The café wasn't too crowded. Soft acoustic music played from a speaker in the corner, blending with the occasional hum of the espresso machine. The aroma of coffee mixed with the warm scent of wood from the tables. Marlon, Riri, and Romo sat near a large window, letting the golden afternoon sunlight wash over their faces.
Marlon stirred his coffee slowly, as if searching for the right words to begin the conversation."I found an interesting paradox," he finally said, putting down his spoon and looking at his two friends."Our bodies need oxygen to live. But at the same time, oxygen also damages our cells, makes us age, and eventually leads us to death."
Riri leaned back in her chair, gazing at Marlon thoughtfully."So… we live because of something that also kills us?"
"More or less," Marlon nodded. "Oxygen is life, but it's also a slow death."
Romo raised an eyebrow."But isn't that just a natural process? We age, whether there's oxygen or not."
"True. But imagine if something essential to life also brings about the exact opposite of what we want," Marlon rested his elbows on the table, fingers interlaced."Like what we've seen in the market. People there hold tightly to morals and religious teachings, yet still do things that contradict them. It's a part of their lives—just like oxygen is for our bodies."
Riri tapped her fingers on the table."So you mean… good and evil can come from the same source?"
Marlon gave a small smile."You could say that. In the market, we saw how sincerely they pray, yet they're also willing to manipulate prices or use charms to boost sales. Just like oxygen. Necessary, but with side effects."
Romo sighed, took his coffee cup, blew on the surface, then took a sip."Then should we try to eliminate that paradox? Or just accept it as something unavoidable?"
Marlon fell silent. It was a tough question.
Riri shrugged."Maybe it's not about accepting or eliminating it, but understanding it. We always want to fix things, but sometimes we don't realize that what we're trying to fix is actually part of the balance itself."
The mood between them grew more contemplative. Outside the window, campus traffic moved as usual. Students passed by, busy with their own lives.
Marlon took a deep breath, eyes blankly staring into his coffee."Then what about the market? Can we really change anything there, or are we just spinning within the same paradox?"
Riri tapped her fingers again on the table, her gaze still fixed on Marlon."So you mean… we just have to accept all of this? There's nothing we can do?"
Marlon sighed, looking out the window. The sun had started leaning westward, casting a warm orange glow across the sky."It's not about whether we can or can't. It's about the cycle." He looked back at them, his voice deeper, calmer."We could try to improve their selling practices. For example, push for more transparent pricing, discourage the use of charms, or build a more honest system."
"But?" Romo narrowed his eyes, knowing there was more to come.
"But that would increase their economic burden," Marlon continued."More transparent prices might mean smaller profits. Without charms, they might lose customers. And if the system becomes stricter, some of them won't survive. In the end, they'll return to the old ways—or the market itself will collapse and be reborn with the same patterns."
Riri pressed her lips together."So… everything we do just brings us back to the starting point?"
Marlon nodded slowly."Yes. It's just a cycle. We think we can change it, but the change only creates new consequences that eventually return everything to its original form. Like oxygen. We need it to live, but it also makes us age and die. The market is the same. There's something wrong, but the system survives because that's what allows them to keep living."
Romo rubbed his chin."Then what should we do?"
Marlon shrugged."Maybe we can only understand, not fix. Or, if we want to be extreme—break the cycle completely and let something new form. But even that might not be better."
Riri stared into her coffee, as if looking for answers in the dark liquid."So what we did in the market… was pointless?"
Marlon was silent for a moment, then shook his head."Not at all. We learned how the world works. We realized that good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes. And that realization itself... maybe that's enough to make us wiser in seeing the world."
The three of them fell silent, lost in their thoughts. Outside, the sounds of passing vehicles mixed with the wind rustling the leaves. The coffee in their cups began to cool, like their fading sense of enthusiasm, turning slowly into deeper confusion.
Riri stared blankly at her cup, fingers circling the small spoon inside it."I once heard something in the business world," she said softly, yet clearly enough to draw Marlon and Romo's attention."They say, if you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. You can't just stay where you are. You have to keep moving."
Marlon looked at her for a moment, then nodded."Yeah, that's a common principle in business. Stagnation is seen as just as bad as decline. If we don't grow, we'll be left behind."
Riri sighed, then looked at both of them."Then… is that also part of the cycle we were talking about? That we're forced to keep moving, even if we know we'll end up back where we started?"
Romo leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest."Maybe it's not a cycle, but more like an illusion of progress. We feel like we're moving forward, but really we're just spinning inside the same system."
Marlon gave a faint smile, impressed by the direction of the conversation."It's like a treadmill. We can run as fast as we want, but we're still in the same place."
