Dhritiman woke to a wonderful fragrance. Mmhhh.. this is what he really missed at home. Home? Seriously? Since when did that little box in Kolkata become his home? And not this! A smile spread through his face as he thought of the reason. She knew magic! That must be it. Though he hardly got to see her, but there must be those subtle changes which made it home. When he returns this time, he will be definitely finding out those changes. Does she look that perfect in sleep? Turning, he found the other side of the bed, empty. She is up so early? No, not that early. It's already nine. He got the smell again. His smile widened. It must be her, cooking breakfast. Damn Minu! You are here for rest, not for work! Cursing, let the bed.

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"You know there is a reason, this is called smart phone?" Ridhhi chipped flipping the phone.

"I know, but unless an emergency, I prefer computer. To me, they are handier than smartphones." Minerva chipped back.

"Who named you Minerva?" His voice dripped sarcasm.

"Your mommy." She replied snugly.

Riddhi sighed. He had planned a bit of his work this morning before he leaves. But Minu came wanting his laptop for half an hour. Well, before working hours, even these thirty minutes are precious.

"Come on.. I will help you typing your report after you are back." Minu tried bribing.

"There's more than typing a report my dear Minerva." He rolled his eyes.

"What's it Riddhiman Gupta? Is there something in your laptop you don't want me see- suddenly her eyes went wide! "Riddhi, is there porn in your laptop. Is that why-Shut up Minu." Riddhi was genuinely both offended and embarrassed. What does she think of him? Horny teenager who needs those silly videos! God!

"Hihi.." Minerva showed him tongue.

"Now I will be making an important video call, and checking some really important mails. You are not to make any noise." Minerva announced as she opened her mail.

"Good morning Minerva Roy. Welcome to Rose Petals productions. You will soon be connected to our..." and with that Minerva was lost.

Amar boudi na hole ami tor matha fatiye ditam. Amar room, ami awaj korte parbo na! Huh! ( HAD YOU NOT BEEN MY SISTER-IN-LAW, I WOULD HAVE BROKEN YOUR HEAD, ITS MY ROOM AND I CAN'T MAKE ANY NOISE. HUH! In Hindi: AGAR TU MERI BHABHI NA HOTI NA, TERA SAR PHOD DETA MAI. MERA KAMRA AND MAI AWAZ NHI KR SKTA! HUH!) Riddhi cursed and left the room.

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Dhritiman didn't like one bit of what was happening. His wife, she had to come to him if she needed anything. But no! Earlier when he woke up he had thought she was in the kitchen, when he went to kitchen and wasn't she wasn't there, he assumed her to on the terrace. But no. She was in Riddhi's room, because she needed a bloody laptop. Can't she ask him first? Its another thing that he didn't bring his. So what? It's him, who she should come to.

Mrs. Gupta knew his sons well. She may read others wrongly, but not when it comes to her sons. Yesterday's incident was still afresh, and now Dhritiman's behaviour... well, there is progress. May be just a little, but there is.

"You have to reach there." She said to her son.

Dhritman looked at her in confusion. She smiled indulgently at him.

"Your father and I had a very formal relationship in the beginning. I am speaking of the days when we were in Kolkata." She started. Dhritiman's eyes widened. Why in ma talking about her marriage? And baba? He is the friendliest man I have ever seen. Dhritiman blinked stupidly. Seeing her son's reaction Mrs. Gupta fell into laughter.

"Oh sure you father was a very cheery man. But our days were different from yours. We never met before marriage. Just only when his family came to see me, and when I went to their house with my family to finalise the dates. But unlike these days, the groom and bride didn't need to talk separately. Atleast that wasn't the norm. In fact, my going to my future in-laws house to finalise date was considered very modern back then. So, with the wedding the ice didn't break. In fact I became very close to your pishi. ( father's sister). She lived just a few blocks away from our home in Kolkata. I mean your paternal home. Next your thammi. ( paternal grandma) she became my favourite within few months. If I needed anything, I used to ask her. And your baba. It was only when, your baba switched job, and came here, I had no one else to go to, I started depending on him. What why are looking at me like that?"she was clearly irritated at her son's confused expression.

What do I have to do with their marriage? And wasn't she pregnant when she came here? That's what the story goes.. thamma said. So if they were not close, then how come... Shut the fuck up Dhritiman Gupta. What in god's name are you thinking? Eww... His face went red at the thought. Well, we children hardly think of our parents in that aspect, and Dhritiman is no exception!

