Avni's POV

I didn't know...  But didn't care at the moment.  I just kept driving carefully. After driving for about 3 hours, I finally reached Ranikhet.

I took a deep breath and parking the car in the market parking lot, I went into a coffee house and ordered a coffee and a fruit muffin.

And then following his very precise landmark locations and directions, I finally reached his farmhouse. I pulled up outside his home. It looked huge and beautiful. It was a mansion.

It had a very English type of structure.  I got out of the car and stood in front of the two-storeyed, white building with lots of windows. There was a lot of pine trees lined up around the boundaries of the property. The place looked beautiful with lush green grass lawns.

Just then the main door of the house opened and Robert came with a butler following him. "  Avni!  I am glad you are here. Welcome to my home !! "  He said. He looked very good in dark-coloured trousers and a light coloured sweater.

I saw him coming towards me. I smiled at him, " Thanks !! " and I shyly extended my hand towards him to shake hands with him.

But ignoring my hand he held my arms and pulled me closer for a light hug. He was very tall and broad.

I tried not to panic as it was a  normal way of greeting for them.
Then he came even closer and kissed on both my cheeks unhurriedly. I almost went stunned and felt hot all over.

I stiffened a bit and Even though I tried not to, I could not take it and pushed him away.

He was surprised at that and I felt a bit awkward and embarrassed at what I did.

" I am sorry, I am not very used to this way of greeting. " I said to apologise for the awkward moment.

" But I have been in France for so many years, there they greet their family members like this only. "  He said.

I nodded and thought that I would leave all my inhibitions and be a new and positive person. So, I smiled and said. " I am glad to be here. This place is really calm and beautiful. Thanks for your offer. "

He smiled at me and said, "  Please come in, you must be really tired. It was a long journey and driving in a hilly area, makes you even more tired. I will get someone to keep your luggage in your room.  Come have some refreshment or lunch. "

" Thanks, I already ate lunch about an hour back but would like to have some tea or coffee. "

" Sure... Come with me. " He said and we went inside. He told his butler to get tea and refreshments.

" So how was your journey?? Did you face any problem?? " He asked.

" It was long but without any problem. Thanks a lot, your directions, landmarks and instructions were so precise that I didn't have to ask anything from anyone. "

" I am glad they were useful to you. "

Just then an old lady in her mid-fifties came in. She looked like a  lovely and lively lady, her eyes were sparkling with excitement and love.

" Avni, she is Mrs Gomez, my housekeeper. And Mrs Gomez, she is Avni, Avni Tylor... John's wife. "

I was surprised to be introduced as Avni Tylor, John's wife.

" Welcome, Mrs Taylor !! " She said with a broad smile and hugged me. "

" Please call me, Avni," I said and she looked at Robert, he nodded at her.
I liked her warm hug. 

She went in and came back after about 15 minutes followed by a male helper holding tea and refreshments.

She made me sit and served one of her pastries. I was about to decline it but Robert said that he would highly recommend her pastries. So I tasted it and  It was awesome and when I said it was very tasty. She blushed like a teenager.

I laughed to see her blushing like that. By chance, I looked at Robert and he was looking at me as if he saw something unusually good and as if he was arrested by it.

Mrs Gomez left us alone to get more refreshments.

" What happened, Avni?  You seemed surprised when I referred to you as Mrs tailor. But why ?? "

I got very uncomfortable with this question. I think I should not have come here. I wanted to start my life afresh, but it seems that it was not possible here.

No... I won't shut down my self.  I won't run away the moment someone said something that touched a raw nerve.

I could not tell him...

But he was looking at her as if he was trying to find out what was going on in my mind. I didn't know, how to answer this question.

" Actually... I..."  I tried but could not frame a sentence.

" I am sorry,  I think I made you uncomfortable... It was insensitive of me.  But you are not wearing your wedding ring... Do you prefer being called by your maiden name? "

" Er... I am not used to of being called that. I ... just don't feel, I have ever been married. Um... You know what happened the very day, we got married. So... "

" Oh, God... poor girl !  I am really sorry... I didn't want to cause you any pain. It must have been a very traumatic experience as you were married for less than a day... " He was apologising when I stopped him in the middle of his sentence.

" Please don't apologise...."
I didn't like him apologising... I should be the one doing it.

Oh, please... don't make me feel more guilty.

Mercifully, he realised that I was getting uncomfortable talking about my marriage, he stopped talking about it.

" You must be missing him ... " I asked him hesitantly. "

" Well, let's just say that we were quite close. So I do... John would be pleased up there that you came here. "  He said and I smiled faintly.

" Why don't you take some rest... I would introduce you to the kids when you have rested and freshen up. Your stuff has been sent to your room. Please give your car keys, I would get Tom to park it in the garage. "  He said, I just nodded and handed over my car keys to him.

" I hope this place is not too quiet for you. "

" Not at all, I loved it ... I just wonder how you manage to go from here."

" I have work and other things to attend to... So I need to go away from here.   " He said.

" Of course... Are you married?? " I don't know, why I asked all of a sudden and then I felt embarrassed.

" Forgive me, for being personal. "

" You don't have to apologise for asking that dear, Avni. You are a part of my family.

I  would like very much for us to know each other. In fact, we must do it. You can ask me anything you want. Please don't hesitate to ask anything. "  He said holding my hand and smiled.

He made me really feel comfortable with his behaviour. Somehow, I wanted to know him better. It was so nice of him to say that I was a part of his family, he wanted to know me as well. It had never been this easy for me to communicate with people and become friends.

I don't know why but, I felt good from within.

" Ok, so are you married?? " I asked him smiling mischievously.

Mischief?? I didn't even know that I had it in me. What was happening to me since the day this man came to meet me at my kindergarten??

I was changing a bit, doing things, I could never think of. I wanted to get to know me better as well.

He was shocked at first to see that I asked the question mischievously. But then he gave me a million dollars smile.

Oh, God !! He looked so good like this.

" No, I am not married... not even seriously involved with anyone at the moment. " He said with a smile.

" Oh, ok!! " I said and looked at him and found his gaze on me as if he was trying to study me. I got embarrassed and looked away.

" Come, I would show you to your room. Take a rest. Be fresh and then come for the evening tea. I would introduce the kids to you. " He said and I nodded.

I followed him upstairs. The house was beautiful and was furnished in British style.

I didn't know why my heart was beating so fast... I had never felt like that.

It has been beating like this since... he hugged me and pecked my cheeks.

Did I do the right thing in accepting this job??