Velu kept playing, faster and faster, until the scene blurred into color and noise and joy. He felt the old fire return, not as pain, but as a pulse.

Velu touched the screen. His fingertips sank through the fabric of light.

When he opened his eyes, he was back in the empty theatre, tears on his face. The screen was dark. But his hands—his hands were tapping the ticket counter. Dhinandhorum.