“Anuradha beti!” Someone called her from outside.

Anuradha opened the door, “Manyata masi!”

Manyata was her neighbor. She had been helping them since they came to the place. She was the one who recommended Anuradha for a teacher's job. She had a good relationship with some rich people.

“Get inside!” Anuradha welcomed her.

Manyata and Anuradha sat on a couch.

“Where is Avantika?” Manyata asked.

“Ma... look who's here?”

Avantika came out from her room, when she saw Manyata was sitting there she smiled, “Manyata!” She sat next to them. “Now you remember the way to our home.”

“I always do. Anyways I came here with good news for you Anuradha.” Manyata said the reason behind her sudden visit.

Anuradha smiled widely, she knew that her neighbor brought a better job opportunity for her.

“What's it?” Anuradha asked curiously.

Manyata looked at both mother and daughter before saying, “Actually it's not good news for you but it would be a great support for your family.”

Avantika knitted her eyebrows, “Manyata, what do you want to say? Just say it clearly.”

Anuradha assured her, “Manyata masi, I believe you. You will never do anything to harm us. So you can tell me, whatever you want.”

“I know you believe me dear. That's why I came with this offer.” Manyata said.

“Offer?” Avantika asked.

“Yes, it's kind of an offer.” Manyata continued, she was still hesitant to tell them. “Have you ever heard about Oberoi mansion, one of the richest families in Agra.”

Avantika nodded, “Yeah, I did. So?”

“A grand wedding is going to be held there. Their family is staying in London. Tomorrow they'll come to India for their daughter's wedding. So there is a need for people to help.” Anuradha looked at her confusingly. “You will get paid per hour. It's nothing, just helping in cleaning and washing and doing some dishes like little households. That's it.”

Anuradha asked, not understanding clearly, “A maid?”

“Don't take it as a maid. It's just helping. Other elders will be there to do everything. You just want to help them.” Manyata tried to convince her.

Anuradha was mute for a minute. She didn't know what to reply. Was she really wanting to do this or not? Her neighbor was offering a job as a maid. She inwardly laughed at her fate, what had she dreamed about her future. Becoming an engineer and working under a well known company and buying a home as well as living a happy life with her loved ones. It's all stayed as her dreams only. She dreamed about a bright future, but the same future made her live with the dark reality.

“Manyata! What are you talking about? Anu wants to be a maid? No! My daughter will do nothing like that.” Avantika expressed her denial towards the job.

“But--” Avantika interrupted Manyata.

“We may be poor or running out of money. But I will not let my daughter be in somebody's household. I know every job has its own dignity, but still my Anu… I can't imagine.”

“Avantika, don't let your emotions take over. Now think practically, it's just a two months job. And she will get a good amount of money within these two months. As I said, there will be others with her too, so she doesn't have to do it alone.” Manyata exaggerated.

“See her little salary from the school is not enough for your living. So try to do as much as you can when you can. If a sudden emergency came, then where would you go. I know nobody's out there to help you. So keep your emotions at bay and take this job.” Manyata's long talk made Anuradha think of its possibilities. She was right. If she gets paid a good amount of money then what's the harm in doing such a job.

“But, Manyata---”

“Masi said right.” Anuradha agreed.

“Okay I'll take this job, but I will not resign from school. I will work all working days from 3pm to 7pm and on holidays it will be morning to evening. Is that okay?”

“Oh! That will be great. I will talk to them. At the end you choose the right decision.” Manyata smiled. She was happy to help them.

“Anu? Are you serious? No beta, you don't have to do this. I will go instead of your place.” Avantika optioned.

“I am okay, ma. I will go.” Anuradha assured her mother and said to Manyata, “Masi, do they mind if I take Ved with me there? You know if I am not here he will be a big disturbance to maa.”

“That's not a problem. You must keep an eye on him.” Manyata gave her permission.

“Okay, then.” Manyata got up, “Tomorrow is Saturday so you should be there at 9am and don't take Ved with you for two days. First you have to be comfortable around them, after that you could take him.”

Avantika was still not convenient with this decision. Manyata gave her an assuring smile.

“Avantika, don't worry. It's just two months only. And who knows that your life wouldn't change after this. You know they're very rich, they could help you.” Manyata filled some hope inside them before leaving from there.

~~~

Anuradha came in time to the Oberoi mansion as she was told by Manyata. She couldn't control her amazement when her eyes got the view of the big mansion. Suddenly her mind jumped in curiosity like a kid wanted to go inside and take a tour of the mansion. She could only dream such places, there would be no chance to get something like. But, at least now she got a chance to enter inside as a maid. Wasn't she lucky?

All servants were staying in a line to welcome their master and family. Already one family was living there, Vikram Oberoi's mother and his younger brother and family.

Anuradha too stayed with them for the welcoming, actually it's a kind of introducing themselves to Vikram and family. There were a total of ten servants, six were permanent and four were taken for marriage. And Anuradha was the youngest one among them. She was nervous that she could do everything perfectly. She wanted to be more careful; everything seemed more expensive. If she did something wrong accidentally, they would fire her the next second.

Sometime later they came to the mansion, Vikram's mother greeted everyone, and they shared their hugs and got inside. Ojaswani remembered her old maid and smiled at her specially. She watched everyone one by one before going from there. Rinisha didn't waste her time to meet the servants, she hurriedly went to her bedroom. And the only one person who left there was Raunak.

He seemed to be stuck in something, not something; it's someone.

Raunak was ogling at Anuradha through his sunglasses. He was quite surprised to see a beautiful young woman as their maid.

It will be more interesting!

“So beautiful!” Raunak winked at her while removing his shades.

Anuradha didn't pay attention to the staring man, so she hadn't seen what he had done.

'Anyway it's not a bad decision coming back to India.' Raunak smirked at the thought of the little maid would be good entertainment for him.