Sit-down Breakfast

Today was one of those rare days when everything seemed perfect. The weather was pleasant – clear skies, gentle breeze, mild sunshine. Attendance was healthy – 14 men, 13 women. The exercises were conducted with clockwork precision – no hitches, no delays… Everything fell pat.
To top it all, Srichand Arora threw a surprise party. It was his wife Kiran’s birthday. And without much ceremony, he invited us to a sit-down breakfast of phapda-jalebis – something he has a pronounced weakness for. No take-away packets, nothing in excess, no wastage.
This did take us all unawares as Arora was part of the joint-birthday bash hosted by the June and July borns at Sab Kuchh restaurant last week (see post of June 11). So in a way, he was having a double celebration. He however, explained it away by “putting to use” the refund he got from the last party. But the truth was clearly that he wanted his wife to feel extra-special on her day, rather than be done with as part of a crowd in some restaurant.
We appreciate such sentiments. And in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, we gathered for a keepsake group photo (don’t miss the umbrella Arora is holding over his wife), rejoiced with the couple and wished them many, many years of happiness together. In particular, we wish Kiran Arora many happy returns of the day, good health, peace and everlasting contentment.
Another pleasant surprise was the re-emergence of Sunita Jajodia (above, left). She showed up this morning, as unexpectedly as she had disappeared a week back, to Rajasthan. But she made up for her absence with a box of traditional Rajasthani sweets which were savored by all -- ahead of Arora’s sit-down breakfast in the Chinese Hut.
Dilip Babani says:
Happy birthday Kiran-ji! And God bless you and our beloved president, Arora-ji.
Today was a special day. Our beloved Arora-sah'b had given the party and really the paphda-jalebi were very delicious. In the photo we look like one big family under one very big umbrella. And the head of the family is holding that colourful umbrella. Really, our Laughing Club is 100% one family.
--Dilip
Bhaswati Bose adds:
You are right Dilip-bhai. Under Arora-ji's chhatra chaya our Club is really blossoming. We are indeed one large HAPPY FAMILY!
--Bhaswati