Avni's POV

I helped them to get changed into nightwear and told them a sweet fable.

It was almost 15 minutes when I joined him. He was having a drink and smiled at me and asked me my preference.

" Thanks, but I do not drink. "

" What?? Seriously?? Never?? " He was surprised and I nodded with a smile.

" I just had once or twice with John but didn't like it. "

He finished the drink and asked me to come with him. We walked side by in the open area. I don't know why but it felt really good. I wanted to keep walking with him.

We reached the place where I had left my car. But it was nowhere to be seen now.

" My car was parked here, right?? " I asked out of curiosity.

" I had it garaged for you. I will show you around in the morning. " He said and I nodded.

" You must be a very good driver since you came here driving all by yourself. Have you been driving for long? "

" Ever since I became 18 years old. "

" Thanks for this, I got my answer. " He said and laughed.

" Oh, I am sorry that didn't answer your question. Since five years. " I said with a smile.

" That makes you around twenty-three years old. "

" You are good at maths..." I said and he threw his head back and laughed. I loved the way he laughed.

" Thanks for appreciating my skill. " He said and winked at me.

I averted my eyes away from him. I don't know why I felt something different, something I should not have felt.

" Who taught you to drive ?? Your dad?? " he asked me.

" No, my elder sister Avanti did. "

" Are you close to her?? "

" Very close... She is the only one I am close to. "

" She looks like you... "

" Oh, no she is very pretty. " I said with a smile.

" Are you trying to say that you think you are not beautiful?? " He said with a shocked expression.

" Yeah... I am just too plain as compared to her. She is so full of life and I am so boring... Has always been. "

" I don't agree with you. "

" On what?? "

" That you are boring, too plain or not beautiful. On the contrary, I think you are very beautiful. " He said looking at me intensely. His gaze made me a bit uncomfortable.

Oh, God !! Does he think I am beautiful??

Don't think too much, he was just being polite. My inner self said. But I was uncomfortable so I decided to change the topic.

" She got married last month to her boyfriend Aashish He is a nice person and loves her a lot. I am happy for her but miss her a lot as she moved to their new home."

" I saw her when she came to take you back from Nanital. " He said.

" You were there?? " I was surprised. As I didn't remember him.

" Of course, I was... How could I stay away?? My brother... Let it be. " He started saying but then changed the topic.

" I am sorry, I don't remember. "

" Of course, you would not have, you were so shocked. " He said looking at me with an odd expression.

" Do... I mean ... Will your... Parents come and visit you here?? " I reframed my sentence again as I didn't know how to say this.

" They usually don't... What happened?? Does it bother you if they come?? " He asked me. I was quite astonished to see how he saw my hesitation.

" I don't know... Maybe they won't like it. They would remember and miss John. They might be hating me... "

" Why are you saying that?? Why would they hate you?? " AHe asked me with a confused expression.

" I brought misfortune to them... Their son died the day he married me... " I said before I could stop myself. I was about to cry any minute.

" What?? No, they would not think that way ... You brought happiness to his life... Made him the happiest man by marr__" He said trying to console me but I could not take it anymore do I interrupted him.

" Please don't say that... " I said and tears started pouring out of my eyes.

He was just too shocked to react. He would not have expected to see me crying like this.

" Excuse me... please. " I didn't want him to see me crumble like this so I ran towards my room. But he followed me and caught my arm.

" Oh my God!! I am sorry. Please, forgive me. I should not have... " He looked embarrassed and shocked.

" No, it's all right. I am sorry..." I said and pulled my hand out of his.

" I thought as it is almost one year... " He started saying but I didn't want him to talk about all that, so I didn't let him finish his sentence.

" Sorry... I get too emotional at times." I said looking away from him.

" Let it be... Ok, tell me did you like the kids?? " He changed the topic. How thoughtful of him.

" They are great!! "

" You were a hit with them, you made them your friend within 5 minutes. So, are we friends too?? " He asked with a cute flirty smile.

" They are kids... "

" So, you become friends only with kids?? What is wrong with me?? " He asked me with a long puppy face.

