Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 19

"Sus, dineny pa nga." he laughed.

His laughter was briefly interrupted when a figure of a woman appeared beside her.

"Hi, guys." the woman spoke.

Our gazes landed on her. Taka kaming napatingin ni Archein sa kaniya. We both know her, she's also a candidate for the competition. I remember her name was Alexa... or was it Alexandra? She's also from the STEM department. Kalaban namin siya.

Sinuri ko ang kaniyang mukha. She has this gentle facade and a little wry smile. Mahinhin ang kaniyang boses at mukha rin siyang soft girl.

"Ahh..." she shyly trailed. I raised my brow at her, not trying to intimidate her but to urge her to speak. "Uhm... You mentioned something about the questions, right?" tanong nito. Natapos ay marahan niyang kinagat ang kaniyang pang-ibabang labi.

"Ah, yeah." I answered.

"Can I have a copy?" nahihiyang tanong nito.

Our eyes widened. Bakit ngayon lang siya nanghihingi ng copy? Wala ba siyang copy?

"I thought I already gave the printed copy to you?" Archein asked.

Itinago ng babae ang kaniyang mga kamay sa kaniyang likuran. She then started to meddle with the ground using her foot. Was she shy? Oh, she shouldn't be.

"A-ano... I lost it." mahinang saad nito, sa baba lamang nakatingin.

"A-ah." Archein uttered.

"H-hindi ko na-picturan at nahihiya rin akong... i-message ka para humingi ng s-soft copy." she trailed, still facing the ground.

"Ah, sige. Magpapa-print ako ulit mamaya ng copy. Ibibigay ko sa 'yo." I was the one who answered.

Her eyes lit up. "Really?" nagulat ako nang bigla siyang lumapit sa akin. She joyously smiled as she stood in front of me. "Thank you!" she exclaimed.

"O-okay lang." I said, still adjusting to her sudden change of mood. Kung kanina'y para siyang mahiyaing bata, ngayon naman ay bigla siyang naging masayahing bata na nabigyan ng lollipop.

She also introduced herself properly. She said her name was Alexandra, but she insisted on calling her Alexa, para mas maikli raw.

'Di kalaunan ay nagsimula na rin ang practice nang makumpleto kaming lahat. Ang inuna namin ay iyong production number. Maikling sayaw lang naman iyon at pagkatapos no'n ay diretso na kami sa puwesto namin para sa individual and by partner introduction.

"Here." abot ni Archein sa akin ng isang pamilyar na tumbler. Bahagyang nagkasalubong ang aking mga kilay habang pinagmamasdan ang tumbler na iyon. It was oddly familiar.

Kinuha ko iyon mula sa kaniya at agad namang uminom mula roon. Break time muna namin at bumalik kami sa puwesto namin kanina.

Nagulat na lamang ako nang pag-inom ko mula sa itim na tumbler ay may strawberry flavor ulit akong nalasahan mula rito. It wasn't that strong, it was a bit vivid. But it was still clear enough for my taste buds to notice.

So, that tumbler from last time was really his, huh? I just shook my head at that realization.

"Susunduin kita mamaya, ha?" he reminded. Pagkatapos kong uminom ay ibinalik ko na sa kaniya ang tumbler at hindi na nagsalita pa patungkol doon. Tumango naman ako sa kaniya bilang sagot.

"Sige." I nodded.

Kanina ay inaya niya akong bumalik sa coffee shop na pinuntahan namin noong isang araw. Magkaiba naman ang mga kasama namin no'n kaya't ngayon ay gusto namin kami naman ang magkasama.