New Innings

Part 22

Minerva's mother Hira couldn't help but chastise her son-in-law. She understood and felt sorry for Dhritiman, but to her, her Minerva will always come first.

When they got their children married, she knew it wouldn't be easy. For both! But she didn't realise her daughter would be suffering this much. She has come home for more than an hour now, and not once she mentioned about the latest contract she signed with the film, which is so out of her character! ( My dear readers, it has been very long, so let me remind you. Minerva's designs were selected for a movie, and the production house has signed a contract with her. Her team would me making dresses for the entire cast. A huge achievement for her!) The girl who prioritised her career over everything, was making loses intentionally. The career, for which she left here and went to Kolkata, lived with her uncle and his family.

Making tea for Dhritiman, Mrs.Roy looked out through the window and her lightened up. Her daughter was nurturing tomato plants she planted last time she came here. That was three months ago, on the occasion of Dhritiman's wedding. Her mood went sour again.

It can't go on like this. I have to do something. She ( Mrs. Roy) decided.

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"You never came to our house, after you grew up." Mrs. Roy smiled, handing over the cup of tea to Dhritiman.

He nodded. What else could he say? Right now, it wouldn't even be polite to ask about Minerva. But right now, he wasn't feeling comfortable enough to speak to her mother too. And to be very honest, he never was very comfortable with them. On the other hand, Minerva always was very free with his parents, even Ridhhi was very free with her parents. He suddenly felt so out of place.

"Come, I will show you something." Mrs. Roy didn't wait for his response. Though she smiled and worded very sweetly, Dhritiman knew very well when it was a command.

She took the stairs and Dhritiman followed her. He never knew the little bungalow was this pretty. The first floor held the bedrooms. He wondered which was Minerva's room here? How does her room look. Auntie must be giving him a home tour. But to his surprise she took another turn took the stairs that led to the terrace.

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He fell in love with the terrace as he stepped on the terrace!

It looked enchanting with beautiful flowers in full bloom. Red, pink, purple, yellow! And those plants? Potted in beautifully painted pots? Wait, aren't those little mangoes? Bonsai! Dhritiman was spellbound. That was a bonsai of mango tree. That means the other little plants are also bonsais, just that they didn't bear fruits yet he couldn't recognise them. Wow! Of course Auntie would want to show this lovely place. And the garden swing at the corner completed the look! Aah!

"What a beautiful place Auntie! I must say you are an amazing garderner." Dhritiman complimented her from his heart. But she just smiled. And took him towards the railing.

"All the credit goes to her." Mrs. Roy gestured down, and there was Minerva! At the backyard of the house. "She is the gardener. This is all her plan. The flower garden here, the bonsais, and the kitchen garden she is right now working on!"

Another feather added to her crown! Has the girl no end to her talents? Dhritiman didn't know much of her business but if she has got the cracked the contract with a film, she must be good at her work. How she takes care of him and his home, he could easily give her a twenty out of ten there. And now this! He kept staring down t her for several minutes. Mrs. Roy smiled.