Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

60. Only For Me

(Ryan's Pov)

I kept reminding myself not to look at her. Over and over, I told myself to focus on Nitya, but each time I failed, my eyes drifted back to Sarah. She wasn't the most glamorous at the function, and she certainly didn't have the same elegance as Nitya tonight. Yet, there was something about her -- a quiet, unspoken pull that I couldn't resist. No matter how much I tried, I found myself stealing glances, my mind betraying me.

What made it worse was seeing her with Vicky. Their easy laughter, the way they stood close, made me feel uncomfortable and strangely vulnerable. I couldn't understand why, but the sight of them together unsettled me. I reminded myself, over and over, that this was my Mehndi with Nitya. This wasn't about Sarah. I had to stop focusing on her, had to let it go. But my heart wasn't listening.

And then, in typical Sarah fashion, she somehow managed to stain her dress with mehndi. It was as if she didn't even realize how or when it happened, a clumsy accident that was so her. Vicky immediately stepped in, offering to take her to the restroom, and suddenly, something inside me snapped.

"No," I said, cutting in before I could stop myself. "Rima, can you help her?"

Everyone paused, looking at me, but I didn't care. I showed them to my mom's room, pointing the way without hesitation. My mom, always gracious, handed Sarah one of her own sarees, offering it without a second thought. As Sarah disappeared inside to change, I stood there, a strange sense of relief washing over me -- relief that she was no longer with Vicky, and yet, discomfort at how much it all mattered to me.

After a while, I found myself walking towards the room, convincing myself it was just to check on her. But the second I stepped inside, the world around me seemed to pause. My breath caught in my chest as I saw her.

There she stood, wrapped in the sea-green saree, looking more beautiful than I had ever imagined. The color seemed to blend perfectly with her skin, like the earth cradling the ocean, seamless and natural. Her soft waves of hair tumbled over her shoulders, lightly grazing her bare skin, and I could feel my pulse quicken.

It wasn't just the way the saree draped elegantly over her, but the sleeveless blouse that nearly made my heart stop. I had never seen Sarah in a saree before, and now, standing here, I felt like I could never look away if she ever wore one again. She wasn't just beautiful -- she was captivating, and for that moment, everything else faded away, leaving only her in the center of my world.

Rima looked at me with a playful grin and asked, "How's she looking?"

Without thinking, I replied softly, "Beautiful." The word slipped out before I could stop it. Realizing what I'd said, I quickly changed my tone, masking the sudden rush of emotions. "Uh, I mean, search for some dresses, a kurti, anything. But change the saree."

Sarah, confused, looked at me and asked, "But why?"

I hesitated for a moment, fumbling for an excuse. "I... I don't like it when someone wears my mom's saree," I said, trying to sound convincing.
How could I possibly tell her that it wasn't the saree that bothered me? It was the way she looked in it -- stunning, breathtaking in a way I couldn't handle. How could I tell her that I didn't want anyone, especially Vicky, to see her like this?

I didn't know why, but I felt so vulnerable at that moment. A strange possessiveness surged within me. I didn't want anyone else to see this side of her, this version of her that made my heart race. I wanted this Sarah, draped in the beauty of a saree, to be seen by no one else but me.

Before Sarah could say anything, Rima interjected, her tone light yet firm. "She has nothing else to wear. Just let her be, Ryan."

I wanted to argue, to express my discomfort, but the words eluded me. I simply nodded, though a heaviness settled in my chest.

As expected, it didn't take long for Vicky to notice her. I could see the way his eyes lingered on her, the same way mine had. It made me uncomfortable, seeing how captivated he was. Worse still, he began to snap pictures of her on his camera, discreetly, without her even realizing it.

The rituals finally came to an end, and as the night carried on, I saw Sarah heading upstairs. My eyes followed her almost instinctively. She took a step, then suddenly stumbled, her foot catching on the stair. In an instant, Vicky was there, catching her in his arms before she could fall.

A surge of heat shot through me, my blood burning at the sight of it. My hands clenched at my sides as I watched the two of them, far too close for my comfort. Thankfully, by now, Sarah had changed out of the saree and into her dress.

Without thinking, I walked over to Vicky, catching his eye. "Vicky," I said, my voice low. I gestured to a quiet corner, where we could talk, away from prying eyes. He gave me a curious look but followed, unaware of the storm brewing within me.

I turned to Vicky, barely containing my anger. "You better not look at her," I warned, my voice low and tense.

He shot back, unflinching. "Maybe you should pay more attention to your own date."

I felt my fists tighten, searching for a response, but before I could speak, he continued, "Just stop being jealous. You've already missed your chance and your time."

His words struck a nerve, igniting a fire inside me. "This isn't your chance either," I shot back.

Vicky stepped closer, challenging me with his stance. "I backed down once, but I'm not doing it again this time."