The Runaway Goes Back Home

Chapter 3: Andres's Plans

It was a warm summer day. Two years have passed since Andres finished high school. The family had just got home from a vacation trip, and both Ricardo and Tomasa were exhausted. Andres did not go to university at once, for he wanted to come up with a way to help his parents.

For years, the family had been living happily together. They always trusted that God would help them cope up with life. They would pray and worship together during good and bad times, thus, they drew closer to Him.

But what they didn't know, a change would happen to them - soon! Andres was having plans! Though the family was unprepared, they had to face that change.

While their parents were sleeping, Andres went to the town proper, as usual. He walked on the same streets, passed by the same shops, and stopped at the same places. But he didn't mind. all he wanted to do was to amuse himself.

That evening, he was sitting at the town park, meditating on what to do with his life. he was dreaming of a better and more prosperous life, and one place came in to his mind - the city!

"What if I will find work in the city?" Andres asked himself. "I guess I will find a good job there! and after that, I will be prosperous enough to help my family!"

As the sun went down, he went home. He enjoyed a simple dinner with his family. After the dinner, the family slept. But that night, while lying on his bed he kept thinking of the idea. He stayed awake deep into the night, imagining how life in the city would be. He had so many plans. 

"I will work hard in the city to give comfort to my family," Andres said to himself. "When I will have done that, I can already help Mom and Dad. Dad will no longer need to travel for business anymore, and Mom will no longer be awakened in the middle of the night to work. They will cease from work, and I will be the one to support them. We will always be together for the rest of our lives."

After thinking of these, Andres fell asleep. In his sleep, he dreamed of working in a bank in the city. He was making so much money, and he was enjoying his work. His parents were there, and together, they were enjoying a prosperous life. Panfilo was also there, helping Andres to give their parents a comfortable life. They were enjoying life, together, indeed. But...

The rooster crows. It is dawn! Andres woke up, feeling refreshed. As usual, the family ate breakfast together. But during that day, Andres stayed at home and did all household chores; this time, he did not go out to to the town proper. That afternoon, his parents were surprised, so they asked him why he stayed at home all day. As a response, he revealed his plan to them - a thing that would surely bring great changes to his family, and one that was surely unexpected by each member of the family.