The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

That day ended peacefully for Johan…

and with endless questions for Rhea.

The next morning, Rhea could hardly wait to reach college.

The moment she saw her friends, she excitedly narrated everything that had happened the previous evening.

She spoke about the boy.

She spoke about saying “

“Jo…”

She spoke about seeing Johan standing there.

She spoke about the smile on his face as he walked behind her.

Her friends listened carefully.

Finally, one of them smiled.

“You know what…”

“I think we were wrong.”

Rhea looked at her.

“With everything you’ve told us… it really feels like he has feelings for you.”

The words she had longed to hear finally reached her ears.

Her happiness knew no bounds.

Miles away…

Johan had finally decided to do something he had never done before.

He chose to share his heart with someone.

His closest friend.

Karthik.

His college friend…

and now his colleague.

After patiently listening to Johan’s story, Karthik couldn’t help smiling.

“Dude…”

“I think she definitely likes you.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

“Go and tell her.”

Johan lowered his head and smiled nervously.

Karthik laughed.

“You know what surprises me the most?”

“This is the first time I’ve ever heard you talking about a girl.”

“I’m honestly shocked.”

Then he placed an arm around Johan’s shoulder.

“And of course I want to see the girl who stole your heart.”

“You know why?”

Johan looked at him.

“In college, girls called me Krishna…”

“…and they called you Rama.”

“If someone managed to change Rama himself…”

“I definitely have to meet her.”

“So…”

“Shall we go this evening?”

Johan smiled.

“Of course, buddy.”

For the first time in years…

he wasn’t carrying the secret alone.

The evening felt unusually long.

Every minute seemed slower than the last.

Finally…

it was time.

Johan started his bike.

Karthik jumped onto the pillion seat.

The entire ride, Karthik spoke nonstop.

Johan barely heard a word.

His thoughts had already reached the bus stop.

They arrived much earlier than usual.

As always, Johan parked his bike where Rhea couldn’t see it.

He had done that every day without anyone knowing.

The two friends quietly waited.

A bus approached.

Without taking his eyes off it, Johan softly said,

“She’ll be in this one.”

The doors opened.

Students began getting down one after another.

Karthik carefully observed every face.

Then…

he noticed a young woman wearing a sky-blue salwar.

She stepped down from the bus.

There was a quiet grace in the way she walked.

Without taking his eyes off her, Karthik asked,

“Is she the one?”

Johan looked at him in surprise.

He slowly nodded.

“How did you know?”

Karthik smiled.

“You didn’t have to tell me.”

“The way you looked at her…”

“…answered everything.”

He lightly tapped Johan’s shoulder.

“Come on.”

“I want to see how she reacts when she sees you.”

The two friends got back on the bike and rode towards her from the opposite direction.

The moment Rhea noticed Johan…

a beautiful smile bloomed on her face.

Their eyes met.

Only for a second.

But that one second was enough.

As they rode past, Karthik immediately said,

“Stop the bike.”

Johan looked at him.

“Go.”

“Talk to her.”

“It’s crystal clear she has feelings for you.”

“This is your chance.”

Johan swallowed nervously.

“I… I feel very nervous.”

Karthik smiled.

“I know.”

“But I’m with you.”

“Come.”

They parked the bike and began walking towards her.

Karthik gently pushed Johan forward every few steps.

“Go…”

“Go…”

Johan took a deep breath.

Just as he gathered enough courage…

Rhea suddenly stopped walking.

Both of them looked ahead.

Standing right in front of her…

was the same boy who had proposed to her the previous day.