Tender Storm

Chapter 16

"What about truth or dare?"

"No way! That's so dorky and too high school!"

"This is sort of a high school reunion. Isn't it?"

Sakshi listened to the banter of the girls as she sat with them on the corner of the pool.

Even though the party was at full swing and she enjoyed every bit of it, she wished she could spend more time with Amit.

After being alone with him at the seashore and sharing a brief but heart warming kiss, she felt more at ease with him and wanted to open up her feelings.

But Akhil had interrupted saying the boys were going for a swim and Amit left her with the girls "only if you don't mind" he told her, softly kissing her palm "we can go home if you don't feel upto it".

"No" she took his hand "I'll be fine...you go on". With one last brief kiss, he had gone with the boys while she walked back to the resort swimming pool where the girls were chatting and having fun.

"Sakshi?" Apeksha called her "why don't you suggest something?" Sakshi gave a nonplussed look "I don't know...probably antakshari?"

A howl of laughter followed this statement and Sakshi tried not to look embarrassed.

"Poor Amit" Apeksha teased "he's going to be playing antakshari on his wedding night". Again they erupted in laughter and Sakshi blushed "I'm sorry guys...I told you before. I'm not used to these kind of things".

"Sure sure" Kiran winked at her "Amit will teach you slowly..don't worry about that".

"Have you guys decided about the honeymoon yet?" Apeksha teased.

"Of course not!" Sakshi squealed "and can we change the topic now?"

"Whose honeymoon?"came a voice from behind them and Sakshi watched as Deepa sat next to her.

She's flawless, thought Sakshi admiring her up close as she smiled at her.

"Forget that" Apeksha turned her attention to Deepa "what the hell are you doing here? I thought you were with Aman".

"Yeah, we saw you guys leaving hand in hand towards the lounge" Kiran winked "give us the details!"

Deepa gave a small shrug "nothing happened guys" she said honestly "we left things just like we had before".

"Oh come on Deeps!" Apeksha chided "don't tell me you ditched him!"

"I didn't, he did" Deepa fiddled with her hair "it's probably for the best".

"Are you kidding me?" Apeksha shrugged "the way he was looking at you...says a lot. He still has feelings for you".

"Yes but I don't want to force him to date me or something" Deepa sighed "let's leave it".

Sakshi who was quietly listening to the conversation quipped "Deepa's right" she said and turned to her "I'm glad you guys called it quits".

All eyes fell on Sakshi but Deepa stared at her intently "why do you say that?" Sakshi suddenly felt conscious of their gaze.

"As much as I've come to know him, he's not as nice as Amit" she told Deepa "he doesn't know how to talk to a woman...his tongue gets way ahead of him" she smiled "trust me, you're better off without him. I wish you never cross paths with him again".

"Whoa!"Deepa chuckled "now I definitely need to pursue him". She quickly caught Sakshi's eye and laughed "relax...I won't tell him about your opinion. It's between us".