AKANSHA POV:

I have been in full-swing doing my work as fast as possible. Since it's a weekend, Green World is bustling with children, teenagers and adults.

"Enjoy your order ",I smiled pleasantly while serving them. And then strode towards the next table doing my work.

"How is it going babe? ", Kyle asked me when he stood beside me during my break time.

"Little tired. How about you? "

"If I say it was very entertaining, will you believe me? ",he asked, raising his eyebrows with a charming smile on his face.

I shook my head hitting his shoulders. "I won't believe it ",I chuckled.

"If you have finished flirting with your co-worker, can you presume your work? ",I heard a very familiar voice behind me.

Not possible! I guess I am dreaming. "I don't think we have finished,'' Kyle said, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Kyle! ",I glared at him and then turned to face Parth standing in front of me.

"Sorry for the inconvenience sir. Please take your seat ",I said, trying to be as formal as I can.

"Miss. Partner! If you didn't remember the truce, let me remind you ",Parth said glaring and gritting his teeth.

What happened to him? Did he hit his head on a wall or what?

"See you later babe ",Neil said before walking off.

Did both of them have any personal vengeance against each other?

"Parth! I didn't expect you to come here. What's the matter? ",I asked, thinking about the reason for his arrival.

"Why? Are you feeling sad that I interrupted you both? ",he asked angrily, clenching his fists tightly.

"Calm down Mr. Partner. Kyle always acts like that only. At first, it was a little weird but soon I got to know him better. "

"Sorry Parth! We were a little late finding a spot to park the ca--Woah!! Hi Akansha ",he greeted me when he noticed me.

"Hey Loverboy! ",I greeted him.

"When did you come back? How is your girlfriend now? ", I asked Theo.

"I returned home yesterday. And Farina is fine ",Theo replied with a smile on his face.

"So, are you working here? ",Andy asked looking at my uniform.

"Yeah! Part-time job ",I said with a smile.

"That's so cool ",Andy replied.

"Take a seat and enjoy yourself ",I said to them.

I looked at Parth to see him still angry for some reason. I smiled at him but he kept a neutral face and walked towards his friends.

Still a psycho! After my short break, I resumed my work. The clock tick-tocked and soon the closing time came. Andy and Theo bid their bye when they left.

But Parth is still in his usual place using his phone with earbuds plugged on his ears. Is he waiting for me?

I soon changed my uniform and was about to step out when Gwen entered tired.

"Gwen, it seems like you are tired today? ",I asked her. This is so unlike her. She didn't even interact much during the work. I am sure something is bothering her.

"What happened Gwen? "

"There is nothing to worry about. I just didn't get much sleep yesterday. "

"Are you sure? If something is bothering you, you can tell me. "

She then looked at me and then broke down.

"My mother is fighting for her life in the hospital ",she sobbed.

Oh God!! That's so terrible!! I hugged her, consoling her.

"What happened to her? ",I asked.

"She has Coronary Artery disease. The doctors need to do the by-pass surgery. I don't have the necessary money for the operation. I am going to lose my mom ",Gwen sobbed.

Not having enough money sucks!!

"How much do you need for the operation? "

"It's nearly four lakh. I don't know what I am going to do. I am having only one lakh fifty thousand at my hand ",she sobbed.

"I think I can help you Gwen. "

She looked at me with concern. "You need not do that Kanz! Thanks for the support. But I can't burden you with my problem ",she said wiping her tears.

"Don't think like that. You are like my sister ",I said looking at her, "I shall meet you tomorrow with the money. "

"Thank you so much Kanz! This is a very, very big thing you are doing for me. Thank you so much ",she cried with happy tears.

I walked out to see Parth and Kyle speaking with each other.

"Hey babe! ",Kyle called, seeing me.

"Hey ",I waved to him. "Parth ",I called him.

Parth smirked in return and walked towards me. "Kyle! See you next week ",I waved my hand.

"See you soon babe ",he said, throwing a flying kiss.

I smiled in return and walked out. I don't know how I am going to gather the money. First I should check my bank balance.

"What happened? " Parth asked, shaking me.

"Um... Nothing. Just tired. May I know why I got the pleasure of seeing you today? "

"..Project. We need to discuss about it. "

"Oh! I am in the process of completing it. I shall give it to you, for you to see it within two days. "

"It's good that you didn't finish. I have some more points to add in the project. "

"That's good. Do you have it now? "

"No. I just wanted to tell you. We shall go to my house tomorrow for the project. "

Oh no! "I have work. I am busy tomorrow. "

"Are you going on a date with him? ",he asked angrily.

