Chapter 8: Redemption in Pagar Village

Ben arrived in Pagar Village with mixed feelings. The ten-hour bus ride, followed by another hour in a rickshaw, left him physically and mentally exhausted. However, upon reaching Pagar Village, he was welcomed with a different kind of warmth. In the house of his aunt (Budde) and uncle (Pakde), where five people lived—his aunt, uncle, two female cousins, and two grown male cousins—he was greeted with open arms. In that family, Ben was always the youngest, yet he was treated with love, like a precious younger brother.

Each day in Pagar Village was filled with heartwarming stories and family bonding. In the mornings, Ben often accompanied his uncle to school. On the way, he always made time to study in the modest school library, where he often reminisced about his past with Akhir and Saddam—beautiful memories that had now become distant but unforgettable shadows.

During his first week, Ben started getting to know the neighborhood children. One of them was Samsir, a diligent ninth-grade student known for his dedication to religious studies and his hard work in the fields helping his parents. Though Samsir was younger, his perseverance in both learning and labor made him a respected figure. Despite being 18 years old—an age when he should have already graduated from high school—Ben had never obtained a diploma due to his dark past. However, something about their friendship was unique. Despite their age difference, Ben and Samsir were very close, as if their bond was forged not just by circumstance but by shared dreams and hopes.

One day, after returning from the fields with Samsir, they sat by the roadside and talked. With innocent curiosity, Samsir asked,"Ben, why haven't you graduated yet? I asked my parents, but I know you must have a story to tell."Ben simply gave a faint smile and shook his head, keeping his painful past hidden behind weary eyes.

Amid their daily routines, Samsir invited Ben to a gaming rental shop. Samsir, who also loved playing video games, was curious about a newly popular game, GOD HAND. When they arrived, the atmosphere changed. Many young men were engrossed in their games, their competitive spirits running high. Among them, Ben saw an opportunity to put his skills to use once again. With the expertise that had once made him well-known, he started selling cheat codes. His voice was calm but filled with confidence,"Here, try this cheat. I guarantee you'll win!"The players were amazed, and Ben started earning money from his small business. To him, the money wasn't just for buying cigarettes—it was a means to survive and redeem his past.

After leaving the gaming rental, Ben often stopped by his older cousin Hendra's house. Hendra, who happened to be a high school principal in a distant area, always welcomed Ben warmly. In Hendra's home, the atmosphere was relaxed and filled with thoughtful discussions. One day, Hendra and his aunt sat Ben down for a serious conversation about his future. With a concerned tone, Hendra said,"Ben, your life is too valuable to be wasted. You need to choose: do you want to graduate and get your diploma, or do you want to stay trapped in a past that will only destroy you?"They agreed that Ben had to continue his education, under the condition that he would help in the fields and plantations while Hendra and the family in Pagar Village covered the costs of his diploma. With limited choices, Ben chose to pursue his diploma. He wanted to prove that he still had worth, despite the shadows of his past looming over him.

For six months, Ben lived a completely new life. Every morning, he accompanied his uncle to school, then spent time studying in the school library. At precisely nine o'clock, he would begin the long walk to the rubber plantation, nearly 10 km away. The journey was tough, crossing rivers and hills, but each step strengthened his resolve. The money earned from selling rubber sap was carefully saved by his aunt—most of it for his diploma fees, while the rest covered daily necessities, including the cigarettes that remained his bitter escape.

Every afternoon, after returning from the plantation, Ben and Samsir occasionally stopped by the gaming rental. There, they not only played games but also continued selling cheat codes, allowing Ben to earn extra money. Though this reminded him of his dark past, it also served as a reminder of the skills he once possessed.

One day, while collecting sap in the plantation, Ben spotted a group of people attempting to steal his hard-earned harvest. Four men approached with suspicious movements. Without hesitation, Ben stepped forward and firmly said,"Hey, that's my hard work! If you want it, prove that you have the guts to face me!"One of the thieves sneered, "You think you can take us on? We're not kids, you're just street trash!"

Without waiting for an answer, Ben sprang into action. Fists flew, and one by one, he took them down. Gasping for breath, he shouted,"This is how you respect hard work! Never underestimate anyone!"The thieves fled in panic, leaving Ben standing there—his body bruised, but his face showing no regret, only pure determination.

On his way back from the plantation, Ben was startled to see Eddi suddenly appearing on the road. Although Eddi had been the toughest figure in their old gang, Ben realized in that moment that, without Eddi, he might have been beaten up by those four men. A strange feeling washed over him, as if a small part of him still saw some good in Eddi. But that thought quickly faded, replaced by the harsh reality of his life.

When he arrived home, his aunt looked at him with concern,"Did you slip, Ben?"Ben simply replied, "Yeah, Budde."His bruised and exhausted eyes told the story of his struggles.

Six months passed, filled with challenges and perseverance. Finally, Ben obtained the diploma he had long dreamed of. But his happiness was tinged with deep sorrow—he had to leave Pagar Village, the place where he had found a glimmer of hope. On his last day, the house was filled with an emotional farewell. His aunt, uncle, and Hendra gathered to say goodbye. In a tight embrace, Hendra said,"Ben, remember, your journey has just begun. Never forget who you are and how valuable you are."His mother, tears streaming down her face, held Ben tightly and whispered,"My son, keep fighting. We will always love you."

Ben boarded the bus that would take him back to his hometown. As he gazed out the window, he recalled every moment in Pagar Village—the challenging rubber plantation, the calming small library, the gaming rental full of memories, and Hendra's home filled with warmth. Tears streamed down his face, but behind each drop was a renewed determination to start anew.

Upon arriving at the bus station, his uncle accompanied him and bid him farewell, while Hendra, who had given him hope, also came to see him off. The emotional atmosphere deepened when Ben's parents appeared to sincerely say goodbye. Although his diploma had been entirely funded by his aunt, Ben was deeply moved—he finally realized that there were people who cared about him, despite his painful past.

In his hometown, Ben was welcomed warmly by his extended family, who had been eagerly waiting for his return. Though leaving Pagar Village was painful, Ben saw it as the beginning of a new chapter. Amidst the simplicity of his new life, he felt a peace he had long lost.