Digender’s World

We moved to this town a few months ago. Mommy put me in a nearby school. I go to my new school only to play. They want all students to sit down, so I sit with my books for some time. Then I am off again, catching Pratham, teasing Ruansh and jostling with Rishu.

When English teacher makes us recite poems, I sit with my group and move my lips, copying others as if I know the words. I don’t know the words. I know she looks at each one of us, so I move my lips a lot.

Yesterday, she asked who all had a bath before coming to school. I was afraid she would look at me, so I tried to hide behind Prakriti, the tallest girl in the school. Mommy gives me a bath on Sundays. Last Sunday, she was at a new construction site. So, no bath for me.

Luckily, Ruansh spoke up saying he did not even wash his face this morning. Everyone started to talk to him or about him. I was safe.

After school, I play more, mostly with Aman. He is my best friend, even though he is in Class 5 and in another school. Our favourite thing to do is to jump over water channels. Sometimes both of us jump in the water and scream because its so cold. I like screaming.

We climb trees if there are fruits to pluck. I like sour oranges the most. Wild pears are nice too, but one has to wait for them to be soft. The hard ones are bitter.

We race across meadows. Aman wins each time. Maybe one day, when I am older and taller, I will be faster than him.

We jump over the gate of Palak’s house to play with her dog Kalu. Kalu is a funny dog. He likes to run round and round in the front yard when he sees us. We chase him. Palak’s mother shouts at us to get off her vegetable patch.

Mommy has enrolled me in a tuition class near our house. I go there every day and make sure didi sees me. I sneak out after sitting quietly for some time.

A few days ago, English mam was walking near my house in the evening. She saw me before I could hide and said “Digender, wear a sweater.” I pointed to my yellow T-shirt, and said “I am wearing one.” I don’t know what’s the big deal about sweaters. I don’t need them.

Yesterday, I was pretend studying in the tuition class when Aman signalled to me to come outside. He took me to where mam was sitting on a rock. She gave me a jacket and insisted I wear it right away and every day. I put it on and ran away. As I was running, I heard her say "At least say thank you Digender!"

That night, mommy asked me where I got the jacket from. I pretended not to hear. She got busy cooking dinner and forgot about the jacket.

I did not take it off as I slid into my bed. One minute I was awake and another minute I was in deep sleep.  All night, I dreamt about water channels, meadows, trees, and Aman.