Minerva and Dhritiman stood by the window, looking out. What a beautiful day it has been! Perfect for gardening! Minerva thought. Perfect for a... "Could we dine out tonight?" Dhritiman asked even before he had processed the thought himself. Shit! That was just too fast. Pressing his lips together he looked at her. Minerva too was surprised at sudden proposal! Have they come to this stage that they can go out for dinner? Of course both the families will be too happy, but will they themselves be comfortable? But turning towards her husband, she couldn't help smiling. That anxious look, biting lips, raised eyebrows, made him look rather.... cute! Yes, that's the word. Dhtiti looked very cute like this. "Are you sure?"

'washing powder nirma, washing powder nirma, Dhudh si safedi.' WTF! Where is this song coming from? Both of them looked around and saw Dhritiman's phone flashing on the bed!

Minerva burst into laughter whereas Dhriti jumped in horror.

He sprang to the bed and cursed as he took the phone. Ridhdi's name flashed. That little swine! He cursed. Dragging the green button he started, "You piglet!" "Love you too dada!" and the call cut. He couldn't believe his ears. His brother had to do this in his in-laws house. Prestige Puncture!!! But he couldn't scowl much longer. Minerva's infectious smile caught him, and he burst into laughter.

Good god! How long it has been since has laughed like that? Three months? No! He clearly remembers the day his wedding date was fixed, 'you just concentrate on being happy and looking beautiful. Pamper yourself. I will take care of the rest.' He had said Tiya. And Tiya has just smirked. Damn, why it didn't click him then? No girl who gets married to her boyfriend reacts like that. He had overlooked that reaction thinking it must be her nerves. That was the day. Since he had started looking for a flat, talking to banks for loan, and then arrangement for wedding, he didn't have just any time to rest and leisure. And once the flat was selected and loan arranged again searching for interior designer in his budget. So many times he had asked Tiya her opinions, she had said only one thing, 'You planned everything without my help, now, surprise me.' Had been that dumb? Really? He couldn't see the signs that Tiya was barely interested, rather not interested at all. She had not gone for shopping for wedding with her parents Not even his parents for reception. She had said, 'I am getting married to the man I wanted, I don't care about the sari or jewellery' His heart had been filled with pride. How he wished he had known what she really meant behind those sweet love words.

"Dhriti.." He came out his trance, as Minerva gave him a slight tap.

"Thinking about Tiya?" She asked softly.

He looked down. He had started respecting her enough to be truthful to her. And somehow, he was feeling guilty of thinking of his ex-girlfriend, a feeling which he hadn't felt even three weeks back.

"I am sorry." His voice could barely be heard.

"It's okay." She assured. But it wasn't. He could hear that in her voice. God! Why he couldn't stop thinking about Tiya? After everything he did for her, and after everything she did to him! How his parents were embarrassed as they had to call up everyone and say there would be no reception, the bride has fled. How his colleagues were shocked when he had returned with a different bride. He was no position to say what happened, and his one his close friend had phoned Riddhi about it! The gossip that had spread from one department to another. It doesn't matter whether he is a police or not, where there is juicy news, it spreads fast. How hard and embarrassing it has been for his father to cancel the reception party at Kolkata, and informing the invitees why was the part cancelled. And, as if this was not enough, she had puked vile against his wife last evening. No! This can't go on. He has a life. And it is with Minerva.

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Damn! Dhrtiti yet thinks of that girl. No, no. I shouldn't think like this. They had been together for so many years. And it is just three months. I should give him more time. But is it really worth it? How will I know, that I am wasting my time or not? What if he never gets over her? What do I then? I don't deserve a marriage like this. Nope. I know, I have been hard hearted always, but I didn't intentionally hurt anyone. So, why would I have to put up with this? And then I can't abruptly take a decision. Our families are involved. I can't take a hasty decision. And moreover, whom should I discuss this with? I never had that close friendship with anyone to share something thus personal! Damn! How I wish I had listened to ma, when she used to say make friends! I never paid heed. Yes, I had friends, but they were just... Anyway, before we live, I will have to discuss this with... May be Riddhi? Yes! It has to be him. Only he will understand.

"So... what about our dinner tonight?" Dhritiman asked gulping.

