Subhash Chandra Paint Store

The Subhash Chandra Paint Store is in the village of Aharaula, which falls under the Budan Pur taluka. We are situated right across from the Union Bank of India. That bank is actually a good landmark because there’s always a line of people outside, especially on Mondays. My shop is usually covered in a thin layer of dust from the road. I sell different kinds of paints for houses and wood. The shelves are packed with tins of all sizes, from little sample pots to big buckets. It’s quite heavy work, moving those around all day. I have a small counter where I mix the colors by hand when someone wants a specific shade. Sometimes the lids are hard to get off and I have to use a screwdriver to pry them open. The smell of oil paint is pretty strong in here, so I usually keep the front door wide open even when it’s hot outside. During the monsoon, the dampness makes the shop feel a bit smaller, but we manage. I’ve got an old fan that makes a clicking noise when it’s on the highest setting. Most people who come in are local builders or folks just trying to fix up their front gates. We talk about the weather or the crop prices while I'm getting their change ready. It's a simple life here. I keep a ledger for the regular customers who pay at the end of the month.