Avni's POV

Robert's offer was very good. Even Avanti said, that it was high time that our father starts to pay for a housekeeper.

I served dinner for my dad. He ate it without saying a word or even looking at me. I used to get hurt by his behaviour earlier but then got used to it.

I was quite overworked now as I was doing all the work also Avanti was not here any more. I told my dad to hire a maid or housekeeper but he said he was not used to anyone else working at home.

Avanti was right, the offer given by Robert Taylor looked like a lifeline. I need to get away from my domineering father. I wanted to go to Ranikhet.

Suddenly it all seemed possible... Our father had to take care of himself and he could always hire a housekeeper to keep his house.

I decided that I would take the offer and would go to Ranikhet to take care of the kids.

I took a deep breath and thought of calling him back to tell him about my decision.

Just then the phone started ringing, I pick up the phone and to my astonishment, it was him.

" How are you, Avni ? " he asked me.

" I am very well, thank you," I replied politely.

" So, what is your decision?? Can I hope that you have made a decision in my favour? " He asked me directly.

I took a deep breath and said, " I would like to... take the job. Let me try for about six months. "

" That's a great piece of news !!! Would you like me to come for you?"

" Oh, no!!! That's ok, I can come on my own."

" Very well ... when can you come here? "

" I can't tell you the exact date, but I'll try to come as soon as possible... I haven't told my father as of yet. "

" What if, he says no?? You won't let him change your mind. Would you ?"

" No, I won't do that," I said with determination.

That day I told my dad that I would be taking a job in another City and hence he would have to find a housekeeper for keeping his house.

He was not at all pleased to hear that, " I don't want to employ a housekeeper. " He snapped angrily.

I had enough of him. All he could think about himself and what he wanted. He didn't care for our mom and us. He had made my mother's life a living hell. So I got up and put my point strongly.

" As you wish, dad... but the house is going to be very untidy without a housekeeper unless you want to clean it yourself. We both know that you can't do it, so I suggest that you find one because you will not be able to survive otherwise. " I said.

And he threw all kinds of temper tantrums he even said that he was down with flu so I decided to go after he was fine.

I informed Robert that I would be coming after a week or ten days and if needed someone urgently to take care of the kids, he could hire another governess.

I said that to him but was a bit tense that my only chance of getting away from here might go away as well.

" I told you, I prefer a family member around the kids and as you are family, I will wait. "

My dad tried every trick in the book to stop me from going. He tried getting angry, being emotional, throwing tantrums, falling sick almost everything. But I wanted to go now.

So I found a housekeeper for my dad and Avanti said that she would arrange that the housekeeper would get her salary to be paid monthly into her Bank as otherwise, our dad would say that he can't afford it as another excuse.

" Now that it is settled here, call the man that you can come now and pack your bags. " Avanti said.

I dialled his phone number and he picked it up.

" Hi !! I just wanted to let you know that I would be able to come in about two days. " I said.

" Are you sure?? " He asked.

" Yes, I am sure. "

" Tell me, if you want me to come for you... " He said.

" No, don't worry, I would reach there on my own. Um.... is there anyone, I should see, if you are not home at that time? "

" No, I'll make it a point to be there when you come. I will also send you directions. "

"Ok, that would be nice... "

" Come, Bill and Lara are looking forward to meeting you. " He said in a soft pleasing voice.

" I hope they like me... " I said

" I am quite certain of it. Anybody would like you. " He said and somehow I felt elated.

I started packing my stuff and as he had said, he sent direction for how to get to Ranikhet and very detailed direction for how to get from there to his home.

I planned to leave early morning on the next day. Avanti and Aashish came to meet me.

" So, you are all set to go to Ranikhet?? Don't worry, everything will be fine. I didn't meet this Robert personally but I saw him when I went there to get you back. He seemed to be a nice man. Even John's parents seemed to be nice. " Ananti said.

I could not remember much about them. I met them only once and then that accident happened. So many people were there, every one of them was shocked. I could see everything around me but could not feel a thing or emotion.

I was so shocked by it, that I went into a stunned silence. All I was aware of was that John whom I had married only the day before, died in a terrible accident. All I could think was that it was because of me that he died. If only...

" Hey !!! Have you packed everything?? Here take this too. " My sister said all of a sudden. And give me up a suitcase which seemed heavy.

" What is this? " I asked her.

" Some of the things you might be needing in your new life. I know what kind of boring stuff you wear, so here are some bright and colourful clothes plus some accessories, which would go nicely with the dresses. Please wear them you are too young to wear these boring dresses please live your life to the fullest. "

" Don't worry about anything, Avni. We are just a phone call away. If you have any problem, just call us and we would be there in no time. " He said holding my hand. I smiled and thanked him. My dad did not talk to me much, but he rarely ever did.

I said goodbye to all of them and I started my car to drive towards a new life.

I drove towards Ranikhet. It was a hilly area. Though I was a good driver still, I was not used to driving on the hills. I needed my full concentration on the curves and bends of the road.

Some of them were like hairpin bends. I was a bit scared but I kept going. After about the first 15 minutes of intense concentration, I discovered that it was not that difficult.

It was a very long journey. So Robert had arranged for a halt in the midway. I was quite tired and could not take any risk. So I stopped at the hotel where Robert had made the reservation.

I went to the room and relaxed. I ordered food and I slept after eating my dinner.

I got up early as my body clock was set like that. I got ready, had breakfast and resumed the remaining journey.

I was feeling elated since I left the house. I felt like I was on a journey of life. I was excited to see what was there for her ahead in my life.

One thing I was sure of... I was not going back to my dad's house. If I would not continue here after six months, I would find another job and a house to live in. I could afford it with the money I inherited.

I kept going on feeling quite light-hearted. I loved this feeling as I had not felt like that in years. But why??

Why was I feeling this happy and excited?? It was not how I usually behave... So what was it??