Narendra Raichandani

The shop is at A-108 on the Main Road in Jawahar Nagar. We are right by the petrol pump, so the smell of fuel and the sound of engines idling or bikes revving is something we hear all day long. Narendra is usually here from early morning until quite late at night. It is a prime spot because everyone passes by this way at some point during their commute. The shop isn't very large. We have shelves lining the walls and a sturdy counter where we talk to anyone who walks in. It is a bit cramped when more than three people are inside at once, especially if they have bags with them. Being on the Main Road in Kota means it is never truly quiet. We see the students from the nearby coaching centers walking by in groups all the time. It gives the area a lot of restless energy. Our furniture is functional, mostly just metal desks and some old stools that have been here for years. We don't spend money on decorations because we are too busy managing the daily work. Sometimes we leave the door open to get a breeze, even if it brings in the traffic noise. It feels like being part of the city's pulse. We know the people at the petrol pump and the other shopkeepers on this block quite well. We share news and talk about the weather while we work. It is just a normal, hardworking environment for us.