Achoo! Damnit! I caught a cold.

I walked out of the room dragging my feet to the kitchen. My head was heavy and my nose was all clogged up. Oh God!

"Oh, good morning!" I saw Naila at the kitchen counter smiling widely at me. Just then the memories of last night flashed through my head.

'I love you Kaif!' her voice echoed in my ears.

"Mornin' why aren't you resting? You had a fever last night." I said hoarsely.

"Hm. I'm completely fine today thanks to a certain someone." She cooed making me smile to myself.

"Although, I feel like you are the one who needs rest the most." She said.

"I'm fine. It's just a cold." I said taking my seat at the dinning table.

"Doesn't look like it." She walked towards me and touched my forehead making my heart race at that slight skin contact. I removed her hand quickly. This woman is terrible for my heart.

"You're slightly feverish." She murmured.

"I'll take a paracetamol and I'll be fine." I said looking away from her. How is she soo fine after last night? She's confessed her love to me and....kissed me like that. Does she even feel anything? It's starting to annoy me now.

"As you wish...but first...drink this tea." She said walking to the counter and coming back with 2 cups in her hand.

"I don't like tea." I said pushing the cup towards her as she sat beside me.

"It's herbal. Good for your cold." She said pushing it back towards me.

"I don't care." I pushed again.

"Ok. Btw, Mom sent it this morning with the driver."

I took the cup without a word and took a sip. The spicy, hot tea burned through my throat and chest. The flavour brought back a lot of memories.

"So, who changed my clothes last night?"

I choked on the tea.

"Oh oh.... careful." She said patting my back and passed me a tissue with which I wiped my mouth.

"Don't you.... remember?" I asked carefully.

She shook her head.

"After I waited for you in the rain, then I guess I passed out. After that.... everything is blank." She said innocently.

"Seriously?! You don't remember a thing!" My voice got louder with the annoyance.

"Nope." She said soo innocently that I felt like hitting her head. So all night I was the only one suffering? The confession, the kiss, she doesn't remember anything?!

I took a deep breath to control my temper. "How cruel!" I mumbled to myself.

"Excuse me. I forgot my phone in the room." She said and left just like that...

I closed the bedroom door and sank down leaning back to the closed door holding my racing heart and calming my fast breath.

Ofcourse I remember about last night. How can I not?! Just looking at him was sending sweet sensations down my abdomen. I told him that I loved him.... idiot! idiot! idiot. I hit my head.

There's no way he could feel the same for me? Is there? I don't want to give myself false hope. As for the kiss last night, any man could lose control if someone soo stupid as me seduces him like that. Yet, he said he won't take advantage of me and backed off. Such a gentleman! I love him!

I giggled like a crazy fangirl.

Why does he have to be soo handsome, why so gentle, why soo nice, why soo caring, why soo sexy and passionate? Why such an amazing kisser! Ya Allah! I'm loosing my mind. How can I not fall for him?!

I want him...right now....so bad. I thought biting my lip.

I banged my head back to the door.

I'm soo pathetic!

###

I went to Meet Avanti and Farhan. I felt bad for leaving the sick Kaif alone at home....but it was for our own good. He might've stopped last night but I don't know if I could have stopped myself.

The weather was soo nice today. Soo sunny after the long day of cloudy sky. Although some areas were still flooded. I pray those people can enjoy the sunny weather again.

As soon as I entered the cafe they both ran towards me and Avanti hugged me...a bit too tight sobbing.

"Oh Naila! How are you? I'm soo sorry it's all my fault for inviting you. You must've been soo scared. You aren't hurt anywhere are you? I was soo scared!"

"Di....are you ok?" Farhan said looking as if he was almost about to cry and hugged us both from a side. I pushed his and got back slowly from Avanti as we were attracting a lot of attention.

"I'm fine you 2 don't worry. It was scary but I'm fine now. Don't cry." I said wiping Avanti's tears.

"And it wasn't your fault. What was supposed to happen, happened. Don't blame yourself. I should be the one to apologize for ruining your Diwali."

"No..." She sniffed. "Don't say that. Why are you soo sweet?" She started crying again.

"Aww." I hugged her again smiling. Farhan got of his chair to hug us both but I warned him with my finger and he sat back down pouting. He can really act like a baby sometimes. Ayesha and him are around the same age though. He's a year older I guess. She's a medical student. Can they really be a good idea?! Nah! He's a big flirt. He might end up making my baby cry.

