Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 18

"I never saw Archein talk about a girl so happily before." Nahulog muli ang tingin niya sa akin. She tilted her head at me before smiling. "I never even thought he'd court someone." she giggled.

Bakit? Bakit ang bait niya? Nagi-guilty tuloy ako.

So, Archein's been telling stories about me to his friends? That's... that's unexpected. I thought si Brent lang ang nakakaalam sa mga nangyayari sa amin ni Archein? Oh well... it just feels assuring knowing he tells stories about me to his friends.

Muling bumalik ang tingin ko sa babaeng nasa aking tabi. Her sweet smile began to turn into a somewhat cryptically bittersweet smile. It was like there was something more in her smile, something she can't easily show.

"Thank you for teaching him how to love again." she said softly while gently caressing my hand she was cupping with hers.

Teaching him how to love again? What does she mean by that?

"Thank you for making him feel like he has someone to cherish."

My heart began to thump faster as I listened to the words she spoke. What does she mean by all of it?

"Hindi ko akalaing may ipapakilala pa siya sa amin pagkatapos ng mga nangyari." there was a bittersweet tone wrapped around her words. It was like there was something more hidden behind it.

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin? A-anong nangyari?" I worriedly asked.

Was there something I need to know? Did something happen to Archein before? Bakit ngayon ko lang 'to nalaman?

The girl faced me again. Ngumiti siyang muli na parang inalintana na niya ang mga sinabi niya kanina.

"Let's just say it's hard for Archein to get close to other people he doesn't know of."

Marahan akong napalunok nang dahil sa narinig. Why was it hard for him? May nangyari ba sa kaniya? What's he hiding in his past. Behind those seemingly perfect green eyes, what lies beyond? Was it something too painful to discuss with me? Was it something he doesn't want to bring up again?

And if it was hard for him to get close to other people, why did he treat me like I was someone dear to him? Bakit ang bilis niya akong pinapasok sa buhay niya?

"My name is Zarah, by the way." napabalik ang tingin ko sa babaeng nakaupo sa tabi ko at hawak-hawak ang mga kamay ko. "I guess you didn't have the chance to ask." she giggled.

Binitawan na niya ang aking mga kamay. Pinanood ko siyang tumayo. Muli siyang humarap sa akin at sa kung pang-ilang beses ay muli niya ako nginitian.

"I'm rooting for you. Make him happy for me... for us."

My heart felt like it went to a sudden halt as I heard the assurance I didn't know I needed. It was nice hearing that. It was nice hearing that from someone close to him.

Humarap ako sa kaniya at tumango. Hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti nang dahil sa narinig.

I'm sure I will. I might not know what lies beyond Archein's green eyes, I might not know the deeper things he hides behind his smiles, but someday, I will. And I will not stop at just knowing those things, I'll try my best to heal him.

To break him free from the past that seems to cage him.

Even when I can't do it to myself.

"Harley." I heard Archein's call. Dali-dali akong humarap sa kaniya at nakita ko naman siyang kakapasok lamang sa clinic ang may dalang pagkain. "I'm sorry, biscuit na lang ang nasa cafeteria."

I smiled at him. I smiled, knowing I'm smiling at someone who I want to know well. I'm smiling at someone whom I want to discover deeper.

"Okay lang. Let's grab a bite outside. Sa ngayon, kainin ko na muna 'yan para makainom na ako ng gamot." sagot ko naman.

Kinain ko na iyong biscuit at uminom na rin ng gamot. Ipinakilala na rin ni Archein si Zarah nang maayos na kanina'y hindi niya nagawa dahil sa pag-aalala.

Ang sabi niya ay since elementary ay nagkakilala na silang dalawa. Ang turing niya raw sa babae ay para na niya itong nakatatandang kapatid. Malapit sila sa isa't isa at may mga alam sila tungkol sa isa't isa na tanging sila lamang ang nakakaalam.

Now I really feel bad for being jealous of Zarah.

Zarah told me she was a grade 12 student. Sabi ko pa nga ay dapat ate ang itawag ko sa kaniya but she insisted on making me call her on her real name. Naa-awkward daw kasi siya. Gano'n din nila Archein sa kaniya, Zarah lang at walang ate.

"Madalas kong idinidikit ang sarili ko sa kan'ya kapag maraming tao para hindi siya pagtangkaang lapitan ng mga babae." Zarah laughed as she narrated her story.

Kaya naman pala. Kaya naman pala sobrang lapit niya kay Archein no'ng nasa canteen kami.

"He gets uncomfortable when other people go near him. Makipag-usap pa kaya."

Kasalukuyan na kaming naglalakad palabas ng school. Umalis na kami sa clinic dahil magsasara na iyon at medyo umayos naman na ang pakiramdam ko.

"H-hindi naman na masyado." Archein argued. "I'm actually getting slightly used to standing in a crowded place." he reasoned out.

"Well, that's good, then." masaya namang tugon ni Zarah. "But still, keep your cold and expressionless face when you don't want others to bother you when I'm not around."

Now I'm curious. Nang magkita kami noon ni Archein sa labas ng school, no'ng sabay kaming bumili ng ice cream, he doesn't seem to feel awkward that time. I also noticed that he would often keep away from other people, but when we met for the first time, he didn't. In fact, tinanong niya pa ako kung saan ako pupunta. He was the one who interacted with me, and I just answered back at him as well.

So kung sinasabi ni Zarah na mailap siya sa ibang tao, bakit sa'kin no'ng una kaming nagkita, hindi?

Ah, I shouldn't overthink things.

"I'll head out first. Ingat kayo!" paalam sa amin ni Zarah dahil magkaibang daan ang tatahakin namin pauwi.

"Ingat ka rin, bye!" I waved my goodbye.

Nauna na siyang naglakad at pinanonood muna namin siya ni Archein bago tuluyang tumalikod.

I heard how Archein sighed as he turned his back against Sarah.

"Sorry ulit." he spoke without hesitations.

Naging malamlam ang tingin ko sa kaniya. I turned to him and cupped his face with my palm. Mukhang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko dahil namilog ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin.

"I told you, you have nothing to be sorry about." I slowly caressed his face before removing my hand from it. "In fact, I should be the one saying sorry."

I bit my lips harshly I recalled what I've been thinking about since earlier.

"Hindi na ako magpapagutom, promise." nakangiti kong saad.

He smiled. "Still... I'll be better, Harley. I'll treat you better."

(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠✧⁠*⁠。