Ushman Sharif & Co.

Ushman Sharif & Co. is located at 90, Millers Road in Kilpauk. It’s a nice enough spot, with some trees still standing along the road that give a bit of shade in the mornings. Our office is part of an older structure. The gate squeaks a bit when you push it open, and there’s a small patch of ground out front where a couple of scooters are usually parked. Inside, it smells a bit like old paper and ink. We have these tall cupboards that go all the way to the ceiling, filled with records from over the years. My desk is near the back, under a fan that’s seen better days but still works. We don't have many visitors, but when someone does come by, we pull up a wooden chair for them. It’s a quiet place for the most part. You can hear the crows outside and the distant sound of the traffic from the main junction. We keep a routine—opening up at the same time, sorting the mail, and checking the registers. It’s not the kind of place with a big lobby or a receptionist in a suit. It’s just us. Sometimes we stay until the sun goes down and the streetlights on Millers Road flicker on. It’s a simple office for a simple business. We’ve grown used to the cracks in the walls and the way the shadows move across the floor throughout the long afternoon hours.