Cookie Chronicles

Cookie Chronicles
Soundous Louardiane

Khansa had a problem. She needed 20 cookies for the next MSA council meeting. After profoundly reflecting on this matter for about three seconds, she resolved to query the grandma’s legacy group chat. Now this wasn’t just any old group chat (pun unintended): it was where all the greatest food lovers on the MSA council gathered to discuss… food. Khansa thought it was the perfect place to ask, and she was right. Not five minutes had passed before she received a positive reply from the MSA’s unofficial cookie caterer, Ainaa. Ainaa had an impressive track record: she had provided cookies for at least three fundraiser events this semester and won the MSA Charity Week Bake-Off (ma sha Allah, may she be rewarded for all her efforts!)  

A few minutes later, Sumayya and Kenda also volunteered. Kenda wondered why only 20 cookies were needed, since more than 30 people (209 according to some (dis)reputable sources) were expected at the council meeting. Khansa revealed the purpose of the 20 cookies, but quickly redacted her reply at the insistence of the MSA secretary Zoyeb, who wanted to keep it a government secret. This narrator was not sworn to secrecy and therefore has no qualms about disclosing that the cookies were meant to be a prize for the winners of an MSA council Family Feud game.

It was decided that Ainaa would bake 10 regular chocolate chip cookies and Kenda would bake 10 white chocolate chip cookies. A brief discussion followed on the importance of using good quality (organic) ingredients, and it was unanimously agreed upon that our ummah deserved the best (and healthiest) food options. The cookie verdict was then changed to Kenda pledging to bring 20 brookies, and that was that. Or so everyone thought…

The next evening, Kenda had some bad news: she had a lot of assignments due that week, so she didn’t think she’d be able to make it to the council meeting, let alone bake for it. Ainaa immediately stepped in to save the day; she would bake 20 chocolate chip cookies. Kenda was very appreciative, but she also felt bad because Ainaa was always baking for the MSA, but Ainaa strongly reassured her (in caps lock) that she was happy to help. They briefly turned on Zoyeb, wondering why he couldn’t bake the cookies himself (since he didn’t have any exams), but he quickly defended himself by providing a long list of assignments that he had to complete, and that appeased them. Ainaa then proceeded to question the need for cookies at all and was reminded that the winners needed a prize. Sumayya offered once again to bake the cookies, but Ainaa said it was all good and she would do it, and that was that. Or so everyone thought…

An hour later, Ainaa quit. She finally came to her senses and realized that she had five exams and three assignments to work on, and therefore, no time to bake. There was no cause to worry, however, because Sumayya, the cookie warrior, bravely took on the task. And that was that (for real this time).

Sumayya ended up making two types of cookies because she didn’t have enough of some ingredients for a full batch. The cookies also (accidentally) turned out ginormous, but no one was complaining. Sumayya claimed that, although she had tried unleashing her inner baker, the three batches she made proved that she was no baker at all and that the task should be delegated to someone else next time. This, of course, is an entirely subjective opinion, and this narrator, having tasted Sumayya’s cookies, can confidently state that they turned out just fine. Ainaa and Kenda flocked to encourage and console Sumayya in a beautiful show of sisterhood, and she stopped worrying about the cookies.
At the council meeting, the MSA Family Feud game was played (many claimed that it was rigged, but we shall give the organizers the benefit of the doubt in a show of Islamic spirit). Team A was ahead and about to win, but Team B took the victory right from under their nose in an incredible turn of events. It was a perfect storm of doubled points in the last round and the right question asked to the right person.

Team B enjoyed their prize cookies. Ainaa and Sumayya did not get to enjoy the prize cookies, as they were, in an unfortunate twist of fate, part of the losing team. Kenda missed out on the whole thing because she was busy with her assignments (may Allah give her, and everyone else, the strength to get through). Khansa and Zoyeb were quite happy with how things turned out. 

And that’s how the cookie crumbled.​