The next morning, Bani woke up feeling rested and energized. After a quick shower, she joined her family for breakfast. As she watched Manu eat, she couldn't help but notice that he was consuming much more than usual—his appetite had clearly increased overnight. It clicked in her mind: football training had started, and the physical demands were higher than ever. To perform at his best, he needed a diet that would not just fill him but also build strength, stamina, and endurance.
Bani turned to her father thoughtfully. "Appa, we need to adjust Manu's meals," she said. "Bring more eggs and paneer—he needs extra protein. Also, let's stock up on dry fruits like almonds, cashews, and raisins; they're perfect for energy and muscle recovery. And don't forget milk—full cream or fortified milk will help him stay strong."
She added, "Fruits too—bananas, oranges, and apples. They'll keep his energy steady throughout practice. Maybe we can include oats and whole grain bread as well for slow-release energy. And for snacks, roasted chana or a handful of mixed seeds will work."
Her father nodded, impressed by her thoughtfulness. "Alright, Bani. I'll get everything today," he said.
Bani smiled, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction. She knew that careful planning like this would help Manu excel in training while keeping him healthy. Then, she quietly considered the kitchen setup—they needed a designated storage corner for all these extra ingredients, so everything was organized and accessible. She mentally made a note to rearrange the pantry later, keeping it efficient and simple so it looked normal to anyone else.
Finally, she glanced at Manu, who was happily munching away, and thought: If I can keep him strong and healthy while keeping everything ordinary for Appa, nothing will feel suspicious. This is exactly how I have to plan the restaurant too—practical, functional, and perfectly normal.
Bani set out with a clear purpose. After breakfast, she decided to visit several restaurants across the city—some top-tier, sleek and modern, others simple and familiar—so she could study the layout, furniture, and design elements carefully. She walked through polished interiors, observing the smooth wooden chairs, foldable tables, lighting arrangements, and how space was utilized without feeling cramped. In the high-end restaurants, she noticed the way private corners were created for couples, and how service areas were hidden but easily accessible. The normal, everyday restaurants offered simpler solutions—stackable chairs, durable tables, and practical counters that were easy to maintain.
At each place, she quietly took mental notes, sketching rough designs in her notebook. Her eyes lingered on details: the curve of a chair back, the height of a table, the spacing between tables, and even the color tones that made a place feel welcoming yet functional. Everything was carefully observed, but nothing looked "magical" or unusual—just ordinary and practical.
Once she returned but straight went to the shop which was now converting into restaurant, Bani connected with space in her room. "I want to create my own furniture and layout for the restaurant," she whispered, showing the sketches. The space hummed softly in response, ready to replicate designs based on real-world references. "Perfect," Bani thought. "Now, I can copy the best features from these restaurants, mix and match them, and design something that looks completely normal yet efficient for our space."
She began instructing space: foldable chairs like the simple restaurants, stylish but unobtrusive lighting from the upscale ones, and a counter design that was functional for storage and service. The key was that if anything broke, her father could easily replace it with a real-world equivalent, so nothing would raise suspicion.
By evening, Bani had a full mental blueprint of the restaurant interior, ready for space to start manifesting furniture, while she made sure that everything appeared ordinary and achievable to anyone else.
She carefully fed the designs she had copied from the top-tier and normal restaurants into her magical space. "Now, create the furniture I selected earlier," she instructed softly. The space hummed in acknowledgment, its energy pulsing lightly around her.
Before Bani could think about chairs, tables, or lighting, the space spoke up, a hint of pride in its tone. "First, host, you need a fully functional kitchen. Leave it to me. Setting up kitchens? That's my left-hand work. I can finish it in seconds."
Bani raised an eyebrow, amused. "Okay, okay, don't start boasting too much," she said with a small laugh.
Almost instantly, the magical space began moving. In her mind's eye, Bani watched the counters take shape, perfectly sized to fit appliances and storage. Stainless steel sinks appeared, perfectly aligned, with shelves and racks materializing seamlessly. Cooking gas connections, exhaust systems, and even the small spice racks appeared in the correct places. Pans, pots, and all the basic kitchenware arranged themselves neatly as though an invisible hand were organizing the entire space.
"Done," the space announced triumphantly in a slightly theatrical tone, clearly proud of itself.
Bani smiled, impressed at how quickly and efficiently everything had been set up. "Great," she said. "Now, set up the kitchenware. Finish the entire kitchen setup today, and tomorrow we'll focus on the furniture and furnishing part. Everything has to be functional, practical, and normal-looking."
The space pulsed in agreement, and Bani leaned back, feeling satisfied. Today the heart of the restaurant—the kitchen—was ready. Tomorrow, the dining area would come alive, ordinary to her father but secretly crafted with her magical touch.
The next afternoon, Bani was carefully arranging the last of the kitchen utensils when she heard the familiar sound of her father's footsteps approaching. Appa peeked inside, curious about the progress. "Bani, how's the kitchen coming along? I wanted to check before we start with the furniture tomorrow," he said, stepping in with a mixture of excitement and cautious scrutiny.
Bani smiled calmly. "Come see, Appa. I've set up everything as we planned."
Her father walked through the space, inspecting counters, sinks, racks, and the neatly arranged kitchenware. "Hmm… looks very organized," he said, touching the polished surfaces and peering into the shelves. "Everything seems to have a place.