Raghu, the grocery store owner, was very well-versed in the likes and dislikes of the people of Misty Meadows.
He knew exactly which breakfast cereal little Tara loved.
He knew the brand of tea that Mrs Desai used.
He knew the snacks that Akash and Amritha would reach for on their late-night workdays.
He had a packet of sugar-free biscuits ready for Tom Uncle.
He always kept the little grocery shop of Misty Meadows well-stocked with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
And if there was something particularly popular among the residents, he ensured he kept extra stock of it.
True to its name, Misty Meadows Grocery & More, this little corner was also the unofficial meeting point of the residents.
Someone would walk by to buy a packet of milk and end up discussing the latest cricket scores.
The children would gather in front of the store after playtime to peer at the variety of chocolates displayed neatly on the counter.
Raghu was always happy to chat with whoever walked in.
He knew almost everything about everyone.
But very few people knew much about his own life.
Behind the cheerful face and always-welcoming smile was a man who was constantly trying to make ends meet.
The cost of living was consistently rising.
Rent. Electricity. Groceries. School expenses.
His wife worked alongside him, helping run the grocery store from early in the morning until late at night.
He would sometimes even offer to wash the vehicles of the residents to make some additional money on the side.
His children studied hard, and it showed in their marks cards, for they were always among the toppers in their respective classes.
One afternoon, his son came running into the shop with his report card in hand.
“Appa!! I came first in class!!”
Raghu’s face lit up. He pulled his son into a quick hug, happiness shining brightly in his eyes.
A couple of residents who happened to be at the shop clapped and joined in the happy moment.
“Well done!”
“We are very proud of you!”
Raghu stood behind the counter, beaming with pride.
For a few minutes, there were no bills to worry about, no rising prices to calculate.
There was just a proud father.
There were days when the shop did well.
And there were days when the business was slow and the numbers did not quite add up.
Most days, Raghu stayed back after pulling down the shutters, mulling over the expenses in his head.
But the next morning, the shutters would go up again.
The shelves would be stocked.
The lights would come on.
And Raghu would be standing behind the counter, with the same bright smile.
He never let his worries become someone else’s burden.
He continued to work.
His wife kept managing the shop with him.
His children continued to study hard.
And together, they built their little life one day at a time.
When people from Misty Meadows came to the shop for milk, eggs, or groceries, they walked home with a lighter heart and a wider smile.
And with the comfort of knowing that they always had someone who knew what they wanted.
More stories from the little community:
People of Misty Meadows #1: The Woman with the Book
People of Misty Meadows #2: The Young Couple with the Laptop
People of Misty Meadows #3: The Girl with the Red Bicycle
People of Misty Meadows #4: The Cheerful Uncle and His Bag of Stories
People of Misty Meadows #5: The Woman with the Running Shoes
People of Misty Meadows #6: The Dog Who Belonged To Everyone
People of Misty Meadows #7: The Didi Everyone Counted On
Before you go…
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Until next time,
The Soulful Nib
