Bittersweet

The figs, apricots, and finely chopped walnuts were soaked into grape wine. How could he forget to do this the night before? Braden’s nervous hands whisked the sugar and the butter together more rapidly, as he did not have much time left. This was not new. Braden had been doing this for the past 15 years; baking on Christmas Eve had always been a family tradition, and for heaven’s sake, he had been a chef and is now the owner of one of the best patisserie shops in town. But today was special, and everything had to be done perfectly and on time.

As a little boy, Braden was always curious to help his mother in the kitchen; He started baking at home when the other kids of his age were more interested in spending time outdoors. The little hands would blend cookie dough into perfect malleable round forms like a pro or prepare a more casual eggy tart for the evening snacks; he would love to spend hours in the kitchen making palatable dishes. As a result, he was not only skillful but also ardent in baking or rather everything happening in the kitchen.

Later in his life, he started working as a chef in a famous multi-cuisine restaurant, where he met Frieda, a lovely young lady. Freida was a medical student and an intern at the Medical Research Centre, located opposite the restaurant where Braden worked. It was almost love at first sight for both, and later Freida would make it a point to pay a visit to the restaurant every afternoon; the whole process was magical as they both knew they had met the love of their life. Braden always bragged about his baking skills to Frieda, and he believed that it was the custard pies, that he prepared, that won her heart.

Braden added the egg white into the batter, stirring it more aggressively. Next, he mixed the cake flour with the wet ingredients and added a little potion of milk to make a soft consistency. The whole thing was shrouded in cream, dusted with some more brown sugar and unsweetened powdered chocolate, and studded with resins and cherries. But something was missing!

The cake though visually perfect lacked the usual aroma that had once filled the patisserie with warmth. Braden sensed the absence but couldn't pinpoint the elusive ingredient. With time ticking away, he frantically rechecked the recipe, hoping to capture the essence of the holidays. 

Reflecting on his past, Braden recalled how his passion for baking played a pivotal role in his love story with Frieda. Yet, fate had a bitter twist, it had been 5 years since Frieda passed away. Memories churned out.

Probably the worst part of holding memories is not the pain but the lingering loneliness.

The cake mixture was ready to go to the oven, and Braden started to set the table for his guest quickly. This was a special corner table by the window where Freida and Braden would sit for hours, but now this corner has become a deserted one, as Braden would hardly come to his shop, and at times he did; he sat there alone drinking tasteless black coffee without sugar.

Freida’s smile was addictive, it was probably the goodness of her heart. All the time Braden would keep thinking about their future their new house and where they would travel next or how they would celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries, it seemed as if something was slipping out of his hands until it was too late for him to realize that it was life.

It was Christmas Eve, so his shop was closed. His guest had to enter via the backdoor. It was around 5 o'clock when he heard a tap on the door.

As soon as he opened the door and saw Fay, his otherwise drab unshaven face lit up with a bright smile.

On the other side was a 4-year-old girl in a bright floral dress who almost looked like a bouquet from the nearby florist shop. Braden's father escorted her. The little girl almost jumped into his arms, and they rushed inside. Braden was relieved to see her as the complex adoption process was finally completed.

Fay eagerly stared at the oven waiting for the delicious cake to arrive. The cake was ready within a few minutes, and Braden served it with a layer of icing and extra toppings. 

It smelled like Christmas. 

Braden couldn't help but glance at the empty chair across from him, the one that used to be Freida's favorite spot. Fay's innocent laughter echoed through the room, the little girl's eyes sparkled with excitement as she bit into the cake, her face lighting up with delight. Braden couldn't help but smile; it was a moment of pure happiness. With each bite, the essence of the holiday season permeated the air, bridging the gap between past and present.

As the aroma of the cake enveloped the room, it stirred a sense of warmth and togetherness. The once solitary corner table now witnessed the beginning of a new tradition – a celebration of love, family, and the spirit of Christmas. Braden realized that while he could never replace the void left by Freida, new beginnings and the presence of Fay had the power to heal and bring light to the shadows of loneliness. After a hearty meal, Braden took Fay to the beautifully decorated Christmas tree that stood tall. The ornaments twinkled, and the presents underneath created an anticipation of joy. Braden picked up a small, wrapped box and handed it to Fay. Her eyes widened with excitement as she tore the paper open to reveal a handmade ornament – a miniature replica of the patisserie they were in. And so, amidst the flickering lights and the aroma of freshly baked treats, Braden's Christmas Eve unfolded as a testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human heart. For a moment, he let go of the weight that had settled on his heart since Freida's departure Braden closed his eyes, allowing himself to be swept away by the magic of the moment. With Fay's presence, a new era had begun, one that blended the echoes of the past with the promise of a future filled with love, laughter, and the enduring spirit of Christmas.

As they returned home, Fay's eyes drooped with sleepiness. Braden tucked her into bed, the warmth of the blanket cocooning her like a protective embrace. He sat by her bedside, watching over her as she drifted into dreams. The clock struck midnight, marking the arrival of Christmas Day. Braden stood by the window, gazing at the snow-covered rooftops. The world was hushed in a serene stillness, and for a moment, he felt a connection to something beyond the tangible.

In that quiet moment, Braden whispered, "Merry Christmas, Freida. Thank you for the gift of Fay. Your spirit lives on in the magic of this night."