Chapter 5

Chapter 5

 

Avni's POV 

 

I cleared my throat, but when they still made no sign of noticing me, I decided it best to leave quietly—I did not wish to intrude upon their privacy. I was utterly mortified at having caught them in the midst of their making‐out. After all, she was my elder sister, for God’s sake, and I so desperately longed to speak with her, as she was the one person who had always guided me.

 

But that could wait; I could not possibly disturb their special moment. They had only been married last month, after all—I would return later, perhaps tomorrow.

 

In my haste to escape, I accidentally bumped into a decorative pot by the door. It toppled over with a resounding crash. I quickly stooped to set it right, red-faced with embarrassment.

 

Within a minute, Avanti appeared to see what had caused the noise. Her face was flushed, her lips slightly swollen. I felt awkward, knowing full well I had already disturbed their intimacy. Forcing a smile, I greeted her, “Hi! Good evening…”

 

“Hi, good evening, Avni. How are you? How was your day?” she asked, her tone laced with a hint of mortification.

 

I silently berated myself for spoiling her moment, though I dared not mention it aloud. “It was very eventful indeed—I needed to speak with you. Are you free?” I ventured hesitantly.

 

Avanti sighed. “What has Dad done this time? I swear, he’s impossible.”

 

“Calm yourself, he hasn’t done anything at all,” I insisted hurriedly. “I received a rather promising job offer today.”

 

“Really? That’s marvellous!” she exclaimed.

 

“But…” I began.

 

“But? What’s the catch then?” she interjected.

 

“I’d have to move to Ranikhet,” I explained.

 

“Ranikhet? Oh, really? And then?” she pressed.

 

“How can I possibly go? What about Dad?” I asked, a note of anxiety creeping into my voice.

 

“What about him? He scarcely cares about us now—his only concerns are that his house is tidy, his meals served on time and his clothes impeccably clean,” Avanti replied dismissively.

 

“But still…” I murmured.

 

“Come now, Avni. Don’t tell me you’re going to let this opportunity pass you by,” she chided gently.

 

“I tried to decline, but I haven’t given my answer yet—I’ve asked for some time to consider it,” I admitted.

 

“Splendid! You must take it, love. This is your chance to leave all this behind and begin afresh. You can’t spend your entire life tending to our father’s every whim,” Avanti urged.

 

“I don’t know… I’m rather torn,” I confessed.

 

“And what sort of job is it exactly?” she asked.

 

“It’s a position as a governess for two children,” I explained.

 

“A governess? And what’s so appealing about that?” she queried, arching an eyebrow.

 

“I’d be residing in a rather posh farmhouse in Ranikhet, complete with its own stable and even a swimming pool. The employer only visits on weekends, and both lodging and board are provided. The salary, mind you, is a handsome fifty thousand per month,” I said.

 

“Really?” she echoed in astonishment.

 

“Yes,” I murmured.

 

“Then why haven’t you accepted it outright?” she pressed.

 

“It’s rather complicated,” I admitted.

 

“Could you explain, please?” she urged.

 

“The man who offered me the position is—Robert Taylor,” I revealed.

 

“Robert Taylor? And who might that be?” she asked.

 

“He is John’s elder brother,” I explained.

 

“Goodness!” she exclaimed.

 

“Just ‘goodness’? Come now, say something,” I teased.

 

“Accept it, Avni. John is gone—he’s no more. You must move on. This is a splendid opportunity. And who are the children’s parents?” she pressed further.

 

“They are the children of John’s sister,” I replied.

 

“Oh, then I do believe you must take the job. Dad can always employ a maid or housekeeper—frankly, he treats you no better than that. So, do seize this opportunity,” Avanti insisted.

 

At that very moment, we saw Ashish approaching in search of Avanti. Oh dear—I’d nearly forgotten about Ashish amid my discussion of Robert. He must have been waiting for her return.

 

“Hey, cutie pie! How are you?” he called cheerily as he sat beside his wife and drew her into a loving embrace. Their affection was unmistakable—on their wedding day, Avanti had looked absolutely radiant, and Ashish seemed in disbelief that she had agreed to marry him.

 

Avanti explained the job offer to him, and he echoed her sentiments entirely. Later, as I returned home, my thoughts whirled ceaselessly over the matter.

 

I felt increasingly inclined to accept the offer. Life had grown rather monotonous, and now that Avanti was married, I found myself bereft of someone with whom to share my thoughts. She had always made time for me, ensuring I never felt alone. As for Dad, he’d long since ceased to care about our well‐being—he was solely concerned with his own comforts.

 

I believe I must take the offer, yet I dread how I might break the news to my father. There was a time when he was a loving man, but as the years passed, he became increasingly aloof and self-centred, rendering conversation nearly impossible.

 

I never told him that I married John—indeed, I never introduced John to him. I’d hoped they would meet, but my father, ever the snob, would have looked down his nose at the idea of me bringing home a mere horse-riding instructor. I could not bear the thought of my father insulting John. I hadn’t even known then that John hailed from a wealthy family; he only confided that after we were married.

 

After our wedding, when we visited his parents to announce our union, John revealed that his own father was an immensely wealthy businessman, who needed not work unless he wished to. I had planned to leave home after returning from Nainital, to move into John’s flat near the stables—so that I might still tend to my father’s meals and laundry. But fate intervened.

 

John died in a tragic accident while we were away meeting his family. Those first few weeks were unbearably painful. My sister concocted a story to explain my absence, and our father, it seems, cared little as long as his meals arrived on time.

 

Since Mother’s death, Avanti had been like a second parent to me—I owe her more than I can ever express. When John died in that dreadful accident, she abandoned everything to rush to Nainital and support me. I shall be forever grateful to her, yet now that she is married, though our bond remains unbroken, I recognise it is time to let go.

 

She had even offered for me to come and live with them, but I knew my limits—I did not wish to burden them. They had just been married, and I wanted them to relish their new life without any extra encumbrance.

 

Avanti, being two years my senior, had been in her final year of college when Mother died, leaving us to contend with our father’s eccentricities. Shortly thereafter, both Avanti and I inherited a considerable sum from Mother. Though she had once belonged to a respectable family, she had married my father against her parents’ wishes, and they had disowned her. Later, they sought reconciliation, but Mother refused to forgive. Instead, she left us a fortune—a sum she never touched nor disclosed to our father, reserving it solely for our education. We both knew of it, yet resolved to keep it secret until we were independent.

 

Both Avanti and I excelled at our studies, earning scholarships that meant we never needed to rely on that inheritance. After completing her education, Avanti worked at a private company, where she met Ashish, her senior colleague. They gradually fell in love and, last month, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.

 

As for me, I bought a reliable second-hand car to save for a rainy day. I had been offered a position at a college, but I chose instead to work at a kindergarten, as it was closer to home—I could not bear to leave my father entirely.

 

So, why was I contemplating this job now? Why could I not bring myself to refuse that gentleman’s proposal outright? There was something about the allure of change, about the manner in which his offer was presented, that stirred something within me. Even now, I find myself pondering it—wondering what it might be like to embrace a new beginning, to venture beyond the confines of my current, stifling life.