"Okay, Aditya... Well, I will ask you this question first: Are you familiar with Darwin's theory of evolution?" Aisyah asked Aditya.
"Oh, yeah, I'm familiar," Aditya replied.
"So, what do you know about it?" Aisyah inquired with another question.
"From my understanding, the theory of evolution explains how living beings were able to reach this point through evolution over a very long period and process," Aditya replied.
"Yeah, that's the main idea. But this theory has faced significant challenges, provoking skepticism from certain groups, especially religious ones," Aisyah elaborated.
"In the early 1900s, Darwin's theory of evolution not only gained tremendous traction, captivating the fascination of both the scientific community and the public but also sparked significant controversy. Within this theory emerged a captivating concept known as the 'missing link.' It proposed that humans, in their earliest form, originated as a single-cell being in the initial phase of evolution and gradually transformed into the modern human we recognize today, progressing through 24 distinct phases.
Remarkably, the evolutionary journey from phases 1 to 24 has been meticulously identified, except for phase 23—the pivotal moment marking the transition into Homo sapiens. This elusive phase has been coined the 'missing link.' Adding to the intrigue, Ernst Haeckel, the visionary behind this concept, asserted that the fossil representing the missing link could be found in Southeast Asia. This notion prompted a wave of fervent scientific exploration as numerous researchers and biologists endeavored to unravel the mysteries surrounding the elusive 23rd phase, intensifying the quest to solve the enigma of the missing link."
"But what if, Aditya, every story I've shared with you was a grand deception? What if I revealed that Ernst Haeckel and a group of scientists propagated a misconception, suggesting that humans, or any living being, evolve along a linear path? This fallacy extends further, leading to the erroneous belief that our evolutionary predecessors were monkeys. In truth, that notion is entirely incorrect. The accurate understanding is this: we and monkeys share common ancestors, but not necessarily identical evolutionary pathways."
"So, evolution isn't a linear path but more akin to branches of a tree," Aisyah elucidated.
"Oh, that's intriguing, very intriguing. I understand that this research will dissect why our human civilization lost its way in tracking the duration of our existence in this world. Despite our ability to gather information about the human period up to 2020, the timeline becomes blurred thereafter, and we've ultimately lost track of our own time. Your narrative and our current predicament bear striking similarities, don't they?" Aditya shared his perspective.
"Yup, exactly. My research name was inspired by this fraudulent theory, the missing link. Given our current condition, it's disheartening to witness people fixate solely on the mystery of God's identity. I took this job primarily to delve into the technological edge the system offers for my own research. Anything related to God, I simply term as an 'entity.' The missing link period, for me, has been an intriguing enigma, a mysterious puzzle that ignites my intellectual curiosity. And in my opinion, the connection between the missing link and this 'entity' is robust. Let me share some of my hypotheses..."
Before Aisyah could elaborate further, she was interrupted by Aditya.
"Wait, hold on, Aisyah. I'm sorry; our conversation ends here. I've been summoned by the system."
"Oh, that's fine. Feel free to call me when you're ready to continue this topic. Besides, I've already earned my free day," Aisyah expressed with a light-hearted tone.
"Regardless, I've learned something from you, and I agree with your perspective. As someone directly working with the system, I believe society today fails to engage their minds in recognizing our basic situation."
"Alright, thanks for your time and service. By the way, you guys get... A week break! This information is invaluable for us. Thank you," Aditya further explained.
"Wow, a week? Thank you so much," Aisyah expressed her gratitude.
Aisyah and Aditya packed their things, ready to depart.
"Sure, Aisyah, I hope for the best. Bye!"
"Yeah, bye!" Aisyah replied.
Finally, the report was sent, and Aisyah prepared to deliver this happy news to Isa. She walked outside the coffee shop and immediately spotted Isa in front of the entrance.
"Hmm? Oh, are we done here, Aisyah?" Isa inquired.
"Yup, we're done here, and surprisingly, we got a week break!" Aisyah delivered the good news.
"Good, it's a bit overkill for me," Isa replied.
"Ah, don't be such a workaholic, Isa," Aisyah expressed her thoughts.
Both of them were ready to spend some time together, especially Isa, who had never truly experienced this world. Aisyah suggested, "Well, Isa, I think our first step should be introducing you to my friends. I hope she can join us."
"Yeah, sure, why not. This is your free time," Isa simply replied.
Aisyah's friend lived a mile away from their current location in a small town in Central Java, Pati.
"Alright, so let's start this journey, shall we?" They took off, heading to the nearest train station using a GoCar, as it was apparently a 2-hour walk. After arriving at the train station, they immediately purchased tickets for Jakarta to Semarang, the main city of Central Java.
The train station buzzed with activity, the air thick and warm. They found themselves waiting for what felt like an eternity. Isa, expressing his frustration, remarked, "If this were Japan, they'd probably fire the entire train crew for being this late." Aisyah, accustomed to such daily conditions, remained unfazed.
The prolonged wait ended as the train finally arrived. Both of them stepped aboard, and Isa couldn't help but express his relief, saying, "Thanks, God, it's finally here."
