Prince Pan Shop

The Saket Community Centre is a busy place, especially in the evenings when the movies let out. We are tucked into shop 22/1, and it’s a small space. There isn't room for much more than the counter and the shelves full of jars. I spend most of my time folding leaves and smearing lime paste. It’s a repetitive job but my fingers know the rhythm by now. We see all sorts of people, from guys in expensive cars to the laborers working on the nearby buildings. Everyone wants their pan made a specific way, some with more supari, some with extra sweet syrup. We also keep a stock of cigarettes, lighters, and some candy for the kids. The light from the shop stays on late into the night. It can get lonely when the street goes quiet around two in the morning, but then a group of friends will show up laughing and wake the whole place up. The jars on the shelves are a bit dusty and the floor has some stains that won't come out, but it’s our spot. We don't have a big sign or anything. People just know where we are. It’s a simple life, standing behind the wood counter and watching the world go by in Saket. We just keep the supplies stocked and the leaves fresh every morning. My back usually hurts from sitting on this small stool all day, but you get used to the rhythm of the work eventually.