Seventeen

<<17>>

* Make every second of your life count. *

***

Flash back ( 3 ) 

Night study. 

" Jose, do you understand the concept behind, matrix? " Mira inquired during their usual night study in the library at the house.

" I do. Do you need any help with it? " He said, turning to face her. 

" I really do. The math teacher explained it earlier at school but I got lost when she got to transpose of a matrix. " 

" Oh... That's normal. I can put you through when you are ready. "

" Thank you, thank you! Let me go get my textbook. " She said standing up and was about to leave her seat when Joseph stopped her. 

" Wait, there's a textbook here. " He told her. 

" Oh? " She turned to him. 

" Just check that shelf over there. " He said pointing to the shelf beside the window. 

" Oh... " Mira walked towards the shelf, and as the shelf was a little taller than she was, she had to jump to get the book. But even after several trials she still failed at getting the book. 

Then she turned around to ask Joseph for assistance only to find him laughing heartily. 

   " You...! You did this on purpose didn't you, Jose? " She scolded him angrily. 

" Hey hey.... Easy there, Red tomato. " He Chuckled.

" Who are you calling tomato, you this, big giraffe! '' She said as she walked towards him and began pulling at his coily hair. 

" Oh no! My newly styled hair! " Joseph exclaimed as he tried to pacify the angry tiger in front of him.  " It's okay... Mira....you don't have to get so mad at that. I was just joking with you alright? " He said as he managed to remove her hand from his hair. 

" Humph! After calling me a red tomato you claim to be only joking. I would be a fool to believe that. "

" Maybe you are indeed a fool. " Joel mumbled quietly.

" How dare you! You called me a fool! " Mira said with annoyance as she began struggling to get out of his hold. 

Joseph, who wasn't expecting her to hear what he said, was astounded. " You heard me? " He stared wide eyed at her.

" Of course I did! I am not deaf, alright? " She stared angrily at him.

" Well... I never expected you to hear that. I am really sorry about my words... Forgive me, Kay? "

" Humph! You think I'll forgive you so soon. Dream on! " 

" Ouch... That hurts. " Joel feigned hurt with a puppy face. " Weren't you the one that always says, my best friend is Jose and I'll always forgive him if he does anything wrong as long as he apologizes? " 

" I did say that... But that was a very long time. It doesn't count now. "

" What a meanie! " He pouted. 

" I got that from you... Buuu..  " 

" Baby Mira, what can I do to earn your forgiveness, your highness? " Joseph inquired softly.  He was aware that offending the little tiger was not a good idea so he just had to apologize. 

" Well... Let me think. " Mira said as she placed her hands on her chin and she thought. 

" Um... How about you make me some popcorn? " She suggested, smiling wickedly. 

" Dammit! You do know that I don't know how to make that! " Joseph pouted. 

" Not my business. You'll have to make that for me yourself if you want to earn my forgiveness. " She said. 

" Uh... Whatever. " He said with an eye roll.

" So can we proceed? " She said.

" Yeah... " He stood up and went ahead to get the textbook. 

Then, they both sat down and he began to teach her step by step how the stuff is done. 

At the end of the day, Mira was very happy as she now understood the topic far more than she ever thought she would! 

At one point, she thought of freeing Joseph from the task of having to make the popcorn, but she changed her mind remembering just how much she wanted to see him cook. 

Joseph, on the other hand, was still thinking of whether he was going to make the popcorn without Nanny's help. 

He then thought of watching some online videos to learn how to. 

****

Later. 

" Hahaha.... " Mira almost laughed her ass out seeing Joseph in a yellow apron.  " You look no different from those waiters at the restaurant... " She mocked him.

  " Are you done? " Joseph appeared in front of her. 

" No... I still want to laugh a little more... Hahaha! " she said while holding her stomach in laughter. 

" You'll never change. " Joseph said helplessly, before grabbing her and throwing her out of the kitchen before closing the door. 

At the other side, Mira stayed by the door as she just kept on laughing... 

Somehow, Joseph succeeded in making the popcorn after watching lots of practice videos online. 

***

Minutes later, Dining table.

" Aw... It's so yummy and creamy. " Mira exclaimed as she munched on the popcorn happily. 

" I am glad you found it yummy. "  Joseph said, gritting his teeth. 

" Hahaha! You should really see your face in the mirror. " Mira mocked, but due to the fact that she was talking too much, she began to cough. 

    Joseph promptly handed a glass of water to her and began to rub her back to calm her down.

Mira took the water and drank it, due to Joseph's help, she felt better minutes later. " Thank you.. " she said with an appreciative smile. 

" You sure know how to be thankful. Humph! " He said, rolling his eyes. 

" Hehehe... " Mira laughed before continuing munching her popcorn.

" Hey guys! " Nanny Jenny's voice rang as she approached them..

" Hello, Nanny! You slept more than usual today, are you alright? " Mira asked worriedly. 

" You don't have to worry..  I'm fine. "

" Are you sure, nanny? Should we perhaps go to the hospital tomorrow? " Joseph said.

" Of course not! I am fine, stop being melodramatic! " She scolded me. 

" We care for you, nanny... " Mira said.

" I never doubted that. " She smiled before sitting down and taking a bite of the popcorn. " Too creamy and sugary. '' She commented. 

" It's not, nanny! It's just alright! " Mira, who had been enjoying the popcorn all this while, argued. 

" It is. Who made this? " She asked them..

" I did, Nanny... " Joseph said.

" You? " Nanny stared at him in shock. " You can cook? "

" Well... I can't. I just learned how to make popcorn from the internet. "

" Oh... You Succeeded in making it at your first trial. Congratulations! " She commended him. 

" Jose is so amazing! " Mira added. 

" You two are making me blush... Thanks anyways. " Joseph replied with a smile.

" Hehehe... Just make sure to reduce the sugar and cream in the popcorn next time, too much of these is not good for the both of you. " Nanny said.

" Okay... Nanny... " They replied simultaneously. 

" Good. " She said before turning to Mira  " Are you going back to the orphanage today? " 

" Yes, Nanny. " She  replied. 

" Okay... You should get there before it gets dark. " She advised.

" Okay... Nanny. I'll go as soon as I am done with this. "  

" Alright, you should let Jose accompany you there. "

" Alright, Nanny... " Mira replied as she stared at Joseph who nodded back at her. 

****

Later, 

While, Joseph and Mira walked towards the entrance of the orphanage side by side.

Mira stopped all of a sudden and turned to face him.  " Jose, would we be together like this forever? " She asked. 

" Why the sudden question? " He inquired. 

" Well... it's a random one. "

" Oh... You really don't have to worry, Mira. We'll only get separated if heaven approves of that, if not then I am sure that we'll stay like this forever.  " He replied to her. 

" Thanks for the words of assurance " She said as she hugged him..

" You welcome, Mira... " He said, hugging her back. 

End of flashbacks. 

...

A/N :   So how was it guys?