The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Karthik stood there, shaking his head.

“Will this fellow ever propose in this lifetime?”

He looked towards Rhea.

She was still standing there…

watching Johan disappear down the road.

Without wasting another second, Karthik called him.

By the time Johan answered, he had already disappeared from sight.

“Hello?”

“Buddy…”

Johan’s voice sounded guilty.

“I’m really sorry.”

“I got so nervous that I completely forgot you came with me.”

Karthik sighed dramatically.

“Oh, how thoughtful!”

“Now stop apologising and come pick me up.”

There was a brief silence.

Then Johan asked hesitantly,

“…Is she still there?”

Karthik looked around.

Rhea had slowly started walking home.

A smile still lingered on her face.

Unable to resist teasing him, Karthik replied,

“Oh yes.”

“She’s standing right here…”

“…waiting for you to come back and finally propose.”

“Karthik!”

“Stop irritating me.”

“Just wait there!”

Johan shouted before disconnecting the call.

A few minutes later, Johan returned.

As he turned into the same road, he noticed Rhea walking slowly towards her house.

She wasn’t simply walking.

She was reliving every moment.

His words—

“You wanted proof… that’s why I’m here.”

—kept echoing inside her heart.

A smile quietly found its way to her lips.

Johan looked at her from a distance.

Without realising it…

he smiled too.

Karthik watched the entire scene.

He folded his arms and laughed.

“Rama…”

“I seriously wonder how difficult it is for Krishna to be Rama’s friend.”

Johan looked at him, confused.

Karthik continued dramatically,

“By the time I fall in love…”

“…propose…”

“…get married…”

“…go on my honeymoon…”

“…have a baby girl…”

“…you’ll still be riding around warning random fellows…”

“‘Don’t worry… she won’t be bothered anymore.’”

Johan couldn’t help laughing.

Karthik wasn’t done yet.

He held his head dramatically.

“Oh God!”

“Now I finally understand Santhanam!”

He imitated the comedian’s style.

“Oorla naalu, anju friends irukkuravanga ellam santhoshama irukkaanga…

Ore oru friend-ah vechittu naan padura paadu irukke…

Ayyo… ayyo!”

Johan burst into laughter.

For the first time in days…

his heart felt light again.

That evening, the two friends climbed to the terrace.

Each held a cup of hot tea.

The city slowly settled into silence.

For a while…

neither of them spoke.

Finally…

Johan broke the silence.

“How is she?”

Karthik smiled.

“A blessing.”

He looked at Johan seriously.

“I saw everything in her eyes today.”

“The way she looked at you…”

“…there wasn’t a single doubt.”

“She loves you.”

Johan quietly lowered his eyes.

Karthik continued,

“Don’t lose her, buddy.”

“You two are meant for each other.”

Then his tone became more serious.

“But listen carefully.”

“The longer you wait…”

“…the more complicated this is going to become.”

“So don’t let fear steal your happiness.”

Johan looked at the cup in his hands.

Deep down…

he knew Karthik was right.