Chapter 7

He opened the door of a room and stood back, allowing me to enter the room first.

It was very nice, somehow I had this feeling that I would be treated as a member of the family and not like some casual governess.

This room proved my point. It was very big and beautiful. My breath was caught at the beauty of it.

It had more antique furniture in the shape of wardrobes, chest of drawers and dressing tables, completed with the four-poster bed draped in cream velvet with coffee coloured hand embroidered tie backs with matched curtains at the windows.

" Oh, my God !! This room is lovely. "

" I thought you would be comfortable in this room as it has a view of the front garden. Did you like it? "

" It is awesome!! Beautiful !! Thanks a lot. " I said with a smile.

" I am glad you liked it, I just wish that you get very happy here. I wanted you to be very comfortable. Please don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything else. " He said and I was really touched by the way he talked. He seemed to be a very sensitive man.

" Take a rest. We would have tea at around 6 in the evening and dinner at 8 PM. Please feel free to come whenever you feel like it. " He said and took his leave.

I looked at the whole bedroom and the attached washroom which was as beautiful as the room.

I was very happy that I decided to come here. I liked Robert a lot. I wanted to go downstairs again but decided against it. I didn't want to take more of his time.

I kept thinking about him. He seemed to have a strong sense of family and he was giving me all this respect because I was his brother's widow.

He loved his brother a lot and in his brother's memory, nothing seems too good for his brother's widow.

All of a sudden, I became very uncomfortable with this fact. This wasn't right I had not been a wife to John, so I didn't deserve this respect.

I was getting very uncomfortable and could not stay put. I had to keep myself busy to stop being agitated. I was very restless so I unpacked my bags.

I kept working till everything in my bags that are hung up or folded away.

But I tried to argue that Robert needed my help to raise his sister's kids as he wanted someone who was reliable and who would not be scared to live in an isolated place like this. I felt much better now.

I called my sister to let her know that I reached here safely and that everything was awesome here till now. She was happy for me and wished me luck.

I was really tired after travelling and unpacking so I slipped off my shoes rolled back the beautifully embroidered bed cover and climbed onto the four-poster bed and lay down. I didn't even realise when I slipped into slumber.

******

I got up at around quarter past seven in the evening. I freshened

P up and changed into another dress, brushed my long hair and applied very little make-up. I was ready for dinner.

I didn't know what was happening... To date, I had never bothered about what shall I wear or how was I looking. So why was I doing it today??

Maybe there was something magical in the air here. I was behaving differently than my usual self. But I wanted to change the course of my life.

I was excited to meet the kids, I had come to take care of. So I went downstairs.

I saw him coming towards me, I could feel his gaze on me. I kept going towards him.

" It seems you have rested well. You are looking as fresh as a dewdrop. "

" Thanks a lot. I had not realised how tired I was. I slept the moment my head touched the pillow. "

" That did you very well. Would you like to meet the kids now or tomorrow? "

" Of course, now..." I said and he sent for the kids.

" Bill is 6 years old and Lara is 4 years old. They both are brilliant kids but are going through so much bitterness that they are getting quieter and shy." I nodded.

I saw two very cute kids coming towards us with Mrs Gomez. They saw me and hid behind Mrs Gomez. I got up from my seat and went to meet them.

" Hello?? How are you? I am Avni... I don't have any friends here. Will you both be my friends?? " I said

to them.

They exchanged a look with each other and then looked at me once and then their uncle. Robert nodded at them with a smile to encourage them.

They both smiled faintly at me and nodded.

" Yeyyy !! I have two friends now... Will you tell me your names?? "

" I am Bill and she is my sister Lara. "

" Oh, great !!! So we are friends now?? I asked and they nodded their heads this time with a smile.

I talked to them for some time till it was time for dinner.

" Let's have dinner, Mrs Gomez had made a special dinner for you. " Robert said and I nodded.

" Come, my little friends... " I bent to their height and said.

" We have already had dinner," Bill said.

" Oh !! So, I would have to wait till tomorrow to share a meal with my new friends?? " I asked. Bill and Lara smiled a bit.

" You will have a meal with us ?? " Lara asked.

" Yes !!! But only if you want me to? " I said.

" Yes, please. " Lara said.

" Great !!! Even today we can have a serving of desserts. I am sure Mrs Gomez must have prepared something nice. " Robert said and they smiled and nodded.

They read a book while we went to the dining table which was very long. But only one end was beautifully laid.

He pulled a chair for me and after I seated, he took his seat in front of me. Mrs Gomez served different types of delicious-looking starters.

" They all look so good. I thought that I was not very hungry but I think my appetite is awakened. "

" Oh, I am glad you think so, Please try, she has prepared it especially for you. "

" Oh, how kind of you Mrs Gomez. " I said. She smiled and served the main course which was also awesome.

" Thanks a lot for the very scrumptious meal," I said. She just kept smiling.

I really ate a lot. I had never eaten that much. Maybe there was something special or magical in the air. I even slept like a log earlier.

Mrs Gomez came and asked the kids, " So, how about some ice cream ?? "

" Yey !! Yes, please ." Lara and Bill both were excited.

" Well, we have Vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Your favourite."

She said.

" With a coloured cornet? " Lara asked with her cute round eyes.

" Yes, we have pink and green. Which one will you prefer? "

" Oh!! I would want in a pink one" Lara said.

" I will have green. " Bill said

" Mrs Taylor, would you like your ice cream to be served in a cornet or a bowl. ?? "

" In a cornet... Pink one, please!! " I replied with a smile.

" I would have in green one."

Robert said. She nodded and went inside.

" Mrs Gomez make the best desserts. Yummy ice-creams. " Bill said with a big smile and Lara smiled and nodded.

Mrs Gomez served the ice cream and we all enjoyed it. Lara lips and chin were smeared with ice cream, she looked so cute like that. I wiped Lara's face with a wet washcloth.

I thanked Mrs Gomez for the wonderful meal and ice cream. She smiled and hugged me saying that she was glad that I liked it.

I said good night to her and I went to the kid's room with them. Robert followed us.

Just when I was about to go to the kids' room Robert said, " it's too early to call it a night. Shall we go for a walk ?? I would like to show you around. "

" Yeah !! definitely, I would love that. In fact, I was excited to do that. I will take around 15 minutes with the children and then I'll come out with you. "

" I am waiting outside. Come looking for me when you are free. " He said with a smile and I nodded and went in.