Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

27. We Can Never Be Friends

I pulled up by a convenience store and turned to her, saying, "Why don't you grab a water bottle? I think you need it."

She looked relieved and said, "Thank you. My throat was getting really dry."

I hadn't noticed that I'd parked right by Sarah's café until I saw her through the window. She was singing while wiping down the tables, lost in her own little world. I murmured under my breath, "Well, at least she seems to enjoy her work." I let out a deep sigh. My eyes couldn't help but drift back to her.
As I watched Sarah, I couldn't help but be amazed at how she'd remembered my allergy from seven years ago.
The car door creaked open, jolting me back to reality. I turned to Nitya, who was already waiting, and with a final glance at the café, we drove away.

_________________________________

I decided to visit Vicky, hoping that a buddy-to-buddy conversation would ease the knot in my chest. But as soon as I stepped into his studio, I realized it was already packed with familiar faces from school.

"Hey!" a voice chimed in from my right.

I turned to see Sarah, standing there with a casual smile. "Sarah, you're here too?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise.

Vicky, standing by his equipment, glanced over with a less-than-enthusiastic expression. "She came by to take some pictures," he explained. Then, gesturing toward the crowd of classmates lounging around, he added in a not-so-happy tone, "And they're here, killing time."

Once Sarah's pictures were ready, she handed Vicky the cash, but it came up fifty rupees short. Vicky waved it off casually, saying, "It's okay, I can give you a discount. After all, you gave me my first order."

Sarah, not wanting to leave a debt, rummaged through her bag, still searching for more cash. Before she could get more flustered, I handed Vicky the fifty-rupee note.

"Thanks, Ryan," she said with a relieved smile. "I'll pay you back next time."

I shrugged and replied, "No need, it's just fifty rupees. Not exactly going to break the bank."

She sighed, looking at me with determination. "Ryan, I know fifty rupees might seem small to you since you're a doctor, but it's not about the money for me. I don't like owing people. I'll pay you back."

I waved it off. "Come on, Sarah, it's really no big deal. Just let it go-"

But before I could finish, she quickly grabbed the money from Vicky and pressed it back into my hand. Her resolve was unshakable.

Rima, standing nearby, decided to jump in, her voice carrying a hint of annoyance. "Sarah, seriously? It's just fifty rupees. You're making a big deal over nothing."

Sarah shot her a look, her calm facade starting to crack. "I'm not making a scene. I just don't like owing anyone, that's all."

Rima rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. It's your ego, plain and simple. Ryan's a doctor, but he didn't show any attitude. He's good at so many things, yet you don't see him acting all high and mighty like you."

Sarah's face flushed, and her voice rose a notch. "You think I'm being arrogant?"

Rima crossed her arms and didn't miss a beat. "Yes, I do. Ryan's been hanging out with us, being normal and down-to-earth, while you act distant."

Sarah clenched her jaw, clearly struggling to hold back her frustration.

"And you know what?" Rima continued, her voice softer but with an edge. "Even though you two were rivals back in school, Ryan still talks to you with warmth and respect. Maybe think about that."

Sarah turned to me, her eyebrow raised, with a slightly sarcastic smile. "Seriously? You're really kind and gentle?"

I took a step closer, my voice lowering, "What, you don't think I am?"

She crossed her arms, meeting my gaze. "You're only good at rivalry."

I couldn't help but grin. "Is that so? But you can't deny one thing -- I'm still the best."

Her expression tightened, defiant. "The best? In what world? You barely managed to win against me."

Leaning in slightly, I couldn't resist teasing her. "Still, I beat you in the final board exam... and cleared NEET."

Her confidence wavered as she flustered, trying to hold her ground. "You cheated on that, and you know it clear as day."

I smirked, enjoying her reaction a little too much. "Cheated? Oh really? And how exactly did I pull that off?"

Her lips quivered with frustration, but she held my gaze, determined not to back down. I stepped even closer, lowering my voice, teasingly. "You can't reveal it, can you? Because deep down, you know... everything's fair in love and war."

Her breath caught, the tension between us thickening, and I could see the effect my closeness was having on her. She took a step back, her gaze intense but her voice quieter now. "And you know what? You and I... we can never be friends."