Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

43. A Then-Sweet, Now-Bitter Christmas

As I reached Sarah's house, she thanked me for keeping her company and headed inside. I turned to walk away, but suddenly she burst back out, her expression a mix of apprehension and urgency.

"Do you need something?" I asked, puzzled.

With a hint of fear in her eyes, she replied, "Nothing. Just go. I'll watch you leave."

"Okay," I said, starting to walk away.

Just then, I heard a voice from inside her home. "Why are you late? And I told you not to mess up your room! Where did you hide the remote?"

I paused, glancing back at Sarah. "You don't want me to see this?"

"Ryan, just go," she insisted, urgency creeping into her tone.

"Why?" I pressed, intrigued.

At that moment, her sister stepped outside, greeted me with a smile, and pulled Sarah back inside. As they entered, I heard her sister say, "I warned you not to wear my dress."

"Yeah? Well, you borrowed my shoes without asking! Did I say anything?" Sarah shot back.

I couldn't help but smile as I walked away, the lighthearted banter warming my heart. Just then, I bumped into Vicky, who raised an eyebrow at me.

Vicky asked, "Where have you been? The party ended ages ago."

"I was just taking a walk," I replied, trying to sound casual.

He grinned, "You missed out! You know how much we all enjoyed?"

As he went on about the party highlights, I found myself lost in thought. I realized I wouldn't have enjoyed the celebration nearly as much as I did that evening with Sarah. This was shaping up to be the most enjoyable night of the year for me, especially that climactic moment in the café.

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I spent Christmas evening with Nitya, and she had a whole evening planned out for us. We started by visiting the church, staying there for about half an hour in peaceful silence. Afterward, she pulled me towards the amusement park, something I never expected her to enjoy so much.

As we strolled around, we bumped into her friends, and she introduced me as her fiancé. That moment unsettled me. It felt strange -- like we were still good friends, and suddenly, this label of life partners was thrust upon us. I wasn't ready. The shift from being close buddies to something more felt rushed, almost unnatural, and it was difficult for me to fully accept it.

We were all hanging out, enjoying the evening, when Nitya suddenly demanded a bouquet of flowers and asked me to sing a song for her. The entire time, she clung to me, which started to irritate me a little.

I finally turned to her and said, "Why are you acting like a typical girlfriend? You know I don't like this stuff."

She looked at me and replied, "Well, you'd better get used to it. I'm going to be your wife soon. And, honestly, you've never really treated me like your girlfriend. I stayed quiet because I was afraid you might change your mind, but now I want to feel what it's like."

I sighed, half-jokingly saying, "I could change my mind if you keep this up."

That set her off. She got upset and stormed off. Realizing I had taken it too far, I hurried after her, grabbing her hand. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. What do you want to eat? I'm starving."

Her mood shifted instantly, and with a quick smile, she pointed to a café right in front of us before rushing inside, leaving me to follow.

I stood there, staring at the café in front of me, my eyes drifting to the Christmas tree next to it. It was the same café Sarah and I had visited seven years ago. Memories of that day from years ago flooded my mind. I remembered the moment when, on my way home, I searched for her wish card and curiously read it.
"I wish all the happiness to my family, and I wish I get to feel the friendship Ryan and Vicky have."
I remembered once, during a conversation, she had looked at me with a small, bittersweet smile and said, "You know, sometimes I'm jealous of the friendship you and Vicky have."

I broke my gaze as something else caught my attention -- a familiar reflection in the window.

It was Sarah.

To be sure, I turned around, and there she was. Our eyes met for a split second before she quickly turned her back and walked away. In that fleeting moment, I noticed her eyes were moist, and as she hurried off, I caught sight of her wiping away tears.

I had no idea why she was crying, but seeing her like that stirred something deep inside me, leaving me feeling strangely unsettled and uneasy.