Highs and Lows

The highpoint of this morning was Pratap Bhatt’s return (pic left) to the Club after more than a month. He was away in Gujarat, visiting family and friends at his ancestral village. Upon his return to Mumbai, on August 20, he contracted herpes and has since been under treatment. He claims to be better now.
The other major highpoint was the absence of the big daddies -- including Shekhawat-ji and Arora-ji. So it was phunti-day for most. And for the rest who did show up, it was a case of the mice at play when the cat is away. Quite clearly, the Janmashtami hangover hasn’t yet worn off, but for one minor detail: Nobody’s staying hungry and going out to feed the cows at gou-shalas today!
The lowpoint of the day was Hari Naraiyani turning off-key – to the extent of neither talking nor taking part in the exercises. An unusually chirpy person for his age, he was at his talkative best yesterday, philosophizing on life and advising Nahid Khan not to worry too much. “Everybody has his share of happiness and sadness at all times,” he was heard telling her in his high-pitched voice. “Nobody can claim to be 100 per cent happy, just as nobody can be completely sad.”
Today, Hari-bhai was a study in contrast. He kept to himself, sitting all alone in a corner and staring into space. Midway through the exercises when he was invited to join us, he brusquely waved his hand, suggesting he was not feeling up to it.
Now, this seems to be a serious issue, afflicting many members. They take the trouble to wake up early, come to the Garden, but do not participate in the exercises. For three days on, Tara Chand-ji (left) had been coming at his usual time, doing two rounds of the Garden and just before the exercises, he’d take a garden chair and watch us from a distance. When asked if anything was wrong, his reply was, “Nahin, bas youn hi!” Only today, did he resume exercising with us.
It is hard to explain this state of ennui. Or are these mood swings? Maybe, it has something to do with advancing age. Whatever it is, these are not healthy signs. You could perhaps throw some light on this.

Renu Babani says:
I can just think of one thing in regards to these moods: Male Menopause. Rest assured, it is just a phase and everything will get back to normal again. Yea, lazy bum that I am, didn't come to the Garden and will return after the weekend hopefully. By the way, saw We are Family and it was good. But I had more expectations!
--Renu