Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

102. Her Cool Attitude

The next day, as Nitya and I headed to the hospital cafeteria for lunch, a nurse rushed toward us, slightly flustered.

"Sir," she began, catching her breath, "someone's here to see you. She was insistent about entering your office, but since you were in the conference hall, I managed to have her wait in the reception area."

I frowned slightly. "Who is it?"

"She said her name is Mrs. Sarah Ryan Gujral."

I blinked, a flicker of surprise running through me. Mrs. Sarah Ryan Gujral? She's using my name? My thoughts raced for a moment.

"I'll be there in a minute. Thanks," I said, turning to Nitya. "Nitya-"

Before I could continue, Nitya cut me off, her voice calm but with a clear edge. "I'll wait for you in your office," she said, her words short, yet loaded with unsaid meaning.

I nodded, sensing the subtle tension, and walked toward the waiting area. As I approached, I saw Sarah sitting casually, a lunchbox resting on her lap, her expression calm and unreadable.

"What's this about?" I asked, trying to sound neutral, but a part of me was still caught off guard.

Sarah's gaze met mine, her lips curling into a small, carefree smile. "Nothing serious. I just brought lunch for you," she said, her voice light, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

She looked around briefly, then with an almost teasing smile, she asked, "So, where's your closest friend?"

I paused, unsure how to respond to the playful tone behind her words. "Nitya? She's in my office."

Without a moment's hesitation, Sarah stood up, her movements relaxed and confident. "Well then," she said, a playful glint in her eyes, "let's not keep her waiting."

She began walking toward the office, swinging the lunchbox in the air, her casual demeanor both unsettling and intriguing. I watched her for a moment, trying to figure out what exactly was going through her mind before following her.

As we stepped into the office, Sarah greeted Nitya warmly, but as usual, Nitya's response was cold, barely a nod in acknowledgment. Sarah didn't seem fazed, settling herself into a chair beside me, her demeanor calm but with an edge of quiet confidence. I was still trying to figure out what she was up to, completely thrown by her sudden appearance.

Nitya, clearly irritated, broke the tense silence. "Sarah, if you've just come to kill time, you might as well head back home. Ryan and I are about to go for lunch, and we don't have time to waste."

Sarah leaned back slightly, crossing her arms with a casual air. Her eyes, however, sparkled with a hint of challenge. "First of all, Nitya, I'm not here to waste anyone's time. And contrary to what you might think, I'm not unemployed. I just finished a project this morning," she said, her tone steady but firm. "And for your kind information, I take my job seriously. It may not pay me as much as yours, but I find contentment in what I do."

Nitya's eyes narrowed as she crossed her legs, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure you're content. After all, you've got Ryan, haven't you?"

Before I could step in, Sarah's hand slammed onto the table, making both of us flinch. Her calm facade didn't falter, but her voice took on a dangerous edge. "Did I give you permission to interrupt?" she asked sharply, her gaze locking onto Nitya's with an intensity that filled the room. "I wasn't finished."

She leaned back again, her fingers picking up a glass paperweight and rolling it between her hands, her every movement deliberate, as if to assert control over the situation. "Second of all," she continued, her voice steady and cool, "I'm Ryan's wife. And while I understand that you might be feeling a little envious, it doesn't bother me. In fact, it's natural. But right now, I'm here because I want some private time with my husband. I assume you can understand that."

Nitya's face flushed with anger as she stood, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. "I don't care what's going on between the two of you, but this is a workplace. You should keep your private time at home."

Sarah tilted her head slightly, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Nitya, don't jump to wild conclusions," she said softly, her words cutting like glass. "Yes, this is your workplace. But all I meant was that Ryan and I want to have lunch together. You see, he's been really tired of the cafeteria food lately. Last night, he told me how much he misses my homemade meals, so I thought I'd bring him something nice. Now, if you don't mind excusing us, we'd appreciate some time to ourselves. Or," she added, her smile turning teasing, "you're welcome to join us and share the meal."

She was unbelievable. I watched as Nitya's lips tightened into a thin line, clearly infuriated by Sarah's calm but pointed remarks. I could feel the storm brewing between them, and all I could do was sit there, caught in the eye of it.