J Siddiqi Corner Shop

I’m usually here at the corner of 1st Cross and MRC Road in Shivaji Nagar, right at number 1. People just call it the corner shop. It’s a small space, but I’ve managed to fit a bit of everything in here, from biscuits and soaps to local newspapers. The building has been here forever, and you can see the age in the worn-out floorboards near the entrance. I have a small stool behind the counter where I sit and watch the traffic go by on MRC Road. It’s a loud area, especially with the honking and the people shouting to their friends across the street. We get all kinds of folks walking in. Some just want a single cigarette or a packet of tea, while others stop by just to complain about the heat. I don’t mind the talk. It makes the day go by faster. The shelves are a bit dusty because of all the construction nearby, but I try to keep the stock fresh. I don't have a computer system, just a notepad and a pen to keep track of what I owe the wholesalers. When it rains, the water sometimes splashes under the door, so I keep some old sacks handy to soak it up. It’s just a simple neighborhood shop. Nothing fancy, no big signs, just me and the usual goods for the people who live around Shivaji Nagar. It’s a small life but it’s ours, and it keeps us busy enough through the week. Usually, I close up late.