Riri frowned."Then what should we do? If we stop moving, we fall. If we keep moving, we're stuck in a system we can't change. It's… exhausting."
Marlon tapped his fingers on the table, thinking for a moment before replying."Maybe it's not about moving or not moving. It's about being aware of the motion itself. Most people don't realize they're on a treadmill. They just keep running because they're afraid to fall. But if we're aware, maybe we can choose where we want to go… or at least decide whether we truly want to keep running."
Romo chuckled lightly, shaking his head."You talk as if there's a real choice we can make. But in reality, we're still trapped in this system."
Marlon shrugged."At least we know we're trapped. That's already better than blindly running."
Riri leaned her head against the back of her chair, eyes tracing the wood-patterned ceiling of the café."So life is just about realizing that we can't escape the circle?"
A quiet pause followed. Outside the window, the sun sank lower, casting long shadows of the campus buildings across the street.
Romo sighed, sipping his nearly cold coffee."Or… maybe life is about finding a way to enjoy the circle."
Marlon looked out the window, watching the people walking past. The lowering sun created long silhouettes on the road, as if reminding them how time keeps moving regardless of anyone. He exhaled slowly, then leaned back in his chair.
"Have you ever realized," he said, his voice lower than before,"that the only thing we can really do… is become aware that we're in a cage?"
Riri and Romo looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
"We're always taught about free will, as if we have complete control over our lives," Marlon continued. "But the more I study philosophy, the more I realize… free will might just be an illusion. Our lives are actually shaped by things around us—economic systems, culture, religion, even the laws of nature. We think we have choices, but those choices were already set from the start."
Riri raised her eyebrows. "That sounds kind of pessimistic."
Marlon gave a slight smile, but his eyes remained serious. "Because that's how it really is. We always talk about change, about how humans can make the world better. But in reality, every change only brings us to a new condition that could be better—or worse. We never truly know where that change will lead us."
Romo took a sip of his coffee, thinking for a moment before speaking. "So you're saying… we can't really bring about change?"
Marlon shook his head slowly. "Not that we can't. But we can't determine whether that change will end well or badly. Every revolution brings hope, but also destruction. Every progress comes with a price. We can only move forward, hope, and watch where it all leads. But full control? That's never in our hands."
Riri looked at Marlon quietly, then glanced at Romo, as if wanting to see if they shared the same thought.
"If that's the case," Riri said softly, "what's the point of bothering to care? If we can't really change anything, if all of this just spins in a cycle beyond our control… why should we keep trying?"
Marlon was silent for a moment, staring at his nearly empty cup.
"Because we are human," he finally replied. "Because even though we know we don't have full control, we still have the drive to try."
The café grew quieter. Outside, the sky began to change colors, slowly turning toward dusk.
Marlon exhaled, his eyes staring blankly out the window. "I once heard," he said softly, "if human hope could be reduced to zero, maybe we would all feel happy." He bowed his head briefly, trying to digest his own thoughts. "But," he continued, "I think that's just an illusion. Without hope, what's the point of living?"
Riri and Romo fell silent, pondering Marlon's words. In the quiet, the sound of the coffee machine and distant conversations from other tables filled the café.
"Maybe there's some truth to that," Riri finally said. "Hope gives us purpose, motivation to keep going. Without it, life can feel empty."
Romo added, "But isn't too much hope also something that can lead to disappointment? Maybe there's a balance we need to find."
Marlon nodded, his eyes returning to his coffee cup. "Maybe," he murmured. "But how do we find that balance in a world that seems to demand we keep hoping and striving more?"
The atmosphere fell silent again, each lost in their own thoughts, trying to understand the complexity of hope and happiness in this paradox-filled life.
Romo leaned back in his chair, adjusting to a more comfortable position, then began in a calmer tone. "From a religious point of view," he said, "we live to worship. Everything we do should essentially be to seek God's approval. Our hopes might not be fulfilled in this world, but that's not the ultimate goal."
Marlon listened attentively, though his expression still held doubt. "So, our hope should align with God's hope? If that's so, what's the difference between our life and just following a predetermined fate?"
Romo smiled faintly, as if he expected that question. "It's not a fate set without choice," he answered, "but we are given the freedom to choose our path, yet still within the framework of values that have been established. Worship isn't just about rituals, but about living meaningfully, with sincere intentions to gain His approval. Thus, our life has a purpose greater than just worldly hope."
Riri nodded slowly, still trying to digest it. "So, life isn't about achieving personal happiness, but more about succeeding in fulfilling our duties as servants?"
Romo nodded. "Exactly. True happiness in religious view isn't the happiness gained from worldly achievements alone. It comes from the inner peace we feel when we know we have tried our best to live according to His teachings. And even though this world is full of paradoxes, there is peace that comes when we truly realize our life's purpose is bigger than ourselves."
