Kanika Garments

Being in Aminabad, specifically in Crockery Lane, means it is always crowded. There is constant noise from the street outside and people pushing past each other. Our shop at 111/4 is tucked in Garbarjhala, and sometimes it feels like the whole city is trying to squeeze through that one lane. We open up early to beat the main rush, but even then, there is always someone looking for something. We have stacks of garments piled up on the counters because there isn't enough shelf space for everything we have. My father started this a long time ago and I just kept it going. The walls need a bit of paint, maybe, but we are too busy to worry about that right now. It is a small space, so you have to move sideways if there are more than three people inside. We drink a lot of tea while waiting for the morning shipments to arrive. The delivery guys always complain about the traffic in the lane, and I don't blame them. It is a bit of a mess, but it is our mess. We keep different kinds of clothes, mostly whatever is in season. If someone asks for something we don't have, we try to remember to write it down for next time. It’s just how things go here in the middle of the market. Most of the time the humidity is high and the air is thick with the smell of street food.