Ashok Sweet Center

If you are walking around Anand Nagar, you might come across Ashok Sweet Center. I've been running the place for a good number of years now. Every morning follows the same pattern. I unlock the door, turn on the lights, and start bringing out the trays of sweets. Each one has its own spot in the display case. The shop in Anand Nagar isn't very big, so I have to be careful about where I put things so it doesn't look cluttered or messy. The walls are painted a pale green color that has faded quite a bit over time. I have a small desk in the back where I keep the accounts and some spare paper bags. The afternoon sun can be quite strong, so I usually pull the blue awning out a bit to keep the front of the shop in the shade. I spend a lot of time just chatting with the regular customers. Most of them are people who have lived in Anand Nagar as long as I have. We talk about the weather or the new construction happening down the road. Ashok Sweet Center is just a quiet corner for us to gather. I don't use any fancy machines or anything; it’s all done by hand. When the evening comes, the shop gets a bit more crowded with people stopping by on their way home. I keep the counter wiped down and make sure the change is ready in the metal drawer. It’s not a complicated life, but it keeps me busy enough until I close the doors.