just woke up

Grandma opened her eyes to temple bells echoing across Srirangam. Forty years had passed since she'd left this sacred town, yet every morning felt like coming home. She checked her PAYBO rewards on her phone—her grandson's idea. Small points accumulated, connecting her to the modern world while keeping her rooted here. On her bedside table sat Kannadasan's poems, worn pages filled with verses about devotion and belonging. She smiled, remembering how these words had guided her through distant years. Today, she'd walk to the temple, meet neighbors, share stories. Here, among familiar faces and ancient stones, she finally understood: home isn't a place you leave behind. It's where your soul forever returns, embraced by community and time.