Chapter 24

Day 3 in the Past; Third Hour in Time.

There are certain times in life when all that matters is never to give up, but just to keep pushing. That's one lesson Andy, himself, had learnt to live with.

Inventing was cool and funny, but none ever denied the fact that it was also very stressful. Nevertheless, never a reason to let go even when it seemed impossible.

And as his mother had always put it, "If you've got a goal, never let up on it, pursue it till you know you've had it in your hand. And after having it, make sure it was worth the stress." He never forgot those words. Even after so many years, they still remained valid to him.

Balancing his teenage life with his goals had never been an easy score for Andy. Yet, he still managed to pull through. He was weird, the whole school knew he was, yet another truth for sure was that this weirdo was one cherished weirdo.

Every time Andy failed on something he was working on, he always found his failure as a challenge to test his trained capacity. And this always propelled much more better efforts. And better efforts, in turn, creates a perfect work.

Whenever he was working on a project that seemed as good as impossible, he always recited - most times, silently - a nursery rhyme he'd learnt when he was much younger: "I shall do my best, untill my good is better, and my better's best."

Doing his best was what brought him here, and he was so happy he was achieving the desired results, despite the extreme difficulties attached to it.

Aren't the best dreams said to be when one was awake?

Andy was smiling broadly after he'd successfully connected the body parts of Enboe-21, carefully cleaning the body with a napkin. He gave the robot a tap on its head with his middle finger, then adjusted his glasses. He wasn't planning on activating it right away.

"Not yet," he repeated to himself.

The robot was about Andy's height, only an inch taller.

He dropped his buttocks to a nearby bench, and gave his legs a big stretch.

The day was breezy, and it was just what he needed. As he was seated, he thought about Harry.

He felt a little guilty for not even saving a moment to think about his pal. Anderson smiled when he thought of how amazed the latter would be after seeing Enboe-21.

"An invention like no other."

Raising his head up to admire the buildings around him, a flash of Jocelyn's image passed his head. And then he totally became oblivious to his immediate surrounding, thinking of her.

He felt sad realising he'd never made time to speak with his childhood friend. Whenever something happened to him, Joce was the first to show she cared. And him? He never made up for it.

She was very close to his mother, and was even a student of her.

Andy remembered times, long ago, when they'd compete against one another in surfing. Jocelyn was always far better off, even though he never accepted defeat.

He'd always claimed it "cheating", while the pretty girl just laughed at his failure.

He smiled. The more he thought about Jocelyn, the more he found it difficult to avoid thinking about his mother. Anytime he eventually did, he always felt a deep stab in his chest.

Andy had the whole blame on himself. He told himself that if only he'd agreed to go surfing with his mother when she'd asked, and not laughing away to play beach ball with his father, he'd probably have been able to save her.

"If only I could turn back the hands of time," he told himself as he fiddled with his watch, head bowed.

Then a thought struck him. . .

"Kiddo!"

He raised his head to the already familiar voice.

Einstein was putting on a black overall over a blue Polo tee-shirt. His hair was scattered, as usual, and he had a smile which made it that all of his teeth were visible. Andy found it difficult suppressing his grin.

He had in one hand, a can of paint, while dangling in the other hand was a basket of treats. He stretched both hands sideways, like a scarecrow.

Andy stood up from the bench, dusting his hands on the back of his trouser. He was smiling ear-to-ear.

"Welcome back!"

"I got this, right here, for you. . .while for the paint, it's been lying under my bed for years, I just thought the robot might need 'em."

The expression on Andy's face showed he was sincerely grateful. "Oh, thanks a lot, Sir. It means a lot. . .Enboe-21, did you hear that? You're going to get a good look today."

He freed Einstein of the things in his hands; dropping the paint can on the floor, while the basket of treats were placed on a table.

Andy packed a handful of treats, for a start, and began munching with his eyes closed.

"It's been a while since I had some of these," Andy said.

Einstein chuckled. "It's kinda obvious. . .I see you've got that thing all joined up-"

"Connected," Andy rephrased. "It's just the knots, it's deactivated for now."

Einstein nodded.

"The tech is just so impressive," Andy remarked. "I wouldn't have done it without you."

Einstein waved it off. He then added, "But something's missing."

Andy turned his eyes to the invention, but could not pinpoint an obstacle, save for some misplaced knots.

"I don't think so - it's perfect."

Einstein advanced to it, then said something about some unbalanced units or the likes. And he concluded by saying, "You said something about a QED you have at home."

