupping it. He then used it as a chance to raise my face, making me look at him directly.

Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay nang madatnan ang namumula niyang mga mata. The tears forming in his eyes don't show pleading anymore, it was as if he was already begging. Begging to be answered. Begging to be heard.

"Please, Harley. T-tell me." he pleaded.

My trembling lips began to open slowly, my eyes still fixated on his. "I'm... not." I swallowed hard before avoiding his gaze. Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata nang mapagdesisyunang sasabihin ko na sa kaniya ang lahat. "I'm not entertaining him, A-Archein." I uttered.

I heard how he sniffed as he heard my answer. He sighed somberly before swallowing hard. "I-I was wrong Harley. Maling mali ako." he spoke weakly.

Dahan-dahan niyang iniharap ang mukha ko sa kaniya gamit ang kaniyang palad na nakalagay pa rin sa aking mukha. After that, he raised his left hand and placed it on my other cheek, finally cupping my face fully.

"Mali akong ipagtulakan ka palayo." his trembling lips spoke. "At pinagsisisihan ko iyon, Harley." he sniffed, his tears finally rolled down his cheeks.

I just looked at his eyes, stopping myself from tearing up too. Pero ang hirap pala, lalo na't halo halo ang mga emosyong nararamdaman ko.

It's hard seeing him like this. It's hard seeing him cry. Pero kailangan ko ring magpakatatag. I shouldn't be swayed easily by his tears. I shouldn't be letting my guard down.

Hindi rin madali ang pinagdaanan ko. If it was hard for him, it was harder for me. He made me feel so small and worthless, and the fact that he regrets pushing me away doesn't make it less of a crime.

I pressed my eyes shut before facing him, looking straight at his eyes. "Am I just a toy to you, Archein?" maliit ang boses kong tanong.

His brows furrowed. "No, of course not, Harley. You were never just a toy for me. And I never thought of treating you like that." agad niyang saad, assuring me of how he felt about me.

I took both his hands cupping my face and slowly removed it. I licked my lower lip before looking back at him.

"Pero bakit gano'n lang kadali sa'yo na... i-ipagtulakan ako palayo?" pain was evident in my voice. My tears started to cascade down my cheeks. "Bakit no'ng... bakit no'ng sawa ka na, ipinamigay mo na agad ako sa iba? Huh?" My tears started flowing rapidly as I let my emotions out.

"H-hindi, Harley—"

"Bakit gano'n lang kadali sa'yo na balewalain ang... a-ang nararamdaman ko, Archein?" I added, there was no stopping me now.