>* We are not truly free until we can live without pretense and comfortable being who we are. *****As soon as the ambulance got to the nearest hospital, The door opened and Mira was promptly wheeled into the emergency room. She now had an oxygen mask attached to her nose. Evie and Joseph both had to wait at the door of the emergency room as they weren't allowed in. The lights of the emergency room were still on even after one hour, which got them frightened.“ Mira, would be fine, right? ” Evie asked Joseph.She was in tears already, as she kept blaming herself over and over again for what happened to Mira. Perhaps if she hadn't made Mira go with Brandon then maybe what happened wouldn't have happened.And now? She felt very guilty and responsible for what happened to Mira. “ She'll be fine. ”At that point, it felt like Joseph was assuring himself more than he was assuring her.“ Lord, please save, Mira. ” He prayed silently.After 90 mins of waiting, the emergen
>* Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that doesn't make you who you are, it's the rest of your story that really defines you. *****Nanny left the hospital minutes after she arrived, due to an emergency she had to attend to.The trio were left in the hospital room having the fruits she brought. “ I never thought you loved bananas this much, Joseph. ” Evie couldn't help but comment on seeing him eat his fifth one. “ Well, I do. I especially love eating it with groundnuts. It tastes very yummy. ”“ Oh. Really? I have never eaten both of them together. ”“ You obviously haven't. ”“ Guys, I want ice cream! ” Mira's sudden words interrupted their banter.“ You can't have that! ”“ Definitely not! ”They replied simultaneously.Mira pouted, “ You are both very mean! ”“ We are definitely not buying that! ” The duo stood their ground.“ Really, Jose? Remember your promise of always giving me whatever I want? ” Mira said in a childish voice.“ No, not this time. Your
>* The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So take a step today! * ****Miranda stared at the sleeping Joseph with admiration in her eyes. Recalling all that happened in the past few hours and how patient and understanding he'd been through it all made her heart soar. Indeed, he was one in a million. She noticed that her hair was tied up in a bun and her less damp eyes, she sighed realizing what he'd done. Slowly, she detached herself from Joseph's embrace. She was about to stand up when he held her all a sudden. “ Where are you going? ” His voice was hoarse, as he'd just woken up. “ I am going — ”“ Geez! Does she have to get your permission to visit the bathroom now, Joseph? ” Evie , who had just woken up, interrupted Mira.“ I — ” Joseph stared at Mira with an embarrassing smile.“ Good morning, Evie! ”“ Good morning, Mira. ” Evie rose up from the couch she had slept on as she walked towards Mira and embraced her. “ I hope you had a great night's re
>* Don't change yourself to please other people. Being you is what makes you different, unique and very very special. ***** The trio went home immediately after Mira got discharged.On the way home, they brought up this discussion.“ When will you go get your belongings from the orphanage, Mira? ”“ I haven't left yet. Why the hurry? ” Mira was surprised by this question.“ Well, girl. You aren't going back there as I have decided that I am going to take care of you myself from now on. ” Joseph answered.“ What am I? A toddler? ” Mira couldn't help but blush at his words.“ Maybe. ” He replied.“ So when do you think is the best time for her to pack? ”“ The day after tomorrow is a good time to. ” Joseph replied.“ Oh. What do you think, Mira? ”“ What should I say when Dad has said it all already? ”“ Daddy? ” Evie couldn't help but bursted out in laughter. Even the driver who was driving couldn't help but smile.“ Yes, Daddy. He's always so bossy sometimes! ” Mira snickere
>* Choose not to fear what may be lost. because you are not the pebbles that have fallen but a flower, ever growing. *****The trio were in Mira's room chatting after Sir Roberts left.“ I must say, Sir Roberts is indeed very handsome. I can't help but wonder if he has a son who's around my age. ” Evie said dreamily.“ Girl, don't be silly! ” Mira said, throwing a cushion at Evie.“ Hey, I am not silly. I was just appreciating the work of God in his life, okay? ” She said defensively, attempting to throw back the pillow at Mira. But one glare from Joseph stopped her.‘ How frightening! ’ she cringed.“ Still, you shouldn't be thinking like that. What if he has a son who is a Playboy? ”“ Then, I will just give up, okay? You don't have to be so serious alright? ”“ Guys, don't you think you are thinking too far? Sir Roberts has never been married and so of course doesn't have a child. ” Joseph said.“ Oh. But how do you know about that? ” Evie questioned.“ I just did a simple ba
>* You can't let one difficult situation or person define the rest of your life. ***** The next day.As they packed all Mira's belongings. She couldn't help but feel nostalgic as memories rushed through her mind. The good ones and bad ones. She recalled the first time she was brought to the orphanage. How she refused to stay at first. Those times, when she felt lonely. As she was being ignored by the children in the orphanage she was always alone. Days when she had to go to bed on an empty stomach due to her not getting to the dinner table on time. She recalled the tears, the sad times and everything.And now she was leaving the place she had spent eight years of her life! She felt happily sad at that moment.On one hand she was happy to be free from all the rules, and on the other hand she felt sad as reality dawned on her. She was no longer a teenager but now an adult, she'll have to take responsibility for her survival from now on!She will now have to survive witho
