"Dhriti.." Minerva tried speaking..

"One minute more." With that the arms got tighter. She felt him shaking.

"Dhriti.. Dhriti.. Are you crying? Dhriti.." with much force she unwrapped his arms. His face scrunched, his body shaking... "Everything is fine now. Relax.." She said rubbing his arms.

"Minu..." With that he cupped her face. "I don't know what to say.. I.. I.." And again he pulled her in his embrace.

Okay this is getting awkward. "Dhriti.." this time she rubbed his back. "It's alright now." When they had hugged in the police station, it was out of the anxiety, fear and every foreign feeling, but now, when everything is sorted and settled, she felt awkward. Very awkward! With their parents present there, he followed her to their room. Goodness!

"It's alright... it's alright.." she repeated coming out of her embrace. "Just forget it like a nightmare. Okay."

"But.."

"No buts. Everyone is waiting downstairs. You change and join us." With that she rushed out.

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Why is she behaving like that? Not looking at me, running away like that? Does she hate me for what happened today? Yes.. that must be it. God, I didn't even say sorry to her! Seriously Dhritiman Gupta how much of an idiot can you be?

Getting out of his clothes, he almost threw his shirt into the laundry basket when he noticed something on his shirt. A deep red hair! Minu's highlighted hair! He felt a sudden rush. The moment he had her in his arms, his body pressing her.. the softness... his breath stuck! Stop it Dhriti! You are no teenager. Scolding himself, he finally threw the shirt in the basket, and went to the bathroom.

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God! Why was he behaving like this? As if I did so e great job! That was a basic human job. Why does he and everyone else have to make such a big deal of it? And why is he hugging me like that! I am sure without my help he could have managed. And thinking of the hug... the warmth in his hold.. and when he held her tighter.. saying that one minute.. What did he get in that one minute? Her stomach tightened. When his chest pressed her bre... stop thinking! She went red!

And before she knew she was already among everyone. Gulping she joined others.

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"I don't understand any of this." Mr. Gupta sighed as Ridhhi gave a very detailed description.

Minerva felt her hand held tightly. Her mother! She narrowed her eyes and shook her head, warning her. "Not now.. I promise to talk about it tomorrow." She whispered through gritted teeth. Though what was she going to tell tomorrow, god only knew! What explanation would she give about Dhriti's trip with Tiya? That, it's the current trend? Most couples do it. I mean go on trips! Minerva gulped. I shall think about it when time comes. But then the time is coming tomorrow. She sighed and slacked back.

"Nothing baba.. Just a spoilt brat. Too much spoilt according to me." Riddhi answered her father whereas rest agreed.

Mrs. Gupta walked upto Minerva and sat beside her. Taking her into arms she gave little squeeze. "Ma.. thank you. Had you been not there, I don't know what would we do?"

As if I did nothing! Riddhi rolled his eyes. I am not going to marry ever. These wives steal all the thunder. He decided.

Mrs. Gupta caught her younger son's expression, but read him completely wrong. "You don't worry, when you have this boudi (bhabi) as your friend, you too will never be in trouble. Or she will help you out." She smiled.

Yes that's what I need. Another woman apart from you nagging after me! Riddhi rolled his eyes again.

Suddenly Mr. Roy speak, "Riddhi.. you are good at reading people.. Why do you think Tiya did this? She herself ran away.. she herself came back, and now creating such scene.. is she really that stupid to think this was going to work? Moreover, what did she plan to achieve?"

"I am giving the answer to that."

Everyone looked at Dhritiman as he walked down the stairs. Pulling out a chair from the dining table set he sat across them. "I admit I failed to understand her in all these years. But one thing I know of her character. She is never satisfied. Always cribbing about not having something others have. She was so upset when her friend from her dance school had started teaching dance, but she herself didn't work on it. When she was the best dancer in the group! To make her happy, I talked with the secretary of the apartment complex we live in, to allow her to use the community centre as classes, for a very nominal fee. When I told her the good news, she was just so annoyed. She wasn't interested in teaching. So, what was she cribbing for? And why? I also arranged for her performance in the last annual function we had in our department. But she didn't participate, I had a face loss. For all celebrities were performing, she as a non celebrity was allowed only because she was soon to be my wife and my boss was very happy with my current case back then! And then went on ranting about her friend getting a chance to assist a dance director for some Tamil movie! So you see, she has never been satisfied with anything. Not even her decisions. It's my fault that I remained blind to everything, just thinking about the future life we were to have together. When I look at Minu- His eyes softened warmed up- When I see her, I realise the difference. I thought may be because Tiya is a single child, may be because she came from an upper middle class family, she is like this. Always used to getting everything with just a lift of finger or batting her eyes. But then, our Minu is also a single child, with the similar background. Just look at her! Struggling so much to achieve her goals. I agree, not everyone is like her, and not everyone can decide what to become when you grow old, but still.. Opportunities were served to Tiya on silver platter, she pushed them away. And then cribbing and crying for it. Similarly, she wasn't interested in marriage, but now, when she sees me happy with my wife, I no longer try to contact her, she suddenly wants me now. Which I assure you aunty.. Ma- He looked at Mrs. Roy-is not going to happen."

