"Finally you're here! Where were you? You are an hour late.", Manik said as it's more than an hour from their decided time to have a meeting with his company lawyer.

Nandini entered the cabin and said observing every corner of his cabin, "I was preparing!"

"Preparing? For what?"

"For your next surprise! You never know what this lawyer will bring to me!"

Manik was not shocked to know that she is ready to take this blow. Her words are still in his mind, "Can we please come back to reality". He knows that she knows. After all, they know each other in and out. They both know what is happening between them but they are not ready to bring it forward. Both were waiting for the other one to spill the beans.

"Don't be scared, black queen! Sometimes, I will give you shock, and sometimes I will give you surprise!", He said as he gestured to her to sit.

"Comm'on Mr. Malhotra! You know I am not among those who'll be affected by your petty games!", She rolled her eyes, picking up the glass of wine served to them.

Before she could take a sip, he held her wrist and said strictly, "You had a fever yesterday! No!"

For the first time, she allowed him to take the glass back from her hand. Her eyes were not leaving his concerned eyes. They both wanted to speak a lot but were not ready to speak anything. Even their eyes were looking for something but couldn't find the answers to their questions. Questions whose answers will make things too messy.

Their eyelock was broken by a knock. The person knocked and entered.

"Seems like I disturbed something magical!"

His voice shocked Nandini. She was facing her back to him so he did not have any idea about it. Manik smirked and looked at her. She just looked into his eyes asking only one question. "Why him?"

And his eyes answered, "You asked for it."

She just closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Getting the satisfied reaction out of her, he said, "Cabir Murthy!"

"Manik Malhotra!", Cabir replied and both hugged each other.

"Long time, bro!", Manik said as Cabir sat beside Nandini while Manik sat on the other side of the table.

"Seriously Manik! I just went out for a month and you are nagging like a pregnant wife!", Cabir replied as he picked the juice glass in front of them.

Before he could take a sip, both Manik and Nandini shouted, "It has black salt!"

Cabir was startled with the sudden shout and the juice spilled on his coat. "Fuck man! Why did you guys shout? Bache ban jate ho saath me!"

His words stopped everyone as realisation drowned them. To their luck, Manik's pa entered the room with the needed papers and everyone in the room pretended as if it had never happened.

"Cabir! These are the land papers and our previous contract. Actually, I wanted you to meet Ms. Black Queen and from now on I want you to focus on this project.", Manik forwarded the papers to him.

Even after the introduction neither Cabir nor Nandini said anything to each other. Manik rolled his eyes and said, "Black Queen, he is Cabir Murthy, my business lawyer and legal advisor. And Cabir, she is Black Queen."

"I know Manik! After all, inhe kon nhi janta!", Cabir smiled mockingly.

It was enough for Nandini. These emotions are overpowering her. She can't let it happen. No one can do this. Masking her emotions, she said, "Of course, Mr. Cabir. After all, I am kinda famous or rather infamous in this business world."

"At least you know the truth.", Chair said, looking into the papers.

"Yeah! Truth! Of Course I know! Ussi k liye toh everyone is behind me! Isn't it, Mr. Malhotra?", she asked, challenging him.

"Then why don't you spill it!", Manik replied back.

Nandini stood and said, taking her bag, "What's the hurry? Dono taraf k patte khulna toh do!"

Smirking, she made her way out of the cabin but stopped at the door and said, "Cabir! I have a surprise for you! Let's meet somewhere! Without Mr. Malhotra's presence!"

Winking at Manik, she left the room.

Frustrated, Manik threw the glasses and papers on his table.

"This girl!"

"When you know that she knows everything then why this pretend game!", Cabir asked.

"Because she started it! Three years ago, when I came back from London! Main gaya tha uske pass! But she refused to recognize me! She was fucking 18 when she took over the business world! Forget about me, she refused to recognize you! Her only blood relation! Her younger brother! I showed your photo but she ordered her guards to throw me out!", Manik shouted as he still can't forget those times when he tried his best to stop his Nandini from turning into Black Queen.

"Manik!", Cabir sighed, "When she doesn't want any relation with her past then why are you behind her! Leave her alone! We all are happy together! She's happy in her world. Bhul jao sab and start fresh with Soha di!"

"Bhul jau? How? How can I forget that? How can she leave so happily after destroying so many people's lives!",Manik replied, fisting his hand.

"You sure Manik you are doing it out of revenge?", Cabir asked looking into his eyes. Manik avoided his eyes and said, "How does it matter?"

"It matters because if you still trust her, if you still have feelings for her then stop giving hopes and messing around with Soha di! Don't forget she has also lost everything because of her! And if she'll lose you then I don't know if she'll survive after that or not!", Cabir poured the bitter truth on him and he couldn't answer him. Indulging in a romantic relationship with Soha was never in his list. It just happened. It was his frustration, his broken heart that found a temporary place in Soha's arms. But, it has happened and he cannot deny that.

Before leaving the room, Cabir said, "First love is always special, Manik! Think and sort everything as soon as possible. Kahi aisa na ho ki inn sab me present, past sab kho do!"

.....

Not the best part but at least I am trying to get back to this story. 

Thanks for all the love and motivation.