When everything was ready, her mother placed the tray on the table. Her father, took his cup with a deliberate slowness. He gave Aman a glance that seemed to say something without words.
Aman, always the more straightforward of the two, reached for the tea cup, but before his fingers touched the handle, his father spoke.
"Aman, close the door. Lock it properly," he said, his voice low but firm. There was an unspoken gravity in his tone that made both Bani and Aman pause.
Aman frowned slightly but obeyed, walking to the door to ensure it was locked tight. His mother, still focused on the tea, didn't seem to notice the shift in atmosphere. But Bani did.
Something in the air had changed. The space was still a secret, but now, with her family back in the fold.
Bani's father- Today he sat at the corner of their small family hotel, rubbing his temples. The exhaustion of running a struggling business weighed heavily on him. But today was different. The moment he had his breakfast, a simple yet flavorful dish prepared with fresh vegetables, something had changed.
At first, he dismissed it as just a good meal. But as the day went on, he noticed something unusual. The usual midday fatigue never arrived. The heaviness in his body was gone, and his mind felt clear. Even during the busy lunch rush, he didn't feel worn out.
"Bani," he said, his voice firm yet curious. "Do you have these vegetables from that place of yours?"
"Yes, Father," Bani replied calmly, standing before him.
He narrowed his eyes. "Did you know their quality before using them?"
"Yes, Father," she answered again, her voice steady.
A moment of silence passed between them. Her father leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"Do you think we can continue using these vegetables? Will anyone notice?"
Bani offered a reassuring smile. "No one will notice, Father. The effects of the vegetables are temporary. They won't make miraculous changes, just provide a little boost for a while."
Bani nodded earnestly. "I understand, Father. The guardian assured me—these vegetables won't have any other unusual effects. It's just about being fresh and nutritious, nothing more."
Her father exhaled slowly, processing her words. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or more curious. If these vegetables had such effects, what else could they do?
For now, he chose to trust Bani's words.
"Alright," he finally said. "But be careful, Bani. We must not attract unnecessary attention."
"I understand, Father," she assured him.
Her father leaned back, rubbing his forehead. "Bani, if these vegetables only help remove fatigue, we might manage it. We can claim it's because we use the best organic farming methods, maybe come up with a cover story." He paused, his gaze sharp. "But if there's even a hint of something beyond that, it's a huge risk. We can't afford to attract unnecessary attention."
As the evening settled in, Bani watched her father walk back inside. He may have accepted her answer for now, but she knew his curiosity wouldn't rest. It was only a matter of time before he started asking more questions.
And when that time came, she had to be ready.