Bani remained silent, but inside, she knew this was necessary. The second-floor apartment had never been ideal, but until now, they hadn't had a choice. Carrying sacks of farm produce down the stairs, loading them into a vehicle—it was exhausting and risky. If someone asked too many questions, if rumors spread, it could cause trouble.
Aman sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I'll start looking. What are we aiming for?"
"Three bedrooms, a garage or parking space—preferably an inbuilt one—and it should be independent. No nosy neighbors."
Time flew by in a blur. It took Bani and her family a week to find a house that met their needs, a place that felt like a fresh start. The search had been exhausting, but in the end, they found the right one—a simple yet comfortable space that could hold their dreams and struggles alike.
For two days, Bani put her flower business on hold. She busied herself with preparations, packing and unpacking, arranging and rearranging, making the new house feel like home. By the end of the week, the hotel business was running smoothly, and everything seemed to be falling into place.
Yet, amidst the chaos of moving, Bani found time for something new.
In her free moments, she was enrolled in an online bakery course, carefully watching each lesson, taking notes, and practicing whenever she could. To anyone else, it would seem like she was simply learning a new skill, perhaps as a hobby or a potential side business. But the truth was far more extraordinary.
The space guardian had spoken to her again.
The magical space, her silent benefactor, had decided to grant her its first gift. A kitchen had materialized within it—fully equipped with all the utensils and tools she could ever need. The scent of fresh ingredients lingered in the air, provided by the space itself. Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, rich cocoa, fragrant vanilla, and even delicate spices—all of it was given to her, as if the land itself wished for her to create.
But that wasn't all. The knowledge, the skill, the finesse of baking had also been gifted to her. Her hands moved with an ease she had never known before, instinctively kneading, folding, and decorating. She understood temperatures, textures, and techniques as if she had been baking for years.
The online course was merely a cover, a way to justify her sudden interest in baking to those around her. But inside, she knew—this was something more. The space had chosen to bless her with this ability. And she couldn't help but wonder—why?
The warm, golden-brown pastries rested on the counter, their inviting aroma filling the air. Bani wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron and took a deep breath. The magical kitchen in her secret space had never felt more alive. Each time she baked, she could feel something within her shifting—an unspoken excitement, a quiet but growing anticipation for what was to come.
Her fingers traced the edge of the counter as she stared at the pastries. They weren't perfect yet, but she was improving. Every knead, every fold of dough brought her one step closer to mastering the craft. And she had to master it—because she decided in her hotel as evening snacks she want to offer it.