Preetis Mehendi Parlour

I’ve been running Preetis Mehendi Parlour out of this apartment for quite some time now. We are located at 903 Yashashshri Apt on Bhandarkar Road. It is a busy part of Deccan Gymkhana, but once you get up to the ninth floor, it’s a bit quieter. Being right next to the New Gupte Hospital makes it easy for people to find us, which is good because these Pune streets can be confusing if you aren’t from around here. The room where we work is simple. There are a few chairs and plenty of light from the windows. Applying mehendi is a slow process, so we usually have some music playing or just talk with the girls who come in. It’s mostly for weddings and festivals, so things get really hectic during those months. We have to sit on the floor or low stools for hours, which can be tough on the back, but seeing the dark stain of the henna the next day makes it worth it. I mix the paste myself most mornings to make sure it’s fresh. The smell of eucalyptus oil is always around. Sometimes the neighbors from other flats in Yashashshri pop in to say hello. It feels like a small community here. We don't have a big sign outside or anything, just a small one by the door. It’s just a regular place where we do our work day after day.