A Step To You

Thirty Eight

Yukti's Pov

"I'm really excited about it beta !!" Auntie said cheerily and again droped down her newly plastered leg,"I really want to go shopping to choose your prom dress !"

"Auntie, be careful.." I carried her leg up the sofa again as she winced in pain,"...you have to take rest. I'll manage, don't worry."

Yesterday when we returned from school, as soon as Poonam opened the door with a teary face we knew something was wrong. So we hurried to the living room to see Joshi family doctor sitting beside auntie. And there auntie is smiling at us like nothing happened. Then our eyes fell on her plastered right toe. I was hella scared but the look in the doctor's face assured us that it's not a serious wound.

She fell in the bathroom while refilling the shampoo bottles. Hearing the loud noise, Poonam went to there and saw auntie sitting on the floor grabbing her right leg. So Poonam was terrified and quickly called doctor uncle. Then she somehow helped auntie to the living room.

"Mrs Joshi, be careful." Doctor uncle said with a sweet smile as he handed a prescription to Gulki, "Beta Gulki, make sure that your ammi gets a full rest and take the medicines on time."

Gulki nodded as she took the paper and asked, "Doctor chacha, are you sure that she'll be okay ?"

"Areh, you worry too much for you mother beta. She'll surely be okay in a week. By the way..." Saying this he turned towards me,"...who is this young lady ?"

I was sitting beside auntie, caressing her plaster. I was confused by the question but then it hit me. I'm still not a member of this family though.

"She's my.." Gulki started but then realised what she was going to say wasn't gonna be helpful for us. But it was not a big case as auntie said cheerily, "this is Yukti. My bestie's daughter and now as well as my. She's a lovely child." Saying this she hugged me sweetly.

"Nice to meet you beta. But I've to go now. Stay healthy everyone." Saying this doctor uncle stood up. I also walked with him to the door.

When I came back I saw a scene which I was not expecting. Really, not expecting.

"Ammi, why can't you stay safe, huh ? What is wrong with you ? You could have just told mrs. Lata to attend those chores. Why do you always --"

"Gulki, why are you shouting, it's just twisted ankle. And I'll be alright in--."

"No ammi, you... don't understand..." Gulki fell on her knees, scooted in auntie's lap and held her both hands, "it's not OKAY. It might be OKAY for you, but it's not OKAY for me. Whenever something like this happens the worst case scenarios come in front of my head. What if you had hit anywhere else rather than your ankle, what would have happened then, ammi ? What would have happened of, ME ?"

I stood at the doorway, while Gulki buried her face in her ammi's lap and sobbed. Poonam, as well as Auntie were too shocked to say anything. This was the first time after that incident and the hot conversation between auntie and Gulki. This was also maybe first time Gulki opened up like this.

"Beta.."

"No ammi... You still don't understand. And that's where it hurts. It hurts ammi. I can't express the feeling but it hurts. Ammi, I don't blame you, never, for not being here when I was a child. You're obliged to do it in order to save us. But, now as you are here, please ammi, don't go anywhere again. I don't want to... be without you. I know I'm a bad kid. And always quarrel with you, never listen to you.  But please... understand me ammi." Saying this Gulki looked up at auntie with the most vulnerable face in the world.