Mahalaxmi Provision Stores

The sun hits the front of Mahalaxmi Provision Stores pretty early on 80Feet Road, so we usually have the shutters halfway up by seven. It’s a routine that hasn’t changed much over the years. We spend a lot of time moving sacks around and making sure the lentils aren't getting dusty in the back. Living and working here in Adajan Dn at E 4 means we know most of the people who walk past. It’s not like those big supermarkets where nobody talks. Here, if the tea brand you like is out of stock, we’ll probably remember to tell you when the truck finally brings it next Tuesday. The shop floor is a bit narrow because we try to fit in everything people ask for, from those small packets of shampoo to the big bags of rice. Sometimes the ceiling fan makes a clicking noise that drives me slightly crazy, but you get used to it. We keep the ledger on the side of the counter, mostly full of scribbles. It’s a lot of work keeping track of what’s running low. The kids from the nearby houses come in for sweets after school and they usually leave sticky fingerprints on the glass jars, which I have to wipe down later. It’s just how it goes. We aren't doing anything revolutionary here, just selling groceries and trying to keep the place decent for whoever walks in.