The Muddy Staircase - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Johan stood frozen.

His jaw tightened.

“Buddy…”

Karthik whispered.

“Is that the same guy who proposed to her yesterday?”

Without taking his eyes off them, Johan silently nodded.

Karthik placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Relax.”

“Let’s first hear what he’s saying.”

A few steps ahead…

the young man stood in front of Rhea.

“Look…”

“I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“But I still don’t believe it when you said you’re engaged.”

Rhea sighed.

“I can’t keep proving myself to everyone.”

The young man continued,

“Then tell me.”

“Who are you in love with?”

“If you don’t…”

“I’ll keep coming behind you.”

Without replying, Rhea simply started walking.

The boy immediately walked beside her.

“Please understand.”

“I genuinely love you.”

Before he could continue…

someone tapped him on the shoulder.

He turned around.

Johan stood there.

His usually calm face carried an unfamiliar firmness.

“Stop bothering her.”

The words were neither loud…

nor angry.

Yet they carried enough authority to make the boy step back.

Rhea turned at the sound of his voice.

For a second…

she forgot to breathe.

Johan…

was standing beside her.

The young man frowned.

“And who are you?”

Johan looked straight into his eyes.

“I don’t want to see you following her again.”

The boy folded his arms.

“Who are you to tell me that?”

For a brief moment…

Johan looked at Rhea.

Then he turned back to the young man.

“You wanted proof…”

“…didn’t you?”

He clenched his fist ever so tightly.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Silence.

The young man slowly looked towards Rhea.

She wasn’t saying a word.

She was only looking at Johan.

The answer was right in front of him.

He smiled sadly.

“I understand.”

He looked at Rhea.

“I’m sorry.”

Without another word…

he quietly walked away.

The road suddenly felt much quieter.

Johan slowly walked towards Rhea.

Behind them…

Karthik whispered excitedly,

“This is it.”

“Tell her.”

“Go…”

Johan stopped right in front of her.

His heartbeat had never been louder.

He cleared his throat.

“A… actually…”

“Hmm…”

“You know…”

“I…”

Rhea looked into his eyes.

Waiting.

Every word he had rehearsed disappeared.

His courage quietly slipped away.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

“What I actually wanted to say was…”

“He…”

“…he won’t bother you again.”

The words escaped before he could stop them.

The next second…

Johan turned around.

Started his bike.

And rode away.

Leaving behind…

one speechless girl…

and one utterly frustrated best friend.

Karthik stood there staring at the disappearing bike.

He let out a deep sigh.

“Will this fellow ever propose in this lifetime?”

He turned towards Rhea.

She was still standing there…

watching Johan disappear into the distance.

Karthik smiled to himself.

Then he immediately pulled out his phone.

By the time Johan answered…

he was nowhere to be seen.

“Hello?”

“Buddy…”

Johan’s guilty voice came through.

“I’m sorry.”

“I got so nervous…”

“I completely forgot you came with me.”

Karthik rolled his eyes.

“Oh, really?”

“Now stop apologising.”

“Come and pick me up.”

There was a brief silence.

Then Johan asked hesitantly,

“Is…”

“…is she still there?”

Karthik looked towards Rhea.

She hadn’t moved.

She was still staring at the road where Johan had disappeared.

He couldn’t resist teasing him.

“Oh yes.”

“She’s standing right here…”

“…waiting for you to come back and propose.”

“Karthik!”

“Stop annoying me.”

“I will come and pick me up!”

Johan almost shouted before disconnecting the call.

Karthik laughed to himself.

“Our Rama…”

“…is hopeless.”