Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 18

"Busy ka rin kanina. May rason ka para hindi ako puntahan mismo. Don't blame yourself for things that certain circumstances brought. Wala kang kasalanan, end of discussion." I stated.

Really. If I don't end this now, who knows how long he'll blame himself? Tsk.

"Heto ang gamot mo, pero hindi mo siya maaaring inumin nang walang laman ang tiyan mo." bumaling kami sa nurse na kababalik lamang. "Huwag ka na ulit magpapagutom at magpapagod, ha? Masama sa 'yo ang ma-stress, mahina ang katawan mo." paalala pa nito.

"Heard her? Prioritize your health always." rinig kong saad ni Archein.

"I won't skip meals again, I promise."

I've learned my lesson. Actually, this was the first time that I skipped meals just to do my school work first. Kaya siguro sumakit ang ulo ko dahil hindi ako sanay at idagdag pang mahina ang immune system ko.

Archein heaved a heavy sigh of relief before standing up. "Stay here. Bibili muna ako ng pagkain sa cafeteria para makainom ka na ng gamot mo. Buti naman at bukas pa 'yon." he said.

Tumango na lamang ako. Matapos ay pinanood ko na siyang maglakad palayo. I heaved a sigh as I realized something.

Instead of getting mad at me, he began to worry so much that he started to blame himself for being too neglectful. Wala naman siyang kasalanan, pero sarili pa rin niya ang sinisisi niya.

Now I feel bad. I don't want him to blame himself for something he did not do. I don't want him to worry about me again either. I'll keep this in mind. Hindi ko na ito ulit uulitin.

"Can I sit here?" Nagulat na lamang ako nang marinig ang boses na iyon. It was the girl Archein was with. Nandito pa pala siya, hindi ko namalayan.

"S-sige." iyon na lamang ang naging sagot ko.

Umupo siya sa upuan at agad ring bumaling sa akin bago ngumiti ng malawak. Her smile seemed soft and warm. It felt comforting, like it could light up your most difficult days.

Somehow, the intimidation I felt earlier suddenly vanished. It was like my body's telling me it's okay. Like it says there's nothing to worry about.

I faced her as she faced me. Ngayon lang ako nagkaro'n ng pagkakataong ma-eksamina ang kabuuan ng kaniyang mukha.

She was pale, but not too pale. She has beautiful brown eyes, long straight hair, and pink plump lips. Napakaganda niya. Mukha siyang anghel. She also looks mature yet friendly at the same time.

Now I feel bad for calling her a leech for god-knows how many times. She couldn't possibly be a leech. She looks too kind to be one. Now I think I should change my judgement.

Hindi ako sure kung nasa loob ba ang kulo niya pero ngayong kaharap ko siya ay parang wala akong maisip na mali sa kaniya. I couldn't possibly be wrong, right?

"You're Harley, right?" her soft voice mingled in my ears. Nakaharap lamang ako sa kan'ya, nagtataka kung bakit niya alam ang pangalan ko.

"O-oo." tugon ko at sinabayan iyon ng mahinang pagtango.

"Ikaw 'yong nililigawan ni Archein?"

I gulped as I nodded again. "Oo." sagot kong muli.

Her smile widened. Nabigla na lamang ako nang maramdaman ko ang kaniyang magkabilang palad na kinukulong na ang aking mga kamay. She grabbed my hands and gently raised them.

"Kini-kuwento ka niya sa amin. Actually, matagal ka na niyang na-kuwento sa akin." she stated.

Agad akong napakurap nang paulit-ulit, pilit na iniintindi ang kaniyang sinabi.