Om: you are here for the nanny role?

Ketki: ji haan, is that role taken by someone else?

Om: no, the job vacancy is still open. Sit on the chair opposite me please.

Ketki nodded, sitting on the chair. Om looked at this woman whilst trying to console Mira. Before he could say something, Rudy came into the living room, sitting next to Om.

Om: what are you doing here?

Rudy: just wanted to check on you. Do the interview with me here. 

Om: fine (to Ketki) excuse my brother...I am going to interview you then I will see if you can hold Mira properly. 

Ketki nodded. Om looked at his question list and started to speak: why did you get involved in child care work?

Ketki: I love children and I want to help to give children that valuable start in life to a good education, I want to help children develop their social skills in a safe and a caring environment that promotes learning through play.

Om: how long have you been a caregiver?

Ketki: professionally one year, personally 11 years.

Om: 11 years?

Ketki: my parents used to leave me in charge of 3 brothers.

Om: okay so I am guessing you have a lifelong experience with kids especially babies?

Ketki: ji haan.

Om looked at his question paper and asked: do you have or are you willing to get CPR or baby first-aid training?

Ketki: I have gone through the CPR and baby first-aid training last year.

She went into her back and got out some papers, she passed them to Om. These were certificates confirming that she went through the CPR and baby first-aid training.

Om: very good, what do you think you will gain from working with children?

Ketki: I'll be able to notice as they gain confidence and grow an identity. I will be happy knowing that I played a huge part of their confidence and success, as well as being there for them whenever they need it. 

Om: do you have experience following dietary restrictions and avoiding food allergies?

Ketki: yes I do. One of my brothers is gluten-free and another brother had an allergy to nuts.

Om: are you comfortable to be a live in nanny?

Ketki: yes I am.

Om: okay so if you are comfortable with being a live in nanny, is there anything you would like me to know? Any dietary needs? Food allergies?

Ketki: the only thing is that I am vegetarian. 

Om nodded as he continued asking Ketki questions. She was indeed the most impressive candidate so far...the others women were good but some of their answers were vague, they didn't put much detail in their answers unlike Ketki who was wowing him with her answers. 

Om: last question  are you comfortable administering medicine?

Ketki: yes I am comfortable when it comes to administering medicine.

Om: and just because someone gave me the answer that she doesn't know how to administer medicine...do you know how to?

Ketki: yes I do.

Om: honestly Ketki you are the best candidate I have interviewed today but it is also up to my daughter to decide whether or not you are the best candidate.

Rudy: I am sure Mira will accept you Ketki.

Om: let's see. 

He picked up a crying Mira...during the interview he and Rudy had tried to calm her down but Mira was still crying. He gave Mira to Ketki. She held her properly.

Mira recognised the arms that were holding her, she recognised the scent that was on the woman...the sweet strawberry and rose scent. Her crying quickly stopped and she started smiling and giggling. 

Om: wow, first woman to calm my daughter down. I know I said that I was done with the questions but I feel the need to ask this question...why are you covering your face with a veil?

Ketki: in my household, when a woman is 18, they have to cover their face to avoid socially unhealthy intentions and to keep away negative energies.

Om: okay. I am desperate for a nanny and you answered everything perfectly and my daughter seems to like you. So....congratulations Ketki Shah, you are hired. You are smiling right?

Ketki nodded, caressing Mira's face. Om was happy that Mira stopped crying but he was also surprised that once Ketki held her, she stopped crying. Suddenly Om's phone started ringing. 

Om: I have to attend this, see you soon.

Ketki: okay.

Om went, picking up the call and he started talking to the person on the phone. Rudy came up to Ketki and said: let me introduce you to the rest of the family Ketki.

Ketki: okay.

Rudy started walking up the stairs with Ketki.

Rudy: you can see out of this veil right?

Ketki: yes I can.

Rudy: good because we don't want you falling.

Ketki: no we don't.

They laughed and Mira laughed along with them. 

Ketki: I love her laugh. Her laughter is so sweet and pure.

Rudy: it is isn't it? Anyway here is mine and Om's mother, Jhanvi Singh Oberoi. 