"In short, your ex girlfriend is a spoilt brat. Just like I said before you came up with the long speech." Ridhhi chuckled and his older brother glared at him.

Dhritiman's words did reassure Mrs. Roy a bit. But just only a teeny tiny bit. Unable to resist herself she started, "But how are you going to guarantee my daughter will face something like this in future?"

Everyone looked at her in surprise. Her forever friendly tone was gone.

"Don't stare at me like that. I wouldn't mind my daughter fighting for you, encouraging you and doing every bit she should as a wife. But I don't want the reason to be your ex girlfriend. Can you guarantee, that Tiya will not follow to Kolkata? That's not your hometown, that people will come rushing to help you. Moreover, why my daughter has to face this? Why my daughter has to save her husband because he went on a pre wedding honeymoon trip with his ex girlfriend? Don't you agree with me?" Turning she looked at Dhriti's mother.

Minerva face palmed. My god! I asked to wait till tomorrow, but..Ugh! And what is this pre wedding honeymoon? Where did she get this term?

"Ma!" Minerva called out. Dhritiman was red with embarrassment. He didn't know where to look.

"I am sorry dear.." Mrs. Gupta spoke. "Really, I would never want that for my daughter. And Minu is my daughter also. And as for my son, I am really ashamed."

Dhritiman couldn't believe his ears. His sexual life with his ex was being discussed by the elders. Just because of that idiot!

"I can't believe this! Dhriti was always the quiet reserved child. He, doing something outrageous like this.. is beyond me!" this time his father spoke. 

His father-in-law seemed content keeping quiet and letting others input.

"Oh enough of it guys. Please." Minerva had enough. Impulsively she stood up and started what she was famous for at college. Just like the those days, when she didn't care about the judges and audience, and kept going on with her convincing points. But she forgot, here, her audience was her parents and parents-in-law. "He didn't commit any crime. It is absolutely okay to have such relationship these days. This is the trend. It was not as if he was taking any advantage of her. They were into a happy relationship. Its okay. Accept that. In fact, people these days don't always for a stable relationship. They just- "that's enough Minu."—"mmhhmmh" Riddhi had pressed his hand on her mouth before she could say something more.

Dhritiman looked at her as if she was some alien. The parents looked here and there.

And now finally Minerva realised. But that didn't stop her. "Well, all I want to say is, what is done, is done. Please, be kind to him." She murmured.

Dhritiman blinked. What mettle she is made of!

Riddhi took the charge again, "Well, neighbours know it all now. So you guys better stop feeling guilty and ashamed. Otherwise gossip will hurt you. Dada had no bad intentions. We all know. You should be proud of him that after having a successful career, he didn't forget his roots and college love, he had every intention to marry her. So please..."

"I agree." Finally, Minerva's father spoke. "All this has gone too long. Now it's all sorted. And Hira,-he looked at his wife- have confidence in your son-in-law. I am confidant enough that from now on, he will take good care of our daughter."

"I will I will. Please Ma.. don't be upset with me." Dhritiman went to Mrs. Roy and held her hands.

Mrs. Roy though was not satisfied enough but nodded. She knew him since childhood, she loved him dearly, so another chance was worth it.

Suddenly Riddhi clapped gaining everyone's attention. "It's past dinner time, and we are starving. Oh mothers, don't look like that. I know in this situation you guys forgot all about. But never fear when I am here. I ordered for all of us. Something celebratory. Uncle Auntie, you two are dining here tonight. Again looking like that? Oh, this calls for a celebration, right? Finally got rid of her. Don't you think so.. dada??"

Dhritiman shook his head vigourously. Anything to change the mood of the house, to cheer everyone up. Though all he wanted was to have a tight sleep.

"Cool! So the delivery boy is coming right away. You- Riddhi pointed at his brother- are going to pay the bill."

N.B: Hello! I know this was a stupid part. Still, sometimes necessary to carry on to the next phase. Hope you like it. I still want to know your views on this chapter, and am waiting for it. Also please be kind enough to vote for this chapter. 

Thank you

Love you all