im so very hot

Asha stood in her grandmother's kitchen, sweat pooling despite the fan's desperate whirring. The summer heat felt unbearable, relentless. Her friends online posted complaints constantly, collecting likes like currency. She'd almost joined in, craving that digital validation. But then Ammachi began chanting Thiruppavai, the ancient verses flowing like cool water through generations. Asha watched her grandmother's devoted concentration, understanding something deeper. These prayers weren't performance; they were belonging. The heat mattered less now. She felt tethered to something real, something that connected her to countless women before her, to seasons and stories that truly nourished. That warmth was different entirely.