"Are you sure?" Does this mean yes? Dhritiman hadn't realised he had held his breath for her answer.

"I am. I want to." With that they both tried smiling.

Well, that's a first. May they are not yet confident even comfortable about it, but atleast they are ready to try.

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The new couple went back to their home and started getting ready for the evening dine out, when suddenly the husband's phone rang again.

What now! Dhritiman cursed as he kept the iron aside. The call cut. Thank god. He resumed pressing his shrit. Minerva was done with her preparing her dress, and was off to kitchen. What a hard working girl is she! Since morning she has been gardening, then helping prepare auntie the lunch, and now, she helping his ma with the supper.

"Your tea." Minerva entered with a cup of tea.

He was about to say something when his phone rang again. Cursing again, he went to the phone. His face went white. In all these three months...

It didn't take more than e few seconds for Minerva to know who it was! Keeping the cup on the dressing table, she headed towards the door. Dhriti will need his privacy. But to her surprise, she was stopped. Turning back she saw Dhriti shaking his head in negation, as if asking her not to go. She was at a fix. What should she do? But to her surprise, her husband held her hand brought her to coffee table and sat her. He sat in front of her on the floor. The phone kept ringing. What does he want? Minerva thought.

"Hello Dhriti." Heard Minerva. He had put the speaker on phone.

"Dhritman for you." She heard him say, and a loud gasp from other side of the phone.

"Oh but-"Why did you call Tiya?" Dhritiman interrupted her.

"Ah! The no nonsense man is back. And here I thought, marriage has softened you."

"In next three seconds if you don't come to the point, I will cut the call." Minerva had never heard this tone before. It sounded more like Dhritiman was warning a criminal.

"Okay!" they heard the smiling voice. "I want to meet you tonight."

"NO" Came his abrupt reply.

"But-"No. Not now, not ever. You lost your chance when you fled that day."

"Dhriti!" Tiya was shocked. She couldn't believe her ears. Dhriti had never talked to her in this tone. Has he fallen in love with his wife this soon?

"I am going out with my wife. And you are not to disturb me." Dhritiman said firmly and cut the call.

Minerva was looking at him in horror. What the hell just happen?

"Dhriti, we came here, because she is back, and you have to talk to her."

"Not after the venom she spit on you yesterday. I didn't know she had this vile side. And honestly, I have nothing to talk to her."

"Dhriti if not for reconciliation, you need to talk to her for answers, for a closure."

Dhritiman held her hand. "I had my closure. I am still in mood for dining out. So..." she looked up to see him smile.

She nodded. Well, for the first time in all these months, Dhritiman has shown the first signs of moving on. She wanted to hold onto it.

But..

"Are you sure? With all that heavy lunch at noon..." She tried to gauge his mood. He was back pressing his shirt.

"Mina... We will order soup and salad, if its necessary. But we are going out." With that he left the room.

"What a dominating guy! Give in an inch and he takes a metre!"

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"Lemon coriander soup for two, Chicken tandoori, Prawn noodles, and a chicken salad" Dhritiman chipped as the waiter scribbled.

"Make it veg noodles." Minerva put it.

Dhritiman raised a brow at her, but smiled and nodded.

"And make a Szechuan chicken noodles for me." They both went white with shock at the new comer.

Yes, you people guessed right. Tiya!

"Oh, Dhriti, something never changes. You yet order for others. No wonder, I left you." Giving a cheeky grin she pulled a chair from another table and sat.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Dhritiman gritted his teeth. Minerva tightened her fists under the table. She could believe this was happening.

"Oh! I don't know how you cleared your exams and became a police." Tiya smiled again.

Dhritiman kept staring at her angrily. Minerva kept looking at the two. Never in her wildest dreams she had thought this would happen.

"What? You said you are going out with your wife. And I was waiting to follow you from the market corner!" with that she tweaked his nose. 

N.B: Hello... I am sorry for being late. I finally managed a long post. And  most of you  wanted a soft drama. So, here I come. SO, tell me how it is? How is the chapter, and the characters? I need to hear from all of you. 

So, please please give me your precious votes. And please please give me your views in the comment section. I am waiting for you all. 

Thank you

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