New Innings

Part 35

Dhritiman had turned once before getting into the police jeep. He had wanted to take a glance at the house, at Minerva, what he saw were the neighbours out of their houses, staring openly with utter curiosity. A lady even was utterly amused at the whole scene. He had been so disturbed, his mind could not even process who she was! His eyes caught his wife's. She was standing at the threshold looking totally lost.

"Sir." With that he was nudged inside the jeep.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minerva stood still there for some time. It could be a minute, an hour, even five hours. But it did feel like eternity to her. When her trance broke, she failed drained. What just happened? Never in her wildest dreams, had she imagined some day she would have to experience this! Slowly she walked back to the drawing room. Her in-laws sat there totally stunned with the situation, staring at nowhere, as if they were in a stupor.

"Ma!" She nudged her mother-in-law. And Mrs. Gupta fell into her arms crying. Hugging her, Minerva saw her father-in-law too, slowly wiping off his tears. She felt so worthless! Could she do nothing? No she has to. That man out there was being punished for nothing. She has to do whatever she can. Buckle up Minerva Roy! First things first.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey Minu! Calling at this time?" Ridhdi received the call with the cheery tone he always uses.

"Tiya has made her move." Minerva said without wasting time.

"What?"

"Police came..." and with that she relayed everything. This town, though she was born here, was still strange to her. She did not know much people here. And the places were a different thing altogether. And the only person who can work sanely in these conditions was Riddhi.

"My god! I am blown! Did you think of anything?"

"Ya.. Riddhi, first give me the address of Tiya's house. If her parents have thrown her out, they must be rational people. I wish you were here."

"I am here only. Just a few kilometres away. I don't know their official address. But can give you the direction. But then, you are not good with directions Minu. You could be lost and then it would be-" I will manage bhai. I will have to. Okay, this is what I am thinking. I don't know if this.. this.. this.. is going to work..."

"Minu.. just don't panic. Okay? Dada himself is at a good place in the department... just tell me what you are thinking."

With that they discussed their further plans. She yet had to make some calls. She can't leave her in-laws like that. She decided to call her parents, though it will be difficult to explain the Goa thing to them. But now there is no other way round. Proving Dhritman is easy, so many evidences, so many witnesses, its just she has to have them within three hours.

"Hello ma."

"Minu, are you guys alright? We heard the siren and saw a police jeep entering your lane. Has something happened there? Which house?" her mother asked in a go.

Minerva felt like crying. How could she say, the police came to none other than their house! They arrested their son-in-law!

"Ma.." her throat constricted. No time for this Minerva. Scolding herself, she relayed everything again. Though this was the second time she was repeating this, the pain didn't lessen.