Paradise (Book One)

One Hello

If you're not afraid
Of what love brings
Then endings are beginnings
Of beautiful things

Its a chance you'll take
It's a chance you'll win
If someone's gonna find you
First you gotta let them in

'Cause love begins with one hello
The hardest part is over
Now its easy letting go
One hello is how it starts
You might win it all or lose your heart

If you're not afraid of what you feel
Then try and keep it simple
Or try and keep it real
And if being real means
Means you'll someday will say goodbye

Remember, my friend
Goodbyes not the end
Its a circle you know
And it starts with one hello

Love begins with one hello
The hardest part is over
Now it's easy letting go
One hello is how it starts

Remember, my friend
Goodbyes not the end
Its a circle you know
And it starts with one hello
It starts with one hello

Kanina pa nararamdaman ni Asher na parang may tumitingin sa kanya. She feels someone is staring at her since the time she entered the house. She felt not at ease at all. Kahit ngumingiti siya at nakikipagkuwentuhan, hindi nawawala ang uneasiness na nararamdaman nya. Plus, she couldn't stop thinking that her ninong was not telling the truth about her father.

After some time, she decided to go the garden. It was not her cup of tea, mingling with people. They rarely hold a party sa bahay. Like her, his father avoids crowd. Wala naman silang kamag-anak pa dahil solong anak din ang daddy niya. So, wala siyang kapatid o pinsan man lang na nakakahalubilo. She has few friend during school days pero bihira lang silang magkkita lalo na nang magsimula siyang magtrabaho.The Tan family is the only family close to her heart, plus her Yaya Luring. "How pathetic of me", she mumbled to herself.

With white champagne on her hand she went to the garden and seated in one of the benches facing a small fountain. Reminded of the new job she'll face on Monday, ngayon pa lang nawawala na ang confidence nya. What if hindi magustuhan ng daddy niya ang performance nya? What if pumalpak siya ? What if bumagsak ang kumpanya habang siya ang presidente nito? What if pagkaisahan siya ng mga board members? What if, what if? And dami nyang pag-aalinlangan sa sarili, hindi nya napansing napalakas ang pagbuntung-hininga niya.

"With that kind of sigh, I guess it's a problem with no solution, eh?", someone suddenly said.

Sa sobrang gulat niya, nabitiwan nya ang hawak nya. Bumagsak ito sa may paanan at sa lakas ng impact, natalsikan siya ng nabasag na bubog, dahilan para magkasugat ang binti nya.

"Christ, woman, are you alright?!"

"How can I be alright with this?" hindi lumilingong sagot nya. Bigla siyang namutla nang makitang may dugong dumadaloy sa kanyang binti. Nagsimula na siyang mag-panic.

Hindi na nag-alinlangan pa si Gerald. Binuhat niya ang dalaga at dali-daling pumasok sa loob.

"Will you put me down? Nakakahiya sa mga bisita!" Sa sobrang pagkapahiya ni Asher, ni hindi pa rin niya tinitingnan ang mukha ng estrangherong basta na lang siya binuhat. Nanginginig pa rin siya dahil sa nangyari. May phobia siya sa dugo.She can't remember why but ayaw na ayaw niya makakakita nito.

"Shut up woman!" galit na turan ni Gerald dito. Pero mas galit siya sa sarili niya. Kung hindi niya ginulat ito, hindi sana ito nasugatan. "Stupid of me!" sita niya sa sarili.

Napaiyak si Asher nang marinig ang turan ng lalake.

"Will you calm down?!"

Lalong napaiyak si Asher dahil sa taas ng boses ng lalake.

"Where's your first aid kit?" tanong ni Gerald sa nakasalubong na si Hans.

"Anderson! What happened to her?! What did you do to her?!" nanggagalaiti na agad na bungad ni Hans sa kanila.