Marlon was silent, trying to absorb Romo's words. "But, can that really calm us, Mo?" he asked. "When can we truly feel that we have achieved that inner peace?"
Romo looked at Marlon gently. "Maybe it's not something that can be achieved instantly. That peace comes slowly, through a continuous process. It's not easy, and maybe never perfect. But if we realize that our life is not just about seeking our own happiness, but also about benefiting others, living with the right intentions—maybe that's enough to give us a sense of calm."
The café was quiet again, only the sound of coffee dripping and the soft ticking of a clock in the background. Each of them was lost in thought, as if searching for a middle ground between hope, religion, and the paradoxes they faced.
Marlon looked at Romo with a serious gaze, as if a question that had long troubled his mind was finally coming out. "But," he said, "if we live to worship and seek God's approval, then why were we given feelings and emotions? Why did God create us with desires, with egos that often contradict our life's purpose?"
The atmosphere in the café felt a little more tense, and Riri waited carefully for Romo's answer. Romo leaned back deeper into his chair, his eyes fixed attentively on Marlon. He knew this was a deep question, and the answer wouldn't be simple.
"Emotions and human traits are part of God's perfect creation," Romo began speaking softly, yet with conviction. "Humans are not only creatures who can think and worship, but also beings who feel. God gave us emotions, not to confuse us, but to give us the capacity to learn and grow."
Marlon furrowed his brow. "But why? If emotions often take us far from our life's purpose, why would God give them to us?"
Romo took a deep breath. "Because emotions are part of life's test. Without emotions, we would never know what love, sadness, anger, or even happiness truly are. All of these teach us about ourselves, test our faith's steadfastness, and lead us closer to Him."
Riri joined in, trying to dig deeper. "But isn't emotion sometimes a barrier? When we get too caught up in our feelings, we can lose our way, even forget our life's purpose."
Romo nodded slowly. "Yes, that is the greatest challenge. Emotions can be confusing; they can lead us astray. But that's why we are given reason and heart that we can train. So that we learn to control our emotions, not suppress or ignore them. We must use emotions as tools to strengthen our faith—to become more patient, wiser, and more forgiving."
Marlon sighed, still pondering. "So, we can't avoid emotions; we have to learn to live alongside them?"
Romo smiled gently. "Exactly. Life isn't about eliminating emotions, but learning to manage them. God gave us all these feelings so we can better understand life, and ultimately, better understand Him. Without emotions, we might never know what it means to live with true meaning."
Riri tilted her head, her expression curious. "Meaningful in what way, Mo?" she asked cautiously. "Aren't we just seeking God's approval? Why do we have to 'give meaning' to life?"
Romo was silent for a moment, reflecting on her question. Sometimes his own words felt vague, like navigating a winding road. He looked into Riri's face, trying to grasp her question carefully.
"Riri," Romo finally said, his voice soft but full of meaning, "seeking God's approval is indeed our ultimate goal. But how we live this life, how we understand what God wills for us, is also part of that search."
Riri still seemed confused. "But if our goal is only to gain God's approval, why do we need to 'meaningfully' live life? Isn't that just an unnecessary extra?"
Romo gave a slight smile, as if he already anticipated her train of thought. "The meaning of life isn't about something extra or excessive, but about how we truly experience our journey. God's approval isn't something we get automatically. We have to understand it, live with the right intentions, and learn to appreciate every moment we have. That way, we know what God really wants from us."
Marlon interrupted, "So a meaningful life isn't just about 'what' we do, but also 'how' we do it?"
Romo nodded. "Exactly, Marlon. It's not about reaching a goal without caring how we get there. We can worship, do good deeds, but if we don't understand the essence of every step—patience, sincerity, sincerity—then we're just moving without true purpose."
Riri reflected, a little confused but starting to understand. "So we really have to understand the process, not just focus on the final goal?"
"Right," Romo replied, "Because God's approval isn't just about the end result, but about our journey. Every step we take, every action we do, must be filled with sincere intention. That's what will give meaning to our lives."
Marlon looked at Romo with a serious gaze, filled with unanswered questions. "But Mo," he said, his voice full of confusion, "from what I see in this country, which is said to have the largest Muslim population in the world, why is there still so much chaos? As if the teachings we received don't really lead to peace."
Romo fell silent for a moment, realizing this was a question bigger than a simple discussion. Marlon continued, "And if we look at research, the countries considered most Islamic are actually Nordic countries like Denmark, Norway, and others. They are more peaceful, more advanced, more just, while here we often face chaos and injustice. What's really wrong, Mo, in how we interpret the life taught to us in this country?"