Every time the blue door creaked open he remembered that he had to oil the hinges. Lekin ab aadat si ho gayi thi. He stepped out of the old threshold that had paint wearing off. Warm morning sunshine washed the dull distempered wall like everyday. He latched the door and put on slippers that had walked through several paths. Today was another day on the same paths. The tiny box like shop across the road was closed. Madhav, the man who ran it, shut it down one day, packed up and left. Nobody knew why or even bothered to find out. A solitary faded frock hung outside its grill window on a rusty hook. It fluttered every time a heavy wind blew.
A little ahead he saw the remainder of the morning mist lifting off the cobblestone alley. An old woman with a hunch walked slowly, bucket in hand. There were cycles parked outside tiny houses and their owners getting ready for the day. A child crying nearby made him tilt his head to get a better look. The mother was desperately trying to pacify him by singing the few words of a lullaby she knew. He chuckled and remembered his childhood when he used to cry and his mother who knew no lullabies turned on the old radio so they could listen together. He’d understand nothing; nevertheless it used to calm him down.
The place was waking up slowly.
At the end of the alley, old Damodar had already set up his little sewing machine outside his house. He sat there everyday on a rickety wooden stool, always focused on his stitching. There was always someone who needed a little button mended, school uniforms to be loosened as children outgrew them, salwars and bedsheets- you name it, and he would skillfully work magic on his machine. Street vendors had opened their stalls too. Bharti smiled radiantly as she spread out her tarpaulin sheet, displaying fresh vegetables. She was ready to begin her hustle with customers and share the latest gossip with passers-by housewives.
The sweet smell of hot jalebis made its way to his nostrils. The sweet mart must be open and in business. Aseem’s sweet mart was world-famous in Anupampur. Even the cat who sat at the steps of his shop waiting for milk knew it. As usual, a considerable number of people had crowded to try his delicacies. Further ahead the little library of the town with its red wooden doors was yet to open. Not very long ago someone from a nearby city stopped by and donated several books, hoping to inculcate the habit of reading amongst the children. A few of the children now knew the stories of Aesop’s Fables and Malgudi Days, thanks to the one teacher in their school who read those tales to them.
He had reached his shop where he sold refurbished watches. How he made them look new was a fact known only to him. “These are the finest watches you’ll find. My rates are best and my watches are world-famous in Anupampur,” he would say to every customer and coax them into buying. His shop being the only shop that sold watches, people had no other option anyway. The lopsided board outside ‘Chandan Watchmakers’ needed fixing. His wooden countertop was smoothened out with years of use and from behind it he had a good view of the town- his little world that he was so used to.
He closed the shutters of his shop at exactly 6 PM and walked back home, tracing the same paths, watching people head back to their own homes. Everything was just the way he had seen it in the morning, except with a twilight filter across the sky. He walked up to his blue door, paused a moment and gazed at the frock swaying gently at the shop across the road and went in. The creaking door closed behind him. He had to oil it. Lekin ab aadat si ho gayi thi.
Lekin ab aadat si ho gayi thi
This story is written as part of Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa campaign.
The Literary Affair 
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This is such a amazing write up . love the choice of words
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Wow..that was beautiful
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This is a nice story. A man shackled to his routine and became comfortable not to think too much about anything else. Though I could feel a kind of underlying sadness in the story. Is it just me or was it intentional? Would be interesting to hear from the author. Btw nice picture of the door.
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Yes, there was a mixture of emotions in it. I am happy to read this perspective too, thanks!
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The way you’ve described this work of fiction is simply tremendous! Would love to read more fictional work
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Thank you Jhilmil, I will write more.
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You have such a simple way of stringing words and scenes…it was a pleasure reading….These are the finest watches you’ll find. My rates are best and my watches are world-famous in Anupampur..this reminds me of a shopkeeper here who always says lifetime guarantee 🙂
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You described it so beautifully that I felt I had a visualisation of the place.
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Haha, we have so many small town , yet ‘world-famous’ shops don’t we. Thank you Harjeet.
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Wow, such a simple almost monotonous way of life and yet you’ve created such beautiful imagery with your words. No wonder you’re a Potterhead!
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From one Potterhead to another, only you could get that, thanks Varsha:)
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The Picture reminds me of my hometown where we used to have such doors in the countryside
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Really enjoyed reading this.
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You have given such minute details and descriptions that have made the scenes come alive in front of my eyes. Lovely way of storytelling. keep it up.
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Lovely to hear this, Ginia.
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Beautifully penned. You have a way with words. I really enjoyed reading this.
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Thanks Madhu.
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Lekin ab aadat si ho gayi hai. It is a perfect small town story. The way you described the surroundings every reader will get the feel of a small town or a village where all the people know each other and I feel the frock and a phrase was giving a message.
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You noticed that, nice observation!
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Love the detailed descriptions.loved the way of writing.
#tmmreads
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I journeyed the day with the man through your applaudable descriptive writing. The scenes came alive in my mind and I could also feel the emotions underlying the story. Loved reading it!
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One word only…woww.
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A short and sweet write up on the everyday routine of any person. Loved the word ab aadat si ho gayi hai…don’t we all have that feeling many a times.
