It was the perfect place. The area was always buzzing with students, a lively hub of young energy. Students constantly searched for affordable, fresh, and quick food. With the right pricing and a touch of uniqueness, her shop could thrive. More than that, it was a fresh start—away from the past, from the weight of her marriage, from the burdens that once made her feel trapped. Here, she could build something on her own.
And she had the means to do it.
The flower business had been a success—more than she had expected. The earnings sat securely in her account, over one and a half lakh rupees, enough to take the first step. She had proven to herself that she could make something out of nothing, and this was the next step forward.
Yet, there was something she hadn't told her family.
They knew about the magical space—its existence, at least. But they didn't know everything. They didn't know about the deeper gift she had unlocked within it. The space was more than just a fertile land; it responded to her emotions, shaped itself to her will, and revealed secrets she had yet to fully understand. Some things needed to remain hers alone—at least for now.
Bani exhaled softly and picked up one of the pastries. She took a bite, savoring the buttery crispness, the light flakiness melting on her tongue. Not perfect. But close.
She would get there.
One step at a time.
placed a tray of golden-brown pastries on the counter, their aroma filling the magical kitchen. As she gazed at them, she felt something stir within her—a sense of anticipation.
Two days had passed since they moved into their new house. The air still carried the scent of fresh paint and new possibilities, but there was no time to waste. Today, Bani and Aman were ready to restart their flower business.
This time, they had more to offer. Along with the usual marigolds, two new flowers joined their collection—jasmine and chrysanthemums. The delicate white jasmine flowers, with their intoxicating fragrance, and the bright, full chrysanthemums added a new charm to their place.
Bani stood in the backyard, carefully placing the freshly harvested flowers into the truck. The magical space had once again provided abundantly, and now, with the truck parked inside their compound, the process had become much smoother.
Once everything was loaded, Aman hopped into the driver's seat while Bani secured the last basket of flowers. With a nod, they set off toward the market.
The city was just waking up as they arrived. Vendors were busy arranging their stalls, some bargaining with suppliers, others stacking fresh produce. Bani and Aman found their usual spot and began unloading the flowers. As they carefully arranged the colorful blooms, the sweet scent of jasmine mixed with the earthy aroma of marigolds and chrysanthemums, attracting the attention of early customers.
Aman crossed his arms, watching a vendor approach. The man, a seasoned flower seller with sharp eyes, inspected their marigolds.
"How much per kilo?" he asked, running his fingers through the petals.
Bani exchanged a glance with Aman. They had already decided to push for a good price but knew they'd have to play the game.
"Three hundred per kilo," Aman said smoothly.
The vendor let out a short laugh. "Three hundred? Are you trying to sell gold instead of flowers? Two hundred, final offer."