The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 3

That one word changed everything.

“Pretty.”

It echoed in Rhea’s mind long after he had ridden away.

Something she had never experienced before quietly settled in her heart.

A tiny spark…

that travelled through every corner of her being.

She found herself wanting to see him again.

Not to talk.

Not to know him.

Just…

to see him.

Days slowly turned into weeks.

Without even realising it, she had started looking for him everywhere.

Every smile from him brightened her day.

Every glance stayed with her a little longer than before.

Somewhere along the way, she quietly admitted something to herself.

She was falling in love.

Then another question took over her thoughts.

What is his name?

She had no idea.

Not knowing his name somehow made him even more mysterious.

Soon, they began noticing each other at church.

Every Sunday became special.

Before Rhea’s eyes could search for him…

Johan’s eyes had already found her.

It was almost as though he knew exactly when she would arrive.

The moment their eyes met…

the world around them faded into silence.

The choir continued singing.

People continued praying.

Children continued running around the church courtyard.

Yet for those few fleeting seconds…

time belonged only to them.

Rhea often found herself wondering…

Is this really love…

…or am I simply imagining that he likes me too?

The questions never stopped.

One fine morning, while walking to college, she noticed him sitting on his bike by the roadside.

A mobile phone rested against his ear.

She slowed her pace ever so slightly.

Not enough for anyone to notice.

Just enough to steal one more glance.

She quietly walked past him.

Then she heard his voice.

“Divya… it’s me, Johan. Can you hear me now?”

Rhea’s footsteps came to an immediate halt.

Johan.

His name was Johan.

A smile spread across her face before she could stop it.

She had finally discovered the name of the boy who had unknowingly occupied her thoughts for months.

Yet…

before the happiness could settle…

another thought appeared.

Who is Divya?

She continued walking until his voice could no longer reach her.

Then, without thinking twice…

she turned around.

Not to look at him this time.

She only wanted to know…

whether he was still talking to Divya.

As she walked back, he looked up.

The moment he saw her again…

a beautiful smile appeared on his face.

As though her unexpected return…

had become the happiest part of his morning.