Mice Will Play

Mrs Harbans Kaur

Mrs Mohankanwar Shekhawat

Santosh Tyagi came in early morning and announced that she had discharged the ‘duty’ entrusted upon her yesterday (see post). She rang Mohankanwar Shekhawat last evening and on behalf of the Club, sought her convenience on receiving a group of members who were keen to call on her husband.
The latter was taken by surprise. Completely unaware of any such programme in the offing – least of all of her son Raghuvir’s message – Mrs Shekhawat requested for some more time till her husband recovers fully and was fit enough to play host to the group. “I will let you all know when the time is right,” she conveyed through Santosh.
So that puts to rest any immediate plan of a delegation going to meet Shekhawat – at least till such time Arora returns from Indore. In his absence, the proverbial ‘mice’ were at play today with hardly anyone getting serious about the exercises.

Monthi Serrao celebrating Ryan's birthday

Happy Birthday, Khatoon Baig

And why should they? Mrs Harbans Kaur had turned up after what seemed like ages and that by itself was good enough reason to rejoice. It was Khatoon Baig’s birthday too. And then Monthi Serrao had brought along chocolates and toffees to celebrate her son, Ryan’s birthday, which also happened to coincide today.
But the one to take the cake (and eat it too) was Razia Khan. Midway through conducting the exercises, she became absent-minded about some Urdu couplet, snatches of which were echoed by Banoo Khan as she hurried down the walking track.

'Banoo Appa' confronting Razia Khan

Abandoning the exercises, Razia hailed Banoo, “Gori Appa!” Banoo did not hear. “Banoo Appa”, Razia shouted louder. “Behri Appa!” she shouted still louder, but Banoo remained deaf to all her frantic calls.
All this while we stood still, waiting patiently for Razia to be done and resume the exercises. But she was not in any mood of giving up easily. As Banoo took the turn back on the walking track, Razia went after her full throttle, yelling her lungs out: “Banoo Appa… Gori Appa… Kali Appa… Behri Appa…” Clearly, Razia had forgotten she was conducting the exercises. But this time Banoo heard her name being called and came running in as though someone had caught fire. The two ladies cheerfully exchanged notes on the couplet and only thereafter, did Razia resume the exercises.
Would such madness be possible any place else?
Jagmohan Papneja: Wishing you Khatoon-ji as well as Ryan a very blessed birthday, filled with happiness.