Aslam General Store

Being right by Delhi Gate on Khan Pura Road means it is almost never quiet outside. Aslam General Store is tucked in among a few other buildings, and we spend most of our day behind the counter. The fan on the ceiling makes a clicking sound that we’ve just gotten used to over the years. We keep the usual stuff people need daily. You’ll find different brands of washing powder, cooking oil, and those big glass jars filled with sweets. It’s a small space, so we have to stack things pretty high. Sometimes we have to use a plastic stool to reach the top shelf where the extra stock is kept. The floor is grey cement and it shows the footprints of everyone who walks in, especially when it rains outside. We spend a lot of time checking the expiry dates on bread and milk because that’s just part of the job. It’s not a glamorous place. There are stacks of newspapers in the corner and a small radio that usually plays some old songs in the afternoon. People from around the gate come in to chat for a minute while they buy their groceries. We know most of the faces by now. It’s just a simple routine of opening up, selling what we have, and locking the gate when the sun goes down. Nothing more to it than that, really.