Aman took his tea and gave her a grateful nod. They both stood there for a moment, sipping their drinks as the hum of the market continued around them.
"Well," Bani finally said, her voice steady, "at least we made a deal today."
Just then, the vendor who had agreed to the price arrived. He inspected the chrysanthemums before nodding in approval. "Good quality," he admitted as he handed over the cash.
Bani accepted the money, her fingers tightening around the crisp notes. It wasn't the best deal, but it was a start.
The vendor's men loaded the flowers onto their cart, and soon, they were gone. Bani and Aman stood in the same spot, their drinks now half-empty, watching as their first batch of flowers left for the market.
"Next time," Bani said, breaking the silence, "we'll aim for a better price."
Aman chuckled. "And maybe a better cup of chai too."
Bani smiled, they counted the cash in hand in the truck while also noting the online payments. "It's all about knowing when to push and when to settle. We did well today."
With their flowers nearly sold out and their pockets full, they knew this was just the beginning. Tomorrow, the market would open again, and so would another round of bargaining. But for now, Bani allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.
They started to go back.
As usual, after catching some sleep, Aman went to the hotel a little past nine in the morning. Bani, still curled up in bed, remained asleep until after ten. Once she finally woke up, she took her time freshening up and then had breakfast.
After finishing her meal, she headed to her room and entered the magical space. This had become a part of her daily routine, and by now, her mother was used to it.
Inside the space, Bani focused on practicing her baking skills. She carefully followed the process, paying close attention to every step. Today, her efforts felt more refined—her hands moved with confidence, and the results seemed better than before.
Finally, she took out the last batch of pastries and biscuits, admiring their golden-brown perfection.
As Bani stepped out of the magical space, she carefully placed the tray of freshly baked pastries and biscuits on her table. The sweet aroma of butter and pineapple filled the air. She picked up one of the pineapple pastries and walked to the living room, where her mother was sipping her morning tea.
"Amma," Bani called softly, offering the pastry. "I made this for you. Try it and tell me how it is."
Her mother smiled, surprised but delighted. She took the pastry in her hands, noticing the soft texture as her fingers sank slightly into the delicate sponge. Taking a bite, her eyes widened with appreciation.
Oh, Bani!" she exclaimed. "This is so soft and airy, just the way I like it. The pineapple flavor is fresh, not too sweet, not too tangy—perfectly balanced. And this cream!" She licked a bit off her lips. "It's light, smooth, and melts in the mouth. The sponge absorbs just enough of the cream to keep it moist without making it soggy. This is the best pineapple pastry I've had in a long time."