Missed by Siva Prasad

 

What happens when the meaning of a moment becomes clear only after the moment is gone?

That question runs quietly through MISSED, and it is what makes this book so compelling. Siva Prasad brings together a series of stories about love, family, friendship, loss, missed opportunities and things left unsaid, but what makes them stand out is the way they are rooted in ordinary, recognisable moments rather than dramatic situations. 

At the centre of the book is Arush, whose life & memories gradually reveal how easily we overlook the people who matter most. His relationship with his father is particularly powerful. The bicycle rides he once took for granted acquire an entirely different meaning when viewed through the eyes of the adult Arush. His father had been expressing love through actions that Arush understood only much later. 

That idea of realising too late appears in different forms throughout the book. A friendship that was never given enough attention. Words that were always going to be said “someday.” A hug that seemed insignificant at the time but becomes unforgettable later. The story of Arush & Seshu captures this beautifully, particularly through the regret of having understood the importance of their friendship only after there was no longer an opportunity to say it. 

What stayed with me was how quietly emotional the book is. It doesn't rely on excessive drama to create an impact. Instead, it takes familiar experiences & makes you look at them differently. Even something as simple as a bicycle ride or a hug can carry an entirely different meaning when you realise what it represented.

And that, to me, is what makes MISSED different from many books dealing with loss and regret. It isn't simply telling us to value people; it shows us how easily we fail to do it.

This is a book I would genuinely recommend to readers who enjoy emotionally rich, thoughtful fiction with stories that stay with you after you've finished reading. More importantly, it is the kind of book that makes you want to pick up your phone, call someone you love, and not wait for another day.

Definitely worth reading !!