###

I unlocked the door getting in and almost bumped into Kaif. My eyes widened as our faces were just inches away.

We both looked away at the same time stepping back and he cleared his throat. He was ready in his suit.

"Why are you all dressed up? You're not well why aren't you resting?" I said looking everywhere but at him.

"I'm feeling better now after a rest so I better go to the office. The notice for the AGM will be posted today and the meeting will be held soon. The appointment of the new Director will be decided then. I need to be on toes atleast till then to gain the favour of the shareholders. I'll try to come early unlike yesterday. Don't worry." He said.

At the mention of the new Director's appointment, mom's words rang in my head.

'You can then be free from this marriage and him.'

I wonder does he wants the same?

"Oh." I said disheartened.

I moved away and let him pass.

"Hey Naila!"

I turned to him smiling hopefully..."yes!"

He looked at me for a while.

"Nothing... Just take care."

"Oh. Sure." I said and closed the door after watching him leave. I rested my head at the door.

Stupid! What was it that I wanted to hear?

The notice for the meeting was issued and the invitation was sent to all the shareholders. I took a deep breath.

Soon I'll be the Chairman huh! It's such a huge responsibility. Will I be able to handle this responsibility as good as my father?

There was a knock at the door.

"Boss, the chairman is here to see you." I stood up alarmed as Desai said that and made way for Dad to enter.

"Oh Da.... I mean sir. Please have a seat." I said and followed him to the couch.

"I saw the notice, Guess it's tine for me to step down after all." He sighed. I ghost of a smile on his lips.

"The responsibility of the entire Alam group falls on your shoulders. Remember, you need to be better than the best."

"Ofcourse sir. I won't let you down."

He enlightened me about how to handle everything thing and gave me suggestions about the board meeting which I gladly accepted and most carefully paid attention to taking mental notes. At first it felt like 2 employees of the top management speaking but then it more felt like a father - son talk which made me happy from inside.

"Also, there's 1 more thing I want to talk about.....as a father." He continued.

"Yes Dad?" I said with a slight smile.

"It's about your wife Naila. Your mother convinced her to marry you by making a 1 year agreement with her or till the time you became chairman. Now that it's happening sooner, she has no obligation to be with you after a month. It's best you set her free legally and in the islamic way with all respect and dignity."

My heart sank into a bottomless pit. Set her free.... divorce her? I can't do that. I need her.....I can't live without her anymore. My eyes pricked but I blinked back my tears. I cleared my throat so that my voice doesn't break.

"What if....we don't want to...get divorced?"

"That is her decision to make....not yours." He said sternly.

"Naila is a great girl. It would've been our joy to have her as our daughter in law in normal circumstances....but thanks to you it's not possible."

'I don't want to be separated from you..... I love you Kaif.'

I smiled slightly.

"As you both wish." I said and saw him out.

I'm not giving up hope.....on my love.

After dinner, I sat near the pool with my feet in the cold water lost in thoughts. The lights made those curvy effects in the water that I like.

"What are you doing?" I heard Kaif from behind me.

I looked back and a natural smile came on my lips.

"Just chilling. Wanna join?"

He pulled his pants up to his knees and joined me.

"Feels good doesn't it. Takes all the fatigue away." I said

"Hm."

We stayed like that for a while enjoying the silence.

"It was pouring down soo badly last night. Now it's soo calm like nothing ever happened. I never asked you where you were and why did you go out when the weather was soo bad?" I looked at him curiously.

"Um...it was an important meeting. My car broke down so I had to take the metro and a taxi to get home."

"Your meeting was soo important that you had to go alone like that?" I said in a bit acidic tone.

"I needed to distract myself." He just said.

"Because of what you told me about the attacks?"

He sighed.

"It wasn't your fault. Why do you feel guilty?"

"But she's after you because of me!" He said a bit angrily.

"But you never asked her to do that. Did you think if anything ever happened to you everything would be fine?!" My voice was breaking now and my eyes and nose pricked at the dread of tears.

"Didn't you just for a second think of how would I feel? You know how scared I was?! There were all kinds of news on TV also where a black BMW was hit by lightning and the man inside......" I couldn't say it.

