* Just be yourself! * ****“ Isn't that your cousin, Elina? Evie whispered to Miranda. Miranda didn't reply quickly as she stared in the direction of Elina and her friends. Coincidentally, Elina raised up her head and her gaze collided with Mira's. Unlike before Mira didn't cower in fear or retract her gaze, rather she kept staring boldly at Elina as if challenging her. This small action of her's didn't escape Joseph's eyes. For some reason He felt proud and happy. It really seemed like Mira had gone through a whole lot of changes during the past few years. He still remembered when he’d first met her, how much of a scaredy cat she was, but now. She has changed. He was very proud of her. Realizing that the staring competition was taking too much longer than it should. Joseph patted Mira a little to bring her back to book. Mira smiled lovingly at him before turning to face Evie. “ Yes, she is. ” She replied.“ Um, It sure took you ages to reply to me. ” Evie pouted.“
>* ...And when you feel like giving up, Remember why you started in the first place. *****While having their lunch.Joseph received a message.He secretly opened the message when the duo weren't looking as they were both engrossed in their conversation about dress collections to notice.The message read.: Boss, The Edison's company is currently bankrupt. What's the next step?He smiled maliciously, that smile was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.: Find a reputable lawyer and acquire it.He sent.There was a pause from the other end before another message came in.: Are you sure about this, Boss?: Are you questioning me?He replied, his expression turning serious.: Am sorry, Boss. I will do just as you say.: Good. The time limit is 48 hours. Not a minute more.: Yes, Boss.At this, Joseph locked his phone and placed it back into his pocket.He returned his attention back to the duo who were chatting away without care for the world.Only for him to hear them talkin
>* Never stop dreaming. *****The trio finished up their lunch and prepared to exit the restaurant.But then they overheard a commotion and paused.At first they were confused about what was going on. Until they listened clearly.As expected it was Elina.She tried paying for the expensive lunch she had ordered but much to her dismay. Her card bounced.“ Ma'am, your card bounced. ” The cashier said politely.“ How's that even possible? ” Elina stared at her in shock. “ Try again. There must be something wrong with your machine. ” She replied arrogantly.The cashier tried once again and yet it bounced.Then she went on to find out the reason for the card bouncing and then she found out that the account was in deficit.“ Ma'am, your account is in deficit. ” She said.“ What! How is that even possible? ” Elina exclaimed and immediately went on to check her account balance.Much to her dismay. It was just as the receptionist had said. The account was empty.“ How can this be? ” Sh
>* Live in the moment. ****Mira couldn't help raising an eyebrow when she saw Elina walking towards Joseph.But just before she could react, Evie held her and sent her a signal to relax and watch. Receiving the signal. Mira paused and simply watched the show.Elina got to where Joseph was standing with the two girls right behind him and went down on her two knees.Joseph, who somehow had already expected this result, didn't say a word or react and just waited for her to keep acting.“ Please help me, Brother in law. ” She had intentionally used that word on him to cower favor and also to stir up the crowd to her side.“ Brother in law? ” Evie repeated her words slowly. “ She's so shameless. ” She spat.“ Indeed. Mira agreed, watching the drama playing out in front of her.“ Who are you? ” Joseph questioned in return as he stared blankly at her.“ What, You. ” Elina was completely caught off balance by his ghosting.“ Do I know you? ” He asked again with no emotion in his vo
>* Love is patient. * **** Weeks later,Mira was in her room scrolling through social media as she read about relationships. A particular post caught her attention and automatically made her pause. * How sure are you that you and your current lover will end up together in future? *Mira thought for a minute before reading through the comments that were directly under the post. : Well, we are currently going with the flow.: I just hope we do as I don't think I can find someone better than him.: I am sure we'll end up together.: I'm still a college student with a whole entire life ahead of me, so I am not sure.Mira stopped for a moment and thought.What if her and Joseph weren't meant to be? What if they were just meant to be together for a short time? What will happen to her then? She knew without any ounce of doubt that she had fallen in love with Joseph. So what if they weren't meant to be? What would happen to her If he finds someone better in future? But that
>* Simply saying, “ I love you ” isn't enough as you also have to prove your love through your actions. * ****----- Joseph ----- As college will be resuming back in session in Just two weeks time. I had a lot of work to do at the company and my father's. This further added to my workload so I was pretty much occupied. As much as I didn't want to leave Mira alone at home I had no other choice than to do just that as the latter bluntly refused to go to the company with me.I would have had Evie accompany her at home but the latter was busy. I had just finished having meetings with some executives of my dad's company and was on my way to the lunch room to grab my lunch when I remembered that I haven't spoken to Mira since I had left home earlier.So I took out my phone and gave her a call. I was surprised when my call was cut off the first time as it was unusual.Still, I tried again and again until the number suddenly became unreachable.What's going on? I thought alarmingl
