Chapter 10: Traces of Hope in the City

After Lukas left Bondar for the city, every journey he took felt vastly different from anything he had ever seen before. Inside the bus, Ben's eyes were filled with breathtaking views—towering skyscrapers, roads lined with luxurious cars gleaming under the sunlight. When the bus stopped for a meal break, Ben was mesmerized by a luxury car he had only ever dreamed of. He imagined, "One day, I will ride in a car like that, even if just once in my life."

Through the restaurant window, Ben saw a dignified man in his fifties, dressed sharply like a high-ranking official. The man, surrounded by bodyguards and a chauffeur, was warmly greeted by those around him. Ben was in awe; in his heart, he whispered with hope,"I am getting closer to my dreams. In this city, I will go back to using my real name—Ben—as written on my diploma and ID card, so the officials will believe that I have worth."

Not long after, the bus finally arrived in the metropolis. As Ben stepped off, he was immediately confronted by the city's bustling chaos. Luxury cars sped by, and people in formal attire walked with confident strides. Silently, Ben thought,"My success is near."

But fate is not always kind. Shortly after arriving, the harsh reality of city life struck him. At a busy bus stop, his bag—containing his money, diploma, and important documents—was swiftly snatched away. The thief disappeared, leaving him with only a few loose coins and his ID card tucked in his pocket. Ben sat on the sidewalk, tears streaming down his face. In a trembling voice, he prayed,"Oh Allah, I want to change, I want a better life. But why do You test me like this? What have I done wrong?"

Devastated by the loss, Ben wandered aimlessly through the outskirts of the city. Lost, without family, and without a phone to contact anyone, he was completely alone. As night fell, each step felt heavier, as if the world had turned its back on him.

Soon, Ben stumbled upon a small tire repair shop on the city's outskirts. Weak from thirst and exhaustion, he approached the shop's owner and hoarsely pleaded,"Sir, may I have a glass of water? I'm very thirsty…"

The shop owner, a middle-aged man with a kind face, nodded and handed him a glass of water. He asked,"Where are you from, son? Why are you in this situation?"

Ben lowered his head, holding back the pain that weighed on his soul, and replied,"I came to this city to change my life, sir. But my bag was stolen—my money and diploma are gone. I have nothing left."

Hearing Ben's story, the shop owner seemed moved and said,"If that's the case, you can stay here for now. I can't pay you, but if you're willing to help at the shop, at least you'll get one meal a day."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ben nodded,"Thank you, sir. I will always be grateful for your kindness."

For two months, Ben stayed at the tire repair shop. He worked without pay, helping to fix tires and clean tools. Though his life was meager, and he only received one meal a day, at least he survived. Yet, in the solitude of that small shop, Ben began to wonder if this was his lowest point—perhaps his life would remain this way forever.

One scorching afternoon, as Ben sat lost in thought by the shop, a luxury car suddenly broke down in front of it. The atmosphere around the shop shifted for a moment. From the car, a dignified, well-built middle-aged man stepped out and calmly asked,"Excuse me, is there an auto repair shop nearby?"

The shop owner responded,"This shop is simple, sir, and our facilities are limited. But I know a young man here, Ben, who is skilled in fixing engines. He might be able to help."

Hearing this, the man approached Ben. With a tone of hope and slight hesitation, he said,"Son, I heard you're good with machines. If you're confident you can fix my car, prove it to me. I believe your skills can get my car running again."

Ben looked at the man, gathering the last remnants of his courage, and firmly replied,"Of course, sir. I'll give it a try, and I believe I can do it."

Without wasting time, Ben worked swiftly under the hopeful gaze of the man. Slowly, the car's engine returned to life, and finally, it roared back to normal. The man was astonished and handed Ben a sum of money as a reward,"You truly have talent. Thank you, son."

Before leaving, the man asked,"May I know why you are here?"

Ben then shared the story of his stolen bag, which had left him stranded in the city. Listening to his story, the man looked deeply sympathetic and asked to see Ben's remaining identification. After examining his ID card, the man smiled warmly and said,"You are not a bad person, son. My name is Rudi, and I work in the oil and gas industry. I was just coming home from work when my car broke down. How about coming with me? At home, I have five children. If you're willing, we can leave right away."

Without hesitation, Ben gathered his few remaining belongings and bid farewell to the shop owner,"Thank you, sir. I will never forget your kindness."

On the way to Mr. Rudi's home, Ben reflected on everything that had happened. Sitting inside the car, memories of his struggles and hardships in the city—the stolen bag, the emptiness, and the helplessness—flashed through his mind. But a glimmer of hope emerged from Mr. Rudi's offer. In his heart, Ben whispered,"Maybe this is my chance to start anew. I will reclaim my real name, Ben, and prove that I have worth."

Upon arriving at Mr. Rudi's home, a warm and welcoming atmosphere greeted him. Mr. Rudi, with firm yet fatherly kindness, introduced him to his family. His wife and five children embraced Ben with open arms, giving him the warmth he had long lost. That night, after sharing a meal, Mr. Rudi spoke gently,"Son, I know your life hasn't been easy. Here, you'll have the chance to start over. Never forget your talent. You have great potential, and I believe you can change your fate."

Ben listened, his eyes glistening with emotion. Though his heart still bore scars, he felt a spark of hope within the warmth of Mr. Rudi's family. Without hesitation, he accepted the offer as the beginning of a new chapter.

Despite facing countless hardships in the big city, Ben now realized that behind every downfall lies an opportunity to rise again. In Mr. Rudi's home, surrounded by a newfound family and a rekindled determination, Ben vowed in his heart that he would prove his worth. His long journey from Bondar to the metropolis, filled with struggles and relentless trials, was finally starting to reveal glimpses of hope for a better future.