Dhritiman closed the file and sank back into his chair. What seemed a little plain straight case is getting complicated day by day! Who thought that apparently little girl could be capable of such heinous crime, and leave no proof of it! What sort of brain did that child have? It has been almost three weeks now, and no clue yet. He felt so frustrated. Higher authorities have already warned they would hand over the case to the CBI if their team didn't come up with answers. But even his boss that experienced man is at his wit's end!

God! Could I never attain some peace! Just now, my personal life was getting somewhere, and now this? He had promised to go to Minerva's landlord's, but even that kept postponing. Let's see what the boys bring up today. I just hope, the news we got today turns up good.

Sighing he rang for tea.

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Minerva looked at the wall clock for the sixth time. Its past eleven o clock now. He hadn't received her call once after eight-thirty! Initially she was fine. Though she didn't know the details, she had grasped the fact the Dhriti was dealing with some too messy business this time. But now it's almost three hours and she has no idea of his whereabouts. Cleaning the dining table she put the food into the refrigerator. God knows, how long would it take him.

Her stomach burned with hunger. But right now she didn't even like having her food. God knows where he is. I just hope he is okay. So, taking two biscuits she again opened her laptop. Very soon she will have to shift. The daughter of her landlord has given her four months time, according to the contract. But finding such a place and shifting wouldn't be easy in that time. Though Dhriti has promised to help, but really, on a serious note how would he? She knows he will give her all the mental support she needs. Though that's very important, she would appreciate some real help. And honestly, how could Dhriti help when he himself got tangled like that. His profession prohibited him to share, but she guessed some from his phone calls. Something very messed up has happened. Sighing, focussed on her work again.

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What's the noise? What happened? Blinking her eyes she looked around. The room seemed eerily both dark and lightened. But what's the noise? Searching for her phone, she looked at her laptop. It seemed dead! What happened?

Crinnnggggg! There it goes again. Cringggg!

That's the bell! Oh no! She suddenly remembered. She didn't even realise when she had slept off. Dhritiman had never returned last night. Oh god! Jumping off the bed she rushed to the door.

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The shriek was enough to wake everyone up in the dead of night. Dhriti stood almost hanging on collapsible gate. Shirt out, stained with blood, his hand bleeding at several places.

"Don't shout. You will wake everyone up!" Dhriti pressed his hands on her mouth. His voice still strong and determined, a pinch of relief from the initial shock! he left her as she shook her head and almost collapsed on the shoe case.

"Dhriti..." she held him from falling and brought him inside. Settling him on the sofa, she ran to bring the first aid box.

"Dhriti.." she uttered for the fifth time in the moment.

"I am fine. I am fine."

"But-"This is not my blood." He said pointing his shirt.

"Your... your hand." Her eyes yet wide. This time he nodded. Minerva gulped, as she took his hands to wipe the blood with dettol dipped cotton ball. He flinched, fisting his hands.

"How did all this happen? And- she looked at the wall clock. Almost 5:30 in the morning. – and why-"Minerva relax. Everything is fine. Just let me be for a few minutes."

" Dhriti are you really okay? Are you sure we don't need the doctor?"

He nodded.

"I am sure you didn't eat anything." He nodded again closing his eyes, leaning back. Poor man. He is so tired right now. His wounds were cleaned. Thank god they didn't seen worse now.

"Dhriti.." Putting her hand on his cheek, she started. He jerked open his eyes, with her touch. "I hate to say this, but please go and have a bath. I will heat up the dinner. You eat and then sleep."

"I don't want to eat Minerva..."

"You will have to Dhrithi." Her fingers ran through his hair. He closed his eyes once again. He so wanted to feel the warmth but his conditions kept him from doing so.

"Dhriti.." she shook him before he slept off. Nodding his head he slowly got up.

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What a day it had been! He still could not believe they had finally caught her with all the evidences. A chill went down his spine even in the hot shower, as he remembered the scenario. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he would witness something as horrific as this. The dead body cut into little pieces, packed into several bags. How old the girl was? Hardly fourteen! Looked even less. And the last try of killing herself when she knew she couldn't escape. Dhriti's forearm got slashed in the process. Tomorrow they are going to take her to the juvenile court. He would be called in the later stage to witness. His team was already making the reports. Thank god only he and another police was injured. Everyone else was just fine. Good god! He didn't want to remember it. But that scene...

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The breakfast went quietly. Minerva didn't dare to ask what had happened. His brooding silence kept her from doing that.

"You better take some rest."

He nodded.

Minerva huffed as she placed the dishes in the sink. What a sight it was! In all that hurry, after he returned, she didn't have the time to think. But now, when the storm has passed, that bloodied collapsing image of Dhriti, kept coming back to her. My god! What does it take to be the wife of a policeman? Losing contact all of a sudden, and seeing husband like this? She gulped at the thought. This is just the beginning Minu.

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Dhritiman sat on the bed, rewinding everything that happened last evening. He had already talked to his boss, and he would directly go to the court in the second half on the day. Minerva had drawn the curtains so that he could sleep comfortably. But sleep wasn't his best friend today. Till now he had proded himself in his talent of sleeping anywhere he could. Even yesterday, when they going to the location, he had calculated and taken a nap of forty minutes in the jeep, where everyone else was on high strings!

What's Minerva doing? She must be getting ready to go to her boutique. Should I go with her? Yes! That would be perfect. I shall be able to see her boutique. And it will be a nice distraction too.

Getting up he went to her room or their guest room. He yet couldn't convince her.

But the sight inside the room surprised her. She was yet wearing her casuals, the laptop being charged. Miner was folding her clothes. Her hair yet plaited.

"Aren't you ready yet?"

Minerva turned at his words. "Why are you awake yet?"

"I can't sleep." He sighed, sitting on bed. He looked so tired. Minerva kept the cloth, and came to him. Cupping his cheeks, she said softly, "But you will have to. Otherwise how will you work?"

"I can't.. those images. By the way? Aren't you getting late? I want to go with you today. Please."

Minerva looked at him with little surprise. Just what she had thought! "I'm not going anywhere today. Come with me."

Dhritiman followed her. To his own room. She sat him. "Lie down. I will give you a head message. You will sleep instantly. This worked like magic on baba." She chipped smiling.

But Dhritiman's smile went away. I am not your father. He grumped inwardly.

"Come."

"Minu..."

"yes?"

He knew, he should have asked but right now... "I am sorry." Murmuring, he hugged her.

He pushed her slightly on the bed. "Dhriti.." "Please let me hold you for a while."

With that they lied down, holding each other. Minerva's breath went erratic and Dhriti felt at home.

N.B: Hello, I am so sorry for being so late. Making excuses would be so lame. All I can say is I am really sorry.

So, how is this chapter? Is this story going okay? Tell me, I am all ears. 

Thank you, for being so patient with me. 

All my love