Devnarayan Kirana Store

Being right by the Vijay Nagar Roadways Bus Stand means Devnarayan Kirana Store is always a bit chaotic. There is constantly the sound of bus horns and the smell of exhaust fumes coming through the front door. People are always in a rush here, running in to grab a bottle of water or some snacks before their bus leaves. I have to be fast with the change because nobody wants to miss their ride. The shelves are packed tight with all sorts of things like batteries, toothpaste, and bags of lentils. I often have to climb a small ladder to reach the stuff on the top shelves which is a bit of a workout. At night, the streetlights from the bus stand shine right into the shop. I stay open later than most because there are always late buses coming in with hungry passengers. My brother helps out when it gets really busy, usually on the weekends or during the holidays when everyone is traveling to see family. We have a small radio that plays local songs in the background, though you can barely hear it over the noise of the crowds outside. It’s a tiring job but I like seeing all the different people passing through. I’ve learned to tell which bus is coming just by the sound of the engine. It’s not a quiet life, but it keeps me busy.