Tara's Evening Errand
Every evening, Tara’s grandmother sent her to buy coriander from the tiny shop at the end of their alley. The alley was narrow and a little dark. Water dripped from a tap, and someone’s radio played an old song.
pakorasalleyentrance. The smelled of frying and wet mud, but also of something she couldn’t name—something that made her toes curl. A scooter roared past, and a dog barked.Today, Tara stopped at the
guava pulp.Tara almost turned back. Then she saw the vegetable seller waving. Behind him, the sky was pink like
Tara took a deep breath. She walked into the alley, her slippers splashing in a puddle. The dog only sniffed her bag.
On the way home, the alley felt smaller, warmer, almost like it was smiling just for her.