Love Rivals: The Day I Saw Your Tears

150. Sarcasm Is the Forge of Strength

(Ryan's Pov)

The final stop on our day out was the beach. The cool breeze brushed past us, and the sun was dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. It was the perfect blend of tranquility and beauty. We spent some time clicking pictures of each other, striking playful poses, laughing at how silly yet fun it was.

As I scrolled through the phone, a notification popped up. I glanced at it and read aloud, "Reunion on Sunday. Place: The Brouche Sip Café."

I turned to Sarah, showing her the message. "You wanna go? We can skip it if you’re not in the mood."

She looked at me and smiled. "Why should we skip? We’ll definitely attend."

Her enthusiasm caught me off guard but made me smile. "Alright, then. We’re going," I said.

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On Sunday evening, as we prepared for the reunion, I watched Sarah struggle with her saree. The fabric seemed to tangle and twist in her hands, a frustrating puzzle she was determined to solve.

With a light chuckle, I approached her and said, "You know, you really shouldn’t have chosen this saree if it’s giving you such a hard time."

Bending down to help, I carefully began adjusting the pleats. She glanced at me, a determined glint in her eyes. "I have to show them how beautiful I can be if I want to," she declared, her voice firm.

I smiled at her, trying to ease her tension. "But you already are beautiful. You don’t need to prove anything."

She straightened her back, a spark of defiance in her expression. "You don’t understand. They taunt me all the time. You’re handsome, well-settled, and everyone sees you as the perfect guy. But me? I’m the one who hears all the insults. Nobody believes that it was you who approached me. This time, I need to show them that I can be more beautiful than you. I have a stable job too, and I want to demonstrate that I’m just as perfect, if not more."

I raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by her intensity. "Do you really feel the need to compete with me on this?"

With a confident nod, she turned and made her way down the stairs, her saree flowing gracefully behind her.

Upon our arrival at the reunion, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and energy. As we stepped in, friends greeted us with playful teasing and heartfelt congratulations. I quickly got swept up in a conversation with the guys who had brought wine, and we settled at a nearby table while keeping a casual eye on Sarah and her friends.

Despite the distance, I couldn’t help but lean in to listen to their lively chatter, my curiosity piqued by the bursts of laughter that floated my way.

Rima leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ryan? Wow, Sarah, you really made some girl’s dream come true! I mean, marrying your childhood rival? It sounds like something out of a movie!”

Sarah laughed, a soft blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Honestly, it’s hard for me to believe too,” she admitted, her smile brightening her face.

Kiera chimed in, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. “You’re really something else, Sarah! I mean, you used to act like he was your biggest enemy. And now look at you. How did you manage to seduce him? Did you blackmail him or what? I mean, seriously... how did you even approach him?”

A flicker of irritation sparked within me at Kiera’s words, and I clenched my fists under the table.

Sarah took a deep breath, her demeanor shifting as she addressed Kiera. “You know, it really bothers me when I say to my parents that you all studied with me. Let me be clear: I was never interested in him. Ryan was actually the first one who reached out to me back then, and even after seven years.”

Kiera’s eyes widened, her skepticism evident. “Really? When did he start having such bad taste?”

With a playful smirk, Sarah replied, “Believe it or not, he actually likes this ‘bad taste.’ But honestly? I’ve scored a six—and I’m proud of it.”

As her words settled in the air, a rush of pride surged through me. Sarah was confidently owning our narrative, and I couldn’t help but admire her fearless spirit.