Parth looked at the watch, it was about to nine o'clock.
" Parth, what happened? What were you talking with them?" Darsh said.
"It's nothing. " Parth said but his face was turned dim.
" He was again embarrassing you?" Eva said, " I won't leave him now." she rushed to them but Darsh held her back and said, " Don't create any scene. Isla will feel bad. It's her birthday party, please don't spoil it. "
" Right.. " Parth said. He handed his gift to Darsh and said, " Please give this gift to Isla on behalf of me. I need to go back. I have some urgent work. "
" Wait, can't you stay till she cut the cake. After that we'll return together? " Darsh tried to make him understand.
" Sorry, it will get so late. Please let me go and if she ask about you, make any excuse. " Parth said and stepped out of the building in hurry.
Darsh and Eva couldn't understand what happened to him suddenly. He asked Eva about it because they were together but she said, " I don't know what happened. I was in the restroom and when i came out, he was talking something to Ryan and his friends. I only know they were laughing so much looking at him."
" Oh.. It means he again insulted him." Darsh said.
" Why does he listen him? He should give him some piece of mind to him. " Eva was very angry, " I'm also going then. ".she turned to walk out but Darsh stopped her and said, " Please, don't go. Isla will feel bad. In fact it's not her fault and she is not like him too."
" What will we say if she ask about Parth? " Eva said.
" You don't worry about that. I'll make some excuse. " Darsh assured her.
**************
Parth entered his house. Lily shocked to see him back so soon," Party is over? ".she said and looked at his face.
He didn't reply anything and went upstairs in his room. Lily also went to his after. She saw, he was crying there sitting on his bed.
" What happened Parth? Why are you crying? Anyone scolded you? " Lily said.
Lily got serious and said, " You tell me otherwise i go myself there and ask her. Why did she invite you, to make you cry? "
" She didn't say anything. Please don't misunderstand her." Parth said, wiping his tears.
" Then why are you crying? " Lily said.
" Actually Ryan doesn't want me to have friendship with Isla. He hates people like me." Parth said.
" Ryan? "
" He is Isla's brother. "
" But it was Isla's birthday party. Who is he to decide who will be her friend or not? "
" Why are you worry about him,whether he hates you or likes you? You are not born to be liked or hated by him."Lily said.
He took money from the drawer and said, " Will you do me a favour?"
" What favour? " Lily said looking at him.
" I'm going to sport complex for the practice. Please don't tell anyone." Parth said.
" When will you return? "
" In the morning. "
" What? " . Lily got surprised., " You'll practice whole night. Are you crazy? You 'll get sick."
" Please, it's very important for me to win this competition anyhow.".He begged her.
" No, i can't allow you.You will get sick."
' please, try to understand me. It's more important than my life." Parth nearly bursted out again into tears.
" But why? Why is it so important for you to win this match?"
" I can't explain more. I am already too late. Please, don't tell anyone. " Parth said and rushed out of his room.
He went to market to buy basketball before the shop got shut. He purchased the ball and reached the sports complex. It started raining too but he can't move back now. He had already challenged him.
" Where is Parth? " Isla came and said looking around the living hall for him.
" He went back. " Darsh said.
" Why? " Isla was surprised.
" Actually his grandpa called him. Something emergency came up. " Darsh lied her.
" Oh.. but at at least he should wait till i cut the cake." Isla said. She was feeling very bad.
Everyone gathered for the cake cutting. Ryan came to Darsh and said, " Where is your middle class friend? I feel good that he is not here." and smiled, looking at that girl.
Darsh didn't reply him anything. Ryan said further, " I don't have problem with you two because you seem belong to rich family but I don't like him."
Eva gave him a death look and moved away from there. Isla cut the cake . Darsh and Eva gave her gift and said, " Isla, you are really nice but don't invite us next time please. "
Isla got surprised listening him. Before she asked anything, they rushed out of her building.
Parth practiced there all alone in the heavy rainfall, till it is dawn.
In the morning, he returned home before Pa and grandma woke up. He was completely wet and tired too. He went upstairs and rested on his bed. The game was going to start from 10 o'clock.So, he thought to take rest till then.
After an hour, Lily came to his room. She came to wake him up for the breakfast.She saw he was shivering. He was having high temperature. She put quilt on him and went downstairs to bring breakfast and medicine for him.
She gave him breakfast and medicine and said, " You take rest. No need to play any match. " . She was mad at him.
" Please don't tell anyone about my sickness. I practiced a lot to play this. Don't let my hard work go wasted."
" I don't understand what happened to you? Why are you taking his words seriously? It's not you. You never mind anyone's word but.."
Lily was annoyed with him.
" Please. "
He pleaded her not to tell anyone.
" Okay, fine. It's more than two hours in starting the game. Till then you take rest. "Lily said.
" Okay. " Parth said and went to bed to take rest.