Chapter 4: Light in the Darkness

Losing his grandmother was the biggest blow in Ben's life. The only person who had always supported and believed in his dreams was now gone. His hope of studying under Mr. Simbolon's guidance vanished as well since there was no one left to defend him. It felt as if his world had crumbled before his eyes.

A week after the funeral, Ben returned to his grandmother's grave. He knelt there, pouring out all his worries and frustrations. With teary eyes, he asked,

"Am I really their biological child? If so, why am I different? Why am I always seen as strange?"

Amidst the silence, Ben felt as if he heard a soft whisper from his grandmother. He didn't know whether it was just his imagination or a true sign, but something inside him reignited. He wiped his tears and promised himself that he would keep fighting, no matter how difficult the challenges ahead.

As he returned home with a strengthened heart, he was surprised to find his parents handing him a letter. With a pounding heart, he opened it and read the contents—it turned out he had been enrolled in a middle school not too far from home. At first, Ben had hoped to study in another city to have more opportunities to grow, but he realized that his family's financial limitations made that impossible.

However, this decision came with its own challenges. His school was five kilometers away, and the only way to get there was by walking every day. Despite this, his determination never wavered. He believed that education was the only way out of the hardships that trapped his life.

First Day at Middle School

The first day of school arrived, and Ben was placed in Class 1D. The classroom was crowded with 60 new students, each introducing themselves in front of the class. When it was his turn, he stood confidently and stated his name.

In this class, Ben was seated next to a boy from another city named Akhir. Akhir was the son of a religious teacher and came from a well-off family. Over time, they became close friends. Akhir was exceptionally intelligent in religious studies, while Ben excelled in science and technology. Their combination formed a strong friendship, where they often discussed and collaborated on various topics.

At middle school, Ben encountered many new subjects. Physics, English, and computer studies further fueled his curiosity. He became more enthusiastic about learning, and his efforts began to show results. By the end of the first semester, he ranked first in his class, followed by Akhir in second place.

However, that happiness did not last long.

When Ben returned home, feeling proud of his achievement, he found his family in a gloomy state. His father's crops had been destroyed by pests, worsening their already dire financial situation. Given these circumstances, Ben knew that the chances of him continuing his education were slim.

He still had money saved up since elementary school, earned from various small jobs he had done. But when he offered the money to help pay for his school fees, his father exploded in anger.

"Where did you get this much money?! Did you steal it?!"

Before he could explain, Ben was beaten repeatedly by his father. His heart shattered. It felt as if no one believed him, no one saw how hard he had worked. With bruises on his body and tears streaming down his face, Ben ran away to his grandmother's grave.

There, he cried while clutching her tombstone.

"Grandma, forgive me… I couldn't keep my promise to fight… I don't know what to do anymore…"

At that moment, Akhir arrived on his father's motorcycle. He invited Ben to his house for a meal, wanting to share his happiness as the top students in their class. At Akhir's home, Ben saw something he had never truly experienced before—a warm and loving family.

Akhir's father, a wise religious teacher, noticed the sadness in Ben's face and asked what had happened. Hesitantly, Ben told him everything. After listening attentively, Akhir's father gave him some wise advice.

"My son, never stop fighting. These hardships are a test from Allah. If you give up now, you will lose your chance to prove yourself. Keep going to school, and don't worry about the costs. I will help you."

Hearing those words, Ben felt as if he had been given new hope. However, he knew that if his father found out he was receiving help from someone else, there would be another outburst of anger. So, he asked Akhir's father to pretend that his school fees were being paid officially.

A New Opportunity

Back at school, Ben focused even more on his studies. He began spending more time in the computer lab. One day, by chance, he discovered data on the school's computers showing that many students struggled with their studies and were addicted to PlayStation (PS) gaming. From this, he came up with a brilliant idea.

With Akhir's help, Ben started a small business. He became a "homework jockey" for students who had difficulty with their assignments and sold game cheats to those addicted to PS. Every profit they made was immediately handed over to Akhir's father to avoid any suspicion from Ben's family.

The small business ran successfully, and for the first time, Ben felt that there was a way to survive without compromising his principles. He wasn't stealing, he wasn't deceiving—he was using his skills to help others while also sustaining himself.

This small step marked the beginning of a long journey. He now had a clearer purpose—to prove that he could change his fate without relying on anyone's pity. Though the road ahead was still long and full of challenges, he was certain that as long as he never gave up, there would always be a way to success.