miss you

Priya's fingers traced the empty tabla drums in her grandmother's studio. The Bharatanatyam recital she'd promised to perform never happened—social media engagement consumed her instead, chasing viral moments for sponsorship money. Her phone buzzed with a follower's comment: "You've abandoned your roots." She scrolled through reactions to her last post. Lovesick devotees, scornful critics, all demanding authenticity she'd bartered away. Missing her grandmother's voice guiding her through Carnatic ragas, Priya realized what truly mattered wasn't currency or clicks. That evening, she deleted the apps and placed her feet on the dancing floor, returning home to her heritage and the warm embrace of tradition that had always loved her back.