Where there is wind, the trees sway.

Donut

Akansha

Abir had asked me out that day.

What was I supposed to say? Yes? No, I couldn't. I had so much work already and I didn't think I could commit to both at once. I did not want to be one of those women you try so hard to balance both their personal and professional life that they end up losing their way. In the end, they are stuck trying to choose between both and lose everything that they ever had.

I didn't want to lose him as a friend either. I remember talking to Stacy about giving people chances, but I'd thought that it would be too soon. Also, Stacy was thrilled about her wedding so I didn't have time to dwell on it.

They were going to get married in Chennai, where her parents had moved to, to take care of their business after Stacy had acquired a job in Delhi. Stacy had been so excited when her parents had finally conceded to her pleadings.

Unlike Stacy, Vikram was not born rich. He was a self-made person- a quality which a lot of people admire. And Stacy's parents were not one among them. Though they were not happy about his financial status, they couldn't refuse their daughter. After all, it was her marriage.

I'd been with her all weekend, shopping, selecting flowers, and helping her with the guest list. Her parents were taking care of the wedding arrangements in Chennai. Since her family was well-off so I expected her wedding to be filled with a lot of people I didn't know.

She wandered into shops, trying on wedding dresses and picking the bridesmaids' outfits. I was exhausted just trying to catch up with her.

Her parents had been excited at the prospect of her marriage and a wedding planner had been arranged for the occasion. They knew Vikram from the time they had talked to him over the phone and also when he had visited them along with his parents and Stacy, a few months after he had proposed to her. Somehow, they had found it in them to welcome him with open arms.

"Oye, stop running around. I think we should sit down for a while." I said panting.

"You're tired already? But I've barely begun" I gave her a mortified expression.

"I'm just kidding. I have all that I need.", she said immediately, laughing all the while.

"Good. 'Cause I can't take any more of this."

"That's what happens if you sit in your office all the time. You used to work out more often before you were made the VP. Never mind, let's just go to your favorite donut shop. It's only a few streets away."

At the sound of my favorite snack, newfound energy surged through me...

"You're the best, Stace," I said.

I walked briskly towards the shop and asked for the menu.

But when I looked at it, I was torn between a glazed donut -my favorite- and the only donut in the menu I had never tasted.

"A chocolate frosted donut and an espresso." I finally said while Stacy ordered her usual cruller with a cup of coffee at the counter.

"I have no idea how you stay so skinny even after you eat so much.", Stacy exclaimed.

We took our food and found ourselves a table. "Hmm. This is so good." I said as I sunk my teeth into the best donut I'd ever tasted. "This is my new favorite," I said.

Stacy laughed. "That's what you say every time you try a new donut."

"Not always. But all of them are so good, I just can't decide."

"Did you buy everything you wanted to or not? If you brought me here just to give me a break and start again, I am going right now." I said.

"I told that I was done. Have I ever lied to you?" she whined.

I opened my mouth to provide her with an example. "Don't answer that.", she said as she stuffed the donut inside my mouth.

She smiled mischievously and said, "Don't worry; I'll help you carry your shopping bags when you get married."

"Like that's gonna happen anytime soon. Anyway, how are things going with you and Vikram?"

"Arre yaar,", she started. Though both of us had moved to Delhi just a couple years ago, she'd caught on to the Delhi slangs real fast. I, on the other hand still had my Tamil accent.

"It's driving him crazy. He doesn't like shopping at all. So, all the fuss I've been making for the arrangements is annoying him."

"And speaking of Vikram, he's coming to pick me up in a few minutes. Do you want to come with me? I'll tell him to drop you at your place."

"No, I'm going to get a cab. Don't worry about it."

Vikram was not comfortable being around me. It's like he's scared that I'm going to fire him anytime I wanted to. Then again, who is comfortable around their bosses?

"I know what you are thinking, but Vikram has to get used to this. After all, you are my best friend."She said, reading my thoughts.

"That's okay, I have somewhere else to be."

A car stopped next to us. I could see Vikram sitting inside. "Good Evening,..si..ma'am", he stammered.

Stacy started giggling next to me. I closed the door after her and waved bye. She waved back as the car drove off.