Avni's POV

I was working in the kitchen making breakfast and lunch for me and my dad. The wall clock struck 7 times.

Oh, God!! I was going to be late. So, I finished all the work at full speed and got ready in time.

Finally, I reached the school and went to my class. The lovely kids saw me and they all smiled and greeted me.

One of the little girls who was very attached to me came to me and gave me a wildflower and a paper with a drawing on it.

She gave them to me and wished me a good morning, " Ma'am, I got a flower and a card for you. You are my... best teacher. " She grinned

" Awww ... thanks, sweetheart. But you should say a favourite teacher. "

" Fav... favour... Best teacher. "

I picked her up holding her close to my heart. She gave me a beautiful smile.

It was so good to see such cute and sweet faces every day in the mornings. Their beautiful smiles gave me the strength to fight all odds in my life.

I taught a new nursery rhyme to my class and then made them practice it many times. I have always loved spending time with them. Kids are the purest and most beautiful creation of God.

It was lunch break and I went to the staff room. Everyone was enjoying sharing their food and gossips. I had never believed in being a part of any gossips.

So, I sat alone in a corner and opened my tiffin and started eating the vegetable Pulav I had brought with me.

One of the male teachers came and asked, " Hello ma'am, how are you?? If you don't mind, can I join you ?? "

As it was a common staff room, I could not say no to him, so I nodded.

" Emm... Avni, I was thinking that, maybe... We should... I mean, would you like to come out with me this weekend? "

" Um... I am sorry sir, I don't like to go out. I am sorry... But I am not interested. "

" But why ?? What is wrong with me?? " He asked trying to hold my hand but I snatched my hand away.

" I am sorry sir, nothing is wrong with you. It is me, who has a problem. I don't like to go out or talking to people. Please for god sake, don't waste your time on me. "

" I am really fond of you. You are the simplest yet the most beautiful girl around. I want to get to know you. We could at least try to go out once... If you are not comfortable, I would not bother you again. " He said looking into my eyes.

" Sir, It would be a waste of time, I know myself, I don't want to date anyone, I don't want to go out. I don't want to get married. "

" But why?? "

" Because I am not capable of any such feelings. Please, don't waste your time on me, l am not at all interested. " I said and excused myself.

I was about to leave the room when a peon came and told me that I had a visitor.

A visitor? For me??

" Who can come here to meet me?? " I asked.

" I don't know madam, He is waiting near the main gate of the school. "

" Ok, thanks !! "

I went towards the main gate, I saw a very tall and broad man was standing there with his back facing towards me.

Who was he?? And the more important thing was, why was he here to meet me ??

I reached near him and said, " Excuse me, sir?? You wanted to meet me?? "

He turned towards me and my heart almost had an attack.

Oh, no !!

No !! This was not possible...

How can he be here??

Was he here?? Or was he a figment of my imagination? I was looking at him after so many months.

I felt lightheaded all of a sudden and I swayed a bit. When he caught my arm. I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

" J- john !!! " I said his name with so much difficulty.

" No, Robert. " He said in a cool voice.

" Robert?? " I was puzzled.

" John's brother. " He told me calmly.

" Oh, ok... "

They looked alike... Both of them very tall and dark, their characteristics quite similar, although considering their relationship that wasn't so surprising. The similarity was striking.

Though, when I looked again, I realised that John was a much weaker version of Robert. He was not as tall or as muscular as the man standing right in front of me.

John's face did not possess the strength of character stamped so markedly on this man.

Although most women would probably consider John as more attractive because of his boyish handsomeness of the two Robert's feature being ruggedly harsh rather than classically handsome made him look more handsome.

Hell !! Why was I even thinking about it??

" Nice to meet you, Avni. I was in the town for work. My parents told me about you working in this kindergarten. "

" Oh... How are they?? "

" They are fine, how are you? "

" I am fine too... " I replied.

" They were concerned about you. My mom insisted that I must meet you. So, I thought of meeting you. I hope you didn't mind. "

" Hunh?? Yeah !! No, I didn't... I am sorry, I thought you were... "

" John ??? I know... We resembled a lot. I hope he told you about me??"

" Yeah !! He did... But he didn't tell me about this resemblance. " I said.

" Oh, ok !!! He showed me your pictures. You look a bit weaker than that. Are you alright? "

" I am fine, thank you !! "

John had told me that he had an elder brother and an elder sister. He had also told me that his brother was about 3 years older than him and his sister was about 5 years older than him.

All my life, I had been plagued by a most disabling and unwanted shyness, I had somehow found Robert far easier to talk to than most other strangers I had ever met.

He had come to meet me, so of course, he was my guest and I felt that I had to make something of an effort, maybe the good manners pushing me to invite him in and offer him refreshment.

My next class was free as the kids had a games ( sports) class. I asked him to come to the staff room. But he declined politely.

He asked me if I was free, could I take walk with him?? I nodded.

" So, what else do you do, other than being a kindergarten teacher?? " he asked all of a sudden.

" I keep my father's home running. My mom died a few years back and my elder sister got married about a month back. So, my dad lives alone... I take care of him. "

" John told me that you both met while you used to come to the riding club. Do you ride every day?? " He asked. I felt a bit emotional hearing that. Old memories...

I did not want him to ask so many questions I just wanted him to go but he was a guest, in fact, he was John's elder brother. He had come all the way to meet me, I had to be polite to him, so I replied, " No, I don't. " I replied to him.

" Alternate day?? " He asked again.

What was his problem?? Why was he asking so many questions??

" No"

" Twice a week then?? " he asked looking into my eyes.

Oh, God !! Was he going to ask, once a week or once a month too??

" No, I haven't ridden at all since I came back... from Nainital. "

" But why?? " He threw another question at me. And I really wanted the tall, good looking man gone but all of a sudden I saw him losing some of his colour.

There was certainly a trace of shock in his voice when he abruptly, bluntly and harshly questioned me, " Are you with a child ?"

" What ?? "

" Do you have a child?? "

Oh God !!! Why did he have to ask that?? I was literally on the verge of crying.

But it is not his fault, he must have assumed that... After all he doesn't know the reality.

He has no idea about our relationship... No idea what happened on that night before he died.

If only he knew he would not have come here and make polite conversation with me.