Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 16

"Harley—"

"Bakit nang inisip mong may iba akong ini-entertain ay pinakawalan mo agad ako?" my voice was shaking.

I cried as I looked at his face. He was also already tearing up. I breathed heavily as I pointed my finger at his chest.

"Bakit hindi ka man lang lumingon pabalik nang iniwan mo ako?"

I poured my heart out into letting all what pains me out. Muli akong yumuko nang patuloy pa rin ang pagtulo ng aking mga luha. I pursed my trembling lips before finally saying the last question I've been dying to ask.

"Bakit hindi mo ako pinaglaban?" mahina ang boses kong sabi. I can feel myself weakening. But I can also feel a slight brush of relief as I finally let out all the questions I've been yearning to ask him most.

I felt his hand reaching for mine. "I-I'm sorry, Harley." he spoke with his trembling voice. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry if I made you feel that way." he added.

He then again, cupped my face with his trembling hands and made me look at him. I was shocked when I saw his eyes with a waterfall of tears. His cheeks were red and his lips were trembling.

His eyes were glowing apologetically. And his eyebrows were furrowed in a worried shape.

"I'm sorry if I n-never looked back. I'm s-sorry if I gave up way too fast." he pleadingly uttered, stuttering with his words. "But I regret everything I did, Harley. I regret pushing you away, I regret not fighting for you, H-Harley." he assured.

I wiped the tears wetting my face but it was no use as my tears kept on coming. Napailing na lamang ako at napahinga ng malalim.

"P-pero tapos na, Archein, eh." hikbi ko. "You already hurt me. You already p-pushed me away. You already made me feel so small, so worthless." I cried.

"B-but you aren't, Harley—"

Itinuro ko ang sarili ko. I faced him as I let my tears flow freely. "Y-you already made me feel like... I wasn't worth fighting for at all." I swallowed hard before I spoke. "Like I was just nothing for you." I cried.

I was shocked when he suddenly pulled me in for a hug. He caged me within his arms, and I could feel him trembling. I could feel how his shoulders jotted up and down. He was crying.

"You aren't just nothing to me, Harley." halata ang sakit sa kaniyang mga salita. "In fact, you are everything to me." hikbi nito.

I wanted to pull out. I wanted to break free from his cage. But the voices inside my head kept telling me to stay still. And I couldn't do anything, as my body won't move as I instructed.

"The moment you walked into my life, I already knew that I would devote myself to you." I could feel how he gripped on my shirt as he hugged me even harder. "You weren't just the matcha lover that I love, Harley. You were my safe space, my haven, and my rest."

Those words from him suddenly left me with butterflies dancing inside my chest. I don't know how, but my tears went to a halt. I swallowed hard as I replayed his words on my head.

"I cherish the moments we spent together. I cherish the conversations I had with you." Ang kaniyang kamay na kanina'y nasa aking likod at napunta sa aking buhok. He started caressing my hair slowly. "Your mere presence was enough to make my day, Harley."

Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap at muling humarap sa akin. He looked me in the eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, but despite that, there was a small smile plastered on his lips.

"Gano'n kita ka-gusto, Harley."

Those words sent fireworks erupting in my insides, making my knees weaker, and making my head spin. I blinked multiple times as I felt my whole world stop. I swallowed hard as I tried to register what he said. It was already clear, but I wanted to hear it again.