Avni's POV

"  Do you have a child?? " He asked.

" No !! No !! " I denied sharply... Crimson colour straining my usually pale cheeks. I turned my head away from him.

" No, I am not. " I said but this time my voice was more like a whisper.

Oh, how I had wished, that I was pregnant. But I was not...  A lone tear escaped my eyes.

" Forgive me please, I am sorry, I ask that. Please, don't be distressed. "  He didn't appear shocked but was embarrassed that he asked that question from me and made me upset.

" No, it's ok... Anyone might have assumed that.  It was natural... I suppose. "

"   You like kids, don't you?? "  He asked with a smile.

"  Yes, I do...  They are so sweet and pure at heart. " I smiled back.

" I guessed as much, that's why you are working here. Isn't it?? " He asked and I nodded.

It was really easy to talk to him.  I kind of liked talking to him. His eyes shone up a bit.  But why??

" I wonder ... and I hope you won't mind my asking...  if you could help me ?? "  He asked in a relaxed and unhurriedly.

" Help you ??  But how? "

" Actually...Ummm, you must be knowing about my sister Samantha?"

" Yeah !!! "

" She has two kids,  Bill and Lara. I want you to help me in raising those kids. " He said.

" What?? But why?? "

" Sam had a bad marriage and she could not take it easy and went into depression and when I came to know, I intervened. She is getting separated from her husband. They are going through a rough and bitter divorce. It was having a bad influence on the children. So with the court's special permission, I became the legal guardian of the kids, till the final verdict comes. "  He told me.

" Ok, I understand... "

" I own a big farmhouse in Ranikhet near the golf course. The kids are staying there. I want you to go and live with them. "

" You don't live with your parents in Nainital?? " I was wondering so I asked.

" No, I am 28 years old. I can't live with my parents. I wanted a place of my own. What is so surprising??  "

" Oh, sorry... I was just a bit surprised."

" So,  what do you think about it?? " He enquired.

" But, I can't go to Ranikhet... " I told him.

" Oh !! Is it too remote for you?? "

" No !! That is not a problem. In fact, I like places which are a bit remote. Such places have a calming and soothing effect on the mind. "

" So, that is great ! What is the problem?? "

" I don't know... you could have any other woman there as their governess... "

" I don't want any other woman as their governess, I want you... " He said looking directly into my eyes. I almost shivered by the way he looked at me.

"  But why me?? " I asked.

" Why not you?? You are professionally qualified to take care of children. As far as I remember, you did your Master's in child development and care. I also want them to learn to converse in Hindi . If we are living in India, it would be good for them to learn Hindi. "

" Yeah !! But... "

" Moreover,  you love kids and are very comfortable around them. "

" But, still... "

" Most important of all is that you are their aunt, being married to their maternal uncle.  So they are as much your responsibility as they are mine. After all, they are your family. "

He said that and I just could not say anything.

"  But... "

" Please, they need you. And  You can do at least that much for us. For John...  Can't you?? "

I was shocked by his suggestion. I looked around and thank God that no one was around.

"  But I can't go, leaving my father here... "

" Why not?? Your father is an adult, he can take care of himself but those kids can't. Please help me raise them. "

" But they have you..."

" I work during the week in other cities, hence I can't stay with them all the time.  I go there only on weekends. So you would have the whole place to yourself during the weekdays."

" What do you do? "

" I am the  CEO of  Green Foods limited, a multinational company which deals in Organic food products and has pan world presence. "

" Oh, ok... I understand, but... "

" It is a beautiful place. I assure you, you would fall in love with the place. "

" I am sure of it. But ..."

"   Please, don't say no,  I can't trust the kids with just a stranger." He requested.

" Even I would  be virtually a stranger to them too." I retorted.

" No!! You are family. You haven't met them yet, but they are so cute that even I love being with them. And Let me tell you, I am not very fond of kids. You would love it there. Please give it a try. "

" Sir... "

" Robert !! My name is Robert.  Please call me that. "

" I don't know...  I have a job here and I really love it.  "

" I will even give you a very handsome salary. Many times of what you make here. How about 50 thousand per month. Plus the lodging and boarding are on the house. The farmhouse is beautiful with its own stable with a couple of horses and a  swimming pool. "

"  I... my father is all alone in this world. My mom is no more and my sister is married. "

" But, you can't stay with him forever. You were going to leave him when you married John. Didn't you??

" Yes... But now, I don't have to. "

" Oh c'mon !! One day you would have to go out. You would surely marry someone, someday. "

" No, I would not marry again. "

" But why?? You are so young and... I mean you are very young. "  He said

"  Simple, because I am already married. "

" No,  you are not. Your husband is no more... " He said and I felt like crying.

" It doesn't matter.  I would not marry again. "

I should not have married him as well.

"  Do you love him so much?? He was really lucky to have your love. "

" Lucky??  You call him lucky?? I mean he died just after marrying me."

" Please don't say so... I was in Mumbai at that time and I still remember,  that day mom called up and asked me to come over soon.  John had called them up to be ready as he was bringing someone home to meet them. My parents were so excited that may be they were going to meet their future daughter in law very soon. "

" Did she?? "

" Yes... She wanted me to come as well so that I could meet both of you. but as I was in Mumbai, I could not make it. "

" That's why we never met. " I nodded.

" We all were shocked to know that you both were married. "  He said.

" Actually... I am sorry.  We didn't want to hurt anyone. Neither of us wanted a big wedding. So... "  I blurted out but he cut in.

" You didn't hurt any of us, dear. We knew how John was. We were happy for both of you. "

" I am sorry... " I began to speak but I felt that I was chocked as I could not say a word.

I didn't want to break down in front of that man who was John's family so I fought desperately to get myself back together again. Robert waited silently watchfully and patiently I was grateful to him for that observing my emotional state, giving me the time I needed it to regain my control.

When he saw that I did regain my control,  he changed the topic wisely.

" So, will you please help me with kids? They really need you. They need a woman's influence on them. As it is, I am rarely living there. "

" Trust me, I want to. But... "

" You don't want to live in Ranikhet??"

" Oh, no !! Nothing like that, In fact, I might like that. But I can't come as I keep house for my dad. "

" But you can't spend your whole life like this.  Trust me those kids need you more than your dad. You must think of the kids too. They are also your family. We already lost john. Please say yes for him. "

" I have to think about it. Please give me some time.  It is such a big decision. I have to see all pros and cons. "

" Can you please take me to that riding club where he worked? I want to see the place where both of you met and fell in love," he said.

" Ummm... I don't ride now. I didn't since john died. I don't go there anymore. I just could not since... "  I said but could not finish it.

" Then don't you think it is high time that you just start doing it again?? "