Estranged Couple

Marriage counselling in progress

How ridiculous can we get?
WE decided they were a couple. WE decided to address them as ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’. WE then decide that all is not well with their ‘marriage’. WE even decide for them that a divorce is in the offing. And then WE decide that WE must intervene to save their marriage!
But all in light vein…
Fact is Razia Khan and Nafisa Sayyad are as thick as thieves. So strong is their friendship that it is impossible to imagine them as separable. When one shows up at the Garden, the other follows automatically. Or else, both would disappear together. No wonder, Yusuf Rassiwala calls them ‘doh hanson ka joda’ -- a pair of swans. To top it all, they happen to be long-time neighbours, living in the same apartment complex with their families.

Bapu Rane

The fun part is that something has gone wrong between them recently and they are not on talking terms now. They show up at the Garden separately, hang around in separate groups and go their own ways separately – much to everybody’s amusement. But to keep up pretenses, someone would play marriage counsellor and offer unsolicited advice on ways to patch up. Another would play devil’s advocate, provoking a face-off and thrash out their differences in the open. A third would talk philosophy – the bitterness of separation after such a long and sweet relationship. “What would you answer Ooperwala when you go up there?” asks a fourth…
This was the dominant buzz all morning -- a charade actually, and more so because the cause of the rift is known to all. Neither Razia nor Nafisa is making any secret of it. It is so trivial that everyone knows both ladies would come around sooner than later. And the biggest joke is that instead of sulking or brooding, they are enjoying the fun as much as we are.

Razia Khan

Sitaram Hivarkar and Pratap Bhatt came up with a disturbing piece of news. The ayurvedic treatment Bapu Rane has been taking for an intestinal infection is not working. It seems he is unable to swallow even liquids now. “He is in terrible agony because water has started accumulating in his back for the past two days,” informed Sitaram.
Jagmohan Papneja:
A relationship has its ups and downs. You can't have love without a little pain. But if the bond is strong enough to overcome all obstacles, then its worth fighting for.
Razia Khan:
'Ek zarah si baat se barson ke yaarane gaye,
Apni apni soch se kuchh log pehchane gaye!'
I know we were the best of friends for years, but a sudden gust of wind blew it all away. I don't have any dark feelings against her in my heart. This is what life is about. I pray to God that however, wherever she is, may she have a wonderful life. God bless her.
'Qurbuttein (closeness) door karne lagi hai, Muhabbat mein ab fasla (distance) chahiye'.