Baking Under the Milky Way

In a picturesque small town full of sweet patisseries and warmth, there was a little bakery called ‘Whisked Away’ owned by Sarah. Every sweet lover found refuge in her shop, which was designed with colourful walls and a display filled with an array of beautiful desserts ranging from creamy macaroons to towering cakes. With every dawn, the place would be filled with the heavenly scent of baked delicacies, playing soft music in the background as she whisked, kneed, and baked through the day.

Sarah baked with immense care and dedication. She invested her creativity in every baked goods she made. However, she was an excellent cook; her love life was quite the opposite. She was shy and wasn't sociable actually, most times she would rather be around bags of flour and sugar than people. Her friends would often nag her about being single yet she was happy and focused on her hobby.

It was a sunny day and Sarah was still prepping for the day when the door made a tinkle sound and Hayden, a fresh college graduate with dreams of venturing in space walked in. He had come to the town for a few months since he was to be involved in a research project in its neighbouring observatory. This six-foot nobleman was built like an athlete with Brown hair tousled back and a charming grin.

He was the ideal adventure seeker. However, his handsome face was clad with visible irritation as he looked over the showcase full of pastries.

“Hey, can you speed it up? I don’t have the whole day,” he bit out impatiently.

His tone had taken Sarah by surprise, “Um, what is it you want?”

Hayden leaned a little forward and with a tinge of sarcasm said, “How about anything which is not like cardboard . I need some strength for my project.”

Sarah's cheeks turned reddish from anger. “What? There is nothing like cardboard about my baked goods. They are all made with affection and love, thank you very much."

"Right. Love. And sugar. I presume they do not have to be sweet all the time?" he joked with his lips stretched in a thin smile.

As a jolt of irritation and pain flooded through Sarah's system, she was speechless. She had seen and dealt with many customers in her line of work but most were always polite. “You know what? If I were you and did not like my pastries, just go to the coffee shop across the street,” she fired back, folding her arms over her chest.

Hayden however raised a brow and was blown away by her unexpected aggressiveness. This is not what he anticipated from a person whom he expected to have a soft answer. "Maybe I will," he retorted with a spin and stomp to the shop exit.

Clutching the door, Sarah took a long breath as her heart raced. What a cocky jerk! Who does he think he is coming in here and disrespecting her efforts! The annoyance clung onto her, and she promised herself that she wouldn’t allow anyone, especially some fresh and arrogant chap, to ruin her tranquillity within the bakery.

Time went by, and weeks later, their meeting occurred. Hayden strolled into ‘Whisked Away’ wearing his characteristic bravado and sparred with Sarah as they always did. However, amidst these exchanges, there was a different kind of chemistry in the air. They would squabble over sweets or the way she prepares her coffee but every such occurrence brought out the liveliness in Sarah more than any other activity. She could not lie, his childish banters did entertain her, and maybe he was more than just an obnoxious patron.

It was one of those evenings when the sun was setting. Sarah decided to use that time and try her hand in baking, this time making a chocolate tart with raspberries and a touch of mint. She was lost in thought with raspberries as she arranged them on the surface of the cake. She was thinking about Hayden, how he always seemed to be ready to push her over the edge. He would push her buttons, yes, but it also sparked a flame inside of her that had been deep dormant for quite some time.

When she was done for the day, she saw Hayden passing by. He stopped and looked into the window, a quizzical look on his face. Before she could think too much about it, she swung the door open.

“Are you up for something different?” she queried, mischief figured in her voice.

Hayden seemed to ponder over this new question and broke into a grin. “Is it anything that has the texture of cardboard?”

“Let’s find out,” she replied, leading him inside the room.

“Look at this tart slice I just made,” she waded over, pouring a plated slice of her tart to Hayden, who chuckled at the sight. “You’re quite the baker, I’ll give you that,” he said, leaning over the counter.

“And you’re quite a terrible visitor,” she shot back, handing him the plate with much pride.

He chewed on it and was in shock. “This is so nice! How on earth was your last one so terrible? What do you use? Love and sugar again?”

Sarah chuckled, a pleasant sensation enveloping her. “It’s all about balance, really. And perhaps adding a sprinkle of mint every once in a while for some excitement.”

They were still joking around and their peaceful interaction was thanks to the tart they both shared. With each slice, Sarah started to enjoy herself, letting down the protective barriers surrounding her heart a little more.

“You know, I thought you were just some uptight baker,” Hayden said, licking the crumbs off his plate. “But you’re kind of… fun.”

“And I thought you were just some obnoxious customer,” she replied, a smile playing on her lips. “Guess what? You don’t seem that awful after all.”

Hayden laughed and inched forward. “Does that mean I have a shot at the opportunity to be locked in your list of customers for good?”

Sarah raised her brows, her heartbeat quickening from his teasing bravado. “Let us not go so far. Firstly, you have to show that you can eat my cakes and not become all whiny.”

While conversing, Sarah became aware that the nature of their interactions changed. The atmosphere had a different feeling, it had irked her and then turned out to be something far more intense. However, just when she thought that there were reasons to start feeling something, she had to remind herself to be cautious.

In the weeks to come, the bakery visits turned into an episode for the two of them. Hayden would walk in prepared to sword fight with her over some baked goodies. Each and every interaction made Sarah's heart race in ways she couldn't even begin to describe. She caught herself grinning more, excitedly counting the days until his next appearance.

However, there was always a cloud of their differences hanging above each of those very pleasant moments. He was the type of person who was a dreamer, creative and lived in the open imagining wandering among the stars, and she was solid and at peace while she was busy making cakes. Would there come a time when those two will transcend beyond such playful fights?

Sarah had no idea that as they became closer, the very natures and aspirations of both of them would soon pose a serious threat to their emerging feelings between them.

As Sarah closed the bakery one evening, the glow of the streetlights casting a warm hue around her, she realised that the journey of their unlikely friendship was just beginning. Would it flourish into something more? Only time would tell.

One evening as Sarah was shutting the bakery down, the streetlamps around her glowed with an inviting warmth. Then only did she understand that it was just the beginning of the story of their impossible friendship. Would it be more than that? Only time would tell that.

To be continued…

With Love

Arhesia!