“It’s already touching 39 degrees in the first week of April—just imagine how May will be. For many in Hyderabad, this heat feels unbearable. But for us, this very sun is what keeps our homes running.

Every year, we come all the way from Machilipatnam for these few months. What you see here on the roadside is only the final part of our work. The real effort begins back home. The men in our family wake up before sunrise and climb palm trees that are nearly sixty feet tall, using nothing but a rope and their bare hands. It’s not just difficult, it’s risky—but that’s how we get these fresh ice apples.

By afternoon, when the sun is at its harshest, our small stall becomes a place where people pause for a moment. Office workers, delivery boys—you can see the tiredness on their faces. We sit right here and cut the fruit fresh in front of them, and the moment they taste that cool, soft munjalu, you can see the relief instantly. That’s what gives us satisfaction.

Some people try to bargain and ask us to lower the price. But we politely stand our ground. Because we know the effort behind what we are selling. The long journey from Machilipatnam, the dangerous climbs, the hard work—maybe not everyone sees it, but we feel it in every piece we serve.

For us, this is not just business. It’s a family tradition. And being able to offer a little comfort to someone in this harsh summer—that is what makes us truly happy.”