Shivanjali Pan Shop

I open up early morning here on Pashan-Baner Link Road. Usually, it is still a bit quiet before the traffic picks up. I start by wiping down the glass counters and organizing the jars of betel nuts and different tobacco brands. Vasanthpura Main Road gets quite busy later on, so I like to have everything ready by eight. People stop by for a quick smoke or a sweet pan after their lunch. Sometimes they just stand here and talk about the news or the weather while I’m folding the leaves. It gets a bit dusty with all the construction nearby, so I’m always cleaning the shelves. My hands usually smell like mint and lime by the time the afternoon comes around. I have some snacks and cold drinks in the fridge too. It’s a small space, but we have been here for a while now. The regulars know exactly where everything is. I don't really have a fancy sign or anything, just the name Shivanjali Pan Shop painted on the board. Most days are the same, just keeping the stock full and making sure the leaves stay fresh in the cloth. If the electricity goes out, it gets a bit warm inside, but the breeze from the road helps. I usually stay until late evening when the last few commuters are heading home. It's just a regular part of the neighborhood where people can grab what they need and go.