Pappu Salon

My name is well known in Tulsi Nagar because I've been at Shop No-13 for a long time. People just call it Pappu Salon. We are right near the 1250 Hospital in Bhopal. It's a busy spot. Often, people waiting for someone at the hospital come in for a haircut to pass the time. The shop is simple. I have three chairs and a small bench for waiting. I started this with almost nothing, just one chair and a mirror. Now it’s a bit better. We do shaves, hair trims, and head massages. The massages are popular because people are stressed. I use simple oils. The shop gets a bit dusty because of the road outside, but I wipe the mirrors every hour. I don't have any assistants. I do all the work myself. It's tiring but I like being my own boss. The neighborhood kids grow up and still come to me for their hair. That makes me feel old but happy. I don't charge much. I know the people here aren't rich. We just try to do a decent job so they come back. It’s a small life here in Bhopal. No big dreams, just a clean cut and a happy customer. I keep a water cooler in the corner for the customers. In summer, it’s the most important thing in the shop. I spend my evenings cleaning the blades and getting ready for the next day.