Star Hair Gents Parlour

Lucknow is big, but Bakshi Ka Talab feels like its own little world. Out here on Air Force Road, things move a certain way. Star Hair Gents Parlour is just a small spot where the local guys end up. You can hear the planes sometimes because the base is right there. It makes the windows rattle a bit. The shop isn't anything special to look at from the outside. We have the usual black chairs and a few old magazines sitting on the table for whenever there is a wait. The floor is tile and it’s seen a lot of boots and sandals over the years. Usually, it’s just the sound of the clippers and maybe a radio playing some old songs in the corner. Dust from the road comes in whenever someone opens the door. We spend half the day dusting off the counters and the other half cutting hair. It gets quiet in the afternoons when the sun is high and everyone is inside. Then once evening hits, the place fills up with people coming back from their jobs. We don't have a big fancy sign, just the name. Most people know us because they live right nearby or work at the base. It’s a practical place. We don’t do anything too wild, just standard cuts and shaves. It’s steady work and we like it that way. We open early and stay until the last person leaves. That’s just the routine we’ve had for a long time now.