Even when flights were grounded due to the movement control order (MCO), she took it positively. After all, she could do with a short break.

But this “short break” quickly turned into three months. In June, she found herself staring in dismay at a retrenchment letter.

The 27-year-old was crushed to learn that her seven-year long service with the airline had come to an abrupt end. She had to find an alternative way to earn a living now.

So, after the dust settled and she could think straight again, she picked herself up and decided to embark on a new journey — one that would keep her firmly on the ground.

Lavania found inspiration through her mother’s online baking business, Mummy’s Delights, which originally catered for friends and neighbours on special occasions.

“I sent my friends a box of my mum’s cream puffs and they rang me the next day wanting more,” Lavania tells FMT.

“I realised that I could help my mother market Mummy’s Delights and run her social media, which had been dormant for so long.”

Lavania initially focused on sales, photography and the online presence of the business. But as orders came rolling in, she knew she had to get more hands-on and learn the ropes of baking.

These days she can be found alongside her mother creating all sorts of delicious cakes and pastries.

Lavania says their bestseller is “baby puffs”, a bite-sized version of cream puffs. A freshly baked box comes with a generous tub of chocolate.

“You can drizzle the chocolate on your baby puff or, if you’re feeling sinful, we recommend you soak the entire cream puff in chocolate. Trust me, it’s life-changing!”

Fortuitously, the re-implementation of the MCO this year led to a new business for Lavania.

Her family had to find creative ways to celebrate her sister’s 21st birthday in April, so Lavania designed a rustic white teepee with a long white table made from an old cupboard.

“People saw the photos on social media and loved how beautiful it looked,” she says. “They began asking if I could do the same in their homes.”

Thus, her party-planning business “Party with Lava” was born, and it has been a hit with her customers — especially when each party comes with goodies by Mummy’s Delights.

Lavania shares that she has done close to 10 intimate events for groups of four to six at home, with elegant table settings and decorations.

Despite her current success, Lavania recalls that not everyone was understanding during the first few months of her losing her job.

“They did not give me space to process the fact that I was retrenched and kept on demanding what my next plan was,” she reveals.

Still, she is grateful to her supportive family and spouse, and appreciates that the pandemic brought her out of her comfort zone.

As for the airline, Lavania reveals that she has no plans to put on her cabin crew uniform again.

“I know many of my colleagues are eagerly waiting to return,” she says. “I really hope they are able to soon and be happy again.”

For those at home, working through yet another MCO, how about ordering some homemade cream puffs for teatime?

Place an order with Mummy’s Delights via their Instagram or Facebook page, or WhatsApp them at +60 10 238 5832.

Also check out Party with Lava for your very own party at home once the MCO is lifted.