Pariyariya Kirana Stores

Pariyariya Kirana Stores has been sitting here on the 30th Cross in the 4th T Block of Parvat for quite a while now. If you walk in, you’ll probably see me or one of the boys lifting heavy sacks of grain onto the wooden pallets. It’s a busy little corner and we don’t have much room to spare. Every inch of the walls is covered with shelves holding everything from matches to giant containers of ghee. We get the morning delivery of bread and eggs, and if we aren’t quick, the crates end up blocking the narrow aisle. The floor is a bit uneven in the back, so you have to watch your step. We know most of the families around here by their faces, even if we don't always remember every single name. It’s a lot of "the usual" and "put it on my tab" kind of talk. The overhead light flickers sometimes when the power fluctuates, which is just something we live with. We don't use a computer for everything; there’s a big notebook where we track the daily sales with a pen that usually runs out of ink at the wrong time. It’s just a basic kirana shop where things are a bit messy but we have what you need for dinner. We spend our days weighing out portions of lentils and making sure the spice jars are closed tight so the aroma stays in. It’s simple work, but it keeps us busy from dawn till dusk.