"I ran out like crazy hoping and praying for you to come back fighting with the Lord above to send you back to me or kill me too. You.....but why would you care.....why would you care about your so called wife who'll be gone by next month. I'm the only idiot who made the mistake of falling in love in this fake marriage." I sank my head down watching my pathetic reflection in the water

He cupped my face and made me look at him, wiping my tears. He was smiling widely. Bloody psychopath! I'm crying and he's laughing at me?

"Although you look cute when you cry... I like to see you smile at me more. So stop crying Naila." He said gazing in my eyes.

I removed his hands and looked away shyly.

"Don't say stuff like that soo casually."

"Why?" He sounded amused.

"It.....it makes my heart skip." I said holding my racing heart.

"Can't I make your heart race?" He took my hand placing it on his chest. I could clearly feel it racing just like mine.

When I turned to him I gasped as he was dangerously close to me.

".... because you make mine." He said and placed his lips on mine.

I was too shocked and it took me a moment to comprehend the situation but soon enough I closed my eyes too and gave in to the kiss.

He pulled me closer by my waist deepening the kiss. I moaned slightly as he gentle bit my lower lip. He chuckled on my lips making me blush. It was a slow sensual kiss which was getting heated with every passing moment.

He rested his forehead on mine as we both struggled to catch our breath.

"Naila...." He breathed. "I love you too, more than you can imagine. To be honest, I've loved you before I even knew you.....Since the time I saved you 4 years ago. In truth, you were the one who saved me. You gave me hope.... you gave me a reason to live."

I hugged him smiling like a fool. When was the last time I was soo happy?

"Why didn't you tell me anything before?"

"Because I was too afraid if you felt the same, but after last night I was sure about it. Ofcourse you don't remember anything." He sighed.

"Actually...." I got back shrugging guiltily. ".... I remember everything."

"Huh!" He exclaimed loudly.... shocked.

I giggled at his cute expression.

"Then why did you make me suffer all day?!" He yelled.

"A little revenge for making me suffer all this time." I said proudly.

"Are you kidding me?!"

I laughed hysterically while he just looked at me angrily. He's just soo cute when he's like that. I squealed and giggled as he lifted me off my feet bridal style suddenly. Water splashing all over. I had to wrap my arms around him to balance myself.

"Let's see how you laugh now." He warned me but no matter how much I tried to control it, I couldn't just stop laughing.

He walked to the bedroom closing the door with my legs and then threw me on the bed getting on top of me. He kissed me a couple times playfully but when his lustful eyes met mine.... I finally stopped giggling. The look in his eyes accompanied by his shallow breathing was sending those strange feelings in my abdomen again making me press my thighs together.

"Kaif...." I whispered. "Don't stop."

He kissed me again.... passionately. My arms wrapped around his neck as he cradled my shoulders with his hands. I opened my mouth slightly as his tongue explored my mouth sending shivers down my spine. His lips traveled down from my jawline to the side of my neck, nibbling along the way making me moan his name and fist his hair as he groaned.

Both his hands traveling down my figure. His hand slipped inside my kurti as he circled his palm slowly on my stomach. He looked up in my eyes holding the hem of my kurti as if asking for permission. I helped him take it off as he took off his t-shirt too. I breathed seeing his bare torso. I unconsciously bit my lip as my fingers touched his chiseled abs. I could feel him holding his breath at my touch. I sat up in front of him as I kissed him again taking control. I pushed him back on the bed as my hands travelled all over him. I bit his lip pulling at it slightly winning a deep groan from him. His hands moved on my breast over my bra making me moan again.

Suddenly he rolled over getting on top of me. His expression changed....as if he was scared.

"Kaif, wha...."

His both hands gripped my neck firmly. I was gasping....choking but his grip just kept getting tighter. I couldn't breathe.

"Ka...i..f..." My voice wasn't coming out. I hit his hands but it was no use. I felt like I was dying. What's wrong with him?!

"Die you wench! I'll kill you today..... I'll kill you for ruining my life!" He kept yelling.

I tried to pull away his hands. Tears filled my eyes....Kaif stop please.....

"K....aif....s...stop." I choked.

His tears fell on my face. Ya Allah.... help me!

Suddenly his grip loosened.

"N... Naila?"

He let go and was coughing like I was about to die..... gasping and struggling for air, turning from side to side.

"No....no.... I'm sorry...... I'm soo sorry...." He kept mumbling watching his hand horrified.

"N... Na.... Naila." He brought his shaky fingers to touch me but I squirmed away from him horrified.... weeping in fear. His hands scared me.

"I'm sorry." He cried and left the room....