Second Meeting
The next day, Evan waited in the office lobby, glancing at his watch every now and then. This wasn't just a typical business meeting, but he still made sure to look professional. After all, it was the first time he was managing a project on his own—even if it was just the office garden.
The glass doors slid open, and Nadira walked in. She wore a simple white blouse and black pants, holding a tablet in her hand. There was no friendly expression on her face, only the same evaluative gaze she had when they first met.
"So, what needs fixing?" she asked without preamble.
Evan gave a faint smile. "Nice to see you again too, Nadira."
She scoffed softly but didn't reply. "If you just needed an excuse to see me, you didn't have to call me out here, Evan."
Evan chuckled. "What if I told you this office really needs a fresher landscape? Would you believe me?"
Nadira glanced outside, toward the small garden in front of the building. "I'll judge for myself."
They walked out, and Nadira began inspecting every corner of the garden. She took photos, scribbled something on her tablet, then crouched down to check the soil.
"The soil's poor, the grass grows randomly, and there's no coherent design at all," she commented. "What kind of atmosphere are you aiming for?"
Evan shrugged. "I'm not the expert. I'm leaving that to you."
Nadira gave him a skeptical look. "No preferences at all? Formal, casual, minimalist, or maybe a garden that can double as an outdoor meeting area?"
Evan paused to think. "An outdoor meeting space sounds interesting. Is that possible?"
"Everything's possible," Nadira replied casually. "But so is the cost, Evan."
He laughed. "You really mean business, huh?"
"I don't waste time on things that won't yield results," she said, closing her tablet. "I'll draft a design concept and cost estimate. Give me two days."
Evan nodded. "Deal. Send it to my email."
Nadira glanced at him briefly before extending her hand. "Alright. Let's hope this turns into a good collaboration."
Evan shook her hand, and at that moment, he felt something different. This wasn't just about the garden. There was something about Nadira that made him want to know her more.
As Nadira walked away, Reza suddenly appeared from the office door.
"Told you," he said, nudging Evan. "She's all business. No way you can use the 'just wanted to get to know you' trick on her."
Evan gave a small smile, his eyes still following Nadira's figure in the distance. "Who says I need a trick?"
Reza laughed. "Careful, bro. She's not the kind of girl you can approach easily."
Evan just smiled. That only made him more intrigued.
E5 – A Misalignment in Time
Reza knew Evan well. They were in the same batch at university, often did assignments together, and were equally ambitious in their careers. When Evan joined his father's company four years ago, Reza applied as well and got in. They grew together, building their careers and relying on each other.
But now, everything had changed.
Evan clearly remembered starting the job at the same time as Reza. But now, according to everyone, he had only worked there for three years, while Reza had been there for four. In other words, Reza was no longer his peer—he was like a senior who had already climbed the ranks.
And the strangest part? All the records backed this version.
The HR system, the work experience documents, even everyone's memories—including Reza's—said Evan had only worked there for three years.
As they walked back into the building after meeting Nadira, Evan couldn't help but ask, though he tried to sound casual.
"Hey, Za. Do you remember when we first joined the company together?"
Reza raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… we applied to the company at the same time, didn't we?"
Reza chuckled. "What? No way. I joined a year earlier, man. You came in after me."
Evan went silent. That wasn't the truth he remembered.
"Seriously, Za? I remember we were both fresh grads when we started here."
Reza shook his head with a smile. "I was a fresh grad. You… well, you joined a bit late because you were helping out with your family business, right?"
Evan couldn't argue. Because from Reza's point of view—and seemingly everyone else's—that was the truth now.
So, it wasn't just his birth date that had changed. Not just his position or past projects that had vanished. Even his personal history was slowly being rewritten to fit the "corrected" timeline.
But why?
The only thing that hadn't changed was himself—and his memory.
Evan let out a deep sigh. He needed to find a way to understand what was happening. But for now, there was something else that held his attention more strongly.
Nadira.
And at the moment, maybe it was better to focus on something that still felt real. Something he could still control.
For the first time since that strange birthday, he felt a clear sense of purpose: to understand who Nadira really was—and why he felt so drawn to her.
A Shifted Reality
Evan stared at his reflection in the office building's glass.
A young man, neatly combed hair, well-fitted suit, his face a little more mature than someone fresh out of college. But still, everyone saw him as a 25-year-old kid.
When in fact, if his life had gone normally, he should be 26 by now.
He should've been more established in this company. His name should still be listed in major projects. He shouldn't be just a junior who'd recently received a minor promotion.
But no.
Something had pulled him back. Not physically—he still had the same body and the same work experience—but administratively, historically, socially… he was no longer who he used to be.
In the HR database, he had only been employed for three years. In everyone's memories, he joined a year after Reza. His diploma now stated he graduated a year later. All his IDs now listed 1991 as his birth year, not 1990.
Even the government systems had adapted to this change—as if the world truly believed Evan was only 25.
But why did he still remember everything?
Was this some kind of curse? Or… was this a form of justice enforced by something greater?
He tried to recall. What exactly happened a year ago?
2015…
That was the year he finally got a key position in the company. The year he led the acquisition of Hendra's company. The year Hendra died of a heart attack after losing everything. The year Sienna left the country.
One year that changed everything.
And now, that year had been erased.
Not just the outcomes. Not just the achievements. But his very existence in those moments had been completely removed.
Without Evan, Hendra's company still fell and got acquired—but by someone else. Without Evan, Hendra still died—but not because of the stress Evan caused. Without Evan, Sienna was still alive—but she didn't leave the country.
Everything continued almost the same… except without him in the picture.
As if the world had erased his part from history, but carried on with the story anyway.
Evan tightened his grip on Nadira's business card, still in his hand.
"I need to find out more," he muttered.
Maybe he had to start with someone who still remembered him. But who?
If the world had rewritten his past, was there anyone else who still held a fragment of the truth?
He needed answers. And they wouldn't come from corporate records or administrative files.
They would come from someone who remembered him as he truly was.
But… who?