Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

75. Breathtaking Beauty

It was already 10:30 p.m. when I found Sarah pacing on the balcony, the night breeze gently lifting her hair.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked, half paying attention as I continued playing a game on my phone.

She turned to me, her face thoughtful. "Do your parents always come home this late?"

I gave a distracted nod, still focused on my phone. "Yeah, pretty much."

She leaned against the railing, her eyes distant. "It must be tough. They don’t have much time together, do they? You're kind of lucky in a way. No pressure to live under strict rules, but at the same time, you don't get to experience that typical family chaos."

I shrugged, not really looking up. "I know. They might not spend a lot of time with me, but they’re together all the time at work."

Just then, we heard the sound of a car pulling up. My dad had finally arrived. Sarah quickly went downstairs to greet him, while I followed behind.

Dad walked in and dropped his bag by the couch, settling in like he’d had a long day. Sarah moved quickly, offering him a glass of water, her hands a little shaky. She hesitated before nervously asking, "Um... coffee or tea? Or... I mean, do you want coffee or tea?"

Dad looked at her with a smirk. "Do you really think it’s the right time for coffee or tea?"

Realizing her mistake, Sarah flushed with embarrassment. "I’m so sorry. I just... um, I’ve prepared dinner. Would you like—"

Before she could finish, Dad interrupted, still with that teasing tone. "Usually, I eat out, but Ryan’s mom made sure I’d be on my best behavior tonight."

Sarah’s face lit up with a smile, her earlier nerves melting away. "Great! I’ll go serve dinner," she said, her voice bright and eager, before hurrying off to the kitchen.

We all sat down at the dining table as Sarah served the plates, her nervous energy palpable. We started eating, and after Dad took his first bite, he paused. The silence was heavy, and Sarah quickly filled it, her voice small but trying to sound confident.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said, forcing a smile. "I'm not that good at cooking... but I promise it’s edible."

Dad looked at her, but he didn’t say anything about the food. Instead, after a brief pause, he turned to me. “Ryan, tomorrow I’ve arranged a reception at St. Huskies for you two. Make sure to call your friends and colleagues. I’ve already informed the relatives.”

I nodded.

The next morning, Mom called us into her room and handed us our outfits for the party.

Sarah hesitated, looking at the saree with a bit of uncertainty. "Aunty, I can't wear a saree properly. I mean, I know how, but it never looks right."

Mom gave her an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry, dear. I have to be at the hospital all day. I won’t be able to help. But don’t worry, just give it a try."

Sarah looked over at me, slightly unsure. "Can I call Krystal to come here and help?"

I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Sure."

In the evening, we both got ready for the party. I waited for her downstairs, feeling oddly anxious for no reason I could explain. When Sarah finally appeared at the top of the stairs, my breath caught in my throat.

She was stunning.

The black, silky fabric of her saree draped perfectly against her skin, hugging her figure in all the right places. For the first time, I saw her in a sleeveless blouse, which only added to the allure. Her metallic bangles jingled softly with each step, and the delicate silver chain around her neck highlighted her elegant collarbones. Her hair, slightly wavy, cascaded gently over her shoulders, framing her face with an effortless grace.

She looked absolutely breathtaking. A wave of attraction hit me that I wasn’t prepared for. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was sexy in a way I hadn’t noticed before. My heart fluttered, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.

We arrived at the party, and the atmosphere was filled with an air of elegance. The lights glimmered off the chandeliers, casting a warm glow on the polished floor.
As we entered, I noticed Nitya pass by without so much as a glance or greeting. It felt awkward, but I let it slide. Sarah went to join her parents, while I found myself standing near the cellar, feeling a bit out of place.

Krystal sidled up to me with a mischievous grin and nudged my arm. "So, tell me... who’s more beautiful tonight? Nitya or Sarah?"

Caught off guard, I glanced over at her, then back at Nitya. "Nitya," I answered, feeling a bit defensive.

Krystal pouted playfully. "Then why can't you stop staring at Sarah?"

I flustered at her comment. "Nitya is the most stunning in the room tonight. She’s always been beautiful. You probably don’t know, but she was the belle of the university. Everyone admired her.”

Krystal didn’t look convinced.

"But Sarah..." I hesitated, my eyes drifting toward her once more. "This is only the second time I’ve ever seen her in a saree. She wasn’t like this before. She usually sticks to her sweatshirts and joggers. It’s just... these changes, they’ve really surprised me. I never imagined her looking like this, so... she’s unbelievably pretty."

Krystal smiled knowingly. "I get it. Sarah’s always been simple, preferring comfort over style. She’s not one for makeup either. And even tonight, she hasn’t applied much, just a little touch-up. But you’re right—she looks stunning in her own way."