The Runaway Goes Back Home

Chapter 6: Andres's Journey

Andres's journey to the city was really a long one. But there was more than the length of the trip that bothered Andres. As the coast of his hometown came out of sight, he grew lonelier than ever.

It was getting dark. Andres sat near a window of the ship while he was watching the moon rise from the calm sea into the clear black starry sky.

But Andres would not mind those. He was thinking of only one thing. For the first time in his life, he was to live in a place far from his home, his parents, and everything he loved, and thinking of this made him so lonely. His eagerness to go to the city was replaced by a longing to be with his family again.

"I want to be with my family once more. I don't want to be far from them," Andres said while tears were rolling down his cheeks. "But I will fight this feeling. I will be strong for them. I will face my life in the city - whatever will come."

Andres was still having a view of the sky at a nearby window when the sky darkened suddenly. Then it was followed by the rain, thunder, lightning, and strong wind. A typhoon was in the sea! The ship started to be tossed by the great waves, and the mariners sailed the ship to a nearby island.

The following morning, Andres, together with the other passengers of the ship, was on the island. When he looked around, he was thankful that no one was hurt and the ship was not wrecked. He thanked God for saving all the passengers, including him.

The weather calmed. Again, the crew and the passengers went into the ship and continued the voyage to the city. As usual, Andres was wondering what was happening at his home, and at the same time, he was wondering of what his life would be in the great city.

The journey went on until they reached another isle, where they would have their second stopover. Andres, tired and missing home, went down from the ship into the land in the isle. When he had come down, he gazed into the magnificent sunset. But suddenly, he saw a thunderstorm that came from the east.

That night, heavy rain poured, then came lightning, thunder, wind and hail. The storm was violent, so the people had to remain in their shelters.

The following morning, the storm was gone. Again, the ship went on its journey to the city. Still in his seat in the ship, Andres viewed in the sea. While he was watching, he saw dolphins swimming and making different tricks. He was amused by watching them, so for a while, he no longer missed his family.

At noon, the ship reached its final destination - the port, which will lead to the city. "Finally," Andres said to himself. "I'm here - after a long journey."

But actually, Andres's journey did not end there. After leaving the port, he had to travel for a few hours before reaching the city - by walking. And he walked, indeed. As he walked, he passed by alleys, orchards, pools, and green fields. He walked until he reached a crossroad. He did not know where to go.

He was still standing in the middle of the crossroad when an old man passed by. He asked the old man where the way to the city was. The old man told him to go straight north until he would reach a bridge. He added that when Andres would cross the bridge, he would reach the city. 

He thanked the old man and did as the old man instructed. He saw himself on a paved road, surrounded by green rice fields and coconut trees. As he walked, he saw happy farmers singing and smiling as they worked. "It is like at home," he said to himself.

After a few hours, Andres reached a hanging bridge, the one that the old man told him. Upon seeing the bridge, he was delighted. "At last!" he exclaimed. "I will reach the city of my dreams." And he joyfully crossed the bridge, and he was surprised with what he saw upon entering the city.