>* Never lose hope. Good things still happen. *****------ Mira ------In my subconscious state, I felt my soul leave my body and wandered about. I soon found myself in a very beautiful place. There I saw a man and a woman. At first, they looked unfamiliar but as I walked towards them and almost immediately I recognized them.“ Mom and Dad! ” My heart screamed.They were my parents, despite the little resemblance I bore to them. I couldn't forget them.Not in this lifetime and definitely not in the next.They raised their heads and saw me.At first I thought they wouldn't recognize me until my mom called out tearfully. “ Baby. ”It was only then I realized just how much I’d missed my mom and have longed to hear her voice. “ Mom. ” I subconsciously walked towards her and she did the same until we got very close and she embraced me.“ Baby. I have missed you. ” She cried on my shoulders.“ Mom. ” I broke down in tears.I desperately missed this, Mom's love and comfort wh
>* Never doubt the simple fact that you are loved and needed. *****------ Mira ------It felt like I had been floating on empty space for ages, when I finally landed back on Earth.Slowly but steadily, my eyes opened.My eyes closed reflexly when exposed to bright light.I opened it once again, slowly but steadily and began getting used to my surroundings.The first thing I noticed was the white walls then the smell of formalin hit me.Where am I? I found myself wondering.Until something knocked into my subconscious state.Hospital?But how did I get here?Just when I was still trying to figure out what was going on.I heard that voice. One whom I didn't know I’d longing to hear.“ Mira? Are you awake? ” My gaze and it crashed with his. I was stunned to see just how red his eyes were. Had he been crying? I wondered. But why?“ Hey. ” I tried to say but couldn't as my throat felt very hoarse. So hoarse that I wondered if my throat had been fried up.“ Water. ” I managed
Epilogue.“ The end of a thing is better than its beginning. ”****—- Miranda —-It's said that friendship is the backbone of every relationship, I can't help but agree more at this point. I stared into the ever beautiful eyes of my groom and the love and adoration in it couldn't be denied. It's been fifty years of friendship and thirty eight years of marriage, yet it feels like a lifetime.Is this really how beautiful love is?I've always heard about love being beautiful from my parents and now? I couldn't help agreeing more. Years ago, I had questioned why some things happened to me which weren't meant to. I know better now that God has been in my story all along. Slowly crafting and editing out unimportant details, to create a wonderful masterpiece. And now? After so many years and me being surrounded by my friends, family, kids and grandchildren, I can only say. God is good and his timings are always perfect. “ Didn't I say we'll celebrate fifty years of friendship? ” I s
“ Smile because your world brightens up when you do. ” *** —- Miranda —-“ Mom… ” It felt like my heart got caught in my throat at the sight of my daughter in white.I couldn't form a word as emotions rushed through me, I could see flashes of our moments together. The first time I'd held her, the first time she'd said Mom. Her first day at school, the day she'd finally opened up to me about her crush. I would never forget how long the conversation was that day on a small picnic by the lake. The blush on her cheeks and the glow in her eyes made me realize just how smitten my daughter was. “ I love him, Mom. ” I would never forget so soon how beautiful the words sounded when they echoed in the blue sky. And now? The same girl I had held as a baby and vowed to love and protect was now getting married to the love of her life. “ Babe. ” I couldn't control the tears that fell out of my eyes, as I stared at my daughter in the most beautiful dress I've seen. I've always admired supe
“ Having a guy best friend who truly loves and cares about you is indeed super priceless. ” *** “ Dad. ” “ Yes, Baby girl? ” He stared his little sweet sixteen who was looking more and more like her mom on a daily basis. “ Do you know I have a crush on someone? ” Her words made him pause from swinging the swing they were currently on. He'd made it a routine to spend quality time with both his children every weekend so he could get to know them and their personalities better. Though lately, he'd been spending more time with his daughter as it seemed the latter needs his time and attention most.“ Oh, really? Who's the lucky guy? ” He grinned, on seeing the red blush on her cheeks.“ He's Noel. ” She replied in a chicken-like manner. “ And he is? ” “ My Best Friend. ” “ Oh wow. ” Joseph instantly felt history about to repeat itself as he stared at his daughter.“ Does he know about it? ” He inquired softly, taking her hands in his. “ No… I don't think he sees me that way thoug
