"So, the deal is on and I expect you to send the documents in our office"

He forwarded his hand we had a formal handshake I looked at Nandini found her standing behind me as if shielding herself. I knew it from here she'll start breaking and it actually happened. He forwarded his hand for her but she hesitated to forward. She looked at me and don't know why but I blinked my eyes assuring her which she returned with a weak smile but didn't shake her hand.

The man looked at me and I smiled showing my eyes to force her to shake hands.

He cheekily smiled and said to her, "What happened mam? It seems like you're not happy with the deal!"

"I don't involve with everyone!"

"But we've got a business together!"

She turned to me and said, "Mr. Malhotra if you're done with interrogation then can we move? I've lots to do!"

Rolling my eyes, I nodded and we came out of the house and found that it's raining heavily.

Smiling I looked at her who was doing something on her mobile.

"Let's go! The weather is nice! Isn't it?"

"You can go and enjoy your weather! I've lots to do!"

"Nandini! Why don't you lose up a bit?" , I told and holds her hand to find it burning., "You're burning!"

"I'll take leave!"

"But how will you go?", I hold her hand to stop her and found her burning.

"You're burning!"

"Mr. Malho---", Before she could say anything she fainted in my arms and started taking a deep breath.

"Nandini! Nandini", I patted her cheeks but she didn't respond. Hurriedly I took her to my car. Till now we both are drenched due to rain. I laid her at the back seat and started to drive as fast as possible. There's no hotel or clinic near the area so I have to drive to Mumbai.

I covered the five hours distance in three hours, she was now shivering very badly and her lips have turned blue. Taking her to the hospital will take more time so I took her to my house in the outskirts of Mumbai and called for the doctor to reach as soon as possible.

After reaching, I carried her shivering cold body to the room and covered her with blankets turning the room heater on. I opened her clothes and made her wear my shirt to cover her.

The doctor reached and examined her scaring me to death.

I can't lose her. Even if I hate her but I can't see her like this.

Her deep breath settled as the doctor injected her and she slipped to deep sleep.

"Doctor! How's she?"

"Mr. Malhotra! You should take care of her. Her body has turned cold causing an asthma attack."

"She was burning and, on the way, she got drenched. Asthma? She is not an asthma patient!"

"Well! Mr. Malhotra! I've examined her and she's having asthma! So, take care of her!"

Asthma? But she was never an asthma patient. Nandini! What have done to yourself!

I sat beside her looking at her innocent face which has turned pale. That's why she was so week and I choose this day for everything. Her face was full of make-up. Taking a tissue paper, I wiped it out and found her dark circles and pale face.

She is in deep sleep. I caressed her cheeks to which she purred like a baby making me smile.

Looking at her serene face my eyes also drooped down.

Next morning, I woke up as I felt her hand moving which was still in my hands.

"Hey! How are you feeling?", I asked her caressing her hand with my thumb.

"Where—", she couldn't complete as coughed.

"No need to stress yourself! You're at my place! My farmhouse! Apparently, you had a fever and you got drenched in rain and fainted in my arms so I brought you here! And you're going to be here till you're fit and fine! Which, right now, you're clearly not!", I said and pushed her back to bed as she tried to sit back.

"No—cough—need Mr.—cough—Malhotra!", she said less and coughed more.

"Nandini! Just sleep! I won't hear anything! I'll be back in a minute with your chicken soup!", I scolded her and stood to bring soup for her.

"Mr. Malhotra..", she whispered as I was about to leave the room.

"Uhh... Haa..!", I asked confusingly.

"Who changed me?"

"Me!"

"Ohh!", she didn't ask further but I felt to explain.

"Don't worry lights were off and I had my eyes close.!", I blinked to her to which she smiled at me.

Her innocent lost smile.

I returned the smile and went downstairs. I was cooking chicken soup when out of nowhere I felt two arms sneaking to my chest from back.

"Nandini?", I asked in shock and confusion.

"Manik! How can you mistake me with her!"

"Soha!", I whispered in shock.

I turned and found her smiling brightly. Without thinking anything I caught her by the shoulder and dragged her out of the house and whisper-yelled at her, "Have lost your mind? Didn't I stop you for meeting me? How can you be so careless and come here? If anyhow Nandini will see you then my whole plan will be finished!"

"Manik! Leave me! Yes, I have lost my mind! And don't forget Nandini don't know our faces! If she can't recognize you then she won't recognize me also!"

"Soha!!", I pinched my nose in anger and said, "Why don't you understand? She can't recognize me because after the incident I went away! To the USA! But you were here! In India! And what do you think she doesn't keep a track on her enemies! No! You're wrong! She couldn't track me because I made sure of it but you! You're involved in other matters also!"

"Fine! I'm going!", she shouted and I closed my eyes to calm myself down, "I won't come near you! I thought you'll there for me to celebrate my achievement so when security told me you're here I came running to you! But it was a mistake!", she cried and about to go when held her hand pulled her in a hug.

"I'm sorry! I am so sorry! I—I was shocked!", I said guilty, "You know I'm doing all this for us only! If anyhow she'll see you then she can harm you! And I can't let anything happen to you!"

She sighed and hugged me, "I hate you for leaving me!"

"And I hate myself too! But more than I hate that Black Queen! So much that I can do anything to take revenge! Forget all that, tell me what you wanted to share?"

"I got first prize for the music competition at Musicana!"

"Congratulation!", I congratulated her and kissed her forehead as she hugged me.

"Listen! Nandini is here! So just leave from here I don't want you to be in trouble!"

She left not before getting a kiss from me. She's still a kid.

I smiled and geared myself to face the demon of my life. I carried the soup to her room and found busy with her mobile.

"How do you feel now?", I asked and she rolled her eyes.

"My car will be here in an hour so if can you give me my clothes?"

"Nandini—"

"Black Queen!"