METROPOLITAN LIFE

Early in the morning, Juan checks his laptop and had an email of the condominium he wants to rent to own as a start of his journey here in the suburbs.

He read the description of the condo.

Uptown Condominium

Located at the heart of Bonifacio Global City, this stunning residential building is equipped with a modern lap pool, function rooms, fitness, and business centers that will satisfy even the most discerning client.

He will take a three-bedroom unit. 108 square meters of floor area.

It has an 18-meter lap pool, function rooms, a Changing/Shower room, a business center and a fitness center that would be perfect for Goldenfruits company's export department will be housed.

Everything is relatively near. You'll be in C5 exit in 5 minutes; for Ayala Makati and McKinley Hill, it's just 10 minutes. NAIA and Eastwood will take 15 minutes while Alabang, 20 minutes. University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City is 20 minutes' walking. It is only 10 minutes to Ruthie's school, De La Salle University by car.

He advised that he will tour the area and sign the contract if everything will go well.

He wakes Ruthie and Jacky in the next room that they will have jogging and eat somewhere.

They walked up, put in their jogging pants and shoes, and their Bluetooth earphones and their full charged cellphones.

"We may transfer tomorrow, we will tour the new condominium today before we go to the schools," Juan said as they jog.

They jog to Chief Robert's table Restaurant. It is a one-kilometer run.

They jog passing Begonia Street, then turned right to Geranium Street. turned right again to Marigold Street, then turned left passing Rivera Village Elementary School, then turned right to the N. Aquino Avenue, turned right to Pascor drive the ahead is the place.

Jacky as they turned right to Pascor drive straight to Chief Robert's table restaurant.

"I'm tired already Juan, my feet are aching," Jacky said.

They stopped for a while. Stationary jogging. "We are already very near Jacky," Juan said.

"OK, I'll carry you in my back." Juan offered his back.

Jacky runs and embraces Juan in the back, and Juan holds her legs as he carries Jacky for about 100 meters to the restaurant.

As she is being carried, she is kissing Juan in the back of his neck.

"Jacky hahaha, you are tickling me," Juan said.

"Put me down now, we are already here," Jacky said.

They walk going inside the Chief Robert's restaurant.

They rested and enjoy the chair. Jacky ordered Calamari, Squid rings in beer batter. Served with tartar sauce.

Juan ordered Sinigang na Salmon Belly, a Modern twist to the unusual sinigang with rich in omega-3 oil Salmon Belly.

Ruthie ordered the main dish, she was curious about this dish, Bicol Express Pasta, with Pork, Coconut Milk, Bagoong, Spaghetti.

Juan ordered a salad, Vineyard Mango Salad, with Lollo Rosso, Iceberg, Red Wine Vinaigrette, Mango, Carrots, Cherry, Tomato, Grapes, and Cucumber.

"I love this food!" Ruthie said.

"Yes, let's enjoy this," Jacky said.

They prayed lead by Ruthie.

Juan silent, he is with teary eyes, looking at her sister as she enjoys the food. He remembered the days on their first farm that they have nothing to eat. He remembered the night they went to sleep hungry actually they had not slept so well, they only drink hot water to neutralize the acid in their stomach.

He just looks at the food and enjoys it as if in a dream.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Jacky stands and embraces him, people looking at them. Jacky pats his back, "Juan, I know you remembered the past sufferings, I can read it in your face as you look at Ruthie. This is God's blessings in your family's hard labor and good heart. I know you also miss your Mom. Don't worry in God's time she will be back to us."

Juan forced a smile, but still could not start to eat, it is truly a comfort to have Jacky here beside him in moments like this.

When Juan gets himself together being emotional, he ate and savor all the goodness of the food thanking God that He is good to help them realize this blessed moment.

They get a taxi going to the apartment, they get dressed and went to Uptown Condominium by taxi. It's 11 kilometers and about a 20-minute ride from the apartment. They pass the Ninoy Aquino Avenue, side of the International airport, then EDSA, and turn to the left to the 9th Avenue.