Aisyah shared a thoughtful consideration, "By the way, I booked the executive class since it's going to be a long trip. So, have some rest, Isa."
The executive class offered spacious reclining chairs that could transform into beds, providing a much-needed opportunity for Isa and Aisyah to rest after their extensive work and journey.
After enduring a 30-minute wait at the train station and embarking on a 5-hour journey, they finally reached Semarang. Aisyah stirred from her quick nap, while Isa, on the other hand, remained vigilant throughout the trip.
Stepping outside the train, Isa couldn't help but voice the question lingering in his mind, "Ummm, now what are we going to do?"
Aisyah assured him, "I've already informed my friends to pick us up here. She should be around here."
As they strolled along, a captivating woman with a white hijab caught their attention, waving and shouting in their direction, "Aisyah?! Over here!"
Aisyah recognized the familiar voice and hurriedly approached, "Haiii, Nadiya! Such a long time no see! Wow,
you look taller now."
Aisyah greeted her friend warmly. "By the way, I want to introduce you to my coworker, Isa. This is Nadiya."
Isa, well-versed in Aisyah's cultural preferences, greeted Nadiya respectfully, making sure not to repeat the mistakes of their initial encounter.
Isa performed a slight bow, refraining from extending a handshake. "Hai, Nadiya. Nice to meet you," he greeted with respect.
Nadiya responded warmly, "Hai, Isa. Nice to meet you too." Despite being older at 20, she maintained a friendly demeanor, now legally able to drive a car, a distinction not lost on Isa and Aisyah, who were both 17 years old.
Nadiya took the wheel, reassuring Isa and Aisyah, "Alright, there's still a 2-hour drive. I'll be the one driving; you guys can relax in the back seat."
The journey continued on the toll road towards Pati City. Aisyah and Nadiya engaged in lively conversation, reminiscing about past memories. Nadiya, curious, turned to Isa and asked, "So, Isa, you must be pretty strong to guide Aisyah. What's your natural power?"
Isa responded nonchalantly, "I just travel fast, that's it."
Aisyah intervened, attempting to boost Isa's confidence, "No, it's more than that. Isa has saved me multiple times during our missions. Stop making yourself look bad."
"You're right, Aisyah. I'm glad someone like you, Isa, is always by my little sister's side, especially when those terrorists were still out there. Thank you," Nadia added, expressing her gratitude and trying to lift Isa's spirits.
Nadia continued, "As for me, my natural power is creating explosions. Kind of messy, isn't it? But I've never used it. It's more like I haven't found reasons to do so."
Nadia was one of the few people who chose not to erase their memories. It's important to note that in this world, the rules for retaining one's memories were stringent. Individuals had to pass specific qualifications to avoid disrupting the overall experience. Aisyah, Isa, and Nadia were among those who successfully met these qualifications.
During the journey, both Aisyah and Nadia engaged in a lively and nostalgic conversation, while Isa sat and listened attentively. As they reached Pati, their hometown and final destination, Aisyah couldn't help but express her nostalgic sentiments.
"Oh wow, it hasn't changed much, has it?" she remarked.
"Yeah, Aisyah. I hope we can spend time together again in this city," Nadia replied warmly.
They proceeded to the hotel for a well-deserved rest, as they planned to continue their schedule the next day. Aisyah mentioned, "I've booked two rooms for us. Isa, you'll have your own room tonight, and I'll take over your duty to guard my little sister for one night. Sounds like a plan?"
Isa responded with a small smile and a nod, "Yeah, sounds like a good plan, Nadia."
Now, Aisyah and Nadia were in their room, and it was 6 o'clock, signaling the end of the Muslim fasting. Concerned about Aisyah's fasting schedule due to her frequent travels at the speed of light, Nadia inquired, 'Aisyah, you must have a challenging fasting schedule with all your high-speed traveling. How do you manage that?'
Aisyah explained, 'Yeah, it can be overwhelming. My strategy is to predict where the place I'm heading will end up. For instance, today, I traveled from Japan to Indonesia at the speed of light. So after I break my fast, I immediately have my 'sahur.' Wherever I end up, when the sun goes down, that's still my indicator for breaking my fast.'
Nadia chuckled and remarked, 'Ah, I see. It sounds like cheating, but it's actually valid since you don't know where you're going to end up. You're lucky because in Indonesia, we have a relatively short period of daylight. But if you end up in a place that maybe doesn't have night, it could be challenging for you.'
Aisyah elaborated further, 'And, yeah, in case you're wondering, I never ask Isa to place me in a specific position. Wherever I go, I always follow those rules.'
The next day, after a well-rested night at the hotel, Aisyah and Nadia were eager to introduce Isa to the place where they were raised. They packed their things and prepared to embark on their journey. In Isa's mind, there was a lingering curiosity about Aisyah's origin, considering they were two individuals tasked by the system who had never met before.
After a few minutes of travel, they reached their destination. Isa was slightly taken aback to discover that the place they were headed was... an orphanage.