>* Sometimes you have to help someone else in order to help yourself. *****The next day.A car drove to a stop, at The Queen's Boutique, one of the most luxurious boutiques in the city. Joseph got out of the driver's seat, and headed over to the passenger's seat to open the door for Mira.“ Thank you. ” She smiled at him.“ You welcome, princess. ” Joseph replied with a wink. Joseph locked the car before heading into the boutique with Mira.To say that, Mira was amazed by the interior design of the boutique would be an understatement. It was breathtaking! She couldn't help but wonder why Joseph had to choose a boutique as grand as this when all she needed was a simple gown to wear to a birthday party. Though she didn't understand what Joseph was doing currently, she'll soon. And yeah, she'll realize that it was all for her own good. “ Hello, welcome to The Queen's Boutique! How may I help you? ” An attendant came over to them and welcomed them enthusiastically.Mira
>* If you give your heart to doing God's will, you'll find your true self. *****Saturday evening,The Edison's mansion was hustling and bustling with guests from different parts of the country. The large mansion was beautifully and tastefully decorated for the occasion – The 18th year birthday of Elina Edison. Mira's younger cousin. All her friends were gathered at her birthday to celebrate with her, they were all showering her with praises and adoration. That kept complimenting her look and dress.Today, she was wearing a v-necked body hugging vintage red dress which highlighted all her curves.She looked so tempting and inviting that the males present couldn't help but be attracted to her.Some even sent her flirtatious stares which only made her happy.She felt proud of herself and “ her achievements. ”“ Mom, Dad, isn't Miranda coming to my party today? ” She said to her parents who were also dressed elegantly for the occasion.“ Oh. She will, I informed her about i
* Love is life. *****" They had always thought you guys were dating. ” Evie's words caught Mira's attention. She retracted her gaze from the ornamental plants ahead of her and stared at Evelyn.They were presently at a chicken restaurant a few blocks from their university. " I mean our schoolmates at high school. "" Oh. " Mira relaxed, taking a long sip of her yogurt." But we weren't. "" It seemed like it as you both were very close, you could be likened to siblings. "" Yeah. " Mira couldn't help smiling as a memory dropped in her mind. *Flashback*" Jose, I always wanted a brother. An elder brother to be precise but I never got one and it sucked. " Fourteen years old Mira complained to her Best friend as they both laid on the grass." But now you've got one. " Unlike what she was expecting, a smile and those simple words was what she got in response." What do you mean? " She stared at him in confusion." I'll be your brother. " He grinned, saying the words. " Baby sis."" Th
>* Love is the most beautiful thing on Earth; It can make or mar a person. *****" Jose? " Mira called out after several minutes of simply resting in his embrace, the latter had thought she'd fallen asleep until she spoke. " Um?" " What do you love most about me? Like what made you fall in love with me? " His hand which was caressing her hair, paused hearing her question. " Mira... " Joseph detached himself from her embrace, held up her chins and stared straight into her eyes." The first day I met you; I fell in love with your innocence and cuteness. Then, I fell in love with how you express yourself and finally how you love. "" How do I love? ” She stared at him inquisitively. " Yeah. The way you love is remarkable. I can never forget the day I got injured on the football field. The care and concern I saw in your eyes that day made me forget about my pain. For a moment, it felt like you were the one injured and not me and it's really noteworthy. ""So you love how I love
* Love covers all. *****Evie quietly left the room to give the duo some private space. Though, Joseph hid himself well, call it a woman's instinct but she sensed his presence.She nodded at Him giving him the signal he needed. Joseph advanced slowly to where Mira had her head bowed, eyes filled to the brim with tears. " Mira... " He called out to her slowly as he waited for her to raise her head, it took longer than he expected and when she finally did. He gasped in shock at how red her eyes were. " Babe... " He felt his heart being pricked by a knife. " Hey... " Seeing her non response, he wrapped her in a bear hug. In turn, Mira hugged him tightly." I love you, Miranda. " Perhaps those words were what she had been waiting for all along as she broke down as soon as she heard them. Love, She heard it covers everything. The thirteenth chapter in the book of the first Corinthians explained it so well, as it said, " If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, bu
