Atmaram Vanmalidas Panwala

We set up the shop here at Comet Estate near the Keval Kanta Cross Road. Atmaram Vanmalidas Panwala is just a small spot. We spend the morning getting the leaves ready. Washing them, wiping them down, making sure they are fresh. There’s a lot of jars on the counter with different spices and pastes. My fingers are always stained a bit green or red from the ingredients. People come by after their lunch or on their way home from work. We know most of the regulars and what they like without them asking. The traffic at the cross road is always loud and there is a lot of exhaust in the air. We have a small radio that plays old songs. It’s a lot of standing around and quick movements with our hands. Sometimes we run out of change and have to ask the guy at the tea stall next door. It’s not a big business. It’s just us and the stall. We keep everything as clean as we can, but with the dust from the road, it’s a constant battle every hour. We have a small mirror on the wall and a couple of faded pictures of the family. It’s a simple life. We watch the city go by from our little corner. Most days are the same, and that’s fine with us. We just keep rolling the leaves and talking to whoever stops by for a minute.