Chapter 3: An Unstoppable Determination

In a small village steeped in tradition and economic hardship, Ben grew up as a bright child. His parents believed in his abilities, but his father always said that no matter how much Ben studied, he would ultimately end up as a laborer. It wasn't because his father underestimated him, but because of his own bitter experiences.

Ben's father was a highly respected man in the village. He was known for his intelligence and had shown remarkable talent since childhood. However, fate had other plans. Financial limitations held him back, forcing him to suppress his dreams and accept reality as a laborer. On top of that, he had to endure the shame of his family's poverty. The same fate befell Ben's siblings. They were all smart but had to bury their dreams and focus on helping their parents in the fields and rice paddies.

But Ben was different. He refused to surrender to his circumstances. He was determined to nurture his intelligence in his own way. Secretly, he started finding ways to keep learning without raising suspicion. He became a homework jockey for his friends, did minor electronic repairs, and even sold game cheats. He also had a passion for Mini 4WD racing—a hobby that secretly honed his logic in mechanics and electronics.

The only person who truly believed in him was his grandmother. One night, when Ben felt hopeless, she sat beside him and held his hand tightly.

"Never give up, my child. Allah has given you a sharp mind, and that is a gift. Don't let anyone dim that light."

Ben looked at his grandmother, his eyes welling up with tears. He knew she was old. Sooner or later, he would lose the only person who genuinely supported him. But before that day came, he wanted to prove that he could change his fate.

The First Computer and Disaster at Home

When Ben was in sixth grade, he touched a computer for the first time. It was a life-changing moment. While his friends saw the computer as just another machine, Ben saw it as a device filled with endless possibilities. He understood its structure and workings quickly, as if something inside him had been wired for it since birth.

But this was not a good start. When his father noticed Ben's growing interest in computers, instead of being proud, he became suspicious. One day, when he caught Ben using a computer at a friend's house, an outburst was inevitable.

"Where did you get the money to rent a computer? Did you steal it?!" his father snapped.

"No, Father! I earned the money by helping people, doing homework, fixing TVs! I didn't steal!" Ben tried to explain, but his father wouldn't believe him.

SMAACK!

A harsh slap landed on his cheek. Ben staggered, feeling pain not just on his face but deep in his heart.

"You think I'm stupid?! A kid your age couldn't possibly make that much money!"

Ben wanted to cry, but he held it in. He knew that tears wouldn't change anything. For the next few weeks, he was locked inside the house, forbidden from going out or even touching his books. For him, it was torture.

Escape to the Fields and the Secret Book

But Ben didn't give up. He realized he had to make himself look more "normal" in his father's eyes. So, he started adapting. He worked in the fields, gathered grass for the cows, and collected snails for the ducks—pretending that he had accepted his fate.

But it was all just an act.

Every time he went to the fields, he hid a book about computers under his shirt. In the middle of the forest, under a shady tree, he would read in peace, away from anyone's interference.

He also continued his small business—doing homework, selling game cheats, and fixing electronics. But he no longer kept the money at home. He crafted a clay piggy bank shaped like a chicken and buried it underground. He knew that if his father found the money, he would be accused of stealing again.

Graduation Trip and Meeting Mr. Simbolon

When graduation arrived, the school planned a trip outside the village. All of his friends were excited, but not Ben. He knew asking his father for money was out of the question. Even if he used his own savings, it would only cause more problems.

So he talked to his grandmother.

"Grandma, I want to go, but I'm afraid Father will be angry," he said softly.

His grandmother smiled and pulled out some money she had saved.

"Take this, my child. Don't be afraid. If Allah allows you to see the outside world, then go."

Ben finally joined the trip. For the first time, he saw life beyond his village. But what truly changed his life was when he saw a man sitting in a coffee shop with a laptop. Driven by curiosity, he approached the man and asked many questions.

The man was Mr. Simbolon, an electronics teacher at a junior high school. Seeing Ben's intelligence, he became interested and spoke with Ben's teacher, requesting permission to mentor him during the trip. For an entire week, Ben didn't join the sightseeing like his friends. Instead, he immersed himself in learning from Mr. Simbolon, absorbing every bit of knowledge he could.

When the trip ended, Ben spoke to his father about his desire to study under Mr. Simbolon. But his father reacted with anger.

"Study far away? With what money? Do you think we're rich?!"

Ben tried to explain, but his father refused outright. His heart shattered. Once again, his dreams seemed out of reach.

A Fading Hope and Grandmother's Departure

With a heavy heart, Ben went to his grandmother's house—the only place where he could find peace.

"Grandma, are we destined to stay poor forever?"

His grandmother gently stroked his head.

"No, my child. Fate can be changed with prayer and effort. You must keep fighting—never give up."

A few days later, his grandmother asked for permission to take Ben out of town to visit his father's cousin. There, Ben met his distant relatives, who had similar struggles—brilliant but held back by financial limitations. However, one thing comforted him: one of them was exceptionally skilled at gaming, and they quickly became close.

When Ben returned to his village, he was more determined than ever not to give up on his dreams. Despite the obstacles, he believed that Allah had prepared a path for him.

A Hope That Still Burns and Grandmother's Passing

A week after returning from his cousin's house, Ben began experiencing strange feelings. He had a dream that his grandmother would pass away soon. When he told people about it, they dismissed him as odd—some even accused him of practicing witchcraft.

But his intuition turned out to be right. A few days later, he witnessed his grandmother take her last breath. His heart shattered. In silence, he asked Allah, "What did I do wrong to deserve this punishment?"

Yet, Ben didn't give up. He stood before his grandmother's body and whispered in his heart,

"Grandma, I will fight. I will prove them wrong."