Ambika Provision & General Store

Being at the Sojat City Bus Stand means there is never a dull moment at Ambika Provision & General Store. I arrive early to get the milk crates inside before the first buses start rolling in. Sojat is famous for its henna, so we always have people passing through who are looking for local things or just daily supplies. I keep the shelves packed with pulses, rice, spices, and cleaning supplies. The space is narrow, so I have to be organized about where the sacks are piled up. Sometimes a traveler is in a huge hurry and needs change for a big note or a quick bottle of water before their bus leaves. I try to move fast, but sometimes there's a line. The floor gets dusty because of all the foot traffic from the road, so I end up sweeping three or four times a day. My father used to sit here before me, and not much has changed in the way we do things. We write down the accounts in a thick ledger book at the end of every day. It’s a simple life. I know most of the bus drivers and they stop by for a smoke or a quick chat. We don't have any big signs, just the name painted above the door. I have to keep an eye on the clock because people always ask when the next bus is leaving. I don't always know, but I try to help.