That night, after I got home from school, I had just finished showering when my phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
Instagram notifications kept flooding in.
I opened the app—then instantly covered my face with my hand.
Anto Subagja posted on story:
💍 Taken by Rina Hermawan 💍
With an extra caption:
"One month of happiness, baby."
I let out a tiny scream.
"Astaga—ANT-O!!"
In just minutes, my DMs exploded.
> "Rina, you serious with Anto?"
"The grumpy girl and the clown???"
"OMG you two actually look cute HAHAHA."
"Rinaaaa why would you say yes?!"
My phone was burning like it was about to explode.
I shut it off and pressed a pillow over my face.
THIS IS ALL A BET! NOT ROMANTIC AT ALL!
---
The next morning, Tunas Muda High felt louder than a marketplace.
Every pair of eyes was on us.
Or… more accurately—on me.
I walked with a "don't talk to me, don't make noise, don't even breathe near me" face, but comments kept coming anyway.
"Eh, that's the new couple!"
"Bro the grumpy girl got a boyfriend??"
"Is Anto insane?!"
"I swear I saw their story—so funny!"
I swallowed irritation like bitter medicine.
---
During art class, I sat at the front, trying to focus.
The teacher told us to color a sketch.
I pulled out my color pencils—the only thing calming me today—
Until the voice I feared echoed behind me.
"RIIINAAAA!"
God… my suffering wasn't over.
Anto stood behind my chair, waving like a dancing dangdut singer.
"MY WIFEEE! COL-OR PEN-CILS!"
I shut my eyes.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Hold it in. Contract. Contract. Remember the contract.
The whole class burst into laughter.
"He called her wife!!"
"Tey record that, QUICK!"
"Rin why so quiet? Embarrassed, huh??"
I opened my eyes, glaring at Anto.
"What do you want?"
My cold voice sounded like a broken AC.
Anto stuttered. "U-uh… color pencils. I forgot mine."
He smiled—stupidly.
Very stupidly.
I grabbed my box, took out three pencils, and handed them to him with the laziest expression in the universe.
"Here. If you lose them, don't return."
He accepted them. "Thanks, wifey—"
I stomped my foot.
"ANTO!"
The class got even louder.
Boys whistled.
Girls squealed, "CUTE OMG!!"
The art teacher just shook their head, unbothered.
And me?
I wanted to move to another planet.
Anto went back to his seat, face slightly red.
Even though he was laughing, I could see something in his eyes… fragile?
So he was embarrassed too…
Huh.
---
During the first break, I headed to the library.
Peace.
Quiet.
No Anto.
Or so I thought—until the door creaked open.
Tey walked in, dragging Anto by the collar.
"What's wrong with you?" Tey scolded. "I told you, don't call her 'wife' in class!"
Anto let out a long sigh and slumped into a chair near the shelves.
"I… I… I just don't want to lose the bet."
"You don't have to go that dramatic either, dude."
Anto buried his face in his hands.
"It hurts, okay… she's so cold every time I talk. And I'm trying to be nice."
Tey stared at him for a moment. "Anto… she's not cold. She's just embarrassed."
"No! She hates me!" Anto shot back like a child losing candy.
I froze behind the bookshelf.
I heard everything.
Anto leaned against the table, eyes tired like he'd lost all energy.
"Tey… I swear… I'm suffering. But I won't back down. My pride will crumble if I quit."
Tey patted his shoulder.
"Just keep going. Rina's tough outside, but deep down… I think she's soft."
I silently scoffed.
Soft my foot. I wanted to throw a Latin dictionary at their heads.
Then Anto's voice softened.
So soft.
"I just don't want her to hate me. That's all."
For the first time that day, something in my chest fluttered.
Not anger.
Not hatred.
More like… a gentle knock.
I quickly walked out of the library before they caught me eavesdropping.
---
That afternoon, after the last class, Anto approached me in the hallway.
"Rin…" he said quietly.
I gripped my bag strap, ready to explode. "What now?"
He lowered his head a bit.
"Sorry… about this morning. I went too far."
It was the first time he apologized.
His voice wasn't loud.
Not playful.
Not annoying.
I looked at him briefly.
"Don't do it again," I said.
Anto smiled faintly. "Okay, Miss Grumpy."
I huffed. "Anto!"
He chuckled softly.
But not like earlier.
This time, his laugh felt careful.
Gentle.
And somehow…
for the first time…
I realized this bet might not be as simple as I thought.