The sky over the small town was still gray when Rizwan arrived at the simple culinary school. The morning atmosphere was filled with the low murmur of students joking with each other and rushing into their classrooms. For the first time, Rizwan felt a strange fluttering in his chest—a mixture of nervousness and hope.
The school was not a luxurious place with sophisticated equipment. However, for Rizwan, this place was like a gateway to his dream world. Here, he would learn to transform simple ingredients into culinary creations that could touch anyone's heart.
Upon entering the classroom, the air was filled with the aroma of fresh spices and butter, as well as the clatter of kitchen utensils. Their teacher, Mr. Arif, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile, immediately welcomed the new students enthusiastically.
"Welcome to the world of culinary arts, friends. You are not just learning to cook, but learning to create stories through food," said Mr. Arif inspiringly.
Rizwan exchanged brief greetings with his classmates, most of whom came from diverse backgrounds. Some had family experience in restaurants, while others were just starting out like him. There was also Dita, a cheerful girl very different from Rizwan, but she soon became his close friend.
As the days passed, Rizwan experienced the bitter taste of learning: hands injured from stirring hard dough too often, anxiety when trying new recipes that failed, and laughter created when all his friends helped each other correct mistakes. He also began to understand the dynamics of friendship and healthy yet challenging competition.
Amidst this routine, Rizwan harbored a greater desire—to one day open his own restaurant, one that would stand tall not only in Indonesia, but also in major cities in Europe and America. He often imagined how he could bring the flavors of the archipelago to the world stage, while entrusting his hopes to the prayers of his family who always supported him.
However, behind that grand dream, Rizwan also began to feel challenges that were no less daunting: maintaining his faith and self-respect in a harsh world that did not yet know his name, facing various temptations and trials of the heart that often tested his resolve.
One thing is certain: Rizwan's struggle has not yet begun, but he is ready to take every step with all his heart.
***
The second day at culinary school brought its own surprises for Rizwan. In the cramped but lively kitchen, the students competed with each other to show off their skills. It was here that Rizwan first experienced the harsh reality of the culinary world—not only from the heat of the stove and the pungent aromas, but also from the harsh attitudes of some of the seniors and the pressure to quickly master the skills.
"You have to move fast, don't be so careful. In the kitchen, time is money!" said a senior named Bima, who was known for his blunt and slightly arrogant character.
Rizwan tried to restrain himself, maintaining his enthusiasm and persistence. He knew that studying here was not just about cooking techniques, but also about training his mind and ability to adapt. Every drop of sweat fell as proof of his struggle.
In the corner of the kitchen, Dita helped Rizwan tie his apron after it had fallen apart several times due to his haste. "Take it easy, Riz. Better slow and steady than fast and messy," she said with a smile.
Friendship blossomed amid the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and piles of dishes. Dita came from a family of restaurant owners, a world apart from Rizwan, who had to struggle to support his family financially. However, they found common ground in their shared love of cooking.
Conflict began to arise when Rizwan was assigned to make lapis legit cake. This is a traditional cake that requires a high level of precision and patience. While his friend Bima and several other students successfully presented their smooth results, Rizwan had to accept harsh criticism because the layers of his cake were uneven and some parts were burnt.
He was overcome with shame and disappointment. However, his father's inspiring words strengthened Rizwan's heart: "Every failure is a spice in the recipe of life, son. Don't let it discourage you."
That afternoon, after school ended, Rizwan did not go home immediately. He chose to practice diligently on his own—stirring the batter, correcting his mistakes, and learning from his failures. As the sun was about to set, a senior teacher approached him and said, "If you keep this up, Rizwan, I'm sure you can be more than just an ordinary chef."
Those words were like gasoline that reignited Rizwan's passion, bringing him one step closer to his big dream.
***
The days at culinary school became increasingly demanding for Rizwan. In addition to honing his cooking skills, he began to discover more complex dynamics among his classmates. Healthy competition sometimes turned into tension, especially when big ambitions collided with egos and different backgrounds.
Bima, the senior who used to criticize him harshly, now often took the position of his main rival. With his natural talent and wealthy family, Bima often received attention from teachers and easily got opportunities to show off his skills. Rizwan sometimes felt discouraged, but he tried to channel his energy into hard work.
His new friend, Dita, always accompanies him and encourages him, even when the days feel difficult. "You have something they don't—perseverance and heart. That's the key to success in this world," she said one afternoon as they cleaned the kitchen together.
