“One more six! I can’t keep on fetching the ball every single time, Sapphy! Stop showing off and play like a decent gully cricketer.” Armaan said turning to Sapphy, annoyed.
“Oh, poor cry-baby! You are just jealous of my batting skills. Don’t worry, I will fetch it this time. You must be so tired from all the running around, Mr. Wicketkeeper,” Sapphy said sarcastically.
As Sapphy ran to fetch the ball, she spotted it near the big banyan tree where kids often played. But then, she saw something surprising, Devi from Block G was sharing a kiss with Ananya from Block B! Devi often babysat Sapphy, and Ananya was her dance teacher for all colony cultural events.
Devi and Ananya’s intimate moment came to a screeching halt when they spotted Sapphy holding a tennis ball.
“Oh, Sapphy! What are you doing here?” Devi asked, shocked.
Just then, Armaan called out, “Sapphy! Hurry up with the ball! Playtime is going to be over soon.”
Sapphy quickly returned, holding the ball tightly. The next day, she couldn’t wait to visit Danish.
“Hi, Sapphy! You seemed rather spirited and mission-oriented today. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Danish asked cheekily.
“Owe this pleasure? What are you talking about? Have you forgotten I am 8 years old?” Sapphy asked in mild annoyance.
“Sorry, sorry! I was just trying to be cool. Okay, come on tell me the reason behind your impromptu visit?” Danish quipped.
“I have a secret to share. Just promise not to tell anyone, okay? Pinky promise?” Sapphy said, looking serious.
“Pinky promise! My lips are sealed,” Danish said playfully zipping his lips.
“Yesterday, I saw Devi Didi and Anu Didi kiss behind that big banyan tree next to our colony compound wall. It was not a friendly kiss on the cheeks, but a grown-up kind of kiss on the lips,” Sapphy explained.
“While I understand that Devi and Ananya shouldn’t be kissing in public, it’s okay for adults to show affection. They can kiss if they want,” Danish said, trying to make sense of it.
“Thanks to you, I now understand that girls can love and kiss other girls. Gender isn’t a barrier to falling in love. But Devi Didi has a boyfriend! I have seen them together holding hands and hugging each other in the park nearby. So why is she kissing Anu Didi?” Sapphy asked in a confused tone.
“Maybe they broke up. Devi could be bi-sexual, which means she can like both boys and girls,” Danish said before realizing he shared too much.
“What does bi-sexual mean?” Sapphy asked, still puzzled.
Danish sighed. “Sapphy! I am not a one-stop shop for all your questions related to the LQBTQIA+ world. Why don’t you google it instead?”
“I am sorry, Danish Bhaiya. I have nowhere else to go. Also, I am not allowed to use the internet without adult supervision and that too only for a limited amount of time,” Sapphy said apologetically.
“It’s okay, Sapphy. I am not irritated with you. Ever since I came out as gay, everyone has directed all their LQGBTQIA+ queries to me, rather than making efforts to find out on their own. But I do understand that you don’t have the resources to find out this information on your own. Bi-sexual or bi people are persons who are attracted to both the opposite gender and their own gender. So as a bi person, Devi can like her boyfriend and Ananya too. Got it?” Danish explained.
“So one can attracted to both men and women. Devi Didi doesn’t have to choose?” Sapphy clarified.
“Exactly. A bi-person can be attracted to either a man or a woman. Devi does have to choose a person, but not their gender to fall in love with,” Danish confirmed.
A few days later, while playing ‘The Floor is Lava’, Sapphy was approached by Devi and Ananya.
“Hey, Sappho! Can we talk to you for a minute?” Devi asked.
“Sure! Let’s sit on that bench,” Sapphy suggested, pointing at the bench in the right-hand corner.
“Sappho, we want to say sorry for what you saw at the tree. We didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Ananya said.
“Don’t worry, Anu Didi! I am fine. I have been meaning to tell you both where since our encounter at the banyan tree that you both look very cute together,” Sapphy said with a big smile.
“Really? We do?” Devi said in a surprised tone signalling at Anaya and herself.
“Yes! You both have great vibes. I’m happy for you!” Sappy said with a big toothy smile.
“Thank you, Sappho,” Anaya and Devi said gleefully.