No no no! He shook his head vigorously.

"Why are you cringing like that?" his mother asked.

As if he could tell her! Well, composing himself, he finally asked, "Why are you saying all these to me?"

His mother rolled her eyes. "What a thickhead boy you are!" She exclaimed with utter annoyance. Drama dripped from her voice. "Don't you get what I said? You have to become the person, whom Minu thinks she can depend upon. Whom she could come to unload her tensions. I don't understand.." this time she shook her head. "I don't understand how you became like this! You were such a bright child. How did you become so stupid?" with that she went to the kitchen.

Dhrtitiman sat there shell shocked. Never ever his mother had talked to him like that. Thickhead, stupid? That's what he was reduced to? No no. After this insult, I can't sit idle here anymore. He got up. He exactly knew what to do.

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"Do you need any help?" Dhritiman chipped entering his brother's room.

Minerva was sitting at the computer desk, with the headphones on. She was talking to someone. And taking notes.

Should I go to her? Or...

"Baba re! bou k chokh e haracchish dekhchi!" Riddhi poked him suddenly. (OH MY! ALREADY MISSING YOUR WIFE! / BABA RE! BIWI KO BINA DEKHE RH NHI PA RHA!)

Dhritiman made a face and left.

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"Thanks buddy." Minerva gave a friendly punch to Ridhhi.

He made a face. She made a face in return.

"Go go... your hubby is already missing you." He teased her, packing his laptop.

Minerva was about to leave, but she stopped. Is Riddhi the person I could talk to? If not him, who else? It is not that they have been bosom friends or something, but here he was the best choice. Moreover, she wouldn't have to pretend around him. Okay, say it Minerva, Encouraging herself, she called out Riddhi.

He looked at her smiled. "I am really in a hurry now Minu. Its about Tiya right?"

She opened her mouth in surprise. How the hell did he know.

"Perks of being psychologist." Riddhi winked.

"Where are you going by the way? Your office isn't here."

"My office is everywhere. Okay bye." Patting her cheek, he left.

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Remind me how she convinced me to come here. Dhritman cursed himself sitting on Savita Auntie's couch. She ( Savita Auntie) had given him a plate full of sweets, and a glass of water. That's it. And then. Both Auntie and Naina got busy with Minerva.

Few minutes later, Naina came with her baby, " Dhrtit Bhaiya, my baby wants to play with Police uncle. Plea...se.." the way the baby girl looked at him, he could hardly say no. Well, it's not that he disliked babies or toddlers. But he liked them on other's lap, while he cooed them.

The little 2 years old baby came stumbling towards him. 'Plice plice plice" she clapped and handed him a little toy gun. Oh great! Now he had to do this. Though the baby is really cute, but this is not fair. They can't just leave a baby to him and start gossiping. I can't believe Minerva is gossiping! There she was sitting at the dining table with Auntie and Naina. Where is Naina's husband? Even if he would be here, Dhriti wouldn't be this bored.

Someone tugged his pants. He looked down. The chubby little baby was pulling him. No way out Dhriti. Sighing he sat with her on the floor.

Dhish dhish dhish! Dhishoom dhishoom! The baby chortled at him. He picked her and sat her in his lap. He ticked the baby. She broke into giggles. She imitated him and tried tickling him back. He acted like he felt the tickles. She giggled some more. My my! This is easy. And actually fun. Who would have thought so? Ne never would have guessed he would be this comfortable with a toddler.

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Minerva couldn't concentrate on their words. Her eyes were again and again running towards her husband who was playing with the baby.

Savita Auntie kept telling her about Tiya, but Minerva....

N.B: Hi! I am sorry for being so late. The story is going very slow, right? it will catch pace soon. I would like to make a few explanations about this chapter.

First, Riddhi and Minerva are friends first, and I wanted to show the friendship, because if they are not good friends, Minerva will not be able to share her feelings that she so much wants to. Till date, she is not that close with her husband.

Secondly, coming to Mrs. and Mr. Gupta, well it was pretty normal even thirty-thirty five years back to have a conjugal life without being best friends first. Mr. Gupta has been a good man, but it can be very normal that his wife felt more comfortable in sharing her thought with his sister. Please do not see him as a bad man.

So my dear dear friends, how did you like this chapter? Please tell me in the comments. I am dying to hear you all. Also vote for the chapter.

Thank you.

All my Love <3