Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

59. Jealousy Is A Dangerous Thing

After some reluctance, Vicky finally agreed, though his expression showed he still thought I was out of my mind.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked, my voice laced with anticipation, hoping he had some brilliant idea up his sleeve.

A sly grin crept across his face as he leaned in. “I’ve got something in mind,” he said, his tone filled with mischief.

I felt a flicker of hope. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense -- what’s your plan?”

Vicky crossed his arms confidently. “Ryan got close to you to mess with your engagement, right? So we turn the tables. You’ll make Nitya believe you two are closer than ever. Jealousy is a dangerous thing, Sarah. And trust me, it can break even the strongest of bonds.”

I tilted my head, considering his words. “You think jealousy could actually make her call off the wedding?”

He gave a casual shrug, but his eyes gleamed with certainty. “Absolutely. Girls are more prone to jealousy than they care to admit, especially when it comes to someone they’re about to marry. All we need to do is make her doubt.”

I nodded, starting to see the gears turning in his head. “But today is his Mehndi and Sangeet. It’s not like I can just hang out with Ryan the entire time.”

Vicky smiled knowingly. “That’s where I come in. You won’t need to be by Ryan’s side -- you’ll stay close to me instead.”

I blinked, a little puzzled. “Stick close to you? How does that work?”

He leaned in closer, his grin widening. “If you can’t be near Ryan, being with me will make him wonder. A little bit of mystery, a little bit of jealousy. Trust me, Sarah -- guys aren’t immune to it either.”

I raised an eyebrow, half-amused. “You think Ryan will care enough to get jealous? Like in one of those over-the-top drama series?”

Vicky chuckled softly. “I don’t know if it’ll play out like a soap opera, but I know my friend. He’s not as indifferent as he pretends to be. Just follow my lead, and we’ll stir things up.”

Despite my reservations, I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Alright, Vicky. I’ll trust you. Let’s give it a shot.”

Just before we reached Ryan's house, Vicky suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned toward me, his expression serious.

“Are you doing this because... you still have feelings for him?” His voice was cautious, as if he were treading on thin ice. “I mean, do you still...?”

I cut him off quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. “No, stop making wild guesses, Vicky. It’s nothing like that.” I waved my hand dismissively, hoping to convince both him and myself. “I just want to help him make the right choice. That’s all. I’m doing this out of gratitude. He’s still a friend.”

He gave me a long, searching look, and then sighed. “Just... don’t fall for him again, Sarah.”

Those words hit harder than I expected. He didn’t know it, but that was exactly what I feared most.

As I walked into the house, the soft golden lights shimmered against the walls, casting a warm glow over the vibrant marigold garlands draped from every corner. The rhythmic beats of the dholki blended with the laughter and chatter of guests, while the scent of fresh mehndi and jasmine lingered in the air. The entire space felt alive with celebration.

Then, my eyes fell on Ryan. He stood near the center, dressed in an elegantly embroidered sherwani that highlighted his sharp features. His hair was perfectly styled, and the way he carried himself, with that confident smile, made it almost impossible to look away. He looked striking -- more handsome than ever before, and my heart fluttered as I caught myself staring.

Beside him, the bride looked every bit the part in her dazzling lehenga, her jewelry catching the light as she moved. She was beautiful, but my focus kept drifting back to Ryan. My heart skipped a beat each time I glanced his way.

Just as I was taking in the lively atmosphere, someone called me over to get my mehndi done, but I politely declined.

I spotted a few of our old school friends among the crowd. We exchanged a few excited greetings, and soon the focus shifted to the dance floor, where performances had already begun. The energy picked up, and the dance performances quickly became the highlight of the evening, drawing everyone's attention.

To my surprise, Vicky approached me with a grin and asked if I wanted to join him for a duo dance. I hesitated for a moment, but soon agreed. As the music started, we moved in sync, and before I knew it, we were lost in the rhythm. The crowd’s cheers grew louder, and when we finished, the applause was overwhelming. Our school friends were especially shocked, as none of them knew I could dance this well.

As Vicky called me over, I followed him, happy to escape the crowd for a bit. We quickly fell into an easy conversation, gossiping about old times and the people around us. His witty comments had me laughing, and amid the chatter, he pulled out his camera and asked if he could take a few pictures. I playfully posed, and he snapped away, capturing the lighthearted mood of the evening. We laughed at the photos, joking about our impromptu photoshoot.