24-04-2026, 12:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 24-04-2026, 12:54 AM by heygiwriter. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 9 – Careful Steps
Suresh froze when Gowtham gently pushed for more details.
“It’s… it’s very personal, Gowtham,” he muttered, looking away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Gowtham felt a sharp stab of disappointment but hid it perfectly. He simply nodded with understanding. “Okay anna… I won’t ask again. Sorry for bringing it up.”
The entire following week felt awkward for Suresh. He could barely look Gowtham in the eye whenever they crossed paths. Every time the young man smiled and called out “Anna!”, Suresh’s mind flashed back to his drunken words. Shame burned in his chest.
If I’m feeling this uncomfortable just because he heard a few drunk words… how hard would it be for Sneha if we actually did something?
He started avoiding Gowtham slightly. Gowtham, being smart, noticed everything. He deliberately gave them space — no chess invitations, no unnecessary visits, just polite greetings. He played the patient game.
Next Sunday evening, Gowtham knocked on their door.
“Anna, rooftop? Just like before?”
Suresh hesitated. “Not today, da. I’m not in the mood.”
But Gowtham insisted with his usual charming smile. “Just one or two pegs, anna. Come on… the weather is nice.”
Suresh finally gave in.
On the rooftop, they settled with whiskey and snacks. For the first few minutes the air felt heavy. Then Gowtham spoke calmly:
“Anna, I won’t pressure you to tell me anything. If you feel uncomfortable around me because of that night, I’ll completely stop asking. Let’s forget it. Today we’ll only talk cricket. Okay?”
Suresh relaxed a little. They slowly slipped into normal conversation — IPL matches, player form, heated arguments about CSK vs RCB. The mojo returned. Laughter came back. Glasses kept getting refilled.
By the time they were on their fourth peg, Suresh was nicely dizzy. He suddenly turned emotional.
“Sorry da… I should have told you the truth that day. It’s not just personal… it brings a lot of shame.” His voice cracked slightly. “Ever since this erectile dysfunction started, I’ve been feeling so tired… so useless. Sneha is not understanding how important this is for me. She keeps refusing…”
He stopped mid-sentence, realising he was going too far again. He quickly changed the topic back to cricket.
Gowtham listened quietly, absorbing every word without pushing.
The next morning, Suresh woke up in Gowtham’s flat again. He felt nervous.
“Gowtham… did I blurt out anything stupid last night?” he asked hesitantly.
Gowtham smiled gently and shook his head.
“I decided not to give any importance to your drunken words, anna. Our friendship is more important than anything. Whatever you said… just forget it. I’m sorry if my presence is making you uncomfortable.
Anna i just wanted to say this louder, im not trying something with your truth like I never want to come between you and Anni., i just wanted to fix something if can be able to do, help you in some way.. as my name repeatedly involved between you two.
Suresh felt a strange mix of emotions — relief, happiness, and a little guilt. Here was this young, sturdy guy who knew his deepest shame, yet wasn’t judging him. Instead, he was respecting boundaries and still treating him like an elder brother.
For the first time, Suresh felt oddly comforted.
“You’re a good friend, Gowtham,” he said quietly. “Thank you.”
Gowtham smiled warmly, hiding the dark satisfaction burning inside him.
Perfect, he thought. The seed is planted. Now I just need to water it slowly.
So the entire truth will be out.. only if that comes out he would take a next step towards Sneha
Suresh froze when Gowtham gently pushed for more details.
“It’s… it’s very personal, Gowtham,” he muttered, looking away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Gowtham felt a sharp stab of disappointment but hid it perfectly. He simply nodded with understanding. “Okay anna… I won’t ask again. Sorry for bringing it up.”
The entire following week felt awkward for Suresh. He could barely look Gowtham in the eye whenever they crossed paths. Every time the young man smiled and called out “Anna!”, Suresh’s mind flashed back to his drunken words. Shame burned in his chest.
If I’m feeling this uncomfortable just because he heard a few drunk words… how hard would it be for Sneha if we actually did something?
He started avoiding Gowtham slightly. Gowtham, being smart, noticed everything. He deliberately gave them space — no chess invitations, no unnecessary visits, just polite greetings. He played the patient game.
Next Sunday evening, Gowtham knocked on their door.
“Anna, rooftop? Just like before?”
Suresh hesitated. “Not today, da. I’m not in the mood.”
But Gowtham insisted with his usual charming smile. “Just one or two pegs, anna. Come on… the weather is nice.”
Suresh finally gave in.
On the rooftop, they settled with whiskey and snacks. For the first few minutes the air felt heavy. Then Gowtham spoke calmly:
“Anna, I won’t pressure you to tell me anything. If you feel uncomfortable around me because of that night, I’ll completely stop asking. Let’s forget it. Today we’ll only talk cricket. Okay?”
Suresh relaxed a little. They slowly slipped into normal conversation — IPL matches, player form, heated arguments about CSK vs RCB. The mojo returned. Laughter came back. Glasses kept getting refilled.
By the time they were on their fourth peg, Suresh was nicely dizzy. He suddenly turned emotional.
“Sorry da… I should have told you the truth that day. It’s not just personal… it brings a lot of shame.” His voice cracked slightly. “Ever since this erectile dysfunction started, I’ve been feeling so tired… so useless. Sneha is not understanding how important this is for me. She keeps refusing…”
He stopped mid-sentence, realising he was going too far again. He quickly changed the topic back to cricket.
Gowtham listened quietly, absorbing every word without pushing.
The next morning, Suresh woke up in Gowtham’s flat again. He felt nervous.
“Gowtham… did I blurt out anything stupid last night?” he asked hesitantly.
Gowtham smiled gently and shook his head.
“I decided not to give any importance to your drunken words, anna. Our friendship is more important than anything. Whatever you said… just forget it. I’m sorry if my presence is making you uncomfortable.
Anna i just wanted to say this louder, im not trying something with your truth like I never want to come between you and Anni., i just wanted to fix something if can be able to do, help you in some way.. as my name repeatedly involved between you two.
Suresh felt a strange mix of emotions — relief, happiness, and a little guilt. Here was this young, sturdy guy who knew his deepest shame, yet wasn’t judging him. Instead, he was respecting boundaries and still treating him like an elder brother.
For the first time, Suresh felt oddly comforted.
“You’re a good friend, Gowtham,” he said quietly. “Thank you.”
Gowtham smiled warmly, hiding the dark satisfaction burning inside him.
Perfect, he thought. The seed is planted. Now I just need to water it slowly.
So the entire truth will be out.. only if that comes out he would take a next step towards Sneha
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