Jhanvi was filing her nails but looked up when she saw Rudy, Ketki and Mira. 

Jhanvi: Rudy, who is she?

Rudy: this is Ketki, Mira's new nanny.

Jhanvi: so this is the first nanny Om didn't tell to get lost.

Rudy: yes mum.

Jhanvi: what is your name lovely?

Ketki: my name is Ketki Shah.

Jhanvi: oh you're Gujarati? Nice, nice. So why are you covering your face?

Ketki in mind: now what did I tell Omkaraji....(talking) in my household, when a woman is 18, they have to cover their face to avoid socially unhealthy intentions and to keep away negative energies.

Jhanvi: accha...well it is nice to meet you and it is really nice not to hear Mira crying anymore. I was really getting worried because no one can figure out the reason why she is crying although most of my family members expect Om are absolutely sure that it's because she misses her mother.

Ketki: I'm sorry to hear that...

Rudy was sensing a little bit of the awkwardness so he took Ketki out of the room and introduced her to the rest of the family, everyone had kept asking her why Ketki was covering her face and Ketki had to repeat the same thing she told Om and Jhanvi. Soon it was evening, meaning that it was time for dinner. 

...

Anika was walking to the kitchen so she could start cooking, she wasn't the best cook alive but she learnt a couple simple recipes from Gauri. Normally Gauri was the one who cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner. Anika and everyone else expect Om always wanted to help her but once Gauri was in the kitchen, no one was allowed to help her because cooking for her was therapeutic. 

Anika had asked Gauri a few time about why was cooking so therapeutic for her and soon Gauri told her that cooking diverts her mind from the reality of her one sided marriage etc...when she was cooking, she was focusing on how much salt to put into the dish not how much time she had left with her daughter and husband. 

As she reached the kitchen, she smelt an amazing smell coming from the kitchen. It smelt so nice...it smelt like Gauri's cooking. She went into the kitchen to see Ketki was cooking. 

Anika: Ketki, you here? I thought you was a nanny for Mira.

Ketki: yes I am but I felt like cooking dinner for this family. 

Anika: really? I can do it, you go and be with Mira...she seems to like you, after all she calmed down after being in your arms. 

Ketki: yeah...it's fine Anika mam, I can do this. Mira is with Rudy sir so she will be fine. You take rest, dinner is nearly ready.

Anika: please let me help Ketki.

Ketki: take rest, I will manage.

Anika gave up trying to convince Ketki to let her cook dinner so she went out of the kitchen to her husband well actually not to her husband, she went to Rudy so she could see Mira because Mira was the cutest niece alive. 

...

It was now time for dinner. Jhanvi had managed to convince Om to sit with everyone for dinner. They all sat on the table...even though Om was at the table for once, the table still felt empty...it felt empty because Gauri wasn't there. It was always a cute sight to see Shivay and Rudy feeding Gauri and when Gauri would insist that she was full, Shivru wouldn't listen to her. 

Ketki came with a tray of food.

Dadi: so what did you make Ketki?

Ketki: Dal Dhokli, Bardoli ki Khichdi and Fafda. 

Pinky: wows Gujarati food. I loves Gujarati food.

Jhanvi: me too. 

Ketki placed food on everyone's plate...when she went to Om, her heart started beating fast. Once she was done putting food on everyone's plate, everyone took a bite and there was silence. It tasted like Gauri's food. It tasted like magic. The magic Gauri would put into her cooking. How could some other girl cook the exact same way as Gauri?

When Om took a bite, he also noticed how it tasted like Gauri's cooking. In front of Gauri, he would never eat her homemade food. But once she was gone, he would eat her food and love it. He tried not to love it but really her food was like magic.

Ketki: how is it?

Om: amazing. 

Precap: late night with Mira

Thank you for the love on the first two chapters. I love you all so much. 

What will happen late at night with Mira?

Who is Ketki...there is a hint in one of her dialogues?

Will Om find out who is under the veil?

Why did Mira immediately calm down when she was placed in Ketki's arms?

Target: 20+ votes and 10+ comments