Bani's father sat at the small dining table, leaning slightly forward, elbows resting on his knees. His eyes were thoughtful, but there was a spark of determination in them that hadn't been there before.
He looked at his wife.
Bhagya," he began, voice measured but excited, "I've been thinking. Maybe it's time I start something of my own… here."
She turned her gaze toward him, curious but calm, standing in the corner as always.
"A business?" she asked softly.
"Yes," he replied. "Something simple, something that moves fast… something tourists and locals can enjoy."
She tilted her head, listening.
"I was thinking… a South Indian vegetarian restaurant. Fast, tempting, easy to manage, and something people would love. Dubai has so many tourists. If we make it right — fresh, flavorful, consistent — it could do well."
She stayed silent, letting him speak, remembering all the years he had carried the family through hardships without complaint.
"I know it won't be easy," he continued, "but… I can start small. Maybe a small outlet at first. Focus on quality. Simple menu. Quick service. And if it works, we expand."
His hands moved slightly as he spoke, sketching invisible plans in the air.
"Think about it," he said, eyes lighting up, "fresh dosas, crispy idlis, spicy chutneys, filter coffee… things that remind people of home. But also tempting enough that tourists want to try it."
She smiled faintly, a quiet pride in her expression. She didn't need to give him advice. She didn't need to guide him.
She had already chosen where her loyalty lay.
Standing silently, she gave him what he needed most: faith that she would be there, every step of the way.
"Not a full restaurant," he murmured, "but something manageable… authentic… something people will remember."
The menu started taking shape on paper:
Dosa varieties — crisp, soft, paper-thin, and masala-filled.
Idli — soft, fluffy, comforting.
Vada — golden, crunchy, spiced perfectly.
Filter coffee — rich, aromatic, waking up every morning like home.
Kesaribath — sweet, fragrant, a touch of tradition in every bite.
Sweet Pongal — warm, nourishing, filling hearts as well as stomachs.
Carrot Halwa — decadent, comforting, the perfect ending to a small feast.
Bani smiled quietly to herself.
It wasn't a massive venture.
It didn't need a huge kitchen or a long staff list.
It was simple.
It was authentic.
It was home on a plate.
Her father looked up, seeing her smile.
"This," he said firmly, "this will be our beginning. Small, but strong. Something we can manage. Something we can grow."
He paused, tapping the pen on the table.
"And Bani… you'll help me. You know how things work in the city. You'll help me make it right."
Bani nodded.
She had already begun to understand the rhythm of Dubai life — the markets, the stores, the customer habits. She knew how to combine that knowledge with the flavors of home.
Her father continued writing, sketching ideas for a small shop: space for cooking, a counter for orders, a display for sweets, and a corner for coffee.
Bani quietly listened when her father said that he wanted to set up a small restaurant to support the family. When he mentioned the work that needed to be done, Bani immediately felt happy inside. She knew that with the help of her magical space, she could arrange most of the things needed without the family spending much money. It made her feel proud that she could secretly help her father's dream.
When her father said she could take responsibility for arranging the setup, Bani nodded with a small smile. Her father thought she was simply eager to help, but Bani knew she could do much more than that.
The next morning, Bani and her father went to the spot where the restaurant would be set up. The place was small but had good potential. Bani carefully walked around, observing everything while her father explained his ideas.
He pointed around the space and said they would need a kitchen setup, a store room to keep supplies, a cleaning room for washing utensils, and a restroom for guests. Luckily, the restroom was already built, so they didn't need to construct it again.
Together they began noting down what still needed to be done. The walls needed fresh paint, new lights had to be installed, and some simple decorations were required to create a warm and welcoming ambience for customers.
Bani listened carefully, mentally noting every detail. In her heart, she was already planning how she would slowly bring all these things from her magical space without anyone realizing.
Bani told her father that one of her friends owns a company that can manage the entire restaurant setup. She explained that, unlike in Bengaluru where they had to handle things step by step, here it would be much faster if they handed over the work—the company would renovate and deliver a fully ready restaurant.
Her father, impressed, realized that his daughter had matured far more than he had expected. He said that if there were no issues with this arrangement, he had no other choice. Being new to the area, he admitted, it would be great if Bani's friends could help.
Bani then told her father that she would meet her friend at a restaurant to discuss the renovation and setup details. She also mentioned that she wouldn't be having lunch at home because the discussion would happen over lunch with her friend.
Her father nodded in agreement.
"Alright," he said. "Let's finish this as soon as possible. We should start some business quickly to support ourselves here."
Bani smiled slightly, reassuring him.
"Don't worry, Appa. Once the work starts, things will move fast."
Her father looked at her for a moment. The way she was planning things calmly made him feel proud. Just a few months ago, he had seen her as a child, but now she was confidently handling matters that even he found difficult in a new city.
Bani walked into a quiet restaurant and chose a corner table where she could sit peacefully. She ordered a simple meal and took out her notebook and tablet.
Since the kitchen setup could easily be arranged using her space replication ability, she didn't have to worry about equipment or infrastructure. The main thing she needed to plan carefully was the interior design and decoration. Whatever designs she finalized could later be perfectly replicated.
She looked around the restaurant for inspiration—the lighting, the arrangement of tables, the wall colors, and the small decorative pieces. Then she began sketching ideas.
First, she planned the theme of the restaurant. She decided it should feel warm and welcoming, with a slight traditional touch.
In her notebook she wrote down the details:
Entrance: Wooden frame door with soft yellow lights and a simple name board.
Walls: Light earthy colors with a few framed paintings and subtle patterns.
Lighting: Hanging warm lamps above each table to create a cozy atmosphere.
Tables and Chairs: Wooden tables with comfortable cushioned chairs.
Decor: Indoor plants in corners and small decorative items on shelves.
Counter Area: A clean modern billing counter with a display for desserts and snacks.
As she continued sketching, she imagined how the whole place would look once completed. The designs were simple but elegant—easy to replicate and perfect for creating a pleasant dining experience.
Bani smiled slightly. Once she finalized the design, the rest would be easy. Her magical space would simply replicate everything exactly the way she planned.
Finishing her notes, she leaned back in her chair, satisfied that the restaurant was slowly taking shape in her mind.