THE HIRED TEACHER
1638 Words
Chapter 11. THE HIRED TEACHER
AT NIGHT
Arka was halfway through dinner with his family when the doorbell suddenly rang.
His mother looked at him. "That must be your teacher!”
Arka froze mid-bite, spoon suspended in the air. “Mom, wait—!”
Too late. His mother was already walking briskly to the door, cheerful as ever. A second later, the door opened—
And there he was.
Kaal.
Wearing neat glasses, a crisp white shirt, and carrying a leather folder under his arm, he looked completely different. No hint of the grumpy student or the hot-headed boy Arka had seen yesterday. He looked… mature. Too mature.
Arka’s eyes went wide. His brain was short-circuited.
Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Not him. Anyone but him.
Meanwhile, Kaal stood in the doorway, polite as ever.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Pranata. I’m Kaal—” he glanced at Arka, who was now blinking furiously— “the tutor you hired.”
Every member of the Pranata family turned to stare at Arka, as if saying, You’ve got to be kidding me. The one you like actually this beautiful!
Kaal adjusted his glasses, straightening his posture. “And…” his gaze landed again on Arka, voice cooling a bit, “…hello, Mr. Arka Pranata.”
“Don’t call me that!” Arka blurted before he could stop himself.
Kaal raised an eyebrow. Oh, so he talks now? After yesterday’s silent storm?
Mr. Pranata cleared his throat, trying to salvage the awkward air. “Ehem—uh, no need to be so formal, Kaal. You can call me Uncle, and my wife Auntie.”
Kaal smiled politely, but his eyes refused to leave Arka. “Yes, Uncle, Auntie.”
“And me!” a bright voice chimed. “Call me sister!”
Kaal turned—and blinked. Araa stood at the staircase, smiling playfully.
Wait. She’s here?
His brain glitched.
For a brief second, his chest tightened. She looked exactly like—
Arka?
His mind scrambled, trying to process what he saw.
No, no way. Did Arka… wear a skirt?
His throat went dry. He wouldn’t… right?
Meanwhile, Arka nearly facepalmed. “She’s my older sister, Araa,” he muttered.
“Ah,” Kaal coughed, clearing his throat, embarrassed. “O-of course. I see the resemblance.”
Araa giggled. “Oh, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Kaal’s cheeks went pink. “Uh—yes. Sorry for my behavior last time.”
Araa waved it off, laughing. “Don’t mind it. My brother has that effect on people.”
Their mother coughed softly, clearly enjoying the show. “Alright, alright, enough introductions. It’s getting late. Why don’t we start the lesson?”
Arka jumped to his feet. “Right—yes! Let’s go upstairs! Um, to my room.”
He looked like a soldier ready to escape battle.
Kaal followed him up the stairs, trying to appear calm, but his mind was in chaos.
What on earth did I walk into?
And why does he look so… different outside school? His hair’s messier… and he’s wearing home clothes, pluffy pajamas on top of that—
He quickly looked away. He's so cute! No. No thinking like that. You’re here as a teacher, Kaal. A teacher!
Behind them, Mrs. Pranata sighed while her husband only muttered, “This is going to be a long night.”
⸻
FLASHBACK — LAST NIGHT
After Arka’s emotional meltdown, Araa had gone to say good night to him. But halfway down the hallway, a lightbulb went off in her head.
Wait… wait, what if—
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. She spun on her heel and dashed back downstairs.
Her mother was still on the phone with their father. “Yes, dear, our son looks so gloomy. Araa said it’s about his boyfriend again. I swear, that child…”
“Let him cool down,” her father’s voice crackled through the line. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Got it. When will you be home?”
The call ended, and before Mrs. Pranata could even put her phone down, Araa was already there beside her.
“Mom, I have an idea!”
“Oh dear, what is it this time?”
Araa clasped her hands dramatically. “So, listen. Today when Kaal and Arka went out, I was left with Reo. You know, the guy who looks like a walking photoshoot? Well, turns out Kaal is the top student in the entire school!”
Her mom gasped. “What? So the one Arka likes is not only smart, but the smartest student in the whole school?”
“Exactly!” Araa said proudly. “And guess what—Reo is his current study partner. Top two handsome boys in one frame! Mom, my heart couldn’t handle it.”
