Time and Again

[38] The Return of the Come Back

Isabel went to the toilet and urinated. She was exhausted by Morris. She prayed that her next student would not be as exhausting as her third student. She went back inside her cubicle immediately and waited for her next student.

She waited 10 minutes but her student didn’t come. If her student would not arrive after 15 minutes, she would go to the library and spend her time preparing her lesson plan for the next day. It was already 3:30 pm and her student has not arrive yet. According to the rules of the school system, if the student or the teacher was more than 15 minutes late, they were already considered absent.

She put her books, marker and other teaching paraphernalia inside her bag. She zipped her bag. She picked her bag up. Before she was able to put her bag on her shoulder, she was surprised to see her next student. Her world froze for a few seconds. The bag dropped from her hand. She was oblivious to her surroundings. She was snapped back into reality when her student greeted her.

“Good afternoon, teacher.”

His voice was music to her ears; a melody she longed to hear from long time ago. 

“Yes. Good morning. I’m sorry. Good afternoon.” Isabel was rattled.

“Hi teacher, my name is Ken. I came from Thailand”

“Nice meeting you Ken. My name is Teacher Isabel.”

“Nice meeting you Teacher Isabel.”

Isabel forgot to reprimand her student despite the fact that he was 16 minutes late. She was carried away by his looks. He looked exactly like Emile except for his complexion. Emile was tan while Ken was fair. Their voices were also the same despite of the difference on their accents. All the memories that she had with Emile suddenly flashed back on her mind. It seemed like he came back from the dead. She was lost in complete reverie. 

Isabel was speechless. She cleared her throat. Her mouth was so dry. She tried to open her mouth for the words to come out but nothing came out. She cleared her throat again and started the ball rolling with her introductory question.

“Ken, why do you want to study English?”

“Teacher. Me forced by parents.”

Isabel was supposed to correct his grammar. As a woman of propriety, his answer was supposed to be a complete turnoff for her. Instead of listening to his words, she was only hearing the music.

“Why study?”

Isabel was influenced by Ken’s wrong grammar instead of her influencing him to speak the correct English grammar.

“Not wanting me study English. My parents wants study me English.”

Isabel wanted the time to freeze. She wanted to spend her lifetime staring at Ken’s comely countenance. If only there was a freeze button that she could press to stop the hands of time. She wanted to be suspended on his arms forever and never be apart again.

Isabel got carried away by her emotions. She didn’t notice the time. She got disappointed when the bell rang. She wanted to extend the class for another minute but she was afraid that her student would be bored to death and would not come back to her class again the next day. 

Isabel dismissed Ken. Her class ended successfully. Her day was complete because she saw the love of her life once again even if he was another person. 

Isabel went home with a smile plastered on her face. She was so inspired in preparing her lesson plan. She was so excited to start her class the next day so that she would see Ken again.  

Pretty knocked on Isabel’s apartment.

“How’s your day, Madam Isabel?”

“Oh, Pretty baby thank you so much for visiting me. I miss you.”

“I miss you too my pretty grannie. You seem so happy today.”

“If only you knew what happened to me today. I have great news to share to you.”

“Wow! No wonder there’s a big pretty smile on your face.”

“I already know the real purpose of the ancient clock.”

“That’s great! Have you found the prince charming who unraveled the mystery of the ancient clock?”

“You’re close. I found Emile’s doppelganger.”

Pretty’s mouth fell open. 

“This student of mine from Thailand looks exactly like Emile except for the complexion. Whenever he spoke, I could feel Emile’s presence. It seemed like he literally get up from the grave. His voice and tone were the exact same music I’ve heard from long time ago.”

“Maybe this is the purpose why Matilda gave you the ancient clock; to fulfill Emile’s promise of love to you. Do you remember when Matilda told you to trust that he will come back for you? Oh my God! This is it, Isabel. The wait is finally over. He truly came back for you. This is your ultimate chance to finish the love story you both weave together long time ago.” 

“What if everything is just a coincidence?”

“Come on, gran. Think positive. What do you think is the purpose why you turn back into a young lady?” 

“I don’t want to expect anymore. It might only hurt me.”

“Don’t say that. Everything happens for a reason. Don’t be like negatron; be optimist prime. This is now the greatest opportunity in your life to right the things that you missed. Would you let this moment slip away?”

Isabel looked at Pretty’s eyes.

“Maybe you’re right, Pretty baby. I hope everything will turn out fine.”

Isabel hugged Pretty.

“No worries, sister grannie. Everything will turn out fine. Just be patient. Wait. Think of optimist prime and you’re good.”

Pretty reassured Isabel returning back her hug.

“Thank you for visiting me, dearie. I don’t know what else I would do if you didn’t visit me.”

Pretty and Isabel ate the pizza that Pretty brought. They bid goodbye to each other.

Isabel turned back into an old woman gracefully at 12 midnight.