Phool Chand Kirana Store

This store in Kota has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is named Phool Chand Kirana Store and it is really just a simple room filled with shelves from floor to ceiling. We carry all the usual stuff like biscuits, soaps, and different kinds of flour. The morning usually starts with sweeping the front step and getting the fresh bread delivery. The bags of cattle feed are kept near the entrance because they are too heavy to move far. We have a small bulb hanging from a wire in the back room where we keep the extra stock. It gets quite hot in the summer, so the old table fan stays on all day, blowing the warm air around. The jars of colorful candies on the front counter are popular with the kids who stop by after school. We don't use much technology here, just a simple calculator and some pens that always seem to run out of ink when you need them. The floor is made of old stone and it stays relatively cool. Sometimes the neighbors come in just to get out of the sun for a few minutes. We don't have any big advertisements or flashy displays. Everything is just laid out where it fits. It is a quiet existence, just keeping the shelves full and helping whoever walks in with their shopping list. It is enough for us.