LOVE IS A MEDICINE

Metro Manila

Composed of 16 cities: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. Pateros is the lone municipality in the region.

"Manila is a big city, it is like an urban jungle. I will be lost here. The traffic, the diverse culture, the buildings, the streets, everything will be new to me" Juan is thinking.

"It is scary to come here the first time with nobody you know to welcome you, or to guide you. I miss Jacky also. I have never seen her for a long time. We just video call almost daily, but I wish I can visit her in Japan. I want to see her world also." Juan is daydreaming to be with Jacky from the plane.

Manila International Airport, Ruthie, and Juan arrived. They wait for their luggage from the rotating baggage carousel.

"Surprise!"

"Jacky!" Ruthie surprised.

Jacky embraced both Juan and Ruthie.

"When did you arrived?" Juan asked smiling.

"Just now!" Jacky smiling.

"As we talked an hour ago at the airport you are also at the airport? You are really a surprise!" Juan said.

"Let's eat!" Jacky shouted and they pull their baggage to a nearby Korean Restaurant.

"I'm so happy to see you, I missed you so much. I'm daydreaming about you on the plane."

"Don't be naughty Juan" Jacky teasing him.

"What naughty? Hey, do you think I'm a pervert? You are embarrassing me, Jacky." Juan defensive.

Ruthie smiling. "You are like children!"

"After here, let's find the apartment, I've surf from the internet, let's find a cheap place to live." Juan talking to Ruthie.

Alicia Apartment

11 Begonia Street Rivera Village Brgy. 199 Zone, NAIA 1, Pasay, Luzon 1301 Philippines

"Let's get this apartment so we can leave our things, and we can go to places. We will now buy some food we can eat in the apartment. Then let's rest early after we have dinner so tomorrow we can start early." Juan said.

"I have some ramen, kimchi and I bought some sushi for our dinner. What more do you want?" Jacky said.

"I will get some pizza also. Ruthie said.

"OK, Tomorrow, we will visit our schools.

Met some new friends. Go to Luneta.

Let's familiarize our route. The motorcycle will arrive next week Then we can have a ride. For now let's rent a car and use GPS to guide us here in the city." Juan said.

They found the apartment. They checked in and they went out after freshening up.

They went to Luneta. Rested in the grass seated in a newspaper and look at the dancing fountain.

Jacky leaning on Juan's shoulder. Looking at the sun as it sets in the west. The air is cool, the background music is an OPM. There are lovers not far away kissing, hugging.

"I'm so happy that you are here, Jacky, I thought this will be a hard start here in manila. But because you are here, I'm relieved." Juan said.

"I've heard from the internet radio the war in General Santos against drug lords, tell me what happened. Why they gave you a plaque of appreciation and a farewell party means you have participated, right?" Jacky said.

Juan nodded.

"Tell me also of your heroic act of saving a pregnant woman giving birth in the train station? I'm proud of you Jacky." Juan said.

"Yes, love is the world's medicine for man's cruelty, to realize that we can change and be a better person through Christ," Jacky said.

"Let's make it our mission in life. What do you think? To help those criminals to know Christ, through the law and warn them that what they sow, they will reap, that crime does not pay. We will also help the victims to realize that Christ can help them and save them." Juan said.

"How would you let those criminals know about Christ?" Jacky said.

"I don't know yet specifically how. But, I know God will guide us of this difficult mission. I understand that Jesus loves even these criminals by saving the thief on the cross. The adulterous woman, the publican who prayed humbly, the woman at the well, Jesus want them to sin no more." Juan said.

"Yes, my love, and how we can help those who are victims of poverty, victims of injustice, diseases, and those who are in pain, depression, and hopelessness," Jacky said.

" I agree, every resource we can have, will be focused on how a man can help with the concept of Christ of using our resources to those who are in need," Juan said.

"Let's prepare for this big mission. Let's make ourselves capable by God's grace. Let's finish our courses so we can say in the end, in 2Tim 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, right?" Jacky said.

"Instead of focusing on ourselves, let's focus on others' needs. I know God will also focus on our needs and grant us joy, peace, and hope in every situation. When our neighbor is happy, we are happy." Juan said.

"Yes, happy in the Lord!" Jacky said.

"I'm sleepy, Juan," Jacky said.

"Sleep for a while, let's go home after this song in the Luneta sound system," Juan said.

Jacky changed position and lay her head in Juan's lap who is sitting. Sleeping in a plastic sheet they rented from a girl offering something to sit or lie on in the park that they will clean up after using.

The Music in the background sang by "Bread" the song:

"Make it with you"

Juan is stroking the hair of Jacky as she sleeps in his lap. "I want to make these dreams happen with you."

Music sings... in the air sounds... second stanza...

"No, you don't know me well,

In every little thing only time will tell,

If you believe the things that I do.

And we'll see it through.

Life can be short or long,

Love can be right or wrong,

And if I choose the one

I'd like to help me through,

I'd like to make it with you

I really think that we can make it girl.

Baby you know that

Dreams they're for those who sleep,

Life is for us to keep

And if I choose the one

I'd like to help me through,

I'd like to make it with you

I really think that we can make it girl."

"You know, I want to see you in white..." Juan was saying Jacky interrupted.

"In a wedding gown? Yes!" Jacky said.

"No, I mean, you are interrupting me, I mean, Yes, I love you so much in a wedding gown! Juan is saying tickling Jacky in the arm pit.

" He he he... No, please ha ha ha! Jacky tickled.

" You said in a white gown right?" Jacky teasing him.

"Yes, I love to see you at a wedding gown and to make love to you! But we need to wait, remember we are still wearing our purity rings and we are determined to finish our course" Juan said.

"So, what do you mean of the white gown?" Jacky said.

"I want to see you in a white gown with a stethoscope that I have given you in your first year in college," Juan said.

"OK, then, you must visit me in Japan," Jacky said excitedly.

" I wish..." Juan said.

Ruthie already is asleep.

"Ruthie was tired, I think we need to go to the apartment already," Jackie said.

The spray of water in the dancing fountain with synchronized colored lights in the music in the background.

"Ruthie let's go" Juan waking Ruthie up.

Ruthie waking up and looking in her watch. She stands up and went with them to the taxi they stopped.

They arrived in the Apartment, it's clean and it's cozy.

Jacky in the microwave oven rented from the apartment, cooked some ramen and prepared the sushi, wasabi and soy sauce she had prepared the fresh vegetable salad with Ceasar's salad sauce and some cans of pineapple juice with passion fruit.

They had their supper.

"Wow, this is the perfect food! I'm hungry!" Juan said and kissed Jacky in the checks.

Jacky blushed.

Ruthie coming out from the room.

"Wow! Let's eat! Thank you, Jacky, I love you, why your face is so red? Let's forget about the pizza, this is already good." Ruthie said.

Jacky smiled.

"You're welcome!" Jacky replied.