Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 18

I just sighed, but then, I suddenly went to a halt as I felt my head aching yet again. I gently massaged it with my free hand before continuing to walk.

Nawala rin ito kaya't nakarating ako sa computer lab nang maayos. Matapos magpa-print ay binalik ko na rin ang laptop sa computer lab. Mabuti naman at may isa pang teacher na naiwan kaya't naibalik ko pa ang laptop.

Dala ko ang printed copy ng assignment ko habang naglalakad pababa. My heart began to sting as I realized I left my backpack in our room.

Ibig sabihin ay dadaanan kong muli ang cafeteria... at makikita ko ulit sila.

I hope they left already. Ayokong makita si Archein na may kasamang iba. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I just couldn't stop doing so. He already told me that they were just friends—close friends, but the way they sat close to each other, the way they converse so comfortably with each other, and the way they both laughed like they knew each other too well... makes it hard for me not to be insecure.

Alam kong ako ang nililigawan ni Archein ngayon... but it seems like he knows that woman too well, and that woman knew her too well as well. Pa'no naman ako? What I know about Archein is probably too less compared to that woman. Ano namang laban ko do'n?

Ah, fuck it!

Naglakad na ako at nilagpasan ang cafeteria. I even forced myself not to gaze at their way but I guess it was unnecessary as I didn't see anyone inside from my peripheral vision anymore.

Wala na sila. I wonder where they went?

Mabuti naman at hindi ko na sila nakita. Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa room namin. Agad kong kinuha ang aking bag at nilagay ang printed copy sa loob bago naglakad na palabas.

Pagtapak ko pa lamang sa labas ng classroom ay biglang sumama ang pakiramdam ko. Napahawak ako sa pader upang suportahan ang sarili ko. I suddenly felt dizzy and my head felt like it was being hammered continuously.

"Harley!" my eyes widened as I heard that voice. The next thing I knew, Archein was already beside me, his one arm wrapped around my back.

I breathed heavily as I gazed at him. Worry was evident in his eyes as he looked directly at me.

"A-are you okay?" alalang tanong nito. Humigpit ang hawak nito sa akin at inalalayan akong tumayo ng maayos.

I gulped as I looked at him. Bakit siya nandito? Nasaan 'yong kasama niya?

"Harley, answer me." he said. He cupped my face and slightly shook it. He then placed the back of his palms on my neck, probably checking my temperature. "I'm bringing you to the clinic."

Doon ako napabalik sa reyalidad. Clinic? Okay naman ako, masakit lang nang kaunti ang ulo ko.

"I-it's oka—ahh!" bahagya akong napasigaw nang buhatin niya ako. He carried me on a bridal style. "A-Archein, okay lang ako! I-ibaba mo 'ko!" I protested.

"You're not okay, Harley. I'm bringing you to the clinic." he said and started walking.

"Kaya ko namang maglakad!"

He didn't even budge! He just continued walking as he carried me.

"Bababa tayo sa hagdan! Baka mahulog tayo!" I urged. Totoo naman, nasa first floor ang clinic. Baka kapag naglakad siya pababa sa hagdan habang dala-dala ako ay pareho pa kaming mahulog.

"Kaya naman kita." he argued.

I wanted to cry, not because my head still hurts but because of embarrassment coating my whole being. Kinagat ko na lamang ang aking pang-ibabang labi at hinayaan na lang siyang buhatin ako. 'Pag nahulog talaga kami sa hagdan, kasalanan niya 'yon!