Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

87. A Normal Date Isn't Our Thing

The next day flew by without much interaction between Sarah and me. She spent the day with Krystal, exploring the city, while I was tied up in the conference hall, buried in discussions and meetings. During breaks, I found myself frequently checking Krystal's Instagram, watching them post stories and photos. The more I scrolled, the more jealousy crept in—seeing them laughing, enjoying their time, while I was stuck in a conference room.

By the time I returned to the hotel, it was late. The room was quiet, and Sarah was already fast asleep. I stood there for a moment, watching her, then lied on the couch.

The third morning arrived far too early for my liking. I was still half-asleep when a knock interrupted the stillness of the hotel room. Sarah, quicker to react, opened the door, revealing Nitya standing there with a bright smile.

“Hey! Call Ryan. We’re going for a walk today!” she declared, her energy cutting through the morning fog.

Before I could even process the request, Sarah shot back with a teasing glint in her eyes. “Hubby, your ex wants to take a walk with you!”

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my eyes widen in disbelief. Did she really just say that? I wasn't ready for this, not at all.

She turned to Nitya, feigning nonchalance. “See, there’s no response. That means he’s still sleeping. Now, goodbye.”

Just as she attempted to close the door, Nitya pushed it open wider and stepped inside. “Are you coming or not?” she pressed, undeterred.

Krystal appeared in the doorway, her face lighting up. “Sarah, let’s go on a double date!”

I interjected quickly, “I have to go with Nitya. So, if you don’t mind, Sarah can join your date.”

Sarah excused us and pulled me aside, her expression earnest. “I don’t want to be a third wheel between them,” she said, her voice low.

I raised an eyebrow, considering her words. “So, you want me to join you instead? Think about it -- it’s a date then.”

She hesitated for a moment. Finally, she sighed, “Fine, it’s okay.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Sarah changed into her casual dress, but I suggested she wear something a bit fancier. We went back and forth, arguing over her outfit until she finally settled on a lovely floral frock that made her look youthful and vibrant, almost like a cute teen girl.

I, on the other hand, was in my usual casual hoodie, feeling a bit underdressed next to her, but it didn’t matter.

We started our day as a group of four: Krystal, her fiancé, Sarah, and I. We headed to a cozy hotel for breakfast, the atmosphere filled with laughter and light chatter. After fueling up, we made our way to the movie theater. As we settled into our seats, Sarah and I couldn't help but exchange glances while we observed Krystal and her fiancé acting like the quintessential sweet couple, their playful banter contrasting sharply with our more subdued demeanor. We shared a knowing look, then turned our attention back to the screen, battling for the popcorn between us.

Following the movie, we decided to catch the sunset. The fading light painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, and it felt like the perfect backdrop for the day we had spent together. We clicked few pictures together. Eventually, we found ourselves at a charming restaurant for dinner.

As we settled in, Krystal stepped outside to bid farewell to her fiancé, who had to leave for some work. Sarah and I sat side by side at the table, waiting for our orders to arrive and for Krystal to return. I turned to Sarah and asked, “Did you enjoy today?”

She turned to me, her eyes drifting over the other diners, and said, “So this is what a normal couple does. I’ve seen it in dramas. But if this is what a real date is like, then I’d prefer not to date.”

I chuckled, a bit relieved to hear her honesty. “I was afraid to say it, but it was pretty boring, right?”

She nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on her lips.

Just then, our food arrived, and Krystal rejoined us at the table. We dove into gossip, the atmosphere lightening as we shared stories and laughter. Nitya piped up, “Hey, Ryan! You’re here too,” as she introduced one of our university friends, Harsh. I invited him to join us, eager to catch up with someone familiar.

The conversation flowed easily, but midway through dinner, as I was animatedly chatting with Harsh and Nitya, I suddenly choked on a piece of food. Panic set in as I struggled to catch my breath. Sarah quickly reached for a glass of water and handed it to me, gently patting my head in a comforting gesture without even looking my way, still engrossed in her gossip with Krystal.

Nitya, on the other hand, shot me an exasperated look. “Seriously, Ryan? You need to chew your food!” she scolded, but there was a hint of amusement in her tone as she shook her head at my clumsiness.