Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 16

He likes me? Alam kong gustong gusto kong marinig sa kaniya iyon ngunit bakit ngayon pa? Kung hindi ba ako nagalit sa kanya, hindi rin ba siya aamin?

He placed both his hands on my shoulder, gently cupping it.

"Indeed, I was a coward." he stated. His tears stopped falling, so he gently used one of his hands to wipe the tears on his cheeks. "I was a coward for letting a beautiful goddess slip away."

My stomach churned as he spoke. I promised myself that I wouldn't make myself vulnerable. But it's hard to keep that promise especially when he's saying all these things to me.

"P-pero natakot ako, Harley." he bit his lower lip as he looked at me apologetically. "I thought that I was doing what's best for you. I noticed that you liked Liam so I did you a favor and got out of your way." pahina nang pahina ang boses nito.

I saw how he swallowed hard as his eyes began to look somber again.

"Because the thought of you being together made me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn't bear looking at you talking and having a fun time together. I thought that if I stayed with you when you were together, it would only make me sink into the deepest depths of sorrow... So I chickened out. I ran away." he faced me. "I pushed you away." saad nito.

I looked at him. So that was his reason? He was afraid that another man might catch me? Didn't he think about fighting for me? Didn't he think about getting to me first before another man can?

Mahina ang pagtangong iginawad ko sa kaniya. "You really are a coward." sumbat ko.

Just as I promised to myself, I would never make it easy for him. I built my walls up high, and if he wants to pass through, he has to climb his way up.

"I know, Harley. I'm a coward. And I hate myself for that." he sarcastically smiled to himself. His tears started to form in his eyes yet again. "And I know you must hate me too." he added.

Inalis niya ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa aking mga balikat at ginamit ito upang kunin ang aking kamay.

"I regretted the decision that I made that day, Harley. I regretted not looking back and going back to you to say I didn't mean all those words. It pained me a lot walking away from you. But I know, it's all my fault." he spoke, his eyes directly looking at mine. "But is it a crime to ask you for another chance?" he pleaded, his sight never leaving mine.

I swallowed hard as I looked at his somberly pleading eyes. His grip on my hard tightened. I wanted to tell him yes, in fact, that's what I wanted in the first place. But I don't want to put myself in a situation just like this ever again. If he wanted a chance, he has to prove his worth first.

"You are worth more than what you think. And I hate myself for failing to see that at first. But now Harley, I see how important you are to me. And I am ready to face what's waiting for us ahead. I am ready to fight for you."

"A-Archein."

"I'll never make you feel like you're worth less than what you are really worth of. Because you deserve to be treated like how you're worth to be treated."

I blinked multiple times as I saw the determination in his eyes. Seryoso nga siya. He was asking for another chance.

"Hindi na kita ipagtutulakan palayo. Hindi ako magsasawa sa'yo at mas lalong hindi kita ipamimigay. Hinding hindi ko babalewalain ang nararamdaman mo." His eyes were fixated on me.

I swallowed hard as I realized that he was answering me questions earlier.

"Ipaglalaban kita, Harley. Kahit sino pa man ang babanggain ko." he stated which made my stomach churn. His eyes were glistening with hope, as if he was really determined to earn my trust again. "I won't chicken out this time. I've learned my mistake, and I will never repeat the same mistake twice."

I just stared at him, lost for words, as I let him keep saying what he feels.

There he was, slowly climbing his way up the wall I've built. I can't believe how he's doing it so easily. Or was it just me? Was I just too easy to sway? Was my barrier too small? Was my wall too easy to climb up on?

"I'll never hurt you again, Harley." he stated, sincerity lingered in his determined voice.

Aw heck, I've built this wall to be especially hard to climb up on, yet, why was he easily traversing across it? His words, his determination, his sincerity, and his eyes full of hope. It was all it took for me to voluntarily let him in.

Tangina, bakit ba ang rupok ko pagdating sa kaniya? I really am vulnerable.

"So please, Harley. Please give me another chance."

It's true that he had hurt me. It's true that made me feel like I am worth less of what I really worth. But he already said sorry. He already explained to me. And he already promised me a new start.

Maybe it'll work this time? After all, siya na ang humihingi ng chance. I really hope it'll turn out better this time.

I swallowed hard before facing him. I bit my lower lip before finally deciding to speak. But even before I could open my mouth, he already beat me to it and spoke first.

"Alright, Harley. Let me rephrase that."

Agad na nangunot ang aking noo. Rephrase? Rephrase how?

Marahan muna siyang tumikhim bago muling tumingin sa akin. His eyes were glistening, as if a new found hope had taken over it. I just looked at him and waited for what he has to say.

"Chaille Harley Medina, this time, can I court you?'

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