Neta Pan Shop

Neta Pan Shop is right there in Bibvewadi, specifically in the Patel Mohalla area at number 337. I spend most of my life in this little square space. Every morning, I sweep the front and wipe down the glass display. It gets dusty fast because of all the construction nearby. I keep all the different tobacco tins and sweet mixtures in a specific order so I can reach them without looking. My fingers move on their own after all these years. The neighborhood is mostly quiet during the day, but once the sun starts to go down, the street comes alive. Men coming back from their jobs stop by to chat. We talk about the local news or someone’s wedding. I have a small calendar hanging on the wall with pictures of gods, and I tick off every day with a blue pen. The fan overhead makes a clicking sound on its highest speed, so I usually keep it on low. It doesn't do much for the heat, but it’s better than nothing. Sometimes people park their scooters right in front of the shop and block the view, and I have to ask them to move. I don't mind though. It’s part of being in this mohalla. I’ve known most of these families for decades. It’s just me and my shop, day in and day out, watching the street change while I stay the same.