4. Rumor

After a few weeks of living with Bin, I started to feel a burden that went beyond just taking care of the house or making instant noodles for him. Turns out, this marriage started to spread around school. At first, it was just whispers in the hallway, but eventually the rumor got huge. Every time I walked by, people would start staring at me weirdly.

I thought the problems at home were already bad enough, but now I had to deal with school drama too. One of the worst came from Jeni and her gang, who had never liked me from the start.

They used to be annoying, but now they were worse than ever. Maybe because they didn’t like seeing someone like me, known for being an achiever, getting involved with a delinquent like Bin.

That day, just as I got off the angkot in front of the school, I saw Jeni and her gang hanging out at the gate. I tried not to engage and just walked past them. But of course, they weren’t the type to let things go so easily.

“Hey, I heard you’re Bin’s wife now? Wow, never thought a girl like you would go for a bad boy,” Jeni said loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. I felt all eyes instantly shift toward me.

I paused, held my breath, and kept walking without saying a word. But Jeni didn’t back off. She and her gang came right up to me.

“Oh wow, married to a delinquent but still riding angkot? Bin doesn’t pick you up on a motorcycle or something?” she added, making her gang laugh.

I stopped, trying to ignore them, but a part of me wanted to snap back.

“Why don’t you take care of your own life, Jeni? Instead of being all up in mine?”

Jeni smirked and stepped closer. “I’m just surprised. The model student now married to the head of a biker gang? What, can’t compete academically anymore so you decided to get married young?”

I felt my blood rushing to my head. I wanted to clap back, but I knew it would only make things worse. I couldn’t let her get to me. I had to be patient.

But before I could say anything, Jeni grabbed my arm.

“Or maybe... you got pregnant first, huh? That’s why the rushed marriage? Can’t even stay in school anymore?”

I felt both angry and humiliated. The rumors they were spreading had gone way too far, and I had no idea how to fight back. Every day felt like I was sinking deeper into something I never imagined.

But suddenly, a deep voice called out from behind them.

“Let go of her!”

Everyone, including me, turned toward the voice. Bin was standing there, eyes sharp, staring directly at Jeni and her gang. I saw Jeni’s expression shift, just a little, from smug to cautious, but she didn’t back down.

“What’s your deal, Bin? Trying to play hero now?” Jeni said, still pretending to be tough.

“Walk away, or I swear you’ll regret ever laying a hand on her,” Bin warned, voice cold and dead serious.

I couldn’t believe this was happening, but Jeni knew they’d lost. After a few long seconds, they finally walked away, muttering under their breath.

“Just wait, Bin. This isn’t over,” Jeni said before leaving.

Once they were gone, I tried to breathe, but my emotions were a mess. I felt embarrassed, angry, but also relieved. I saw Bin walking toward me, but I didn’t feel like thanking him.

“I didn’t ask you to help me,” I snapped without thinking. “All of this is your fault! If you hadn’t come into my life, I wouldn’t be going through any of this!”

Bin stared at me, confused and angry. “I was helping you, Ayu! Didn’t you see what they were doing to you?”

“But you’re the reason all this is happening! I didn’t ask for everyone to be talking about me just because I married you!” My voice started to rise.

“So you’d rather let them beat you up than let me help?” Bin shot back, clearly angry. “I really don’t get you, Ayu. I’m protecting you and you’re mad at me?”

“You don’t understand anything, Bin!” I couldn’t hold it in anymore, all my anger and frustration poured out. “You’re always causing trouble for me. None of this would’ve happened if you weren’t here!”

Bin stepped closer, still furious. “You really don’t know how to be grateful, huh? I just stood up for you in front of Jeni and you’re blaming me? I just wanted to help, Ayu!”

I felt overwhelmed and confused, but I couldn’t control my emotions. “You think everything’s fixed just because you helped me once? You don’t understand what I’m feeling!”

The tension between us rose. We stood there, staring at each other, both still angry. I knew Bin was just trying to help, but deep down, the frustration I’d been holding in, all the pressure I’d been feeling, none of it could just disappear.

After school that day, I walked quickly toward the school gate. My mind was still filled with Jeni and her gang’s taunts from earlier. They were starting to make my life miserable, especially now that the rumor about my marriage with Bin had started to spread. I didn’t know how I’d face them.

After the big fight that morning, I went home still feeling completely torn inside. I just wanted everything to go back to how it was before all this chaos. But I knew that was impossible. I opened the door slowly, wishing I could just sleep and not think about anything.

But something felt off... the house was quiet. Bin wasn’t home. Normally, he’d already be there when I got back, even if it was just to yell at me to cook or clean up. I checked his room. Empty. I didn’t know where he went, and I didn’t care.

I tossed my bag on the couch and walked to the kitchen, grabbing a drink while glancing at the clock. It was getting late, and Bin still wasn’t back. Honestly, I was relieved, I could finally breathe a little without his nagging. But on the other hand... I was curious. Whether I liked it or not, I was thinking about what he might be doing out there.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Bin’s motorcycle from a distance. That meant he was just getting home now. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, but my chores wouldn’t get done if I kept lying around. I walked toward Bin’s room, and as usual, he had left a pile of dirty clothes in the corner.

“Ugh, Bin. Such a mess,” I muttered, grabbing a bucket to start washing.

But as I picked up one of his shirts, I felt something strange. There was a red stain on the fabric, not a lot, but clear enough to tell it was blood. My heart suddenly pounded. I stood up, staring at the shirt more closely.

“This... is blood?” I whispered, my voice shaky, filled with fear and confusion.

My thoughts spiraled. Was Bin in a fight? Did something happen to him? Or… did he do something worse?

I felt sick just imagining all the horrible possibilities racing through my head. I didn’t know what really happened, but one thing was certain: I was starting to get scared of Bin.

But I couldn’t say anything. I just held my breath and tried to stay calm.