Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

19. Happy Times Linger Only For A While

(Sarah's Pov)

I hesitated at the doorway, nerves knotting in my stomach, but I had no choice -- I had to go in. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the house. Mom was busy clattering dishes in the kitchen, and Dad was nowhere to be seen in the living room. Trying to keep my movements casual, I headed toward my room, hoping I could slip away unnoticed.

No luck. “Sarah,” Mom called out sharply, her voice slicing through the air like a blade. “Amreesh told me you broke his scooter?”

I winced, turning slowly. “Maa, it wasn’t my fault,” I said, trying to sound as innocent as possible. “I parked it in the right spot. This girl -- who doesn’t even know how to drive properly -- she hit it. It wasn’t me!”

Her tone was sharp and unforgiving. “Why were you using his scooter for your own fun, anyway?” she shot back.

I scrambled to explain, “I wasn’t! I was delivering --”

But she didn’t let me finish. “Shriya’s ring ceremony is the day after tomorrow,” she interrupted, her voice brisk. “There’s a lot to do, and I’ve already told Amreesh you won’t be going to the café for the next two days. Now go freshen up.”

Her tone left no room for argument, and I knew better than to push my luck. With a sigh, I trudged toward my room. Moms -- they always find a way to blame you for everything, even when you’re innocent. If the world was ending tomorrow, she’d probably find a way to say it was my fault for wasting too much oxygen.

As I flopped onto my bed, I couldn’t help but wonder why I didn’t take Ryan’s compensation earlier. He had offered a substantial amount, too -- way more than what the damage was worth. If it had been anyone else besides him, I’d have taken the money without hesitation and probably thrown in a few choice words about reckless drivers.

__________________________________

I only invited Shruti and Krystal to Shriya’s ring ceremony. As usual, I went shopping with Amreesh and Dad, hoping to get something I’d actually picked out myself. But, true to form, I didn’t get the chance. Shriya had already ordered a long skirt for me online -- cheap but pretty, just like she always manages to find.

It’s been this way since I was a kid. No matter how much they intended to splurge on me, they’d end up choosing something simple and inexpensive. Not that I’m complaining -- I’ve always found the “cheap yet beautiful” items more appealing than anything brand-name.

So, I didn’t stress too much. Shopping has never been my forte, and I’ve accepted that the universe seems to have a knack for finding the best deals for me.

On the day of the ceremony, I slipped into my magenta-toned skirt, which cascaded down to the floor, and paired it with a crisp white top adorned with delicate purple lace at the sleeves. I turned to Shriya for a bit of help with my hair. She gently tucked two strands from either side of my face and let the rest of my hair fall softly over my shoulders. I admired my reflection in the mirror, feeling a surge of confidence as I saw how well everything came together.

Shriya, on the other hand, was stunningly dressed. Typically, she’s all about formal attire and professionalism, but on special occasions like this, her outfits were a delightful departure from her usual style. She looked completely transformed, her elegance shining through in a way that made her stand out from her everyday appearance.

The ceremony took place at our home, transformed into a charming venue with soft lights, decorative lamps, and vibrant flowers. I had suggested the decorations, and they turned out just as I’d imagined. As the guests and relatives started arriving, the atmosphere grew livelier.

Among the crowd was my new brother-in-law and his family, making a grand entrance. Shortly after, my friends arrived. Krystal and Shruti were stunning, each dressed to impress. The whole place buzzed with excitement and anticipation.

I was poised with my phone, ready to capture the moment Shriya and her fiancé exchanged rings when I spotted Ryan entering the room with my dad. My stomach churned. I asked Shruti to take over recording the ceremony and went straight to my dad.

"Why did you bring him here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone even but unable to mask my irritation.

Dad, looking a bit surprised by my reaction, responded, "Well, you didn’t invite all your friends, did you?"

"I did," I said, gesturing toward Krystal and Shruti who were mingling and looking great. "Look, my friends are already here."

Dad shrugged nonchalantly, "I saw Ryan nearby, waiting for his car because it broke down. I just asked him to join us. Besides, he’s done us a favor before at the hospital. You shouldn’t forget that."

His response only fueled my frustration. I was already on edge, and now the unexpected presence of Ryan was testing my patience.