"What? Who is that 'him'? And from where did this idea pop from? ",I asked him, shocked.

"That Kyle ",he muttered.

"God! Please save me from this idiot! Kyle is like a younger brother to me who is still in high school ",I don't know why I explained to him.

That's when I saw a grin appear on his face. "If you are done with your interrogation, I am going home ",I said to him and started walking but he stopped gripping me from behind.

"Let me drop you Miss. Partner ",he said his breath fanning near my earlobes when his lips slowly brushed just above my earlobes.

A shiver ran towards my whole body!! Did he just kiss me now?

"Let me drop you Akansha ",he whispered.

Not having energy to reply to him, I just got in the car feeling shy.

The whole ride was a silent one but a peaceful silence. But deep inside, my mind was freaking out to ask him why he did that; but I didn't have the strength to ask him about it.

"Thanks for the drive ",I said once I got down from the car.

"No need to say thanks since you are my friend's friend's friend. "

"So, are you telling me that we are friends now, Mr. Partner? "

"I guess so ",he grinned in return.

"I am incredibly honored to be your friend Mister. Partner ",I curtsied.

"You should be ",he grinned.

"Bye Parth ",I said with a smile and walked towards my home.

********

"Now why are you seeing your bank balance? Are you in need of something? ",Kryz asked me sitting beside me.

"Yeah! An emergency ",I replied while entering my bank account number.

"Is anything serious? ",Kryz asked concernedly.

"Gwen's mother is in the hospital. They need money to perform by-pass surgery. "

"OH! ",Kryz said with a shock on her face.

"Oh shit! ",I shouted bitterly.

"I have only two lakhs in my account. But they need four lakhs. "

"Does Gwen have any money with her? "

"Woah! Yes! She said she has one lakh fifty thousand with her. But how am I going to give her the remaining fifty thousand? ", I thought helplessly.

"Are you willing to give all the money you have saved? You got this money with your hard work and dedication. This is the reward for your sports and dance competitions. Are you willing to give away all the money? "

"I know what you are trying to imply. This is the price of my hard work and efforts. But Gwen is like a sister to me. This money is more important for her than me. I know the feeling of not speaking with family; I can't allow Gwen to live without them her entire life. "

"I can give you fifty thousand from my account. But this month we are going to suffer a little without money. But it's worth it as we are going to save a life ",Kryz cheered.

"Thank you so much Kryz! You are the best! I am very lucky to have you as my friend ",I said earnestly, hugging her.

"Well you should be ",Kryz teased me, hugging back.

"Since it's a huge amount, we need to cut the afternoon classes and go to the bank. Are you okay with that? "

"Who in their right mind will miss a great opportunity to bunk a class? ",Kryz asked with a chuckle.

"Fine! Let's bunk! ",I laughed with her.

Thank goodness! Now I have the money. Now, the only work is to go to the bank and withdraw it. I hope all goes well!

******

The day so far went smooth except for those stupid smirks and taunting smiles thrown by Jacqueline towards me. And how can I forget about Parth? He just loves to tease me! Idiot!

After a long, tiring practice, I refreshed myself and changed my sportswear.

"It seems like someone has a very weak, tired body ",I heard Parth's voice when I exited the room.

"Yeah, I am. Are you going to give me a massage? ",I asked sarcastically with a smile on my face.

I think he didn't expect this kind of answer. "It seems like someone is surprised ",I chuckled.

At that time, I saw Kryz coming with Andy. "Love is in the air ",I dramatized.

They smiled in return. "I have told Harry about our plan. So, can we go now? ",Kryz asked me.

"Sure, let's go. "

"Where are you going? ",Parth asked, stopping us.

"Bunking the classes ",I said with a wink and walked off before he could think of a reply.

"So, did you tell Andy about it? ",I asked her when I started the car.

"I didn't say all the details. I just said that we are going to withdraw some money. And you know what he did? ",she asked, irritated.

"What did he do? "

"He gave his credit card asking me to take money from that ",she huffed.

"Then what happened? ",I asked even though I knew what would have happened.

"I beat him hard! Serves him right. How dare he try to spoil me? ",she huffed angrily.

"And he would have apologized for it, right? "

"Yes ",she nodded her head with a grin appearing on her face.

