Hearts Unbound

Chapter 5: Unwanted Intrigue

Chapter 5: Unwanted Intrigue

Akia and Kenzo had managed to navigate the delicate balance of their renewed friendship, but their journey was about to take an unexpected turn. Sa paglipas ng mga linggo, isang bagong karakter ang pumasok sa kanilang buhay, na nagbabanta na guluhin ang marupok na ekwilibriyo na kanilang itinatag.

Her name is Fiona, and she is Kenzo's ex-girlfriend. With long, chestnut hair, striking blue eyes, and an air of confidence that drew people to her like a magnet, Fiona was a force to be reckoned with. Kamakailan lang ay bumalik siya sa Crestwood High pagkatapos ng isang taon sa ibang bansa, at hindi nagtagal ay nakuha niya ang atensyon ni Kenzo.

One afternoon, habang nakaupo sina Akia at Kenzo sa paborito nilang coffee shop, humihigop ng latte at nawala sa usapan, tumunog ang pinto, at pumasok si Fiona. She scanned the room until her gaze landed on Kenzo, and a warm smile lit up her face.

Napansin ni Akia ang pagbabago ng ekspresyon ni Kenzo nang makita niya si Fiona. He seemed both surprised and uneasy. Fiona approached their table, her steps confident and deliberate.

"Kenzo, long time no see," she said, her voice a sultry purr as she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

Kenzo cleared his throat, his discomfort evident. "Fiona, hey. It's been a while."

Pinagmasdan ni Akia ang palitan na may namumuong buhol sa kanyang tiyan. She couldn't deny the chemistry between Kenzo and Fiona, and a sense of unease washed over her.

Habang nakaupo si Fiona sa bakanteng upuan sa kanilang mesa, sinubukan ni Akia na itago ang kanyang pangamba. "Hi, I'm Akia," she said, extending her hand.

Fiona's blue eyes locked onto Akia's, and there was a glint of something that Akia couldn't quite decipher—amusement, perhaps. "Ah, Akia. Kenzo has told me all about you," she said, her tone dripping with faux friendliness.

Hindi komportable na lumipat si Kenzo sa kanyang upuan, ang kanyang tingin ay lumilipad sa pagitan ni Akia at Fiona. "We were just catching up," he explained.

Naging pilit ang sumunod na usapan, pakiramdam ni Akia ay parang third wheel sa sarili niyang relasyon. Fiona and Kenzo exchanged inside jokes and shared stories from their past, leaving Akia on the outskirts of their connection.

As the hours passed, Akia couldn't help but feel like an intruder in her own life. Nagdahilan siya, binanggit ang isang paparating na sesyon ng pag-aaral, at umalis sa coffee shop na may mabigat na puso.

Later that evening, Akia confronted Kenzo about the encounter. "Kenzo, bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin ang tungkol kay Fiona?"

Kenzo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't know she was back in town, Akia. At ayokong gawing awkward ang mga bagay-bagay."

Akia couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy and insecurity. "Pero ang awkward, Kenzo. Pakiramdam ko ay invisible ako non."

Inabot ni Kenzo ang braso ni Akia, puno ng panghihinayang ang mga mata nito. "I'm sorry, Akia. I should have handled it better. Fiona is my past, and you're my present."

Despite Kenzo's reassurances, Hindi napigilan ni Akia ang pakiramdam na ang presensya ni Fiona ay patuloy na magbibigay ng anino sa kanilang relasyon.

In the days that followed, Fiona made it clear that she had no intention of fading into the background. Tila lumilitaw siya kahit saan pumunta sina Kenzo at Akia, laging may kasamang paliwanag at nakakadisarma na ngiti. Akia couldn't help but wonder if Fiona was deliberately trying to insert herself into their lives.

One evening, as Akia and Kenzo were enjoying a quiet dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant, Fiona walked in, alone this time. Nakita niya agad ang mga ito at pumunta sa table nila.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, na parang ito ang pinaka natural na bagay sa mundo.

Akia clenched her jaw, struggling to maintain her composure. "Actually, we were hoping for some alone time." she said in a stern tone

Nagtaas ng kilay si Fiona, naka-lock ang tingin niya kay Kenzo. "Oh, come on, Kenzo. We used to be so close. Surely, we can catch up."

Kenzo looked torn, his eyes darting between the two women. "I... I guess it's okay," huli niyang sabi, walang ganang sumenyas na umupo si Fiona.

As the dinner progressed, Akia felt like an outsider in her own relationship once again. Naalala ni Fiona at Kenzo ang kanilang nakaraan, nagkwentuhan at nagtawanan na parang wala si Akia.

When they finally left the restaurant, Akia couldn't contain her frustration any longer. "Kenzo, this is too much. It is making it impossible for us to have a normal relationship."

Napabuntong-hininga si Kenzo, pinasadahan ng kamay ang kanyang buhok. "I know, Akia. I didn't expect her to be so... persistent."

Akia looked at Kenzo with pleading eyes. "Kailangan kong malaman, Kenzo. Nandiyan pa ba ang nararamdaman mo para kay Fiona?"

Kenzo shook his head, his gaze earnest. "No, Akia. I care about you. It's just... I don't know how to handle this situation."

Ang kanilang pag-uusap ay humantong sa isang desisyon—kailangan nilang harapin si Akia at magtakda ng mga hangganan. The next day, they arranged to meet with her at the park, hoping to address the growing tension.

As Fiona arrived at the park, her demeanor was friendly but guarded. Akia took a deep breath, her voice steady. "Fiona, we need to talk."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Fiona, kumikislap ang tingin sa pagitan nina Kenzo at Akia. "Talk about what?"

Akia felt a surge of anger and frustration. "You know what, Fiona. Your constant presence in our lives, your flirtatious behavior—it's causing problems in our relationship."

Napawi sandali ang ngiti ni Fiona bago niya inayos ang sarili. "I'm just reconnecting with old friends, Akia. Is that a crime?"

Kenzo stepped in, his voice firm. "Fiona, we appreciate your friendship, but you need to respect our relationship. Akia and I are together, and that's not going to change."

Nagdilim ang ekspresyon ni Fiona, at saglit, naisip ni Akia na nakita niya ang pagkislap ng galit sa kanyang asul na mga mata. "Fine, have it your way," she said, standing up. "I didn't realize you two were so insecure."

As Fiona walked away, Akia and Kenzo were left with a sense of unease. They had confronted the issue, but they couldn't help but wonder if Fiona's departure was only temporary.

Sa mga sumunod na linggo, tila nawala si Fiona sa kanilang buhay. Akia and Kenzo enjoyed a period of relative peace and normalcy, their relationship slowly returning to the stable ground they had found before Emma's return.

But as they savored the calm, a storm was brewing on the horizon. Hindi ganoon kadaling sumuko si Fiona, at ang kanyang pagkawala ay panimula lamang sa isang planong susubok sa tibay ng pagmamahalan nina Akia at Kenzo.

to be continued...