New Mas

If you’ve ever walked down 2nd Khetwadi Lane in Basavanagudi, you know how tight those streets can be. We are at number 69/78/1, which sounds more complicated than it actually is once you’re standing right in front of the building. The name New Mas is on a board that’s seen better days, but it’s still hanging there. I usually get here early before the sun gets too high because the lane stays a bit cooler in the shade of the old houses. There’s a cat that hangs around the entrance most afternoons, waiting for scraps or just sleeping near the door. The floor inside is a bit uneven, so you have to watch your step when you walk in. I spend a lot of time just arranging stuff and talking to the people who wander in looking for directions. Basavanagudi has a specific feel to it, and being tucked away in this lane makes it feel even more local. Sometimes the delivery guys struggle to find us because of the way the numbers go on this block, but they eventually see the door. It’s quiet inside compared to the main road, which is nice when you’re working a long shift. We don’t have much in the way of fancy stuff, just what’s needed to get through the day. The lights flicker once in a while, but we’ve learned to just ignore it.