The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

He walked into the café slowly, his heartbeat rising with every step. His fingers tightened around the diary he had carried for years.

As he reached the table, Rhea slowly lifted her eyes.

Their eyes met.

For the first time…

they were sitting face to face.

She, too, felt nervous.

Johan smiled, pretending to be calm, and took his seat.

“Can I order a cappuccino?” he asked softly.

She simply nodded.

A few minutes later, two cups of cappuccino were placed on the table.

Silence surrounded them.

Johan took a deep breath.

“You are not someone I met a year ago,” he began. “I’ve known you ever since I entered my teenage years.”

He smiled faintly.

“Your smile… is something I’ve carried with me all my life.”

“I don’t think anyone knows that I have been fighting a battle all alone… just for you.”

Rhea quietly looked into his eyes.

A single tear escaped from his eyes before he could stop it.

Seeing that tear broke something inside her.

Her own eyes slowly filled with tears.

Johan immediately shook his head.

“No…”

“I can’t see tears in your eyes.”

“And that is exactly why I have come here with this decision.”

He gathered himself before continuing.

“Do you remember the day you slipped on the muddy staircase?”

She smiled through her tears and nodded.

“That was the day my heart slipped with you.”

“You got up after a few seconds…”

“…but the boy whose heart slipped that day never got the chance to get up again.”

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

“Then years later…”

“…I saw you wearing a saree for the very first time.”

“My heart skipped a beat.”

“And that was the moment I realised…”

“I wasn’t just admiring you anymore.”

“I was in love with you.”

He looked into her eyes.

“People say love needs a reason.”

“Ours began with a fall.”

“Every time I looked into your eyes…”

“Every time I saw you smile…”

“…my heart forgot how to beat normally.”

“I lived with confusion until the day you told that boy…”

Then he took out a tiny velvet box.

“I bought this pendant years ago.”

“I always dreamed of giving it to you on the day we finally spoke about our feelings.”

He gently placed the little box in her hands.

Inside lay a beautiful diamond pendant.

It sparkled under the café lights.

Yet…

the tears shining in Rhea’s eyes were far brighter.

Not because it was a priceless gift…

but because it came from the man who owned her heart.

She carefully closed the box and held it close to her.

It instantly became the most precious gift she had ever received.

Not because it was made of diamonds…

but because it came from the one she loved.

Johan cleared his throat.

“For years…”

“I imagined this moment.”

“I imagined placing this pendant in your hands…”

“…and asking you just one question.”

He looked at her with trembling eyes.

“Rhea…”

“I am hopelessly…”

“…completely…”

“…head over heels in love with you.”

A faint smile appeared on her tear-filled face.

He continued,

“I wanted to ask”

“Will you marry me?”

Before she could answer…

he lowered his eyes.

His voice trembled.

“But unfortunately…”

“I…”

“I am here to tell you…”

“…we can’t be together.”