Satpal Tea Stall

Running Satpal Tea Stall near the Nh-8 Nakhrola Crossing is mostly about being there when the drivers need a break. We are out in Manesar, and it can be a very busy spot with all the trucks and cars going past at all hours. I get up very early, while it’s still dark, to start the stove. The smell of the tea leaves and fresh ginger is the first thing you notice in the morning. We don't have fancy chairs or a menu. People just come for a hot cup of tea and maybe some biscuits or a quick snack. Gurgaon has grown a lot around us, but this crossing stays the same in some ways. It’s always loud with the sound of engines and horns. I have a few wooden benches outside where people can sit for a few minutes. Sometimes I talk to the drivers about where they are coming from or where they are going. It’s interesting to hear their stories from the road. My hands are always a bit stained from the tea and the coal, but I don’t mind it much. We stay open for long hours, especially when the weather is cold and people need that warmth. It’s a simple business. I just make the tea, take the money, and wash the glasses in a bucket. There is always a pile of dirty glasses waiting. We don't have any big plans, we just want to keep the stove burning.