Nakshathra Hardware

I've been working at Nakshathra Hardware in Ariyalur for a while now. The shop is at number 23 in Anikduichan. It's a basic place, really. We have rows of shelves that are mostly full of nuts, bolts, and heavy tools that get a bit dusty if they sit too long. People come in all the time asking for things they don't know the name of, just holding a broken piece of a pipe or a rusty screw. We spend a lot of time looking through bins to find the exact match. It’s not a quiet job. There is always the sound of metal clanking or someone dragging a heavy bag of cement across the floor. Ariyalur gets pretty hot, so the fan is always running, but it doesn't do much. We open up early because that is when the builders and local guys want to get their supplies before the sun gets too high. Sometimes we run out of things and have to wait for the next truck, which can be annoying for the regulars. It is just a normal hardware store where we try to keep enough stock so people don't have to drive too far. There’s no fancy layout or bright lights, just what you need to fix a leak or put up a shelf. Most days are just about counting inventory and helping neighbors find a specific size of drill bit or a sturdy hammer that won't break on them.