Vastra Vatika

Atta Market is always a bit of a struggle to navigate, and Bhawani Market is no different. Our shop, 14 A, is one of those places where you just have to know where you're going. Vastra Vatika is usually filled with the smell of new fabric and maybe some incense from the morning prayer we do at the small shrine near the cash box. The space is a bit narrow, so if more than three people come in at once, it feels very full. We spend a lot of time folding things back up after someone has gone through the piles. It’s honest work, even if it gets repetitive by four in the afternoon. The market outside is loud with vendors shouting and bikes honking, but inside, it’s a bit quieter. We have a small stool for people to sit on if they’re waiting for a friend. Sometimes we share a tiffin lunch in the back room while keeping one eye on the door. There’s no big sign with flashing lights here. We just have the name on the board out front and our stock inside. By the time we start packing up, the streetlights are already on and the evening rush is in full swing. We take our time closing up, making sure every stack of cloth is straight before we leave. It’s just the daily routine we’ve had for years.