Murderous May

May is turning out to be the cruelest month of the year. As the mercury keeps soaring and morning humidity hits a killing 80 per cent, exercising has become increasingly a torture. By 7:30 a.m., when the sun blazes down on our little patch in the Garden, most of us are already out of breath, dehydrated and dripping with sweat. Having water hardly helps. And yet, like mad people, we carry on undaunted. Even stray dogs, roaming the streets lifelessly, know better.
Srichand Arora (left pic), who returned after a three-day break, noticed the fatigue factor was telling and that “no one was taking the exercises seriously”. Still, in order to keep the morale high, he mischievously picked on Hari Singh Shekhawat, insisting that he correct an arm action. “I am noticing that you are not doing a single exercise correctly,” Arora pointed out. “When you swing your arms around your head, they should touch your ears.”
“What can I do?” Shekhawat replied defiantly. “This left arm is broken.”
“Then give it to me. I will repair it and bring it back tomorrow!” Arora quipped.
As everybody burst out laughing, Razia Khan enquired in mock seriousness whether Arora owned a shop of body spare parts. Before anyone could reply, the conversation was interrupted by a major commotion as Renu Babani (right pic) lay face down on the ground a few feet away, having apparently lost consciousness. Luckily help was at hand. A lady from the walking track rushed to her aid and sprinkled water on her face.
She kept fanning furiously and after what seemed like ages, Renu came around. We just hovered around helplessly, not knowing what to do. Somebody proffered a lozenge, in case it was a low-BP issue. By then, the whole Garden had converged at the spot.
Before long, Renu found her feet and was escorted to the Chinese Hut to rest under a fan while hubby Kishor rushed out of the Garden to fetch some fruit juice. Fortunately, it all ended well. As we were about to disperse for the day, Renu emerged from the Chinese Hut, looking tired, but grinning from ear to ear. “I guess I needed some attention,” she said sportingly.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Hitching a ride to a place where the weather is cooler!"
* "See, I look fine, right? No worries."
[P.S.: I am fine and please don't worry. Have slept so much today, unbelievable. Will not go to the Garden tomorrow morning, but hopefully Saturday. Thanks everyone for taking care of me -- that support helped immensly.]
Srichand Arora:
"Renu, I am sure you are okay by now. I request you not to attend the morning session for next 2/3 days and just rest and rest... at HOME. God bless you, my dear!"