Paradise (Book One)

Honesty

If you search for tenderness
It isn't hard to find
You can have the love you need to live
But if you look for truthfulness
You might just as well be blind
It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can always find someone
To say they sympathize
If I wear my heart out on my sleeve
But I don't want some pretty face
To tell me pretty lies
All I want is someone to believe

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

I can find a lover
I can find a friend
I can have security
Until the bitter end
Anyone can comfort me
With promises again
I know, I know

When I'm deep inside of me
Don't be too concerned
I won't ask for nothin' while I'm gone
But when I want sincerity
Tell me where else can I turn
Cause you're the one that I depend upon

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you

"Asher, nakabalik ka na agad? Hindi ba effective ang food?" salubong na tanong ni Maja sa amo.

"Arrrgggh!" sagot lang niya sabay martsa papasok ng opisina niya.

Sinundan siya ng sekretarya, ipinagtimpla ng tsa at umupo sa harapan.

"Thank you," sabi niya nang mailapag sa harapan niya ang inumin.

Nagdadabog na inayos niya ang ang mga gamit sa mesa niya. Tumayo mula sa upuan, went to the window to stare down, then went back to her chair, sighed, then stood up again and went inside her little bathroom. She opened the faucet and washed her face while crying, then stared at the mirror.

"Am I not that attractive anymore to you Gerald?" Umiiyak niyang tanong sa salamin. "Ngayong okay na kayo ni daddy, balewala na ako? I'm no more at least likeable to you?"

That has been her million dollar question for the past three weeks.

Since that day of the talk between her father and Gerald, she felt something changed in him.

Yes, he's affectionate, the person who bravely faced her father. But after that face-off, he went out of the door looking like he's carrying something new, something heavier on his shoulder.

He said they couldn't get married until five years after.

It's a long wait for them but she's okay with it. Married or not, they both love each other. Marriage will just seal the relationship they are having.

She knew he was not happy with her father's condition, but she feels there's more to it na ayaw ipaalam sa kanya ng binata.

She washed her face again, removing all the tears that were coming out from her eyes. It took some time bago siya tumigil sa pag-iyak. Kung hindi pa siya kinatok ni Maja, hindi siya matatauhan.

"Ash, you okay? Kanina ka pa dyan. Something wrong?" tanong nito sa kanya.

"Give me a minute, I'm coming out," sagot niya dito.

She pulled out her makeup kit from the cabinet and applied powder on her face, and never bothered to put on lipstick nor fixed her swollen eyes.

She didn't mind anymore making herself beautiful, tutal naman ang taong gusto niyang pakitaan ng ganda nya ay palagi siyang niri-reject.