The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Years passed.

The smiles remained.

Nothing more.

No conversations.

No friendship.

No love.

Just two familiar faces exchanging a smile whenever they happened to cross paths.

Time, however, never stood still.

Rhea completed her schooling.

The muddy staircase was no longer a part of her mornings.

Their routes changed.

Life moved on.

She joined college, carrying new dreams and a new chapter of life.

One day, her college celebrated Ethnic Day.

For the very first time, Rhea wore a saree.

She stood in front of the mirror for a long time, adjusting every pleat with nervous excitement. Her long hair flowed freely, replacing the two braids she had worn throughout her childhood.

That evening, she walked home, her saree swaying gently with every step.

She felt different.

More graceful.

More grown up.

Halfway through her walk, she heard the sound of a bike approaching.

Without paying much attention, she continued walking.

The bike suddenly came to an abrupt stop.

She looked up.

It was him.

Johan.

For a brief second, he simply stared at her.

The little girl he remembered from the muddy staircase…

had grown into a beautiful young woman.

By the time he gathered himself, she had already walked past him.

He slowly turned around.

As if sensing his gaze, she turned too.

Their eyes met after years.

He smiled.

A shy smile.

Then, almost in a whisper, he said,

“Pretty.”

Just one word.

Nothing more.

Rhea smiled without saying a word and continued walking.

She carried that single word in her heart for the rest of her life.