> * Success doesn't mean competing against other people, it simply means winning against your past self. * **** ------ Mira. ------ My heart thumped, the moment I heard my name. How's that possible? How? Why would I be nominated to represent my department when my classmates don't even like me? Why? I found myself wondering. Was it intentional? Did they do that to mock me or what? And for what reason, exactly? What? “ Miranda Edison. ” I stood up at the sound of my name. “ Miss. ” “ Please step out now, the competition will be commencing in a minute. ” “ Alright, Miss. ” I turned to Evielyn for some encouragement and as always she didn't disappoint. “ You can do it, Miranda. ” “ Thanks. ” I replied with a small smile, as I made my way to the front of the class and faced them. My palms became sweaty all of a sudden, public speaking was something I wasn't a big fan of and always strove to avoid at all costs. But now? I stared at my classmates and saw the mockin
> * You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you choose to be happy. You can choose to be happy despite all the challenges you are facing. * **** * Happy 30 chapters! * ------- Joseph. ------ I'd never thought a day would come where I'd watch an open competition between my ex best friend and my girlfriend. I was quite impressed at their performances in the first two rounds, but when it got to the last one, Vera left me a bit disappointed. Apparently, she didn't know the answer to the question she was asked, which was surprising as the question was a bit easier than the previous ones. At that point, I'd thought Mira would use the chance to strike back at her, but she did. Rather her lips were pursed as understanding filled her eyes. I'd always known Miranda to be understanding and empathetic, but never would I have thought she’ll feel that towards Vera too. At that point, I realized that though I'd always claimed to know, Miranda. I still don't know her w
> * Luck : When one's preparation meets with an unexpected opportunity. * **** ------- Mira. ------ Though I was pretty good at economics, I'd never expected to win the competition. Firstly, because I wasn't a fan of competitions and secondly, my competitors were supposedly more brilliant than me. So I hadn't been expecting to turn out the best. Vera not being able to answer her final question was surprising yet not so surprising. The former because she was one of the school's best students and the latter because she was a science student and economics isn't one of her major subjects. “Aw, Congratulations, Mira! ” Evie wrapped me up in a tight embrace as soon as I returned back to my seat. I had admired her enthusiasm, her accommodative nature and optimism. Though it's only been three days since we've known each other, I know that she's filled with those three qualities that I greatly desire. Either way, I figured I could actually have those if I really wanted. After
> * Pain is temporary, greatness lasts forever. * *** ------ Joseph. ------- Vera and I strode towards the school canteen, hand in hand as we've always done. Being among the first arrivers, we were able to seat at our favorite spot by the window. We sat down at our designated spot after ordering. All the while, I noticed that Vera wasn't happy and I couldn't help but wonder why. Was it about the competition? But Vera wouldn't be so petty, or would she? “ Are you okay? ” I held her hands, forcing her to make eye contact with me. “ I am. ” she said, though her eyes said the exact opposite. “ You are not. ” I removed her fringe from her eye. “ Tell me what's wrong. “ “ I feel lost. ” she turned her eyes away from me, but I held her chin and brought her gaze towards me. “ I feel like I've disappointed you and everyone by my performance earlier. ” Her words came out slowly. “ But you didn't. ” “ Really? ” “ You didn't get all the questions right, but you still got two
> * We don't always get what we want out of life. We have to fight for what we truly and really want. * ------ Mira. ------- Evelyn and I were having our lunch peacefully, until the red haired girl appeared in front of us all of a sudden. Her two friends were with her. I was confused, wondering why they were here. But then her next words confirmed my doubt. “ You are Mira, aren't you? The bitch who betrayed her best friend! ” Her words were filled with venom. I kept quiet, not letting myself get hurt by her words. After all, talking to a fool will only make me a greater fool, won't it? “ And you. ” She turned sharply to Evelyn who was looking as perplexed as I was. “ You must be happy, aren't you? You've finally found a bitch and now? You both are going to become a family of bitches. ” “ What do you want, Tiffany? ” Evelyn's words were sharp and serious. Must I say, this was the first time I'm seeing her being so serious. “ What do I want? ” Tiffany repeated sarcastic
> * There's no one else in creation like you, there's no one like you. Nobody can do it like you. * **** ------ Mira. ------ “ What are we going to do about your shirt, Miranda? Lunch break will be over soon. ” Evie's words broke the silence and for a moment there, I wondered if I was actually the one in need or her. Her worry and concern touched my heart. It definitely wasn't something I was used to. I've only experienced being cared for and loved by Joseph and Nanny. No one else. “ I really don't know, Evie. ” “ I don't know either. I'm currently out of options. ” “ What if we —- ” My words were caught short at the sight of Vera Lynn. What is she doing here? I wondered. Evielyn and I exchanged looks of confusion and perplexity. Vera had no business with us, or does she? “ Look who we've got here. ” She walked in proudly. “ Best friends forever, they say, don't they? ” We simply stared at her dumbly. “ But does that really exist? Especially now that it's becom
> * Be in the driver's seat of your own life because if you are not, life will drive you. — Oprah Winfrey. * -------- Joseph. ------ I'd always heard about the pain of heartbreak, but I have never really felt it before. I didn't want to believe what I was hearing. I definitely do not want to. I very much want to believe it's just a dream, one I'll soon snap out of. Just that, it isn't. This was reality, one that's too cruel and I can't deny. “ All I did was say a few lovey dovey words and he fell at my feet and now? He follows me around like a stray dog. Haven't you seen how he acts like a love sick fool around me? ” A stray dog and a lovesick fool? Is that all I really mean to her? Those words were like poison seeping into my bloodstream and polluting it. How could she say that about me when all I'd ever done is love and adore her? How? “ Who cares about love nowadays, anyways? It's all business, Bae. ” Her words caused the aching in my heart to intensify. I found it diff
> * You've got to Realize that the most valuable thing you have is today. * **** ----- Mira. ----- I arrived at my class just in time for the literature class to commence. Literature is no doubt my most favorite subject. The class was interesting and insightful as always, it was a book review. The book we read was the secret history by Donna Tartt and a collection of poems by Hayao Miyazaki The interactive class was super fun and interesting. During the course of it, Eva stood up and asked one of the major questions on my mind, which was why the books we read in literature class are mostly ones written by oldies and not youngsters. James Washington, our literature teacher, had the best answer. And soon we dived into a discussion which lasted forever. I stayed back in class, while I awaited Evielyn's arrival after the closing bell rang. The latter had informed me that she'll be ten minutes late as they had some stuff to settle with their commerce teacher. “ Tsk, I ca
* 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