A Step To You

Twenty Eight

Yukti's Pov

It's almost 7:00pm. This day will end and we're going less a day before the performance. I know the pressure is starting to hit us off, and as we all sit in circle to rest before going home, can feel the uneasy atmosphere.

"Prez, where shall we have the celebration?" Simran asked me. She's sitting next to Anurag who is right beside me.

"I haven't thought of it yet," I answered with honesty.

"Sim's knows a good place," Anurag said, and Simran laughed.

"Really? Can you help me with the arrangements of the celebration?"

"Sure." Simran smiled at me.

The younger members started to ask Simran about the place. I looked down and clutched the bag containing the cookies. Shall I give these to them?

But what if they don't like the taste?

I looked up and caught Gulki's eyes. She is right opposite me, sitting quietly while listening to the conversation of her seatmates. I gave her a small smile, but then before I could look away, she nodded. I frowned. She pointed at the bag I'm holding, then nodded again.

Is she urging me to give these?

"Prez, what's that?" Chavy asked suddenly and all eyes turned to me.

"Uhm, I... I baked these..." hesitantly put the bag in the middle.

"Cookies!"

"Wow, you did these?"

"Great, I'm really hungry!"

"They're not much, and I don't know if they taste---

"Mmm! It's good!" Anurag said, munching the cookies he got.

"I didn't know you can bake," Chavy said.

"Gulki, why aren't you eating?" Simran asked.

"I already had some."

Simran looked at me. But then she just smiled. I felt my cheeks burn.⁄⁠(⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠-⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠)⁠⁄ Why did she say that? What if our members asked why she already had eaten her share?

I tried avoiding Gulki's eyes so looked at my seatmate. Anurag is at his second cookie. He gave me a thumbs up. "Nicely done."

"Thank you," I smiled at him. I was about to ask him for his detailed comment on the cookies when the door burst open and Priyanshu and Santosh entered, both looking murderously at each other. Mira squeezed in between them and waved at me.

Ah right! I am going to accompany them in shopping!

"Are those cookies?!" Prid said as he slumped on a chair behind Gulki. "Give me some of yours--"

Gulki tapped his hand and shook her head, "Already ate mine."

Prid pouted then looked at me. "Hi, Yukti !"

Santu bumped onto Prid intentionally as she went to me, then she pulled me by the right arm. "Let's go."

"Where are you going?" Anurag asked.

"Hey, Santosh, you should go with me!" Prid said, standing quickly and pulling Santu's bag. She jerked his hand away. "But we're on the same---"

"Santosh is going with us," Mira told Prid, holding Santu with her left hand and holding mine with her right.

"Let's go--" she pulled me and stood.

"I'm going with you too," Anurag said, standing up at the same time.