Bache Lal Pan Shop

We’ve been here in Kondhwa Khurd for a while now. It's just a small shop on the corner but people know where to find us. Usually, the morning starts quiet, just me setting things up, cleaning the glass counters, and checking the leaves. We get the fresh stock early because that’s when it’s best. By noon, folks start dropping by after lunch. It’s mostly neighbors and some guys who work nearby. We talk about the weather or how traffic is getting worse on the main road. I don't really have a big staff, just me and my brother helping out sometimes. We make sure the lime and the tobacco are mixed right because that's what people ask for. Some prefer the sweet ones with lots of gulkand. It gets crowded in the evenings when everyone is heading home. You see the same faces every day. We don't do anything fancy here, just what we know. The wooden bench outside is almost always full. Sometimes people stay for ten minutes just to catch up. It’s a simple way to spend the day. I keep the change ready in a plastic box because nobody likes waiting. We’ve seen the kids here grow up and start coming in on their own. It’s funny how time passes when you’re standing in one spot. If you’re walking past, you’ll probably hear the radio playing some old songs. That's just how we like it.