New Innings

Part 17

"Aah.. Delicious!" Mr. Gupta as in Dhriti's father licked his fingers. "Minu, maa tui ekhanei theke ja. Aar roj erom darun darun dish khawa!" his father chipped yet relishing the taste! (MINU, YOU STAY BACK HERE, AND EVERYDAY COOK SUCH AWESOME DELICACIES) (N.B: IN BENGALI, WE OFTEN ADDRESS OUR DAUGHTER OR OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AS 'MAA'. ESPECIALLY BY FATHERS. IT DECIPHRES THE VERY CLOSE AND WARM RELATIONSHIP OF FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTER.)

"Good idea baba!" Minerva chuckled whereas Dhriti stiffened. "Dad you never ask to me stay even an extra day" he complained. And as expected everyone burst into laughter. Ridhhi knocked his brother's head thus earning a punch.

The parents were relieved! Finally there son was getting back to normal.

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"You are taking an afternoon nap! Like seriously?" Dhriti could not hold his irritation towards Minerva. Well, he had a lot to understand as well as explain. Firstly, how could she behave so cool, even after knowing about his physical relation with his ex- girlfriend? Second, really, in these months he could not earn a little space in her life, she kept him so distant from her miseries! Then why the hell did she cared for him? Like every damn time she was there for him! What exactly is it Minerva?

"Minu.. Wake up girl. I am talking to you" Dhriti shook her up. "Bugger off Dhriti . Let me sleep" She was hell annoyed! Man, who disturbs the after-lunch nap. Fool! "Minu, your meds, my pyjamas, we need to shop. Drag yourself up lazy bones." "Ughhh! Uff! What is it Dhriti? It's just 4 p.m. Give me some piece of mind. And you too have some!" With that she pulled the quilt over her face and turned her back towards him. But Dhriti was no less! He peeled the quilt off her. "Get ready. The market here closes early." Was Minerva left with any option? Hurling curses, she started dressing, whereas Dhriti gave a winning grin.

Dhriti brushed the soil and the dirt off the scooter. This scooter held so many memories. His father, taking him and his mother for rides, taking him alone for rides, when his mother was carrying his brother inside her, taking both the brothers to school. Nostalgic! "You ready?" His trance broke with her voice. Turning his mouth opened wide. Till date, he had seen her either in sari, or in kurti n jeans. Today, for the first time she was in a magenta coloured palazzo with a deep purple coloured front open kurta. Her parting shimmered with the liquid sindoor! Her hands had nothing but the 'shankha-pola-loha' (WHITE , RED, IRON BANGLES FOR THE MARRIED WOMEN. PREVIOUSLY IT WAS A COMPULSION TO PUT THEM ON. NOW ITS BY CHOICE. ) Flat jootie! Her eyes covered with sunglass. That was it! So simple, yet so elegant! But wait, she was ready just in five minutes!

"Have you never seen a girl? Gosh! Stop staring at me like that! You make me so uncomfortable!" Irritation was so clear in her voice. Dhriti gulped and looked away. 'Making uncomfortable' thing did a bit of something to his heart. Like a little safety pin poked his chest!

Kicking start the scooter, they sat and left for the market.

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"There's the hosiery shop. You go. I am coming joining you later." Dhriti pointed her the shop and himself headed towards the druggist. Then, as per his plan, evening coffee at a cafe, some boating at the lake. Perfect.

"Uncle, these meds please." He handed the prescription to the man. Paying him, he turned and his feet got rooted. There stood his nightmare, Tiya!

"Just the normal meds? Seems your wife really changed you. Earlier never a time, you have been without those rubber walls of protection. So you do skin to skin now! Good! Good for you." Her words turned him red in anger!

A/N: I AM SO LATE I WON'T ASK ANYTHING. BUT PLEASE DO READ AND SAY WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT IT. LOVE LOVE. THANK YOU. <3