How cute ! He was such a smooth talker.

" Mr Taylor... " I was saying but he shook his head.

" Robert or Rob. Whatever you want. " He said with a smile.

" Robert ?? "

" Perfect !! " He said with a sweet smile.

" So, as you liked the kids, this place and even me, so I hope you are comfortable that you took my offer. " He asked me.

" Thanks a lot, I am glad I came. "

" I am very happy too. It's nice to have you here in my home. " He said.

Why was he saying such things??

" Avni, I would need to have your bank details to deposit your salary in your account. " He said with a serious tone.

" Ummm... There is no need of that." I replied.

" You want your salary in cash?? " He asked with a raised eyebrow.

" No, I don't want any salary. " I said calmly.

" What ??? " He was shocked.

" Yeah !!! "

" Why?? "

" C'mon, they are just two kids... They are so cute. It would be really fun to spend time with them. It is hardly work. I can't take money for that. " I replied calmly.

He was too shocked to react but then he took hold of himself.

" But Avni, of course, I need to give you the salary, I promised. "

" But you called me and even treated me like family... You don't give salary to your family. Do you?? " I retorted.

" Avni, but..."

" No, it's final. " I said and started going towards my room when he caught my hand to stop me.

" Please... At least listen to me. How can I not give you a salary? You left your home... Your father. I know I said... "

" No !! Just leave this topic. I don't want to talk about it... " I said and pulled my hand out of his and went to my room.

I don't know what was happening to me... I have always been a very soft and timid girl, who did not like to mingle with men yet this man... I was feeling different around him. I liked him.

I don't know why, but I really liked him. But he was John's brother. I would have to keep my distance from him.

I had slept during day time so I thought I would not be able to sleep a wink, but surprisingly I did the moment my head touched the pillow.

******

I slept well and got up with the sunrise.

The first rays of sunlight lit up my room. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in. The rising sun was casting a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene.

This place was so beautiful at any time of the day. But was at its best in the mornings.

It was my daily routine to get up at around 5:30 AM. Because our house was so big that It took at least one hour to clean it. It was a beautiful house and every one used to compliment my parents for it, but now it was loosing its charm.

The house had seen much better days. Those days, when things were different. My dad was working in a multinational company. My mom was also working in a private art gallery. She was an artist. Both were earning well and we were living a very comfortable and splendid life till he lost his job.

Things started changing later on...

Well, bygones are bygones... I had decided to leave every negative thought behind. Every thing was new, new place, new people, new life...

Maybe there was something magical about the place. The atmosphere was very calm and soothing. I didn't want to go from here.

It was a new day, I was a bit excited to start my new life. I needed to be positive about everything, it was Sunday and most probably Robert would go for his work and then I would settle down and enjoy being here.

I was feeling a bit embarrassed the way I said that I didn't want him to give me any salary as I was family.

I didn't want a salary, but I didn't want him to think that I was trying to become too close to him. I was claiming my right over anything, as I was John's widow.

I didn't want him to think like that. I didn't want anything that belonged to John. I didn't deserve it. Robert got embarrassed yesterday after discussing john. He thought that I cried because he reminded me of him and I still missed him.

If only he knew...

How would Robert react if and when he gets to know about us??

Maybe, he won't give me this kind of respect and acceptance in his home.

I shook my head to shake off all the negative thoughts.

I took a quick shower and as it was too early for the kids to get up, I decided to go and see around. I wore the riding clothes as Robert promised me to show me the stable

I went out and inhaled the absolutely pure air. I loved it.

" Good morning!! Ready to start the day??" I heard a very familiar voice and turned to see Robert standing there.

" Good morning, Robert. " I said with a smile.

" Already in your riding clothes. Eager to see my horses??" He asked me.

" I get up early and there was nothing else to do so... but I could not find the stables"

" That's because they are not here, just round the corner."

" Oh, can I go there?? "

" Come, I will take you there. "

" Oh, no I can go on my own, it is too early and you have not even had your breakfast. " I said to avoid going with him.

" Even you have not had... How can I let you go alone on the very first morning after all you are family. " He said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.