*********

Kryz first transferred her money to my account. When I started filling the withdrawal form, Kryz's phone rang.

She attended the call. "What?.... Are you serious?..... Why would you?.....Okay......wait ", she spoke on the phone and cut the call.

"Who is it? "

"Andrew. "

"Oh! What was it about? "

"He is waiting outside the bank. "

"Oh! And why are you so tense? Is somethi---- ", I was interrupted by a voice saying, "Andrew is waiting for you down. "

"Parth? ", I called him, shocked by his presence.

"The one and only " ,he winked. "Take your car keys and go since Andy came with me. And don't worry about your friend. I shall drop her home ",he told Kryz.

She looked at me for approval. I smiled and nodded my head in return. She hugged me and took the keys and walked out.

"So, are you withdrawing some money? ",he asked curiously.

"Yes, I am ",I replied to him.

If he sees the withdrawal form, he will surely have a doubt in me. Now, how am I supposed to make him wait outside?

"Parth! If you don't mind, can you wait outside. I will finish this and come soon ",I suggested keeping my hands on his shoulders.

"And why do you think I will do that? ",he asked, looking at my hand and then at me.

"Um... look! If you are here more than a few minutes, then even the bank manager will come to greet you. And we will be late. SO, can you wait down? For me? ",I asked him, feeling that I got a great excuse to tell.

"That seems acceptable ",he said, nodding his head and winked at me before walking off.

Thank God! I soon withdrew the money. My money! My efforts! My hard work! Now, I should give this to Gwen. But I am happy that my money is being used for a good cause. No! No!! For a greater cause!!

But, is it okay if I take Parth with me? Won't he feel burdened?

"Penny for your thoughts ",Parth snapped his fingers in front of me.

"Ms. Partner! You have money in your hands. Don't daydream ",he said looking at me.

"Sorry ",I whispered.

"Can you drop me at Green World? ",I asked him.

"Sure ",he said and walked towards his car and I followed him.

When he started driving, I took my phone out and called Gwen. "Gwen....yes, I am on my way....oh....no problem....I can come there ",I said and ended the call.

"Parth... if you don't mind, can you drop me at Wyatt Hospital? "

"Wyatt? Are you going to meet someone there? "

"Yes. "

"If you don't know, then let me tell you that Wyatt hospital belongs to Theo."

"Woah!!! Really? "

"Yes Ms. Partner. Don't you know that Theo's name is Theodore Wyatt? "

"Well, I know. But it didn't strike my mind ",I defended myself.

"It was where he saw Farina first. "

"Wow! Is she in the medicine field? "

"Yes, she is. "

"That's so cool! ",I said cheerfully.

"Am I not cool? "

Ugh!! What does he want now?

Seeing my reaction, he laughed.

"You need not answer that. I know that I am cool. "

"Yeah!! Very, very cool ",I said my words dripping with sarcasm.

Soon, we reached the hospital. I saw Gwen waiting outside for me. So, I took the money and walked fast to her.

"Gwen, here is the money ",I extended when I neared her.

"Thank you so much for your help. I don't know what I would have done without you! I shall pay the money back as fast as I can ",she promised me.

"You take your own time; there is no hurry. By the way, Kryz too gave fifty thousand, since I didn't have much ",I informed her about Kryz.

"So sweet of her. Please convey my sincere gratitude to Kryz! "

"Hello Mr. Saxton ",Gwen greeted when she noticed Parth.

He nodded his head in return. "If you excuse me, I would go to pay the money for the operation ",Gwen asked.

"Sure. You can proceed ",I smiled at her.

"Are you Mother Teresa? ",Parth asked me once Gwen disappeared.

"What? No! Why are you asking ? ",I asked, confused.

"It seems like you don't have a single penny with you ",Parth said as a matter of fact.

"If I need something, I can ask Kryz. I am not in dire need of money unlike her ",I said, indicating Gwen.

"You are unbelievable ",Parth shook his head.

"Well! Thanks for the compliment ",I smiled at him.

'It seems if I don't get angry with his words, he is pissed. That I shall gladly do that ',I thought with a smirk appearing on my face.

***************************************************************************************

Hello my dear readers!! I just wrote quite a long update!!! I hope you liked this chapter.

Stay tuned to know what happens next!!!

Do you sense any changes in Parth??

See you guys in the next chapter!!

With love,

S.M. Skyler.