“ Pain is temporary. ”***“ I wish we can always choose the one we fall in love with. Perhaps it wouldn't be a big deal now that I'm in this case. I am Ava Smith and this is my story. A year ago, I fell in love with a young man who was 20 at the time of our meeting. He wasn't the most beautiful man I've ever come across but in my heart, he'll always be the best definition of beauty. Black beauty is what I'll call him. His smile was ever beautiful and never ceased to warm my heart. His voice was like the sound of many waters and the sound of his laughter was like a waterfall. I fell for this innocence, his honesty and thoughtfulness.I was attracted to him by his love for dancing and acting. I've never met someone as talented as him. Matthew was his name and I must say, his name did great justice to his personality, but I would have preferred for him to be named Daniel. I loved him in a way, I've never loved anyone before. When asked what I love about him, I get confused a
“ Be with someone who is afraid to lose you. ”*** “ How do you feel, Jose. ” Joseph turned to face his beautiful wife, who looked ever stunning at thirty. Perhaps it's true that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, cos even after so many years he still found her as stunning as she'd always been. “ You've asked that question three times already. ” He smiled seeing her pout. “ But it's okay, I get it. ” He turned to face her. “ It's Vera's wedding, I know. ” He pulled her to a seat on the bed beside him as he cupped her face. “ I'd once been infatuated with her, and couldn't imagine a life without her once. ” He paused to search her eyes. “ But that's in the post now, you know. I love you and you are my forever so you don't have to worry about me, Kay? ” “ Um… ” “ Besides, you look unusually beautiful today. ” He tucked her hair behind her face, as she blushed. “ Should we roll on the sheets for a few minutes before we leave? ” “ In your dreams. ” She stood up in an attemp
“ I cry when you cry. ”*** Five years later,Miranda opened the door to her daughter's room and sighed helplessly when she didn't find her there. She matched towards her son's and there she met them spooned together on the bed. “ Gosh, how many times do I have to tell them not to sleep together. ” She muttered under her breath. She'd thought the doctor had been over exaggerating when she said they'll be literally inseparable. Now? She figured Angelina was more than right. They couldn't even stay a moment without each other. “ Nuel, Nuella. ” She patted them lovingly and slowly but steadily she was welcomed by two deep blue eyes. Ones she'd come to fall in love with. “ Mom… ” Nuella was the first to react as she detached herself from her brother's embrace and went into her mother's arms. “ Good morning, Hon. ” She pecked her cheeks and straightened her short hair which was tied in two messy buns. “ Morning, Mom. ” She rubbed her head on Miranda's chest as she'd always done
“ Forgiveness sets you free. ”*** “ Can I take a seat? ” The duo stared at each other before nodding. “ I know you guys have a million and one questions to ask me. ” She smiled, “ That's not unexpected, right? Since I disappeared months ago and suddenly reappeared. ” The duo nodded. “ Well, I was imprisoned for three months due to my involvement in a crime relating to Miranda. ” “ What crime? ” Evie inquired, staring at the two.“ I planned to have her miscarry, but my plan failed as always. ” Her tone was solemn. “ Um… ” Evelyn sighed, realizing her Bestie had forgiven her already. So what right does she have to overreact?“ I heard God for the very first time in the police’s van. ”“ God? ” They were left completely stunned by her words.“ As you both know, I've always been an atheist. But for the first time, I heard the deity which you and Joseph had always spoken about. Prior to that, I've always believed he was nothing but a figment of your imaginations. But the single enc
“ Hard Work sets the difference between great and average. ”***“ You are pregnant, Bestie? ” The latter blushed heavily at the question directed to her.“ Yeah. ” She replied shyly.“ But why didn't you tell me? ” Miranda felt happy, yet a little disappointed at that. Best friends are meant to tell each other everything, right?So why hide that important detail from her?“ I just found out, okay? ” Evie replied defensively, not totally comfortable under her accusing gaze.“ Okay. ” Miranda nodded with a tight smile. ***Later in their car. “ You've been silent, Honey. ” He mused, pulling her into his arms. He'd never totally understand how quickly her mood changes. Thankfully he'd read a lot on post childbirth depression and understood that her feelings and reactions are absolutely normal. Though not totally normal to him as he craves for his wife to be completely alright. “ I feel Evie should have told me about her pregnancy earlier. ” Joseph sighed hearing her words.He'd nev
“ God never comes too late, he comes right on time. ”*** The day seemed to go slowly until the middle aged bride was handed a mirror. “ Oh my. ” Hannah couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips at her reflection in the mirror. For some reason, she'd always believed she'd never be as beautiful as she was at her previous wedding ceremony. But who knew. Her short almond colored hair was beautifully styled on her head, her makeup and mascara was perfect further adding to her stunning look. “ You make a beautiful bride, Nanny. ” She turned to hear the exact words she'd said at the latter’s wedding. “ Thank you. ”“ I'm super glad I got to witness your happy day, Mom. ” Those simple words made her emotional. She'd always believed she would never experience the joy and gladness this day brings. After her husband left her. She'd literally lost all hope in finding love again. She believed she can never be happy again as she'll never find a man better than Joshua.But who knew.“ Th