Juan was amazed to see the tall building.

"Kuya(elder) Juan, we will stay in this huge house?" Ruthie asked.

"If you like it, let us check the first baby," Juan said.

"You called me baby again, I'm already going to college." Jacky frowning.

"He he he, that's how Juan loves you, Ruthie, don't be embarrassed, if my brother will call me that I'll love it," Jacky said.

Juan talked to the man in charge and they tour the three-bedroom, then the four-bedroom.

Jacky said, "If it is still in your budget I think you get the four rooms with balcony."

"Ok, then we will get the four bedrooms.

182.60 square meters.

They have seen the fully furnished condominium, complete with branded appliances, and glass walls that you can see beautiful views on this 30th floor.

lights, chandelier, sofa, tables, chairs, decoration, bathroom, the living room, the balcony. This is good.

Juan called Tony and in the video call, he let him see the whole space and rooms.

" Juan, you decide. You are the engineer and I trust your judgment" Tony, his father said and hang.

"Then, what do you think Ruthie?" Juan asked.

"If I can live in a nipa hut, then I must learn how to live in a condominium. This four-bedroom is the best of all Kuya(elder)." Ruthie said.

Juan turned to the real estate agent, "Prepare the papers, I will give you the payment for the down payment tomorrow." Juan said.

They went out and ride a taxi to De La Salle University. It is about 9 kilometers from the condo, 10-15 minutes ride. Passing 8th Avenue to Justicia Drive, then to 32nd Street, then to the Kalayaan flyover, to EDSA, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, turn right to Taft Avenue, the Uturn to the school.

They asked for the requirements for enrollment and as they finished all paperwork and entrance test because Ruthie brought all her requirements with her as prepared, she was enrolled for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

They then ride a taxi to the University of the Philippines, Bonifacio Global City.

It is about 10 kilometers from Ruthie's school and it's near their condo, 1.3 kilometers from the condo, about 20-minute walk.

Juan inquired and filled up some forms and he was scheduled for an entrance examination, if he passes, he will next be scheduled for a panel interview by the director, dean, and faculty lawyers to determine if you have the guts to survive the rigorous initiation to be a lawyer.

"I believe in you Juan to pass it," Jacky said. I'm happy to see your school. and be careful, there are many beautiful lawyers to be." Jacky teasing him.

"Yes like there are also many handsome doctors to be?" Juan teasing her also.

"Hey, stop it, hahaha, don't start a war here," Ruth said joking.

They laugh.

A beautiful lady passed by. Jacky glared at the lady secretly and looking at Juan.

Juan who was reading the enrollment papers. Then as he looks straight, she saw the lady and when she look at Jacky, she was glaring at her, he smiled.

Jacky frowned.

"Hey, what's the matter with you," Juan said.

Jacky holds his arms and said, "Let's go!"

While they are walking to get a taxi, "Where do you want to go next?" Juan asked.

"Let's go to Venice Grand Canal Mall" Jacky suggested.

"OK, let's go," Juan said.

After 10 minutes in a taxi, they arrived.

They walk around the canal, the sight is wonderful, they even imagine to be in Italy, Jacky said, "I have been to Italy and it really has a resemblance.

Grand Canal, Italian Canale Grande, the main waterway of Venice, Italy, following a natural channel that traces a reverse-S course from San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church and divides the city into two parts."

They throw a few coins in the boxes of the human statues and have some dance presentations and enjoy a free serenade from one of the local singers from the second-floor balcony.

They had dinner at Boulangerie - Venice Grand Canal and after eating, they tried the boat ride before going home.

The gondola ride is 250 pesos per head and for remembrance, they had a lot of pictures and videos taken mostly taken by Ruthie.

"I had a lot of lovely memories today," Jacky said while holding on to Juan.