"Oh, that's right. I'd even forgotten 'bout that in a hurry-"

"You shouldn't, it's what would make this whole thing a 'parfait'." The old man deeped his hand in his pocket and drew out some pieces of coins. Extending it to Andy, he said, "Here, go get me a bottle of vinegar from the store down the street, I forgot to do so while coming. I hope you don't mind."

Andy received the money with an outspread palm, assuring the older man that it was nothing. He added that he even needed a little fresh air.

THE STORE for vinegar was not hard to find, and hence, Andy was in and out in no time. The Albert's home was down the road from the store, on the first curve; about a two-minute walk.

As he returned with the bottle of vinegar in his hand, he observed the alternative streets to see if he could cut the walk short like Einstein does. He took to a curve on his left, hoping it was just the right one he was taking. The alternative road was solitary, and hence, there were none in it.

He hummed a song as he walked, quickly yet meticulous. He sudden began to hear his footsteps sound as though they were doubled. He slowed down so he could be sure, and then there was silence. Impulsively, he turned over his shoulders but could see no one. He really felt he was being followed, so he doubled his pace. Again, the doubled footsteps were heard. This time, he began to run to the end of the alternative street so he could get into the main road.

And just as he ran, he heard the footsteps behind him advance closer. Looking back, he saw an old, familiar shaggy-looking person on his heels. Andy stopped himself and faced the old man who was chasing him. And just as the old man flashed an artificial tooth under an evil smile, then was it that Andy remembered the man.

"You?"

The old man spread out his arms as he advanced closer. "Yes, me."

"You're the old man I met the other day. . .why are you following me?"

The man let out a dreadful laughter.

"Why! Well, we have an unfinished business."

Puzzled, Anderson positioned himself in combat posture - one leg forward, the other backwards; both hands fisted, one arm forward, the other backwards. He traced the old man's eyes to his wrist.

"You want this-" said Anderson, raising his left hand up, "then you'll have to come and get it yourself."

The man smiled, once again.

"Who said anything about getting it myself being the only option? I could probably ask help from some friends-" he whistled loudly, assisted by two fingers in his mouth.

Anderson looked over his head and over his shoulders but couldn't see anyone.

"Look, I don't have time for all these, I've got to be somewhere else." And just as the lad turned around, his instincts made him miss a quick blow from behind him. And just as he thought he was already outwitting the thug, he realised that there were five more behind that one. On the other side, there was just the old man, so he advanced with full speed towards him and ran on the side of the wall of the narrow street, landing successively over the man's shoulders. He ran headstart to the main road from where he'd come through, though fearing that he might be blocked at that end.

Out, he ran with full speed, hoping they would stop following. But these were resolved. To worsen the whole situation, they began to cry "sabotage!" on him.

"That fellow is a traitor against the Germans, he's British! He's a spy! Don't let him run away!"

Anderson knew better than to try defending himself, so he continued running to the Albert's, without stopping to look behind him. He could hear lots of people running against him, but he wasn't discouraged.

The ever far home of Albert Einstein just seemed to pop its head around the corner in no time. He was more than joyed to see the gates. He yanked it open and locked it quickly, running to meet Einstein and Marić.

The shrill from the mob outside had already attracted the couple. In a rushed breath, Anderson explained that he had to get away from there as soon as possible. And since there was no exit, Marić suggested that he returned to his home. Andy retrieved his robot and the paint, in no time. He hugged them both, and told them the truth about what would happen, and how they'd never know they ever met him, once he returned to his time; that they'd be hypnotised and their time would return back to the day he'd come into their lives. He pushed the vinegar to Einstein and gave him a bear hug.

"Thanks for everything; you've been my hero."

The mob from outside was already breaking the gate, bit by bit.

"Son, don't forget this when you arrive home: I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."

Marić smiled and placed her palm on his cheek.

"I've nothing to say save for this, that my husband always says: The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."

Andy nodded and embraced her tightly.

"I'll never forget you both." To his Smart Watch, he ordered, "Take me back to my time, my mission here is over, and leave no single err in Time; as though I never came here-"

"Are you sure of this?" the Smart Watch asked.

Anderson turned to look at the teary-eyed faces of the duo, then said affirmatively, "Yes."

"Processing in 3. . ."

The mob finally broke the gate.

". . .2. . ."

"Seize him!" ordered the old man.

". . .1!"

There was a kind of time-bomb-like explosion, and then, there was total silence and blackout.