Her mother looked both amazed and slightly worried. “Do you think it’s one-sided love? Maybe Kaal doesn’t—”
“Oh, I don’t know, Mom,” Araa interrupted quickly. “But from what I saw today, Kaal definitely looked jealous. Maybe just a little, but still! There’s a chance!”
Mrs. Pranata raised an eyebrow. “So what’s your plan?”
Araa’s eyes gleamed. “Easy. We hire Kaal as Arka’s private tutor! He’s the top student, and Arka’s… well, the bottom one. We fix my brother’s grades and his love life in one shot. Genius, right?”
Her mom burst out laughing. “How come you call your brother stupid so proudly?”
Araa giggled. “Because I love him, Mom. And if this works, I’ll even get Reo off his back. Win-win!”
“Fine,” her mom said, smiling. “Let’s ask your dad first.”
“Already thought about that! If you and Dad agree, I’ll text Reo to ask for Kaal’s phone number.”
Her mother froze, narrowing her eyes. “Wait. How come you have Reo’s number?”
Araa laughed awkwardly. “Hehehe… well, Mom, he’s handsome, polite, and he didn’t yell at me like Arka does. What kind of girl doesn’t ask for his number?”
“You’re impossible,” her mom sighed. “Go ahead, little cupid.”
Araa quickly texted Reo. To her surprise, he replied instantly.
Everything after that moved like fate aligning itself.
That night, when Mr. Pranata came home, his wife and daughter were waiting, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
He listened to their plan, hummed thoughtfully, and then picked up his phone.
“Hello, is this Kaal?”
“Yes, sir. Speaking.”
“I’m Mr. Pranata. I heard you’re good at teaching. I hope you don't mind me calling.
—my son needs help with his grades. Would you consider tutoring him privately?”
Kaal sat up straight, trying to sound professional. “What subject does he need help with?”
“Mainly mathematics and literature,” the man replied. “And a bit of… discipline.”
Kaal blinked. “Discipline?”
Mr. Pranata sighed deeply. “He’s brilliant when he wants to be. But most of the time, he doesn’t want to be. You understand?”
Kaal pressed his lips together. He understood too well.
“I’ll pay you fairly,” Mr. Pranata continued. “Just a few evenings a week. My wife and I would feel better if someone responsible could monitor his study time.”
Kaal almost said no. He really did. The thought of tutoring another spoiled student outside of school made him want to bury himself under his pillow again.
He was about to decline politely when Mr. Pranata added—
“Please, Kaal. My son’s hopeless without help. I’m afraid he might not pass this year.”
Kaal paused.
Hopeless? he thought. That… definitely sounds like Arka.
He sat upright, voice suddenly tight. “S-sir, may I ask… your son’s name?”
There was a small pause. “Arka. Arka Pranata.”
Kaal’s stomach dropped.
His brain went blank for a full three seconds before he managed to say, “…I see.”
Arka. It’s really him.
He rubbed his forehead, suddenly flustered. “Sir, I’m not sure if I’m the right person for—”
“Nonsense,” Mr. Pranata interrupted gently. “My daughter spoke highly of you. Said you were top of your class. Reliable. Calm.”
Kaal blinked at that. “She… did?” Who is his daughter?
“Yes! You and Arka are in the same school, right? Permata High?”
“…Yes, sir,” Kaal said slowly, suppressing the growing chaos in his chest.
“So, will you help him?”
Kaal hesitated. Part of him wanted to say no. Part of him was curious. And a very small, stubborn part whispered—
This could be a chance to fix everything.
“I have time at night, sir,” he finally said.
“Perfect! I’ll text you our address. Let’s start tomorrow night.”
After hanging up, Kaal sat in stunned silence.
I’m tutoring… Arka?
He flopped onto his bed, groaning into his pillow. Oh no, what have I gotten myself into…
The phone buzzed again — this time, a text.
Mr. Pranata: “Here’s the address. See you at 7 sharp.”
Kaal read it twice, just to make sure it was real.
Then he threw himself face-first onto his bed.
“Great. Just great,” he muttered into his pillow. “I yelled at him in the library, accused him of cheating, and now I’m supposed to teach him?”
Meanwhile, downstairs at the Pranata house, Mr. Pranata stood with a proud grin.
“Success,” he said.
Araa and Mrs. Pranata gasped. “Really?!”
He nodded.
And just like that, all three of them high-fived like conspirators in a romantic drama.
“Operation Fix Arka’s Grades—and Love Life—has begun!”
- Writer