Family also became an anchor for Rizwan. Although they lived a simple life, his father, Ustadz Hasan, always reminded him that intention and prayer were sources of strength. "Remember, son, in every bite you take, there must be prayer and blessings. Never forget that," he said calmly.
At night, his mother and younger siblings always waited for him with simple meals that warmed their bodies and hearts. They shared stories about Rizwan's struggles, giving him unconditional support that strengthened his determination and dispelled his fatigue.
However, conflict did not only come from outside. One day, Rizwan faced a dilemma when a senior from a different class accused him of plagiarizing a recipe for a cooking competition that the school was holding. The accusation cornered Rizwan and made him lose his confidence for a moment. Some of his friends encouraged him, while others were skeptical.
With courage that grew from life lessons and his family's prayers, Rizwan stood firm. He chose to prove his abilities through hard work and integrity, not arguments. In the competition, it was not victory that was important, but the valuable lessons about honesty and determination.
***
As time passed, Rizwan began to realize that theory and practice at school alone were not enough. The real world awaited him out there—full of challenges that were not taught in the classroom. So, after the first semester ended, he decided to take a part-time job at a small café in the city center.
The café was not a fancy restaurant, but a simple place that was always crowded with loyal customers. Hour after hour, Rizwan learned many things: from serving the right drinks, setting tables quickly, to dealing with customers who were sometimes fussy and impatient. He often had to run around, cleaning up spills, and at the same time, stealing moments to observe the small kitchen in the back.
The café owner, Mr. Joko, a friendly but firm middle-aged man, saw Rizwan's potential. "You are still a beginner, but you have enthusiasm. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn," he said one afternoon when Rizwan was confused about how to handle the pile of orders.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of work, Rizwan also had experiences that taught him about cooperation and friendship. He met Rini, a cheerful young barista who was good at dealing with customers. They often exchanged stories and laughed together, making the heavy work atmosphere feel lighter.
However, there were also small conflicts. Once, a dissatisfied customer complained because his order was late. Rizwan felt down, but Rini reminded him, "This is part of the learning process, don't let it scare you."
Working at the small café was exhausting, but it also enriched Rizwan with real-world experience. He learned that it wasn't just about cooking or mixing drinks, but also about communication, managing emotions, and maintaining service quality. All these little things would later become a strong foundation for realizing his dream of owning a large restaurant abroad.
Behind the exhaustion of that day, Rizwan always brought home one thing: hope. Hope that one day, from this small café, he could go further—bringing Indonesian cuisine to be known and loved by the world.
***
Rizwan's first days working at the small café were not without challenges. He faced a fast pace of work and the demand to quickly adapt to a new environment that was very different from school. When the kitchen was flooded with orders, his heart would race, and his unaccustomed hands would often be too slow or make mistakes in handling the ingredients.
One afternoon, when the café was busy, a small mistake drastically changed the atmosphere. Rizwan accidentally spilled hot chili sauce on the table of a customer who was enjoying a meal with his family. The customer immediately protested loudly. Rizwan felt his face burn with embarrassment and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
Mr. Joko immediately came to resolve the situation, calming the customer down and asking him to remain calm. "Everyone makes mistakes, Rizwan. The important thing is how you bounce back and fix them," he said firmly.
That moment became a turning point for Rizwan. He realized that mistakes are part of learning and should not make him give up. He began to focus on improving his speed and accuracy, learning from every small mistake he made.
His friendship with Rini also grew stronger. Rini taught Rizwan various tricks for making coffee and how to deal with customers patiently and kindly. "Here, we don't just sell food and drinks, but also experiences and warmth," she said one day.
However, personal conflicts began to arise. Rizwan was faced with a deep longing for his family and his big dreams, which sometimes felt far away. His friends at the café began to talk about their different journeys and dreams, while Rizwan felt like he was carrying a double burden—his family's expectations and his own dreams.
One night, after a tiring day at work, Rizwan sent a short message to his father. "Dad, I'm tired, but I won't give up. I want to prove that we can do it."
The message received a quick reply from Ustadz Hasan, filled with prayers and encouragement. "Hold fast to your intentions and prayers, Rizwan. Allah is with those who are patient and strive."
Rizwan, gazing at the night sky, envisioned the bright future he was fighting for—for his family and for himself—a simple young man with dreams as big as the world.