Vikas Pan Shop

Vikas Pan Shop is located right on Nagar Road L B S Marg 4, which means there is never any real silence around here. The cars and buses just keep going by all day long, making a lot of noise. I usually sit on the small wooden bench inside the shop while I wait for the next customer to pull over to the side. Most people who stop are in a big hurry. They leave their scooter engines running and just yell out what they want from the road. I keep the betel leaves wrapped in a wet red cloth so they stay cool and don't dry out in the heat. There’s a small radio that plays old songs in the background, but you can barely hear it over the horns outside. The walls of the shop could use a new coat of paint, but I haven't had the time to move everything out of the way to actually do it. I’ve lived around here for years and seen the buildings go up one by one. This spot used to be much quieter, but now it’s all concrete and traffic. I know most of the rickshaw drivers by name because they stop here for a break and a bit of tobacco or a sweet pan after their lunch. It’s a simple way to make a living, just folding leaves and chatting with whoever comes by. Sometimes the rain comes down so hard the water starts splashing under the awning.