In a small village steeped in tradition and economic hardship, Ben grew up as a bright child. His parents believed in his abilities, but his father always told him that no matter how much Ben studied, he would eventually become a laborer. This wasn't because his father looked down on him, but because of his own bitter experiences.
Ben's father was a highly respected man in the village. He was known for his intelligence and had shown extraordinary talent since childhood. However, fate had other plans. Financial constraints hampered him, forcing him to suppress his dreams and accept the reality of being a laborer. Furthermore, he had to endure the shame of his family's poverty. The same fate befell Ben's brothers. They were all intelligent but had to put their dreams aside and focus on helping their parents in the fields.
But Ben was different. He refused to give in. He was determined to develop his intelligence on his own. Secretly, he began looking for ways to continue studying without arousing suspicion. He became a "homework guy" for his friends, performed minor electronic repairs, and even sold game cheats. He also developed an interest in Mini 4WD racing—a hobby that secretly honed his mechanical and electronic logic.
The only person who truly believed in him was his grandmother. One night, when Ben was feeling hopeless, his grandmother sat beside him and held his hand tightly.
"Never give up, my child. God has given you a sharp mind, and that is a gift. Don't let anyone dim that light."
Ben looked at his grandmother, his eyes glistening with tears. He knew she was getting old. Sooner or later, he would lose the only person who truly supported him. But before that day came, he wanted to prove that he could change his fate.
The First Computer and Home Disaster
When Ben was in sixth grade, he touched a computer for the first time. It was a life-changing moment. While his peers saw computers as mere machines, Ben saw them as devices filled with endless possibilities. He quickly grasped their structure and workings, as if something inside him had been programmed for them since birth.
However, this wasn't a good start. When his father noticed Ben's growing interest in computers, instead of being proud, he became suspicious. One day, when he caught Ben using the computer at a friend's house, an angry outburst was inevitable.
"Where did you get the money to rent a computer? Did you steal it?!" his father snapped.
"No, Dad! I earned that money by helping people, doing homework, fixing TVs! I didn't steal!" Ben tried to explain, but his father wouldn't believe him.
SMACK!
A hard slap landed on his cheek. Ben staggered, feeling pain not only in his face but also in the depths of his heart.
"You think I'm stupid?! A kid your age can't possibly make that much money!"
Ben wanted to cry, but he held it in. He knew tears wouldn't change anything. For the next few weeks, he was confined to the house, forbidden to go out or even touch his books. For him, it was torture.
Escape to the Fields and the Secret Book
But Ben didn't give up. He realized he had to make himself look more "normal" in his father's eyes. So, he started adapting. He worked in the fields, gathered grass for the cows, and collected snails for the ducks—pretending that he had accepted his fate.
But it was all just an act.
Every time he went to the fields, he hid a book about computers under his shirt. In the middle of the forest, under a shady tree, he would read in peace, away from anyone's interference.
He also continued his small business—doing homework, selling game cheats, and fixing electronics. But he no longer kept the money at home. He crafted a clay piggy bank shaped like a chicken and buried it underground. He knew that if his father found the money, he would be accused of stealing again.
Graduation Trip and Meeting Mr. Simbolon
When graduation arrived, the school planned a trip outside the village. All of his friends were excited, but not Ben. He knew asking his father for money was out of the question. Even if he used his own savings, it would only cause more problems.
So he talked to his grandmother.
"Grandma, I want to go, but I'm afraid Father will be angry," he said softly.
His grandmother smiled and pulled out some money she had saved.
"Take this, my child. Don't be afraid. If Allah allows you to see the outside world, then go."
Ben finally joined the trip. For the first time, he saw life beyond his village. But what truly changed his life was when he saw a man sitting in a coffee shop with a laptop. Driven by curiosity, he approached the man and asked many questions.
The man was Mr. Simbolon, an electronics teacher at a junior high school. Seeing Ben's intelligence, he became interested and spoke with Ben's teacher, requesting permission to mentor him during the trip. For an entire week, Ben didn't join the sightseeing like his friends. Instead, he immersed himself in learning from Mr. Simbolon, absorbing every bit of knowledge he could.
When the trip ended, Ben spoke to his father about his desire to study under Mr. Simbolon. But his father reacted with anger.
"Study far away? With what money? Do you think we're rich?!"
Ben tried to explain, but his father refused outright. His heart shattered. Once again, his dreams seemed out of reach.
A Fading Hope and Grandmother's Departure
With a heavy heart, Ben went to his grandmother's house—the only place where he could find peace.
"Grandma, are we destined to stay poor forever?"
His grandmother gently stroked his head.
"No, my child. Fate can be changed with prayer and effort. You must keep fighting—never give up."
A few days later, his grandmother asked permission to take Ben out of town to visit his father's cousin. There, Ben met distant relatives who faced similar struggles—intelligent but financially challenged. However, one thing comforted him: one of them was exceptionally skilled at gaming, and they quickly became close.
When Ben returned to his village, he was more determined than ever to not give up on his dream. Despite the obstacles, he believed that God had prepared a way for him.
Still-Lighting Hope and Grandma's Passing
A week after returning from his cousin's house, Ben began experiencing strange feelings. He dreamed that his grandmother was about to die. When he told others about it, they found it strange—some even accused him of witchcraft.
But his intuition proved correct. A few days later, he watched his grandmother take her last breath. His heart was broken. Silently, he asked God, "What wrong have I done to deserve this punishment?"
However, Ben did not give up. He stood in front of his grandmother's body and whispered in his heart,
"Grandma, I will fight. I will prove them wrong."