Sagar

In a big place like Vadodara, there are many shops, but ours is just called Sagar. We are located right in the heart of the city where things are always happening. It is a simple name for a simple business. I started working here because my family has always been involved in local trade. The shop isn't very large, so we have to be careful about how we use the space. We have boxes stacked in the back and a small counter up front. Most of our days are spent talking to neighbors and people who work in the nearby offices. Vadodara gets really warm in the summer, so we usually keep a jug of cold water for anyone who looks like they are struggling with the heat. We don't spend money on fancy decorations or expensive lights. The walls have some marks from moving furniture around, and the floor has seen better days, but it is a place where people feel comfortable coming in. We don't try to push people to buy things they don't need. If we have it, we sell it, and if we don't, we tell them where else they might find it. It is just a way to make a living and be part of the city. Sometimes I sit outside on a plastic chair during the quiet hours and just watch the traffic. It is a good life even if it is not famous.