Varshni Mart

Our place is at 17, Ayekulam Road in Anna Nagar. It’s a decent area and we have been here for a bit. The mart isn't huge but we try to keep a bit of everything on hand. I usually spend my time rearranging the biscuits or the soaps because things get messy quickly. People in Anna Nagar are always in a hurry. They pop in for a bottle of water or some milk and then they are gone. The sun hits the front of the shop pretty hard in the afternoon. I usually have to pull the shade down a bit so the chocolates don't melt. It’s a lot of work keeping track of what’s expiring and what’s selling fast. We have a small fridge for the cold drinks that hums quite loudly. Sometimes it’s the only sound in the shop when customers aren't around. I like the smell of the place in the morning after we’ve mopped the floors. It feels fresh for about ten minutes before the dust from Ayekulam Road starts drifting in again. I don't use a computer for everything. I still like my notebook for writing down what we need to order next. It feels more real that way. We aren't some big chain. It’s just us here, trying to make sure the neighborhood has what it needs. Sometimes I stay late to count the cash and plan for tomorrow. It gets a little lonely after dark but the streetlights are bright enough. We just try to get by and keep the shop running.