Chapter 13: New Challenges at Work

Ben's first day at PT SS, a company owned by Mrs. Linda, was a significant step forward in his life. That morning, Mr. Rudi gave him a ride to work since it happened to be on the way to his office. Upon arriving at the workshop, Ben didn't forget to bid farewell and kiss Mr. Rudi's hand as a sign of respect. Mr. Rudi smiled with pride, seeing that Ben still upheld values of politeness.

As he entered the workshop, a woman working as an admin greeted him warmly and guided him through the initial administrative process. She requested his personal data to register his fingerprint for attendance. Ben was surprised by how modern the system was for a workshop. One by one, he was introduced to several mechanics and their respective divisions. Ben was assigned to Group 3, led by Mr. Jul, a senior mechanic aged 45.

Days passed quickly. Ben gradually adapted to the fast-paced and detail-oriented work environment. He made a few minor mistakes, such as forgetting to tighten a bolt or misreading specifications, but with Mr. Jul's guidance, he improved. The biggest challenge for Ben wasn't just the technical aspects but also adapting to the tough work environment. Some senior mechanics initially underestimated him due to his young age, but Ben wasn't discouraged. He worked even harder to prove himself.

A month later, the long-awaited moment arrived—his first salary. Ben never expected the amount to be that much. With a heart full of gratitude, he immediately set aside a portion of his earnings to send to his parents in his hometown. Not only that, but he also wanted to buy something he had long dreamed of—his first laptop, purchased with his own hard-earned money.

That night, he asked Mr. Rudi to accompany him to a computer store. When the laptop was finally in his hands, Ben stared at it with teary eyes. "This isn't just a laptop," he thought, "this is proof that I can stand on my own, that I can build my future with my own hands." Mr. Rudi simply smiled, seeing Ben so happy.

"How does it feel? Feels different when you buy it with your own money, right?" Mr. Rudi said.

A New Life and Friendship

Ben's days at PT SS were filled with experiences. He started making close friends, two of whom were Dendi from the alignment division and Sigit from Group 1. They often shared deep conversations, supported each other, and occasionally hung out together at night. Ben began enjoying life in the city, especially with such a supportive family around him. Every month, he never forgot to send money back home to his parents. Every Eid, he made sure to return to his hometown to be with his family.

Despite his busy schedule, Ben couldn't abandon his interest in technology. After work, he studied programming and delved deeper into hacking techniques. He mastered various skills, including tracking someone using only their phone number and even playfully hacking social media accounts. This world became increasingly fascinating to him, and gradually, he felt like he possessed a power that others didn't.

Conflict with Mr. Rudi

One holiday, Ben decided to go out alone to the city center. Too engrossed in playing Mobile Legends with his friends, he lost track of time and ignored Mr. Rudi's calls and messages. It was already 2 AM when Ben finally returned home. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Mr. Rudi waiting with a tense expression.

"Where have you been, Ben?! I was worried sick! I called you multiple times, and you didn't answer! Who do you think I am?!" Mr. Rudi yelled.

Still caught in his teenage emotions, Ben glared at Mr. Rudi defiantly.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Uncle! I can take care of myself! Why do you have to control my life?!"

Mr. Rudi clenched his fists, holding back his anger.

"You think you can survive on your own?! I've taken care of you, given you a place to stay, treated you like my own son! And now you dare to talk back to me?!"

"I don't need anyone! I can live by myself!" Ben shouted.

Before he realized it, Mr. Rudi's fist swung and landed on Ben's mouth. Ben staggered backward, tasting blood on his tongue. One of his teeth had broken. But more than that, his heart ached even more.

Mr. Rudi took a deep breath, his voice softening.

"Ben, we can't live alone. Humans are meant to support and help each other. I did all this because I care about you."

But Ben, still burning with anger, refused to listen. With tears in his eyes, he ran out of the house and stayed at Dendi's place, hoping for support. However, things didn't go as expected.

"Ben, you're making a big mistake! Mr. Rudi cares about you! No matter how bad we are, we should never hurt those who love us!" Dendi said firmly.

Ben was speechless. Dendi's words struck him like a slap. That night, he reflected deeply on his actions.

The next day, he returned home with a heavy heart. He looked at Mr. Rudi with eyes full of regret.

"Uncle… I'm sorry. I went too far. I realize now—I'm nothing without the people who care about me. I want to make things right," Ben said sincerely.

Mr. Rudi looked at him deeply.

"I was never mad at you, Ben. I was just afraid of losing you. I see you as my own son. But if you think you'd be better off living alone, I won't stop you. This house will always be open for you. Come back whenever you want, son."

Ben couldn't hold back his tears. He nodded and decided to rent his own place, though he continued working at PT SS.

Progress and New Opportunities

Days passed. Ben became increasingly skilled in hacking. One night, he attempted something more extreme—hacking a car's computer system. With a special device, he successfully accessed a modern car's ECU and even controlled some of its functions remotely. This only deepened his interest in cybersecurity.

One day, a government official from the capital named Pino visited the workshop to have his car repaired. He was impressed by Ben's intelligence in understanding both machinery and car computer systems.

"You have great talent, kid," Pino said, handing him a business card. "If you're interested in working in the capital, come see me. I can offer you bigger opportunities."

Ben stared at the card with deep thought.

"Could he be the official I dreamed of meeting when I was a child?" he wondered.

Without hesitation, Ben accepted the offer. Mr. Rudi tried to stop him, worried that it might be a scam and deeply concerned for Ben's safety—especially with someone unknown. But Ben was determined. He even lied to Mr. Rudi, saying he wasn't going, while the plane ticket was already in his hands.

After handling his resignation from PT SS, Ben departed for the capital. Even without Mr. Rudi's blessing and despite his friends' worries, he still left. But he had no idea whether this was the beginning of his success or his downfall.