>* True friends are those that never leave. *****Grayson Miller did lay low, just as his Grandfather had advised. Though he almost couldn't control himself whenever he saw Joseph and Miranda together. Oftentimes, it hurt so much that he had to push the wall to calm himself down. As much as he wanted to do something, anything to make himself feel better he couldn't.He'd promised his Gramps and definitely wouldn't let him down even if it meant him having to endure the pain of a bruised ego.****On a weekend, The trio were crashing at Joseph's home to escape from the hustle and bustle of their campus. Mira was lying in bed, while Evie browsed through social media on her phone." Evie, I have been bothered lately. " Mira said all of a sudden as she opened her eyes slowly. " Oh? What's up? " Evie dropped her cell phone and sat up straight in front of her. " Actually, I have been thinking. "" About what? "" What if I am actually wasting my youthful years by being so dedi
>“ When God is everything you've got. You've got all you need. ”**** On her way to her apartment, Mira had a foreboding that something wasn't right.So instead of going to her apartment, she headed over to Joseph's office in her car. While in the car, she gave Evie a call and told her about the change of plans. “ Is everything ok, Bestie? ” Hearing the concern in her tone, Mira was touched. She wondered what goodness she had done, for her to be rewarded with a Bestie like Eveyln. “ I am fine. And everything's fine. '' Mira paused. “ I'll tell you all about it later, Kay? '' Evie let out a sigh. “ Okay then. Take care. ”“ Thanks. ” Mira hung up with a smile, placing her phone in the phone stand, she started the car. She arrived at Joseph's office just in time to see the staff leaving. They all gave her car weird stares. Ignoring them, she wore her shades to cover up her exhausted eyes. All she wanted at that moment was to find a place to lay down, but she couldn't
>“ God will never leave you, nor forsake you. ” *****Days passed and the trio had slowly been able to blend in with their life on campus.Though most times, their lectures go on for hours, leaving them tired and exhausted. Despite that, they all made time for one other, making them the envy of them all. On this particular day,Mira had just finished a four hour lecture and was completely exhausted when Serra approached her. “ Hey. ” she smiled at her, strapping her bag carefully on her back. “ Hi. ” Though her greeting was normal, Mira noticed that the latter was checking her out. “ Are you really living off, Joseph? ” Mira paused and then stared at her. “ Who told you that? ” Serra folded her arms around her chest proudly like the peacock she was. “ It's no longer a secret, is it? ” ( A/N : Should I name her Miss Peacock instead, guys? LoL. )Receiving no response from Mira, she continued. “ Joseph is too good for you and you know that. ” her words were meant to hu
>* God knows you better than you know yourself. ****First day on campus.“ Evie. ” Mira called out whilst looking out of the window at the fast moving vehicles which she was fascinated by.The atmosphere was pretty cool and comfortable, the pretty ornamental plants by the roadsides reminded Mira of how promising the day would be. “ Yes, Mira? '' Evie was looking at the other side of the window, unlike Mira she wasn't distracted by the cars but by the billboards on the highways.One of them ‘said’ something which caught her attention. “ Love never dies. ”But if that's really true, why then does it feel like the love between her and her partner is diminishing as the day goes by? He said he loved her right?He promised to keep holding her hands till the end of time, right? So what changed? Was it the passage of time?Or the absence of intimacy? “ Do you believe God speaks to us through the atmosphere? ” Mira's words caught her attention.“ What? ” Evie stared at her in sho
> * Forgiveness sets you free. *****The large courtroom was partly filled that Friday morning. The atmosphere was surprisingly warm, despite the gloominess in the room.A sign hung on the outside wall which said, “ Court in session. ”Mira sat beside Joseph looking super pretty in a yellow sun dress. It was summer anyways and the dress went well with the occasion. She was nervous, despite the fact that she strove hard not to show. “ It's going to be okay, Babe. ” Joseph squeezed her hands as a way to reassure her. Mira smiled softly.She didn't know how she was going to react, seeing the murderers of her parents standing right in front of her, even after playing the scene a dozen times in her mind… She still felt nervous as the moment drew near.And it eventually did, involuntarily she sucked in a deep breath, leaving her throat dry and bare as she watched the duo being brought to the stands.Her eyes met with Henry's then Nicole's, they averted their gaze almost immedi
> * Life is unfair, but God is fair. ***** The duo remained in the same position in silence for the next few minutes until the clock struck 12. “ Mira… ” he called out to her and when she raised up her head, his heart broke, it felt like it was pricked by a thousand knives. Her face was flushed and tear stained, her beautiful emerald eyes were red with unshed tears. “ You okay? ” Though the question sounded stupid, when obviously she wasn't, yet he felt compelled to ask and so he did. “ Mmm. ” came her short answer. “ I think you should take a shower. ” he tried maintaining eye contact with her. “ Mmm. ” she nodded before standing up and walking towards the bathroom and straight into the shower. In the shower…As the droplets of water washed through her hair, then her body.Mira felt all the pain, tears and hurt wash away and it felt weird.She wanted so badly to hold on to them, so she could seek vengeance for her parents…But she couldn't.“ I am the God that heale