The playground buzzed with laughter. Dahhiya watched a circle of children jumping rope. Their laughter rang out like little bells.
He stopped at the edge, fingers worrying the hem of his shirt. 'Can I play?' he whispered.
He stepped forward. 'Can I play?' The children paused. One girl shook her head and pointed across the yard.
His shoulders slumped. He watched them run off, his sneakers scuffing the dust.
Dahhiya crept toward a group playing tag. He tried to sneak into the circle.
The runner caught his sleeve. 'You have to ask first,' she said, giving him a gentle nudge.
Dahhiya blinked. He noticed a bright red ball bouncing near the slide.
He picked up the red ball and threw it high. It rolled straight into the rope-jumping group.
The ball landed at their feet. The children looked up. Dahhiya held his breath.
One girl picked up the ball and smiled. 'Do you want to play with us?' she asked.
Dahhiya nodded. The girl handed him the ball. 'We're playing catch,' she said. 'Do you want to play with me?'
'Yes!' Dahhiya shouted. He threw the ball and caught it, laughing as the sun warmed his back.