A Step To You

Thirty Four

Yukti's Pov

My phone beeped successively. I yawned, got up, and checked the time. It's 8:16 am. I looked out the window, and the sunlight hit my face. I sighed and went out of bed.

I got home at 1am, because the program ended at 12:30. We waited for Anurag and Simran's award presentation, which is at the very end of the event, that's why I went home very late. But I could not find Gulki. I only saw her once after our performance but she kind of ignored me. I don't know what suddenly got into her! I had no choice but let her be and return in Sim's car.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Ever since that night when Aunt archana and gulki got into a heated argument,She just give me a sighing smile whenever I am in the same room with Gulki and she isn't talking to me. Yes, she talks with me outside home but not in front of auntie. I know we both understand Gulki. I just hope she stopped being so cold to her ammi.

I took my phone from the bedside table and checked the messages. Two texts from Mira, one from Santosh, and two from Simran. I opened Simran's message first.

Sim : Good morning! Let everything go. It's a new day. Btw, about the team dinner, champagne's on me!

I laughed. Wait 'til I tell Santosh we'll have exotic champagne. I opened Mira's text.

Mira : My head aches. I'm going to be late today] [Bring me chocolates ^u^ Mwah!!!

I made a mental note to bring Mira a chocolate truffle that Auntie made yesterday. Then I opened the last text from Santu.

Santu : I'm so stupid argh!

I know her text is sent to all of us. But I wonder what made her send a frustrated message this early?

Ah right, there's something with her and Priyanshu last night. Prid had been mouthing wordlessly at her when we saw him, and Santu, who normally rolls her eyes and curse at Prid, just drew a deep breath and waved lazily at him.

"Maybe she's still guilty about what happened with his elbow..." But when watched their performance, Prid moved like nothing's wrong with him. hope his elbow is really okay.

Sighing, I went to take a bath and prepare for school. Even if it's the last day of the school fest, we still have to go to school for the whole day and participate in the mini events that the other clubs and the student council prepared. Also, today, students from other schools are allowed to enter, because this last day serve as the promotional event for the school, too.

It took me a good twenty minutes to prepare, and when I got down, it's only Mrs. Lata cleaning in the living room. Auntie must have sent Poonam to school. I wonder if Gulki had already gone to school too.

"Good morning, Yukti!" Mrs. Lata greeted me. "Your breakfast is on the table."

"Good morning, and thank you," I said and went to the dining area. I was busy putting lots of chocolate syrup in my pancake, when Gulki entered. She went straight to the fridge and took a glass of juice. She sat opposite me. She's also going to school, she got her bag ready on one of the chairs. "Good morning," greeted her.

"Morning," she answered, still not looking up then drank half of her juice. When she set the glass down, she looked at me. "Why didn't you wait for me last night?"

"Er, I went with Simran. And you were.... I mean I did tried to find you."

She simply looked at me and not say a word.

I also continued eating, and when finished my pancake, I stood. "Then I'll be going--"

"Can we talk?"