Swastik Mirch Store

If you walk into Begum Bazar and head toward 15-6-519, you’ll find Swastik Mirch Store. This market is always packed with people and carts, so it’s easy to get turned around. Our shop isn't very large, but it’s filled from floor to ceiling with bags of chilies. The air inside always has that sharp, spicy kick to it that makes newcomers sneeze, though we don’t even notice it anymore. It’s an old family business. We don't use computers much, mostly just hand-written books to keep track of who owes what and what we’ve sold for the day. My father used to sit on the same wooden bench where I sit now. The street outside is narrow, and there’s always someone shouting or a horn honking. We don't have any big advertisements or shiny displays. People just know where we are because we’ve been at this address for decades. Dealing with mirch is a messy job; your hands stay red and the dust gets everywhere. We spend the morning sorting through the new arrivals and the afternoon talking to the regulars who come by. It’s a basic life in a crowded bazaar. We sell what we have, we count the cash, and we lock up the heavy metal shutters at night. It’s just a small shop doing its part in the big market.