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Indeed!
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Wow ..I could imagine the way you weaved the story ….we get used to things living a certain way ..not bothering you change even if it breaks ..be it things, be it living … We get used to living that predictable Life.
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We do, don’t we!
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Splendid. How we get used to life. And how a writer’s words make the seemingly mundane sound interesting. Well done Leha. Loved the aadat!
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Hehe, yes Sonia, so many mundane things become habits and part of life.
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This was a wonderful short tale. I could actually visualise everything and you are surely good with words.
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Glad you enjoyed, Deepa
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Love the way you described this entire post. Your choice of words is amazing. This story is par excellence
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Thanks so much:)
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Beautifully woven story. You are a master storyteller.
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Thank you Aesha!
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I have been wanting to write short stories but yet can’t find anything and here you made something out so wonderfull out of ordinary… You inspired me. Thanks for sharing this story..😍 i loved it..
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I really loved the way you have expressed in words and shared this beautiful story!!
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Thank you for reading, Ruchie.
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Leha you have a flair for storytelling, I loved the smooth narrative and the Hindi refrain
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Means a lot Pooja:)
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😍😍
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Beautiful writing, Leha. You have done complete justice to the picture of the door, as that is where Chandan’s day begins and ends. So enjoyed this descriptive read!
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Thank you Mayuri, descriptive writing has always been my favourite style.
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Loved the story…keep writing, Leha, your posts are a pleasure to read.
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Such a peaceful weave Leha, I almost could see the scene right in front of my eyes. Loved how the blue door creaked and how Damodar has got used to it. Please keep penning more fictions
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Thank you Roma 🙂
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Lovely little story, Leha 🙂 I could imagine the entire street from your descriptions. Please keep writing.
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wow…such a warm heartfelt story Leha. Our ancestral house has exactly same doors…and I remember slow pace life there. How nostalgic. ..once get used to something…It is really difficult to come out of your comfort zone
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You got me hooked on at the word Jalebi! That setting brought back so many childhood memories. Lovely story
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Perfect title and picture for this story. What an amazing storyteller you are Leha. Loved reading and visualizing the simple life in a small town, one that I dearly miss.
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Ab aadat lagani padegi tumhare blog ki! ❤
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Beautiful piece of writing. You are a talented writer Leha 😊
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I felt like I was reading a novel beautiful as always lehi.
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great write up, described every minor details to make it feel live
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Along with reading, I was able to create imagination and feel it alive. I liked the title and the way you portrayed the story.
Beautiful.
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I read it 3 times now. You truly weave magic with your words. Wish you all the best for your writing journey
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I was visualizing it, Leha. Such a lovely post, basic characteristics of an ordinary day narrated so well that I was living with old Damodar’s day 🙂 an art of true story teller.
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Thanks so much Dipika 🙂
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A nice flow and rhythm to the story and several underlying folds of emotions to it. Loved it.
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This is indeed a story about people and their habits that they’re so used to. I actually pictured the whole setting. Ab Toh Aadat si ho gayi hai!
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aadat si ho gayi hai for most of us 🙂
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The way you chose your words sets the reader into the imaginative story you created. I can see the door opening and can hear its creaking sound too. Thanks for writing. Loved it.
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Wow, thanks Neha.
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Thats is so sweet and wonderfully written. You painted such a realistic picture of a small town daily life that I could see it before my eyes. Yiu have an amazing way with words. A man in his daily routine, comfortable with life, happy in his world; there may be small hiccups but he adjusts and moves on. Love it.
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You noticed all details, thanks a lot for reading.
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What a wonderful slice of life story this was. I wonder about those refurbished watches though. Do they also have their own stories – of their owners and how Chandan handled them? Really enjoyed all the details and questions this threw up.
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Oohh, that could make a new story, am sure those watches had stories too, thanks Suchita:)
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Beautifully written post. Loved your style of writing.
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You’ve brought a kasba and it’s watchmaker alive in your story. So many times I would have seen this watchmaker and wondered about his story.
Beautifully worded!
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Haha, they do have some tall tales worth listening to, thank you 🙂
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Simple yet beautiful life scene. I could feel myself standing in Anupamapur.
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Glad you liked Anupampur, make sure to try them jalebis 😛
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Haha! Sure😄
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Story of every common man; nicely composed.
You know, we are slaves to our habits because changing them needs some effort, but evolution is on the other side of these efforts.
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Well said Aditi.
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This story is indeed beautifully penned. Feels so realistic and the visualization of the scenario feels so real too. Loved your writing.
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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We are all, to some extent, shackled to our own routines… It is difficult to get past that… What a beautiful way of a writing about a mundane day… I loved the way you beautifully painted a picture of various activities of the day… I was able to clearly picture everything…
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True, many times we don’t realise how bound to mundane activities we are, and we get comfortable there. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Wow! That’s so beautifully written. I could visualize the entire story and that made it even more amazing :D.
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Am glad you could visualize it Aseem.
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I like the way you presented that the mundane has become a way of life for him. I however wonder the story behind the old frock
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haha, that should have a story too.
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You have a way with words, I was imagining each scene as I was reading about it. Loved the story!
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Glad to hear that, Neha!
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