The next morning, Tunas Muda High School felt like a free comedy studio.
Every time I walked past, whispers followed.
"Hey, Anto's wife is here."
"She's cute when she's grumpy."
"Is there a new episode today?"
I tried to ignore everything.
And of course, the mastermind himself arrived five minutes before the bell—
Anto, strolling in like an overconfident soap-opera actor.
The moment he saw me sitting with my chemistry book, he raised both arms:
"GOOD MORNING, MY WIFE!"
The whole class exploded in laughter.
I slammed my book shut.
"Anto. I will throw a chair at you."
He grinned wider.
"Violence is not healthy for marriage."
"What marriage?!"
"Our one-month contract marriage."
He winked.
The class screamed like a live audience.
Tian even stood up and clapped.
"Anto, you're the best investment of my allowance. Worth it!"
Meanwhile, my blood pressure reached boiling point.
Anto crouched next to my desk, smiling like a golden retriever.
"Rin, you're even prettier when you pout."
"I can pout harder if you want."
"Show me," he said innocently.
I almost threw my pencil case at his head.
---
Sports Period — A Disaster Waiting to Happen
It was time for P.E. We played an old-school baseball-like game at the back field.
Anto was hyped. Of course. Running, shouting, acting like a circus clown—his natural habitat.
Me?
Sports were not my safe zone.
Especially with the class watching like paparazzi.
But throughout the game, I kept catching Anto glancing my way.
Just a second.
Quick.
But real.
Was he making sure I was okay…?
Or protecting his allowance bet?
My team defended while his team prepared to bat.
Anto stepped forward, bat in hand, posing like a dramatic champion.
Before he swung, he yelled:
"THIS ONE IS FOR MY WIFE!"
"ANTO SUBAGJA, SAY THAT ONE MORE TI—"
WHACK!
He hit the ball too hard. It flew fast to the left.
"RUN! RUN!" the teacher shouted.
I ran toward base, but the ground was slippery from last night's rain.
My foot slipped.
I fell hard—knee-first onto the dirt.
"Ow—"
My tiny cry was drowned by a roar far louder.
"WIIIIIFEEEEEE!!"
The entire field froze.
Then chaos erupted.
"ANTOOOO THIS IS INSANE!"
"Bro your wife fell!!"
"Tey record it! Hurry!"
But Anto wasn't laughing.
He sprinted toward me like a pro athlete.
Face pale.
Breathing heavy.
He dropped to his knees beside me.
"RIN!! RINA!! ARE YOU OKAY?!"
"I just fell—"
"OH MY GOD IT'S RED! TEACHER!! TEACHERRR!!"
"Anto, stop being dramatic—"
He stared at me, panic real and raw.
"Don't move. Does it hurt? It hurts right? Damn I should've run your direction—"
"Anto. Stop."
He didn't.
Instead, he lifted me bridal-style.
In front of everyone.
"Anto—WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! PUT ME DOWN!"
"I'm taking you to the infirmary. Don't argue."
The field exploded again.
"WOY ROMANTIC!"
"BRO CARRIED HER!"
"THIS IS K-DRAMA LIVE!"
My face burned.
"ANTO! PUT ME DOWN!"
"No."
Firm. Steady.
"You're hurt. I'll handle it."
I froze for a second.
That wasn't a joke voice.
---
At the School Clinic
He set me gently on the bed.
The nurse cleaned my scraped knee.
Anto stood beside me, tense, hands slightly shaking.
I watched him quietly.
This was not the clown from the field.
He looked… worried. Really worried.
"It's just a minor scrape," the nurse smiled.
"Nothing serious."
Anto nodded too fast.
"But she fell hard! She must be hurting! Damn why didn't I—"
"Anto," I called softly.
He looked at me.
Our eyes met.
For the first time, I saw genuine concern.
"What?" he whispered.
"You're dramatic."
He pouted. "I was serious."
I sighed. "I know. That's why… thanks."
He froze.
Absolutely froze.
"You… thanked me?"
He pointed at himself.
"Me? Anto Subagja?"
"I'm being nice. Don't waste it."
He smiled—softly.
"I'll never waste that."
Silence.
My heart beat weirdly.
Uncomfortable.
Warm.
Anto sat beside me, arms crossed, eyes on me.
"Rin," he murmured, "if you ever fall again, call me."
I raised a brow. "What are you, a cop?"
"No," he said with a tiny grin.
"But I'm your contract husband."
"ANTO—"
"HAHAHA."
He laughed—this time quieter.
Gentler.
And strangely… I didn't want to hit him.
I felt… warm.
A little.
Tiny bit.
Don't tell him.
---
Outside, the chaos continued.
"TODAY'S EPISODE IS AMAZING!"
"ANTO CARRIED RINA!"
"TOMORROW MAYBE A KI—"
"TEEEEY!!!" Anto yelled from inside.
I laughed.
Small. Barely there. But real.
Anto saw it.
His eyes sparkled.
"You laughed."
"No."
"Yes you did. Two seconds."
"DELUDED."
"This is progress!"
I covered my face.
But in the corner of my heart…
Maybe—just maybe—
I'm a tiny bit touched.
Just a tiny bit. Don't get excited.