Chapter 14

                                    

                                          

I still remember her last words,“Never leave her back, she needs you more than she needs me.” Ms Paranjpe was right, Tara really does need us, especially when her to be father was coming to pay a visit. According to what dad told me about him, he's shaken. He wasn't informed about her demise till yesterday.
                          
He's a psychiatrist by profession and appears to be really considerate and polite. I can't say much for others but I'm really curious to meet him. I have this feeling that this isn't it, the storm isn't over. Something more is in stores and it is going to happen sooner than later.
                          
We Teens came back to Tara's place today morning. There we came to know that our parents have registered a complaint against the airlines, that they have even contacted other families who have lost their loved ones and are going to fight this case together with other lawyers. As the plane crashed off the shores of Mumbai, it came in international limitas and this case is gaining momentum. I just wish everything goes well from here.
                          
The doorbell rang and Ulka's mom, Mrs. Bhatta opened it. Inside came a tall man with a wheatish complexion, crisp white shirt and dark brown coat in hand. He showed signs of professional and rich background but his hair were disheveled. His handsome face had lost its color and his eyes were red and watery. He looked devastated.
                          
As soon as he entered, he laid his eyes upon Sanket who was sitting on the sofa chair. He simply went and hugged him tight. Then he came to Tara and did the same. He pulled them both closer to himself and took a seat on the sofa. It seemed as if he was here to console his own children. They looked like a family.
                          
Mrs Kale handed him a glass of water. He drank it and then sat with his eyes trained on the empty glass. Ishaan's father, Mr Mirajkar started the conversation. 
“Mr Dharun Puranik, we're sorry for your loss. We've lost a very dear friend and a beautiful human being here. We're sorry we couldn't contact you earlier, it was only after Ipsita's (Tara's mother's) colleagues told us about you that we could contact.”
                          
 Mr Puranik placed the empty glass on table and then let out a deep, shaky breath. He said
“We had had a phone call hardly 4 days ago. She told me that she was enjoying her time with kids. I was out of India for a conference and it was only yesterday evening when you called that I realised what had happened.”
                          
Pain was visible in his words. He was deeply hurt with the situation, well so were we all. 
                          
Another knock on the door and inside came Snehal's parents. Mr and Mrs Rajsimha were surprised to see Mr Puranik.
“Dharun!” Mr Rajsimha exclaimed.
He got up and hugged Mr Rajsimha like long lost buddies. That left us all confused. Snehal had tensed expressions on her face but refused to utter a word.
                          
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(Third person's point of view.)
(Character guide
Ahana's parents- Neelam and Paras Kulkarni
Abhaas’ parents- Pradnya and Prabhas Kale
Tara's mother- Ipsita Paranjpe
Ulka's parents- Latika and Takshil Bhatta
Snehal's parents- Shweta and Ganesh Rajsimha
Ishaan's parents- Tanvi and Pranay Mirajkar
Ipsita Paranjpe's fiancee- Dharun Puranik)
                          
The parents asked kids to go for lunch. As soon as the kids were out, the parents got settled on the sofa and chairs in the living room.
                          
“Now what did you not tell us about?” Neelam asked Ganesh.
“It's nothing serious.” Ganesh tried to cover up.
“Oh it is always serious when it comes to you. Now you better speak up or we'll make Dharun speak.” Pradnya insisted.
                          
“Okay, we know Dharun because he's been mentoring Trisha.” Ganesh was trying to sound strong.
“Why don't we start from the start?” Paras asked.