First Drops

Dark morning. The skies were overcast. One drop fell on Nahid Khan’s cheek. Within moments, Shekhawat also announced that a drop had fallen on his head. After that, nothing – but oppressive heat. All hopes of pre-monsoon showers moving in from Kerala (or wherever) were replaced by the exasperating prospect of dealing with maddening humidity and dehydration. To make matters worse, red ants were out to get us with a vengeance. Since the sun had not come out of the clouds, we shifted back to where we normally exercise – only to discover that there too ant hills had come up. Razia Khan kept moving about restlessly, trying to dodge the swarms of ants and at one point, pleaded that we relocate to the Chinese Hut right away.
Before long, Shekhawat left to catch his car to Colaba. Nafisa Sayyad noted that he had come “wearing pants” – as though on other days he was without them. When cornered, she had to clarify that she meant “Shekhawat has been coming in chuddis all these days". Clearly, Nafisa saw no difference between chuddis and shorts.
Meanwhile, Srichand Arora made an appearance after working up a torrential sweat from walking to Joggers' Park (near the Back Road) and back. By then, we were almost done with the exercises. He did not join us, but waited on a side bench and then explained the cause of his absence for the past few days. He had gone to Daman, he said.
Sunita Jajodia wrapped up the day’s proceedings by distributing pedas to all (above left). Today was her birthday and despite the discomfort caused by the humidity and red ants, she was in an unusually exuberant mood. And that is how it ought to be – not just today, but for the rest of her life. We wish her the very best.
Harish Wadhwa:
* What a nice pic of the women enacting chaatak birds. As they say in mythology, these birds gape at the skies with open beaks to directly capture the virgin drops of monsoon rains to quench their thirst. Legend has it that these birds refuse to drink water off the ground.
* Arora-ji seems to be waiting to get his share of peda from Sunita-ji as a greedy man behind is enjoying the looks of it! Happy Birthday Sunita-ji, once again. Can somebody please get some tasty pedas like todays more often?