A Step To You

Twenty Two

Yukti's pov

I don't know how much I've cried.

It's already past 12pm and my eyes are so painful from crying. I'm here in the living room with Gulki and Poonam. Aunt Arachana has left for an immediate flight.

My Mom had a car accident. They said the injury is not serious, but she broke her left leg. and needs to be hospitalized for atleast a Month with total bed rest.

"Pooh, you can go to your room and sleep. It's already near Midnight." Gulki told her sister who scratched her eyes and obeyed.

I smiled at her when she looked at me. That kid, even though she always rolls her eyes at me, she stayed with me tonight the whole time.

"Yukti." Gulki said, standing from her seat, "you should sleep."

I shook my head. I looked up at her. and my eyes teared up again. I wasn't speaking when arrived, I just cried and cried. My voice croaked, "I can't." I put my palms on my face and stifled the sob. Though maa is out of danger, I'm scared, so scared that I would lose Maa like Papa. I think I couldn't stand it if she left me too.

"You didn't have dinner yet," she said.

"You can go sleep. I'm alright here," I took a deep breath to compose myself and removed my hands from my face, "Thank you for accompanying me."

But when I thought she'd go too, she didn't. Instead, Gulki sat down beside me and placed a hand on my back. Her palm felt warm, like she's comforting me.

I looked at her, and she kind of smiled. But it was a quick smile and she looked at the floor immediately. I sighed. "I'M... I'M scared, Gulki."

She didn't speak, but I felt like she's listening. So I continued.

"I cannot lose my maa, I wouldn't stand it," my eyes teared up again. I blinked to prevent the tears. "When I heard about Maa, I felt so helpless, that I can't be with her... And that... that I am alone."

"You're not alone," she said. "I'll stay with you."

I sniffed, "I'm grateful."

"My father left when I was seven," Gulki said in a low voice. I looked a her in shock. It's the first time she's going to talk about his Father. I didn't ask her or Auntie before and I don't know the story. Now she's telling Me. "He left for another woman, see, but I don't resent him. He just went after the one he really loves. When my father left, Mom was pregnant with Poonam. She also left. She had to work for me. Poonam was born abroad. She lived there with Poonam, and worked hard. But I was left alone here, in this house to fend for Myself."

This Moment, I can see the real Gulki. It's the first time I'm seeing deep emotions from her. She looks so sad, but there's a smile on her face- a sad smile. And it pierces My heart.

"I know how it feels to be alone," she looked at me, "and I won't let you feel it."

I was literally shocked as I stare at her. I don't know if I heard it correctly or is it just my imagination?

"So don't be scared, Ammi will take care of Aunt Darashana . She'll be fine. And..." She held my head and let me laid on her shoulder. "I will not leave you alone."

I'm lost for words. Like, I am now veeeery close to Gulki and this is the closest I've been. My heart is thumping so fast and loud I'm afraid she'd hear it.

"You can rest, I will wait for news from Ammi." she tapped my shoulder.

I admit I felt comforted. And it's all thanks to this girl. I sniffed and closed my eyes. As I feel her warmth, I feel secured.