Bliss

Jane could hear the annoying alarm from John’s phone. 

“Come on, we’ve been waiting forever.” 

Then John’s urging joined the annoying choir. 

“We really should leave it for another hour. The pavlova needs more time to cool down.” 

“It’s been nearly three hours – I can’t wait another hour. It should be fine, right?”

“Baking doesn’t work like that,” she said but she privately agreed that it took too long for a few pastries.

“I mean, you could’ve told me it’d take that long in the first place.” John still seemed rather annoyed that it had slipped her mind.

“So you would’ve just left me alone to bake and then enjoy the spoils of my labour?” She posed in a rather performative way of a lady fainting. 

“No, I would’ve just brought some board games to pass the time!” John seemed rather flustered from her teasing.

“I need to add to my win rate against you in Catan!” 

“You would’ve tried.” Ignoring John’s reaction, she wore her oven mitten before bringing out the tray. Situated on the tray were six small pavlova bases she had formed earlier. Then she added the whipped cream into the centre before finishing the pastry with some chopped strawberries.

Taking them to the table, both John and Jane allowed themselves a bite of the pastries.“Mmm, it’s a bit wet.” 

“Told you we should’ve left them to cool for longer.” A smugness accompanied Jane’s words. 

“Yeah, yeah. You were right again,” John sighed, “I just didn’t want to keep waiting for them.” 

Then, John paused again.

“It’s not like what I thought.” Then he saw the possible implication that could come from his words. “I didn’t mean it was bad… Just, it’s not what I remember from what we’ve had as children.”

“You know, telling the baker that their labour doesn’t compare to store-bought pastries is definitely an interesting way of getting on their good side,” she giggled when John started to fluster again. 

But then she started again, “I’m kidding, don’t worry about it. I know what you mean. It tastes similar, with the sugar and softness. But it just doesn’t feel the same. Sorry, I didn’t mean for your last day to be like this.” 

John gave himself time to think before he settled with, “It’s alright. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with the taste. I guess times simply change. You tried your best, that’s all that matters.”

There was definitely more John wanted to say but Jane guessed both of them wanted to end their last hangout with bliss. And as it was commonly said, ignorance is bliss. 

“So, when are you leaving tomorrow?” she asked.

“Probably midday. Everything’s already been moved, we just need to get there as well.” John answered before taking another bite from his pavlova.

“Make sure to take care of yourself, alright?” 

“Yeah, you too.” 

Jane knew she should’ve said something about keeping in touch or seeing John around or something. But they both knew it would’ve been a lie. They had both become different people and that had changed their friendship. 

They didn’t try to preserve their friendship and both knew that – to some degree – they resented each other for not taking a step to try.

Even if they both wanted their last time together to be blissful, neither of them were willing to lie about false hopes.

And so they both sat there in a familiar room, eating the pavlova, preoccupying their last day together with meaningless but friendly conversation.