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* It's only through patience and endurance in faith that we receive the promises of God. *
****
Three weeks later.
As it was a day to the final prom ceremony, Mira stayed over at Joseph's so they could prepare more for the party the next day.... Though she found it unnecessary but well, her two friends insisted so she had no other choice but to relent.
.....
----- Miranda ----
Staring at the wall clock, it's 9pm in the evening, yet I still was unable to catch up on some sleep.
I know it's weird... Indeed it is.
My mind just Continued to swirl through different memories, thoughts and emotions in my head.
While some memories where fun some weren't.
I found myself thinking about the good old days when my mom and dad were still alive... How they always treated me like a little princess and so on...
Indeed, I miss those days...
But well, the truth it, no matter how much I miss those days... I can't bring them back... I just have to accept that they are all in the past.
It's a really bitter pill to swallow, but well... That's how it is.
I can recall how caring and loving mom and Dad were to me.
It was so fulfilling.
And at last, with the memories of mom and dad in my mind. I finally managed to sleep.
In my subconscious state, I was in the dream world.
It was almost like I had travelled back in time... Really.
It was the day mom and Dad both travelled to New York.... As they only went there for an important meeting, they were to return the very next day.
I had to stay over at my uncle and his wife's place for the night. I really had no problem with that arrangement as it wasn't the first time it was happen.
But you know, on that particular day, I didn't feel good at all. I felt uneasy... I ignored it at first but as my parents continued to prepare for their journey, the unease grew to a point that I could not help but tell my dad about it.
" Oh... I guess you must be missing us already and that's why you are feeling this way... But no worries, we'll be back by the time you head back from school tommorow. " Dad said as he patted my hair in a comforting manner.
" Really, Dad? " Little me was of course not convinced.
" Yes... Baby. Keep your mind at rest. You can say a prayer for Mommy and Daddy if you want to. "
Yeah... Saying a prayer I remember doing that.
" I'll be back soon... Don't forget to miss me. Love you honey... " Mom pecked my cheeks before embracing me.
" Love you too, mom... Come back soon in one piece. " I found myself saying as I hugged her.
" Of course, babe. " She smiled at me...
I watched as they both drove away in their SUV before heading to school.
All day at school, I wasn't myself... I didn't know why but I kept on dropping several items of mine.
I didn't think much of it until, one of my classmates commented.
Only then did I come to the realization that what was happening wasn't normal... It was far above normal actually.
I prayed to clear the doubts from my heart.
I tried to act normal throughout the day... Though I still felt that ache in my chest.
Then, I recall having a dream that night. I saw my mom and Dad smiling at me.
" Don't worry baby, you'll be fine... " I could hear my mom telling me this.
" Don't give up, darling.... Remember you are daddy's dearest daughter... You are strong.... So stay strong, honey.... "
I could feel them trying to reach unto me but couldn't... I could imagine my hands trying to hold theirs as they struggling with their breath...
I could imagine them crying hard as they stared at me... Perhaps it's because they knew of how hard the world might turn out to be for me without them.
I could see my mom staring guiltily at me and whispering unconcoherently to me...
" Mom, Dad... Please don't leave me alone.... " I cried as I watched them being blown to complete dust as the plane crashed....
I woke up all of a sudden sweating profusely.
So it was merely a dream? I thought... Though it looks very real.
I wiped out my tears as I stared at the wall clock.
' 12:00am. '
Despite it be so early, I didn't feel like sleeping anymore... I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest.
I suddenly felt so alone and frightened...
Thinking about the cruelty of the world... I found myself cowering in fear....
I felt so scared that I began to shiver uncontrollably.
I broke out automatically in a cold sweat, it felt like something was coming towards me to harm me...
I could see my uncle's face staring at me viciously. " You bastard! Why did you survive all through those years? You should have died! "
I could almost imagine him reaching out to my throat and trying to choke me...

" Let me go! " I screamed...
I was losing my strength and energy as time went on... My voice were reduced to a tiny whisper while my eyes were becoming blurry.
" You've gotta die now, you bitch! " I could almost feel his voice as he continued trying to choke me.
And at that moment when I felt like I couldn't hold it anymore... I felt a presence around me.
A very beautiful presence that cannot be ignored.
At first I thought I was just seeing things... But no... I wasn't.
I saw this creature in a white garment reaching out to me...
" I am the resurrection and the light.... " I made out this words from his lips as I couldn't ear him...
I was gasping for air at this moment.... I just kept struggling.
At that moment... The words of the Lord came to me.
* Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. *
* Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. *
* Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. *
* Philippians 2:9-10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. *
* Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. *
* Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. *

That particular verse kept ringing in my head.
At the next moment, I found my voice and screamed.... " Jesus Christ son of David have mercy on me! "
As if not enough I screamed this sentence three to four times more and all of a sudden I felt some chains being broken... I felt free...
Then again the words of God cane again to me.
* Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. *
I felt free and I knew I was truly free... I could see a very shinning light at the end of the long dark and deep tunnel...
Thank you, Jesus!
I whispered as my vision turned blurry...
Then I heard that familiar voice...
" Miranda! " Though the voice seemed close, it seemed distant too....
Then I felt myself being wrapped up in a warm embrace like a blanket.... One thing I knew was that it embrace was just too comforting...
And before I knew it, I lost my consciousness completely but not before hearing the words... " It's settled... "
Indeed... I knew it is, I can feel it already....
.....
A/N : What an intense chapter indeed! What do you think, guys?