Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

124. We Only Rely On Our Heart's Choice

I adjusted the fracture belt on my right arm, feeling the weight of my injury more than ever. I knew deep down that Nitya wouldn’t be able to care for me the way I needed, and I found myself wishing fervently that Sarah would stay with me instead. But she hadn’t even asked my dad if she could; that silence stung more than I wanted to admit. Lately, her behavior had been hurtful, and I had tried to ignore her, hoping it would ease the growing tension between us.

For the past two days, I had been fending for myself in the hospital. Simple daily activities became monumental challenges, and I struggled to manage even the smallest tasks. Nitya was around but often seemed more concerned with her own issues or merely checking in on my condition rather than offering any real help. It was frustrating; her support felt lackluster at best.

On the evening of Day 2, I found myself wrestling with an apple, trying to peel it with one hand. It was a messy endeavor, and just as I was about to give up in frustration, Sarah burst into the room, her eyes wide with urgency. She rushed toward me, snatching the apple and the knife from my hand before I could even react.

Relief flooded through me at the sight of her. “What are you doing?” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with annoyance as she took control of the situation. I couldn’t help but enjoy her worried expression, a mix of anger and concern, as she deftly began peeling the apple.

Just then, the door swung open, and my dad walked in with Nitya right beside him. The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Nitya’s eyes narrowed when she saw Sarah. “What are you doing here, Sarah?” she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice. “I thought I made it clear that I could take care of Ryan. Then why are you showing off?”

I could see Sarah stiffen at Nitya's words, her hands pausing mid-peel.
She placed the apple on the table beside my bed, her movements deliberate. She turned to Nitya, her frustration boiling over. “I’ve already seen how you’ve been taking care of him,” she said, her voice sharp and unwavering. “I was a fool to think you’d actually be there for him.”

Nitya’s eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean by that?”

Sarah didn’t flinch. She took a step closer, her voice steady but brimming with frustration. “I gave you the chance to look after him. But what did you do? He’s injured, Nitya. He can’t manage basic things on his own right now. If he wanted to eat an apple, you should’ve peeled it for him. How can you expect him to do it with an injured arm?”

Nitya, now visibly defensive, turned toward me, searching for support. “Ryan, if you needed help, why didn’t you just call me? If you had, this wouldn’t be happening, and she wouldn’t be speaking to me like this.”

Before I could respond, Sarah took a deep breath and faced Nitya, her eyes burning with intensity. “Why should he have to call you? Why didn’t you ask him if he needed anything? You’ve known him for so long, you’re supposed to be close, right? Shouldn’t you have noticed that he needed help? By now, you should’ve been able to understand his needs without him having to say a word.”

Before Nitya could respond, Dad, who had been standing quietly, suddenly intervened, his voice loud and angry. “Sarah, watch your tone! Don’t forget who you’re speaking to. You’re crossing the line. Nitya has been Ryan’s friend for years, and she doesn’t need your approval. She’s more than capable of taking care of him, better than anyone else.”

Nitya, clearly irritated, made an attempt to push Sarah out, but this time, Sarah stood her ground, her voice unwavering. "I’m not leaving. I won’t let her take care of Ryan anymore. And, Uncle," she said, turning to my dad with determination, "please don’t try to kick me out."

Her words hit me like a wave, and my heart fluttered. There was something in her tone, in the way her moist eyes shimmered with fierce resolve, that struck deep within me. My heart pounded in my chest, and in that moment, I realized—I was falling in love with her even more.

As Dad and Nitya left the room, leaving just the two of us in the quiet space. I tried to catch Sarah’s gaze, but she kept avoiding me.

Breaking the silence, I said, "I thought you didn’t care about me when you walked away yesterday. You didn’t even show any concern when I hurt my hand. It made me feel like… I didn’t matter to you anymore."