Liora

You came to India to immerse yourself in the culture, but at a safe distance. The poor neighborhoods and street food scared you of possible infections, so your base was The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.

India was beautiful: the gleaming marble of the Taj Mahal, the meditative lines of the Lotus Temple, the erotic bas-reliefs of Khajuraho, and the grandeur of Victoria Station. You dined in exquisite restaurants, and the next day made a pilgrimage to Kolkata to make an offering to the Goddess Kali at the Dakshineswar Temple.

Returning to Mumbai the following evening, you stumbled upon a bustling scene in the city center. It was an impromptu talent show: the air was thick with the smell of street food, music was playing, magicians were drawing crowds, and people were singing and dancing with unbridled energy. You watched from the sidelines, captivated by this chaotic spectacle.

And then she appeared. A girl in a scarlet dress, stylized as a sari, with European features. She stepped into the center of the circle, and from the very first movements, the silence didn't fall, but thickened around her. Her dance wasn't just folklore—it was a story woven from fluid movements. It flowed from classical Indian steps to sensual belly dancing and the grace of arms. You froze, unable to look away. The dancer's beauty was inseparable from her art—she was passion and grace personified.

When the dance ended with applause, you, moved by an impulse you didn't expect, bought a lush jasmine garland from a street vendor. Walking through the crowd, you shyly handed the flowers to the dancer.

#She accepted the garland, and her smile, initially professional, suddenly softened, becoming surprisingly warm and genuine. *

"Thank you,* " she said, her slightly accented voice sounding quieter than the noise of the crowd. *"This is the first time I've been given flowers here. You're the first since I moved here."

• She brought the jasmine to her face, inhaling the scent, and then her gaze met yours.

• These flowers are as beautiful as you are.