The Future and The Past

The Future and
The Past

By Winnie

Six years old until now, I got used to
being alone. I never forgot the day when two
of my precious loved ones left me in the
accident. Everything was usual as I got to
class, took my lunch, skipped classes and
went back to the orphanage. However, little
did I know that today was no ordinary day.
When I got back to my dorm, I noticed a
weird person in the backyard who was
waving at me.

Out of curiosity, I walked toward him and
got the shock of my life. That person was
me, from the future. I noticed him once I saw
the cross-shaped birthmark on his neck. I
was amazed that in the future, time
machines had been invented. I chatted with
“the future me” and we had a great time
together.

It turns out, he was hoping to recall the
capsule box that I had hidden yesterday,
hoping to take it out in the future. I told him
the exact location and asked him a favour. I
asked eagerly, “Hey, if you have a time
machine, then why don’t we go back and
save mum and dad?” The future me was
shocked but he rejected my proposal
because it would go against the
time-travelling protocols.

I was furious at the future me as he gave up on
an opportunity to have a happier childhood. I
realised that it was no use arguing with myself
and thus I quickly ran to the time machine. The
second I got on to the time machine, I realised
that I could not operate it. The future me then
decides to take me back in time if I promise to
not interfere with any past events. I nodded
my head with the thought of seeing my
parents once again.

In a split second after operating the time
machine, I was brought back in time where I
was only born as a baby. I stayed outside
the hospital, watching them holding and
hugging me full of love. I felt grateful to have
parents who loved me so much, yet I had to
accept that they would leave me for good
after six years.

Suddenly, I saw my father stroking my cute
baby cheeks and said, “Dear Adam, how
grateful we are to have you in our hands. In
the future, wherever and whenever you are,
remember this, we love you”. Mum
continues, “Yes, Adam. You being born was
the luckiest thing that have ever happened
to us. Even if we can’t be with you in the
future, we will always be in your heart”.

After saying those words, they kissed
both my cheeks. I smiled as if they were
kissing my cheeks. Tears started to drop like
rivulets and I tried to wipe them off. I told the
future me that I was grateful for him to take
me here and was ready to return home. I bid
goodbye to the future me and was ready to
have my memories erased.

I closed my eyes and when I woke up, I
was lying on my bed. Looking out of the
window, the gentle wind and dancing
trees looked like they were happy for me.
Deep inside, I knew, I was being loved.

THE END