watching

Amma's hands trembled as she opened the video call from her grandson in Singapore. Through the screen, she watched him explore Marina Beach where she'd walked decades ago. His excitement sparked something dormant. She began sharing old stories, describing Madras before the name changed, the jasmine vendors, the temple towers. He recorded everything, translating for his friends, their fascination genuine. Soon, cousins across continents were video-calling, asking questions, requesting recipes and songs. What started as watching became a circle of reconnection. Their diaspora wasn't distance anymore—it was threads rewoven, heritage kept alive through screens and simple, shared moments of belonging.