* A mother's love can never be replaced. *****“ I am your mother, Joseph. ” emphasized the word mother, after she was quiet for a while, somewhat pondering on what to say. “ Mother? ” He stared at her with eyes filled with wonder. “ Have you forgotten how you abandoned me as a little child? Have you forgotten all about it? How I cried and begged you to take me along with you? Don't tell me you've forgotten so soon how you pushed me away like I was nothing but a piece of garbage? Have you forgotten all about that, mom? So soon? ”“ I... ” She was suddenly overcome with stutters. What could she say? She couldn't deny how right he was.“ Speechless? Mom, you need to understand that giving birth to a child doesn't automatically make you a mother, just like donating sperm doesn't make one a father. ”“ Still, the fact that I gave birth to you remains! I carried you for nine months, Joseph! I went through excruciating pains just to bring you into this world. ”Joseph looked up from the
* I still believe. * – Mira. —“ The scattered words and empty thoughts seem to pour from my heart. ”Those words which were a lyric from the song, “ I still believe by Jeremy camp. ”Was becoming very real to me.“ I've never felt so torn beforeSeems I don't know where to start. ”The lyrics became so real to me and then I was reminded of the quote that says, we enjoy the melody of music when we are happy, but when we are sad, we relate to the lyrics. Curled up like a ball on my bed, I couldn't stop the tears that blurred my vision. Beatrice's voice rang in my mind like an alarm clock reminding me of why I am here and why it hurts so much. “ Miranda, the fact that you live with my son and spend his money doesn't really signify that he's going to end with you. From what I know, Joseph is just twenty one and settling down is currently far from his mind and even if he wants to. Do you really think he'll settle down with someone like you when there are more beautiful and elegant l
* It’s going to be okay. *****Meanwhile,Vera had been day dreaming of her future life with the youngest billionaire, Joseph.Was stunned when Beatrice came back looking disheveled and completely stressed out. “ Did she cry? ” Staring at how red her eyes were, she found herself asking inwardly.“ Mom. You – ” Beatrice raised her palm up and that was enough to silence her. “ It's fine. I am okay. ”“ You sure? ” Though she wasn't a compassionate person, still she knew she had to fake it if need be as Beatrice of course was her triumph card. “ Yup. ”“ Okay. ” They sat down as Vera continued sipping her lemonade whilst staring at Beatrice wondering what to say. Or rather, if it was right to say a word at that point. “ Where's your mom? ” “ She had to get her nails done, so she left. ” Beatrice nodded at her words as silence reigned between them for several minutes.“ It's about, Joseph. Then I am sorry, I can't convince him for you. ”“ But, Mom? ” The shock in her expression couldn
* There’s no fear in love as perfect love casts out all fear. *****Those were the exact words that dropped in Mira's mind when Joseph told her of the impending danger. They were both in an open field a few miles away from their school. The single lecture for the day was done and since other students had gone to the hostels to rest, the duo were able to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the environment. " It's going to be tasking from now on, Mira... We both have to be very careful especially you as almost all odds are against us. "" But the Lord is on our side, right? " Mira whispered with a sweet smile. Her words were like the reminders he craved for as, He automatically relaxed hearing her words. " Oh yeah... "" Recall what was said in Isaiah? When thou passeth through the waters, I'll be with thee and through the fire you shall not be devoured. "" Hm... "Silence reigned between the duo for minutes until Joseph spoke up. " What was the first thing you thought when my mom
“ Life becomes more meaningful when we learn to live in the moment. ”****Wednesday,The lecture today was english.Due to it being a general subject some of the students were assigned to sit in one class. The venue chosen was a large hall which could easily accommodate one thousand students. Mira had received a text from Joseph earlier that day. “ I can't wait to spend the two hour lecture sitting right next to you. ” what this did was leave numerous butterflies in her belly. Though they've been together for a while, they've never really sat down together for a lecture as they were studying different courses and barely had subjects in common.But now?It really seemed like nature was finding a way to bring them together. The mere thought of having to spend a whole lecture sitting right to him made Mira blush.“ Oh wow, sweet sixteen is turning red already. ” Evie nudged her with a mischievous wink. “ It's not. ” her attempt to deny was shoved off by Evie who replied with a wink.
* Let God be your guide and you'll never fall. ****Weeks had passed since the issue with Vera and Beatrice that Mira had almost forgotten about until she received a text from an unknown number about Joseph's whereabouts.On a normal day, she would have just ignored it but this time, it was different as she had been trying to reach the latter all day. Since it was a Saturday, Mira had no lectures and decided not to be alone in her room since Evie was out on a date with her boyfriend. She decided to simply go and check but not before confirming the address and the safety of it. Mira grabbed the jeans jacket on her bed and wore it on the white shirt and blue pants she wore. She combed up her hair and tied it up in a ponytail with the elastic hair tie Joseph got for her last summer. Then, she grabbed her car keys and headed out. As she drove along the road to the address that was sent.She thought about how she once lived in an orphanage with no one to care for her or her e
**** Mira drove the car into a beach. « Oriental beach » it read.Joseph smiled discreetly watching the car screech to a halt in the car park. Quietly, Mira switched off the ignition and alighted and walked away. Knowing what that meant, Joseph removed the key, alighted and locked the car before following after her. After paying for the tickets they were both finally allowed into the main areas of the beach. They quietly walked towards the salty water and sat on the sand right before it. “ H2O with lots of sandy particles in it. ” Joseph muttered, recalling chemistry class in highschool. “ It's beautiful. ” Her eyes shone with admiration as she watched the moving water in front of her. It definitely wasn't her first time on the beach. Yet it still felt like it. Probably because this was an Oriental beach or maybe, her mood was just one of admiration and appreciation for nature. “ I’m sorry, Mira. I should have been more careful. ” Mira didn't say a word as she s
* Seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything will be added unto it. *****Several months later,“ Jose, are you really sure I'll be comfortable with all eyes on me? ” They had both just arrived at an international conference. It was for CEOs across the globe and since Joseph was one. He was specially invited.Rumor has it that he'll be winning an award tonight, though he wouldn't be so confident until the award was in his hands. Staring sideways at Miranda who looked so fidgety and nervous. He couldn't help but smile in a doting manner hearing her umpteenth question. “ Babe, you'll be fine. ” He cupped her hands in his. “ You sure? ” seeing her rounded eyes staring straight into his eyes he felt his heart skip a bit. ‘ Why won't he fall in love with a girl as cute as her? ’ “ Yup. I believe in you. ” for some reason, his words made her relax. “ The Lord says he hasn't given us the spirit of fear, but of power and might. So why fear when you've got his spirit inside you? ” “ W
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