Chasing Boundaries (Parallel Rhythms Series 1)

Chapter 22

Tumango siya at nilagay na namin ang trays sa oven. Dalawang tray na muna dahil hindi na kasiya 'yong isa. I'm actually glad that we managed to make three trays of cookies. It's already a lot for us and our friends. There's a lot to share.

"Sa sala tayo. Play a song with the guitar for me." aya ko sa kaniya habang hinuhubad ang apron na suot.

His eyes seemed to light up when he heard what I said. Tumango siya at nakangiting kinuha ang aking kamay. We then walked out of the kitchen together.

Paglabas namin ay nakita namin si Brent na nakaupo sa couch. He was facing his phone and his lips were curved in an unnervingly wide grin. Mukhang nakuha namin ang atensyon niya kaya't humarap siya sa amin.

"Oh, you're done?" tanong nito nang bumaling siya sa amin. Bumaba naman ang tingin niya sa magkawak naming kamay ni Archein at mas lumawak naman ang ngiti niya.

"Yup, the first batch is in the oven." Archein answered. Lumipat naman ang tingin niya sa akin. "Wait here."

Tumango ako sa kaniya. He then smiled before letting go of my hand. Tinalikuran niya na ako at naglakad na pataas ng hagdan.

I watched him as he ascended up the stairs. When I couldn't see him anymore, that's when I turned to Brent. He was already facing his phone again. I walked towards him and sat beside him on the couch.

"Ang lawak ng ngiti natin ah. May ka-chat ka, 'no?" pangongompronta ko.

Bumaling ang tingin niya sa akin. He gave me a funny look and just laughed. "Anong ka-chat? Ikaw kaya ang babe ko."

I looked at him disgustedly. "Ew, ayoko sa bading." I commented.

"Eh edi si Archein na lang lalandiin ko. Hmp!" he rolled her eyes, even acting gay!

Binatukan ko siya. "Manahimik ka nga."

"Aray ah!" he said while scratching his head. "Eh ano ka ba niya? Wala naman 'di ba?"

I tsked. "Ako ang nililigawan!"

"At ako ang bestfriend!" he fired back.

"Bestfriend ka lang!" I raised my eyebrow at him. I can't believe I'm rivaling him. Well, wala naman siyang chance. Halata namang ako ang mas gusto ni Archein.

"Alam mo, sagutin mo na lang kaya siya. Masyado kang defensive eh!"

I felt my blood rushing towards my face. Oh my god, I didn't notice I was being too defensive against his jokes. Tsk!

"P-pero seryoso nga, bakit ang lawak ng ngiti mo kanina?" I asked, trying to divert the topic.

He laughed when he noticed what I did. "You're bad at dodging, lol!" he even commented. The nerve! He didn't need to point it out!

"Seryoso nga!" I rolled my eyes.

He laughed once again, but then he shook his head before answering my question. "I guess I just found it amusing watching my Instagram followers guess who my best friend's girlfriend is?" he casually answered.

My brows furrowed. "May pinost ka?" I asked.

"Oo." he laughed. He then showed me his phone and what I saw made my face paler than a homeschooled stay-at-home teen.

Nagpost siya ng picture namin ni Archein sa Instagram niya. Katabi ko si Archein at nakatalikod ako sa camera. Ngunit si Archein ay nakaharap sa akin kaya't kita ang side ng mukha niya. He was also handing me a matcha cone.

I swiped to see the next photo and was more shocked when my face was almost shown! Medyo naka-side ako kaya't kita ang ilang bahagi ng mukha ko. But not much was shown to make me recognizable. Archein on the other hand was completely recognizable. I can see his smile even though what's shown was only his side profile. He was also patting my head.