Patel Pan Shop

You can find me over in Bardoli at the Mohan Layout near Begur. It’s a quiet enough area compared to the main market downtown. I opened the shop here because it felt like a good spot where people live and walk their dogs in the evening. The shop is basically a small wooden cabin with a metal roof. When it rains, it gets really loud inside, like someone is drumming right over your head. I keep the pan leaves wrapped in a damp cloth so they stay fresh. If they dry out in the heat, they are no good for anyone. I have a small stool where I sit when there are no customers around. I end up watching a lot of people walking past. Some of them nod to me, while others are in too much of a hurry to notice anything. I sell some basic things too, like matchboxes and some small candy for the kids. The shelves are a bit cluttered because I don't have much space. I try to organize them on Sundays but by Tuesday everything is a mess again. The neighbor's dog usually comes and sits by the door around noon. He doesn't bark, just waits for a bit of shade. Sometimes I give him a biscuit if I have an open packet. It's a quiet life, really, just watching the seasons change from this little corner. My brother helps out sometimes in the evening if I need to run home.