Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 18

Buti na lang walang ibang tao!

My eyes widened when I heard a gentle chuckle from behind. Bumaling ako sa may likod ni Archein at gayon na lamang ang gulat ko nang makita ang babaeng kasama niya kanina. She was following us, trying to stifle a smile.

When did she get there? Kanina pa ba siya riyan? Bakit siya nakangiti?!

Agad kong iniwas ang tingin sa kaniya. Now I really want to cry! This is so embarrassing! Imagine, 'yong pinagseselosan ko kanina, tinatawanan ako ngayon!

Agh! Parang nawala ang sakit ng ulo ko dahil sa kahihiyan.

We safely arrived at the clinic. Maswerte kami dahil naabutan pa namin ang nurse. Sa totoo nga'y nag-aayos na ito at naghahanda nang umalis. Ngunit bigla kaming dumating upang mang-istorbo.

The nurse just sighed as she gestured Archein to place me at an empty bed. Archein hurriedly obliged. Napa-iling na lamang ako dahil sa mga nangyayari.

The nurse started to check me up and ran some tests while asking me a few questions.

"Kailan ka pa hindi kumakain?" tanong nito sa akin.

I hardly pursed my lips as I knew Archein would be mad if I told the nurse the truth. Pero since nurse ang kaharap ko, I have no choice but to be honest.

"B-breakfast lang ang k-kinain ko buong araw." kinakabahan kong sagot.

"Ano?!" Archein exclaimed.

I heard how the nurse sighed. Umalis ito at nagtungo sa may shelf siguro upang kumuha ng gamot.

"I-I thought you ate your lunch, Harley." Bumaling ako sa nagsabi no'n. It was Archein. My face softened as I saw a worried look on his face. "Bakit sinasabi mong breakfast lang ang kinain mo?"

I sighed before gazing away.

Nag-chat siya sa akin at tinanong kung kumain na ba ako no'ng lunch at nagreply naman ako ng oo kahit hindi naman talaga. Hindi niya ako sinamahan no'ng health break at lunch break dahil busy siya sa group projects niya. And I took it as the perfect opportunity to do my school works without him urging me to eat.

"'Yong binigay mo lang na breakfast ang nakain ko." I bit my lower lip as I realized my mistakes. "B-busy lang kasi talaga ako kanina, I didn't have time to eat." I added.

I was super busy with my assignments that I disregarded my own health because of it. Sobrang na-pressure ako sa mga paparating na deadlines at sabay-sabay pa ang naging project namin sa iba't-ibang subject kaya't inuna ko na muna ang mga iyon bago kumain.

I thought it wouldn't come back to me, but since I have a naturally weak body, it did.

"I'm sorry." Archein uttered slowly.

Nangunot ang aking noo at naguguluhang bumaling sa kaniya. My face crumpled as I saw a hint of guilt evident from his eyes.

I gulped as I spoke to him. "Bakit ka nagso-sorry?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"I should've known better. I should've asked and confirmed if you already ate or not. I, I was too negligent and forgot to ask if you were okay." he answered, guilt flowing with every word he spoke.

Why's he blaming himself.

"Ako ang may kasalanan nito, Archein. Inuna ko ang mga bagay na sa tingin ko ay mas importante pa sa kalusugan ko. Hindi mo kasalanan 'to. So stop blaming yourself for a mistake you never committed." I explained.

His eyes found mine. He sat at the chair beside my bed and gently held my hand.

"Kahit na, Harley. I should've at least gone to you personally to check if you already ate or not. But I didn't. What kind of suitor am I if I couldn't even watch over you properly?" he argued. He squeezed my hand while looking at it.