* God is love. *
****
“ I was wrong, Joseph. ” Beatrice was seated across from the duo in the not so crowded canteen that morning, they were able to secure a spot in a more secluded area, which provided enough privacy for them. 
   “ I had always thought I knew what was best for you, Joseph. How wrong I was. ” Miranda stared bemusedly at Joseph, watching Beatrice lose her cool in public. 
It was completely unlike her. So what changed? “ What made you arrive at this conclusion? ” He definitely wasn't convinced by her words, he knew his mother so well to believe her without thorough evidence or proof. 
    “ After what happened to Mira, which was partly orchestrated by me. ” Beatrice took a deep nervous breath, sensing the change in the atmosphere of the room. 
Noticing this, Mira discreetly took Joseph's hand and placed it on her baby bump, as a means of reassuring him that she and the babies are perfectly okay. And just as she had expected, it worked as Joseph's complexion changed. 
Beatrice who noticed this exchange sighed. ‘ How could I have thought I could separate this duo? ’ At that point, she figured how stupid she had been to think that she could easily separate them, so what if her plan had gone through? They wouldn't have separated, rather she would have completely severed her relationship with her son and even lost her chance with him. 
“ I'm listening. ” Beatrice could sense no emotion from his words, though she kind of felt intimidated by it. 
“ I felt this loss in my heart and a great sense of guilt, I've never felt before. After several failed attempts to shake off the feeling, I resorted to calling up a friend from years ago. She happened to be a Christian with a strong foundation in Christ. Of course, she was surprised when I called and then we booked an appointment for coffee the next morning which was a Saturday. ” Beatrice paused to take a sip of her Orange juice. 
“ I confessed everything to her; how due to impatience, I had abandoned my family and son, how I had been interfering in my son's life and marriage. She understood and didn't judge me. That was something I wasn't used to. My regular friends judged me for every single mistake, as they are always aiming for perfection and perfection they say doesn't exist. ”
“ She prayed with me and then invited me to her church on Sunday. I was a bit reluctant as I haven't been to a church in years. ” The duo's heart was stirred with an unknown emotion. What does this mean? They wondered. 
“ I was tempted to overdress as I have always done, but I recalled her advice the other day which was, “ Come as you are. ” I met Cornelia at the entrance of the door and she welcomed me with a hug and one of the sweetest smiles I've seen. The service was okay, and then the altar call. At first, I didn't feel the need to get up, since I've given my life to Christ before when I was 16. But I felt nudged to by an internal force. ” 
“ The holy spirit. ” Mira mumbled under her breath, earning a smile from Beatrice. 
It was the first time, the latter had smiled at her and Mira almost broke down in tears, but controlled herself. 
“ I stood up and went to the altar, as I confessed the words spoken by the preacher, I felt this overwhelming feeling growing from within me and I became so emotional that I cried. ”
Joseph could only imagine that scene, knowing how dignified his mom was. 
“ I cried in front of so many people and even after so many minutes had passed, nobody spoke. And when I raised my head? Lo and behold, I was welcomed with faces filled with smiles and love. A woman handed me a handkerchief and one after the other, the congregation embraced me and welcomed me into the house of God. I'd never felt so loved in my entire life. ” After ward, I sought the pastor in charge for counseling and have been on that for months now. ”
“ Joseph, I know I've wronged you deeply and you might not be able to forgive me, still I want to say that I am sorry.  ” 
“ I'm sorry for all the pain I have caused you, I'm sorry for never being there for you. I'm sorry for abandoning you when you needed me the most, I'm sorry, Joseph. ” Joseph's eyes became red with unshed tears, he couldn't form a word with his clenched fists. 
“ I'll be back, Mira. ” He stood up and walked into the restroom.
Mira waited some minutes before going after him.
  She caught him staring blankly at the mirror and sighed.
Slowly, she walked towards him and wrapped her arms around him from behind, her baby bump prevented her from fully blending in with him. 
  Joseph squeezed his eyes shut, feeling her body on his. They remained in that position for minutes until he finally spoke up.  “ What do you think I should do, Wifey? ” 
Though he already knew the answer deep inside him, he still wanted to confirm. “ Forgive. ” 
“ It's hard, Mira. Anytime I think of those years of abandonment, yearning and pain, my heart aches! ”
“ I know and that's why you don't have to do it yourself. Ask the holy spirit for help and he'll come true for you. ” Joseph turned around properly to stare at her form.
He removed the band of her hair and allowed her locks to fall freely on her head. “ This is better. ” he said, leaning in to peck her forehead. 
“ Thanks for your advice, Babe. ” He embraced her to himself, as if tapping from her strength, but as always, the baby bump prevented him from hugging her as tight as he wished to. 
“ You don't have trouble walking, do you? ” At six months, He was amazed at how she was still able to carry herself easily.
“ I don't. If I did. I would have asked you to carry me. ” She chuckled, pinching his cheeks. 
“ I know, right? ” He embraced her once more before breaking free from her embrace.
“ Let's head back. ” He said to which Mira nodded.
Meanwhile, Beatrice, who had been anxiously waiting, sighed in relief upon seeing them.
She couldn't help wondering what they had talked about.
Did Mira convince him for or against her? She didn't know what to think. 
It so happened that she didn't know the latter. Yet, have always hated her. 
Only if she knew!
….
A/N :  What do you think will happen next, guys?