The Runaway Goes Back Home

Chapter 7: Andres Reaches the City

Andres could not believe his eyes. He had just crossed the steel bridge, and at last! He reached the city of his dreams, after days of long, tedious journey.

So many sights and sounds amazed Andres as he walked. The road was lined with magnificent and relatively new buildings. He also saw luxurious cars he had never seen before.

As he walked, he also saw many people walking down the street, dressed decently. He saw the rich people walk together with their bodyguards and servants, as well as the common people walking alone or with their friends.

He also saw new means of transportation, ones he had never seen before. There were trains running fast in the steel railways, and also, airplanes of different sizes stationed at the airport, ready for flight.

But like any other city, the city was noisy and dirty. Cars and factories gave off smoke and noise. There were also a lot of trash, and beggars, criminals, and prostitutes roamed in the city.

"I cannot believe it. I dreamed of the city as a good place to start a good life, but, it is not," Andres said in disbelief.

He kept walking down the city until he reached another bridge. It was not like the bridge he crossed before reaching the city. The water under this bridge was very dirty, and also, slums and old huts filled the riverside beneath it.

"This is indeed the real image of the city," Andres said in disappointment. "It is very different from the city in my dream."

It was almost evening when Andres came to a place of worship, just like his own at his home. As he would always do, he entered, and he sat quietly to listen to the speaker's message, like he did before. After the worship ended, he stood, headed to the contribution box, put some of his money, and left. But before he had left, a kind old man in black suit and tie approached him.

"Nice meeting you, Andres," the man said. "I am Don Apolonio, a friend of your father before he left the city, when you were a child."

Don Apolonio was very kind to Andres. He even offered lodging for Andres - without cost. For Andres's whole stay in the city, he lodged in the modest house of Don Apolonio. Because of the man's kindness, Andres thanked Don Apolonio. And of course, he thanked God.

He had no idea of what his life would be like in the city. Nevertheless, he was very thankful because he had Don Apolonio and his family, who proved to be good friends with Andres. With them, he survived the tests of the great city.