Heart is a Fool

Chapter 18 : Confessions over High Tea

Palak in Dilemma

Palak was clearly uncomfortable with the date of the High Tea in Chandigarh when the Boss wished to interact with everyone and thank  personally. The small team in office praised this gesture but Palak wanted to run far away; that's the day she turned her life upside down with her own actions a year ago. She asked Mrs Khanna if she could be excused since her children had a doctor's appointment. Mrs Khanna asked her to reschedule it in the morning and if not possible at all then send a mail to the boss herself seeking permission to be excused. Palak was very restless and discussed with her dad. He was of the opinion that she should attend to divert her mind and let bygones be bygones. Her mother overheard and strongly urged her to come clean about what happened that night leaving Palak completely exasperated. 

Ritwik with Colleagues

The party in Delhi was fun with Robin's antics; some stand up comedy and potent cocktails. Aman and Vivek were special invitees and it was a fun evening. Vivek watched Ritwik closely and noticed that all evening he had just one drink in hand, embarrassed himself silly singing melodious tunes in his croaking voice and his smile beamed from his heart. In all the years of knowing Ritwik this seemed to be a different person and Vivek was curious to know the secret. 

Ritwik thanked each person and then offered to drop Vivek to the airport who was taking a late night Red Eye Flight to Mumbai. On the way; Ritwik told Vivek about his mum being the lady in the cancer survivor video and thanked him for coercing him to watch it that day. He also told him that Palak was on board with him and he would do everything required to reconcile with her and keep all the girls in his life happy ever after.

Ritwik Upbeat; Palak continues to be in Dilemma

Palak was restless since morning and badly wanted to talk to a friend. She hugged her daughters more than usual and was extremely reluctant to go to work. She sent a message to Aarohi that she had joined PR Associates a start up and was so engrossed in work that she could not message her earlier. She would love to catch up some time. 

Aarohi shrieked when she saw Palak's message so much so that Vivek wondered if he had turned into a dinosaur over night. With trembling fingers Aarohi replied asking Palak to quit immediately since it was Ritwik's company; and thankfully it was read only after 24 hours.  Vivek was extremely annoyed and finally told Aarohi about Ritwik and how he got her this job with him. He reasoned with her that Ritwik has been a messiah in their lives and brought them together. Aarohi was stunned into silence and started writing a long message to Palak about Love, Laughter and Life. 

Mamta accosted Ritwik in the morning and handed out a long list of things that had to be done for Reeva's engagement with Jas Khurana the following day. Ritwik excused himself politely since he had to travel to Chandigarh and promised to get back early next morning and do what he could; rest he would delegate it to his assistant Robin. He almost said Aman would do it but retracted his words not to hurt his friend's broken heart further. 

Confessions over High Tea 

Ritwik drove to Chandigarh in a good mood; excusing all the errant drivers on the way without any expletives and focused on the music and his nerves. He so looked forward to seeing Palak and her reaction. He drove straight to Palak's home to be welcomed with some butter laced parathas and ghee drenched halwa. He instructed Manjeet his mother in law how to dress the kids in the new frocks and shoes he got and also gave her a tip or two on how to dress for the occasion and what to say in the function leaving his father-in-law in splits. 

He checked his official number to find a message from Palak that she wanted to be excused to attend to her infant daughters.  He responded promptly grinning like a cheshire cat that she should attend at least for an hour and leave when the food was served. He laughed out loud Mrs Palak Noon; this day last year you gave me tears of sorrow; this day this year I will give you tears of joy !!

The small team of 20 gathered in the designated area waiting to meet the Boss for the first time. Ritwik Noon walked in with his trademark swag and beaming smile greeting "Hello Everyone" from behind. Palak froze on her chair; this booming voice could belong to only one person. He quickly introduced himself while everyone clapped and he asked everyone to present a brief introduction of themselves before he moved on with business details. Palak was the last person and she barely managed to mumble her name cursing under her breath that "Ritwik Noon; you always find ways to harass and embarrass me" 

Ritwik made a brief presentation on the business road map; stealing glances at Palak who was looking down. He was doing a Q& A Session with the staff following which he wanted to share the story of how he started this company and why he chose this name. After the session; he excused himself for a minute and came back with Riya and Piya in his both arms with Palak's parents in tow. 

Meet Piya Sharma Noon; Rhea Sharma Noon; my inspiration for PR Associates and the loves of my life his voice boomed while the small girls attacked his cheeks and nose. Palak was shocked to see all of them and was lost for words. She wanted to run out and cry her heart out. Was this reality unfolding or was it a dream she wondered. Next; Ritwik looked straight at Palak and clarified that he chose PR and not RP since his wife's name starts with P and in his brief love and married life he has always kept his wife first, her happiness, her wishes was all that mattered to him. He wanted his daughters to have the surnames of both the families as a mark of respect to his beloved wife since they had their lineage to both families and his wife was an only daughter. There was a thunderous applause from all and Palak meekly followed. Palak's parents wiped the corner of their eyes; for having such a gem of a son-in-law.  While everyone rose to congratulate Ritwik and play with the kids; Palak slipped away to the rest room and burst into tears. The girls, her parents all seemed so familiar with Ritwik; was it a charade; was he always there; her own parents did not share it with her !! She felt sad, happy, letdown all at once. 

Mrs Khanna noticed Palak's absence and pieced all that she had heard from Vikrant. Palak was indeed Ritwik's estranged wife ; since she had met Manjeet before. She wondered why two lovely people so much in love stay apart. Palak's mother was enjoying being the mother-in-law of Ritwik Noon while Palak's dad was looking out for his daughter ; calling her number continuously.  

Everyone started leaving when Palak emerged in the hotel reception. She saw her world in front of her and did not know how to react. Her gaze met Ritwik's but she looked away; Her dad helped her to gather herself and they left in a taxi; whereas Ritwik drove down Manjeet and kids home. Palak sat on a bench with tears rolling down while her father patted her back. She felt let down that they did not tell about Ritwik knowing everything and he explained to her that as a father how difficult it was for them to accept what she did to ruin her life. Father-Daughter banter continued for a few hours with Manjeet calling incessantly to return home. 

When Palak returned home; Ritwik was fast asleep with his daughters in his arms; Piya was on his chest with her bums up; and Rhea was on his arm. Palak slowly carried them and put them in the crib and covered him with a blanket. She could not lie next to him on the bed; she just could not,  so she chose the reclining chair. Ritwik stirred in his sleep at night and found Palak cuddled up on the chair.  He covered her with his blanket; stared at her face which looked tired but at peace and went over to the crib and patted the faces of the twins.  It was 4am and he had to leave in an hour to reach Delhi for Reeva's engagement. He sat there staring at Palak, thinking of their happy times. He  then left a short note on the dining table and quietly slipped out.........