Clockworks of the Heart

Epilogue: Tick Tock

It's been a month since I decided to stop my ambitious efforts to change the past. Honestly, I'm surprised as to how fast I moved on from that day. A few days after my last time-travel, I hired a contractor to demolish my laboratory. For me to completely forget about all about my aspiration and to make my resolve stronger I left all my things in the laboratory as it was when I returned from my last travel for the rubbles to destroy when it gets demolished. After that, I rebuilt the place and let a newbie lawyer rent it as an office space.

I quit my job from the company and decided to work as a Physics teacher at UCL, where it all started. I had a little trouble getting an approval from my superior because it all happened suddenly. Honestly, my real purpose in working in such a company was so I can get the parts that I need for inventing the time machine easier and more accessible. I have to admit: even though I've already moved on from my time-traveling days, I always seem to end up in places where it all started. Right now, I'm on my way to the Physics Department with a faculty of the university by taking a shortcut through the library.

“It's an honor for someone like you to teach at our humble university. May I ask why you wanted to teach here instead of working in other fields?” my escort asked me with great curiosity in his eyes.

“My reason?” I stopped for a second to think for a valid reason. As expected, my memories of Elena and my time-traveling adventures flashed back into my mind. Even though it seemed like my story ended in a pitiful manner, I couldn't help but smile.

“I have a lot of precious memories in here,” I told him with a bitter-sweet smile on my face.

He stayed quiet afterwards. Maybe he noticed the distant tone I had when I said those words. After a while, we turned to a corner where literature of different countries can be found. I seldom came to this part of the library, because I only come anywhere near this place hoping to find Elena. I wondered whether she often came to this section of the library whenever she had the free time.

“Please do forgive me for bringing you through here,” he said, catching my attention.

"Uh, no, no... It's okay. I was the one who wanted to go through here. The faster we get to the Physics Department, the sooner we get back to our usual schedules."

I looked around imagining Elena reaching out for a book in one of the shelves or reading a book in one of the long tables. When I turned my head to one of the shelves, my eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar brunette hair while passing through the area. I went back on my way, not notifying my guide. Eyes widen in surprise as I saw the face of a familiar person. I came closer to her to make sure whether I'm mistaken or not. In the end, that person really does look like her.

“Elena...” I muttered her name with a face of disbelief.

“Pardon?” The lady with an older version of Elena's face turned around. When she saw me her eyes widened and gaped at the sight of me. “Daniel?” she asked with an unsure expression on her face.

“Ah, let me introduce you to her," said the voice from behind me. It looks like my guide finally noticed that I wasn't following him.

"She is Ms. Elena Portman. She is a prodigy, like you. However, her talents mainly focuses in the field of art, while yours focus in science. She just started teaching here last year after she published her book entitled “Clockworks of the Heart.” This university is very lucky to have two prodigies teaching here,” he explained.

“I see. Um...” I eyed him, hoping that he will get my message so I can be alone with this woman. Luckily, I wasn't much of a dunce as I thought he was, so he excused himself.

“I'll be taking my leave. I still have some things to do. Will you be okay by yourself?” he asked as he turned back.

“Yeah. This place hasn't changed much so I still know my way around. See ya around!”