The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 5

Unable to keep her happiness to herself, Rhea shared everything with her friends.

She spoke about the smile.

The saree.

The word “Pretty.”

Finding out his name.

The prayer meeting.

Every little moment that had become precious to her.

Her friends listened patiently.

Then one of them gently said,

“Rhea… maybe he still remembers you as the little girl who slipped on the muddy staircase.”

She fell silent.

Another friend continued,

“I mean… he probably looks at you like a little sister or a child. If he really had feelings for you, wouldn’t he have spoken to you by now?”

The words were simple.

Yet they pierced her heart.

For the first time…

she questioned every smile they had ever shared.

Maybe…

they were right.

Maybe she had misunderstood everything.

That evening, while walking back from college, her feet knew the way home.

Her mind didn’t.

The same question echoed again and again.

What if he doesn’t love me?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice Johan riding past her.

He slowed his bike as he always did.

Waiting for that familiar smile.

Nothing.

She walked past him without even looking.

Johan frowned.

He glanced at her through his rear-view mirror.

Something wasn’t right.

Without thinking, he took the next left, rode through the connecting road and quietly came in front of her once again.

Still…

she never looked up.

He wanted her attention.

But how?

An idea crossed his mind.

He picked up his phone.

Though no one had called him, he held it against his ear and casually said,

“Hello… it’s me, Johan.”

Rhea finally lifted her eyes.

She looked at him.

But for the first time…

there was no excitement.

No smile.

No sparkle that usually greeted him.

Only sadness.

She quietly walked past him.

Without a single word.

Johan remained frozen.

Watching her disappear down the road.

A strange heaviness settled in his heart.

That evening…

neither of them found peace.

Rhea lay awake wondering,

Maybe my friends were right.

Maybe he never loved me at all.

And somewhere else…

Johan stared at the ceiling, unable to stop thinking about her.

What happened?

Did I do something wrong?

Is she in some kind of trouble?

Or…

…does she no longer like me?

For the first time…

both their hearts were filled with the same restlessness.

Only the questions were different.