Imraan Kirana

Imraan Kirana is my shop on Kukumba Road. We are easy to spot because we are right next to Iqbal Dairy and very close to the Auliya Masjid. It is a busy little corner of the world. People come to the dairy for milk and then they walk over to me to get their rice, tea, and other groceries. The shop is small, so I have bags of grain stacked on the floor and shelves filled right to the top. Sometimes I have to use a ladder to get things down for customers. In the evenings, after the prayers at the masjid, it gets really crowded. I know everyone who lives nearby. We talk about the weather and the news while I weigh out their orders. I don't have a computer for the bills; I just use a pencil and a paper notebook. The ceiling fan is old and wobbles, but it helps when it's hot. My kids help me after they finish their schoolwork. The road outside is full of cycles and noise, but I like it that way. We have everything from spices to light bulbs. It’s a simple life running this kirana. We open up when the sun comes up and stay until late. People trust us because we have been here for such a long time. It is just a part of the daily routine for the folks around Kukumba Road.