Sweet and Salty ~ (GxG) (Book 3: The Sweet and Sour series)

Friend's Inquisition

Tasha was feeling really good after a long time that morning. No sign of morning sickness, no bile rising in her throat. She even had an appetite for a good breakfast which Devjani gladly made her.

Tasha wanted to go to college. She had practical classes she didn't want to miss plus she was in mood to hang out with her friends. She was missing ranting with her girls.

Satyavati had a packed routine for the day. She had a couple classes in her college, then a meeting with a publisher regarding her next book launch and a few spot visits with her friends of NGO. She dropped Tasha at her college. Sayani who had a free day was supposed to pick her up after classes. Though Tasha could have easily booked a cab back home Satyavati had been really wary about leaving her unattended even for a second since she got the big news.

The girls group hugged Tasha just as she entered the class. They were delighted to see her after a few days. Tasha expected no less. But she somehow felt funny at how Dahlia was giving her weird glances every now and then. During classes and during hanging out in the library on their free period alike.

Tasha wanted to ask what was wrong but seeing that Dahlia was trying to put up a casual front and behave normally around her friends she knew better than to ask outright. Still she couldn't ignore the discomfort she felt crawling under her skin at how confused Dahlia's eyes were looking. That woman was contemplating something seriously in her head.

After the classes Arni suggested that they hang out in the cafe down the lane. Though Tasha won't be eating junk food thanks to her fatty liver yet she wanted to spend a little more time with her buddies. So she agreed.

Before going out as the girls were fixing their makeup in the restroom Dahlia pulled Tasha at a corner whispering, "Is your girl picking you up today?"

"Nope. I will call Cherry to pick me up", Tasha answered confused.

"How about I drop you home today?", Dahlia's eyes narrowed as her expression became unreadable.

"You don't have to you know", Tasha uncomfortably shifted her gaze from those piercing brown eyes.

"I know you are not comfortable in letting us know about your girlfriend's whereabouts but I'm only offering because we need to talk", Dahlia suggested as she looked over her shoulder to find Arni and Kiara still busy applying makeup in front of the mirrors along the sinks, "I will drop you at the lane next to her house if you want me to. I insist, please!"

Tasha felt her heart thump in her chest once. She had never liked the phrase we need to talk. It usually came up with people saying things she didn't want to hear. But she was also curious of what Dahlia wanted to talk about so badly so she agreed.

After hanging out for awhile in the cafe Dahlia went to drop Tasha home in her car.

"So? What do you wanna talk about?", Tasha asked after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

"You know I don't like beating around the bushes so I will be direct about it", Dahlia said in a calm voice making Tasha's heartbeat increase, "You don't have to confirm it if you are uncomfortable but are you dating Satyavati Mukherjee?"

The confrontation was so unexpected that Tasha sat starstruck with her mouth hanging agape. The full reality of the situation sank in her slow. Dahlia, who-knew-how, discovered that she was dating Satyavati. The determination in Dahlia's voice confirmed that Tasha supporting or denying the fact would be meaningless. Dahlia already knew the truth. She was giving Tasha a chance to opening up to her. If anything Tasha should be glad that she was considerate enough to not bring the topic up in front of Kiara and Arni.

After a long pause where Tasha was trying to process how to come up with an answer to conjure all her feelings and pour them out to her friend, Dahlia said in a softer voice, "Don't feel pressurised to answer. I was just curious. I know it's not fare of me to interfere into your personal life. Sorry if I startled you. Just forget what I asked."

"How did you find out?", Tasha asked meekly.

"We went to the club last night. You know how Kia and Arni get when tipsy. I had to force them in the taxi. They passed out almost immediately. On our way back to the Uni I noticed you, on the backseat of Miss Mukherjee's Rovero, going the other way", Dahlia said in a low hum, "I still thought I was seeing things. I was tired afterall. But this morning. It was Miss Mukherjee that dropped you at the gate, right?"

"Did you see us?", Tasha was finally gaining back her confidence as she found no trace of disgust or hostility in Dahlia's voice, she was just genuinely curious.

"From a distance. But I still noticed the giant red Rovero. How do I forget that bike specially when the number-plate is so unique. 6969. Who does that to their bike?", Dahlia started giggling.

Tasha joined in. She had joked around with Satyavati loads of times because of that number plate. Though Satyavati claimed that it was a coincidence that she got allotted that number yet Tasha never missed a chance to pull Satyavati's leg with that.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you guys earlier. I knew you wouldn't judge but I just....", Tasha trailed out. She didn't know how to tell Dahlia that Satyavati was uncomfortable with the thought of people coming at Tasha because of their age gap and thousand other reasons.

"You don't owe me an explanation. Sorry that I forced you into this conversation", Dahlia gently smiled, "My curiosity got the better of me. I should have given you time to come out when you felt okay."

"Lia....You are my friend.....I'm sorry that I didn't trust you enough to tell you everything beforehand. I was afraid that you wouldn't get it. That you would think of Kiwi as a sugar-mommy like everyone else and think that she is using me. You guys are the only friends I have made in a long time. I didn't want to loose what we have over some misunderstanding", Tasha held Dahlia's shoulder.

"Don't listen to people. They can be toxic. Miss Mukherjee's fame gets everyone jealous. If you chose her then she has to be one of a kind. I believe you are smart enough to steer clear of someone trying to take advantage of you. Trust me, I'm more than excited to let Miss Mukherjee know that she has a bombshell sister-in-law waiting to rant about her woman to her. Arni and Kia will definitely feel the same too", Dahlia fist bumped with Tasha as Tasha leaned back in her seat, finally feeling at ease.