Ram Gopal Rameshwarlal

Down in Ghee Mandi within Naya Bazar, things are always moving fast. The shop is named Ram Gopal Rameshwarlal, and we’ve been operating out of this spot for years. The front of the store is usually blocked by a couple of motorbikes or someone’s cycle rickshaw. Inside, the floor is worn smooth from all the feet walking over it. It’s a narrow space, so if more than three people come in at once, it starts feeling very tight. We have these big wooden bins for the bulk items, and the lids are heavy to lift. My hands are usually a bit dusty by the end of the day from handling all the sacks and bags. There’s a small clock on the wall that loses five minutes every week, so I never really know the exact time unless I check my phone. The neighbors from the other shops often drop in for a quick chat or to borrow some change. We don't have any bright lights or modern decorations, just the same old cupboards and a desk that’s seen better days. The air in Ghee Mandi is thick with the smell of the market, and you get used to the constant noise of people bargaining outside. It’s just a regular part of the day, stacking things up and making sure the inventory is mostly right, even if the ledger is a bit messy sometimes.