CHAPTER 16: Between Sin, Forgiveness, and the Future

On the bus, Ben had no plans other than returning to his hometown. He just wanted to see his parents, though deep down, he feared their disappointment. Memories of his peaceful childhood, playing in the yard with his grandmother, and laughing with his childhood friends haunted his thoughts. But now, all of it felt like a distant illusion.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his chaotic mind. Guilt weighed heavily on his chest, reminding him of all the sins he had committed.

Snapped out of his daydream, Ben picked up his phone and hesitantly dialed Mr. Rudi's number. He didn't know what to say, but his heart urged him to at least hear the voice of the man who once trusted him.

"Sir, how are you?" Ben asked, his voice trembling.

"Ben? Alhamdulillah, son. How are you in the capital?" Mr. Rudi's voice was warm, as always.

"I'm doing well, sir. Don't worry about me," Ben tried to sound normal, but his heart ached.

Mr. Rudi paused for a moment before saying, "Ben, life is full of choices. I always hoped you would choose the right path."

Ben bit his lip, holding back tears that threatened to fall. In the past, he ignored all of Mr. Rudi's advice. He thought he was smart enough to carve his own path. But now he realized that Mr. Rudi had seen something he never had. The world he once thought was full of opportunities was merely a game for those in power. He wasn't the shining diamond Mr. Rudi once called him—he was just a tool, used by those more cunning than him.

Ben felt foolish. Mr. Rudi had seen his worth, but he had thrown it away for the illusion of success that never truly existed.

His thoughts drifted to the promise he had made to his grandmother years ago. He had promised to return as a successful man, bringing pride to his family. But now, he was returning home filled with regret.

After three days and three nights of travel, Ben finally arrived in his hometown. The fresh air and the scent of damp earth welcomed him, bringing back childhood memories that once felt so distant.

His father was already waiting at the terminal, his face full of emotion. The moment he saw Ben, the middle-aged man opened his arms wide.

"Ben!" he called out, immediately embracing his son tightly.

Ben hugged his father just as tightly, unable to hold back his tears. "I'm sorry, Dad. Life has been hard. I've made so many mistakes."

His father gently patted his back. "What matters is that you've come home, son. As long as there's still time, you can always make things right."

After calming himself, Ben didn't forget to visit his grandmother's grave. He stood before the simple tombstone and then knelt down.

"Grandma, forgive me. I promised to come back, but I got lost in the wrong world. I never kept my promise. I miss you, Grandma. I want to be a better person," he sobbed, tears falling onto the ground.

Back home, Ben was shocked to see his mother lying weakly in bed. Her face was pale, her body thinner than he remembered. His father explained that she had been sick for a long time and that the money Ben had sent from PT SS had been used for her treatment.

Ben felt a painful tightness in his chest. He had thought that money was enough to make their lives better, but in reality, it had been the lifeline keeping his mother alive.

"Mom… forgive me," he whispered, gripping her frail hand.

His mother gave him a weak smile. "Son, all that matters is that you're home. I just wanted to see you again."

From that moment on, Ben decided to leave behind the world of hacking, computers, and the internet. He chose to work at a local workshop and promised to take care of his parents. If he ever had enough money, he dreamed of opening his own workshop and living a simple life, far from the world that had once led him astray.

A year passed, and Ben slowly gained acceptance from the community. He was no longer seen as an outsider but as one of them. Every day, he worked hard at the workshop for a modest salary. After work, he always brought something home for his father and mother, even though his mother could no longer enjoy the food he bought. But he did it anyway—just to see her smile, even as tears welled in her eyes.

Despite his low earnings, he always slipped a little money under his mother's pillow. He never spoke of his struggles in the capital because he knew it would only worsen her condition.

But Ben's life took another turn when one day, he received a call from an old client from PT SS. The client, a government employee named Azhar, offered him a new opportunity in the city where Mr. Rudi lived.

At first, Ben hesitated, but he eventually decided to go. With heavy hearts, his parents allowed him to leave once more. His father only had one request: to never repeat the same mistakes.

Upon arriving in the city, Azhar picked him up at the terminal.

"Let's get something to eat, Ben. You must be hungry," Azhar said with a friendly smile.

Over the meal, Azhar explained his real reason for bringing Ben back.

"I want to make a breakthrough in the government. We need a system that can help many people. I want to develop an application and a website that will change a lot of things. And I need someone like you, Ben," Azhar stated with conviction.

Ben stared at him. "Why me? Why not someone else?"

Azhar smiled. "Because I know your potential. I even asked your parents for their blessing so you could trust me."

Ben was silent. Azhar's words carried weight. He knew that this time, the path he was choosing was different from before. If this project was truly meant to help people, then maybe this was his chance to atone for his past mistakes.

After careful consideration, Ben finally agreed. But one thing made him uneasy—Azhar didn't allow him to stay with him. Ben had to rent a place of his own.

Sitting alone in his new rented house, Ben was lost in thought. "I once dreamed of having a foster father who was a high-ranking official, but I guess that's not you, Azhar. Ah, I should just forget that dream."

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was Mr. Rudi.

"Ben, where are you? Are you okay?" Mr. Rudi asked.

Ben let out a deep sigh. "I'm fine, sir. You don't have to worry."

After hanging up, Ben felt guilty again. He always hid the truth. Now, his new journey with Azhar had begun. In his mind, he wondered, "Is this the beginning of my downfall or the start of my success? But this time, I have to be careful."