Lavanya Pan Stall

The stall is right at Ganigarpet Cadila Bridge Corner 4. It’s just a small nook, really. I’ve been standing behind this counter for years, watching the traffic go over the bridge. It’s a busy spot, especially in the evenings when everyone is heading home from work. I keep the betel leaves fresh in wet cloths so they don't dry out in the heat. There’s a rhythm to making a pan—spreading the lime, adding the nuts, and folding it just right. My fingers are usually stained a bit red by the end of the day. It’s not a job where you sit down much. People pull up on their scooters, grab what they need, and head off. I know most of the regulars by their usual order. We don't have a big sign or anything fancy. The jars of sweets and supari are lined up on the shelf where I can reach them without looking. Sometimes when it rains, the water splashes up from the road, so I have to pull the plastic sheet down a bit. It’s a simple business. I don’t need a lot of space to do what I do. Just a few square feet and a good supply of leaves. It’s a loud corner with all the horns honking, but it’s where I belong every day. People stop for a quick chat and then move on. It’s just how the day goes by at the corner.