High and Dry

Happy birthday, Razia

Happy birthday, Geeta

Rarely do we have two birthdays overlapping in a year. But then, Ramzaan is on and there was no question that Razia Khan would break her roza and visit us in the Garden to celebrate.
That left Geeta Sardhana. Early morning she had come, all decked up with sandalpaste markings on her forehead, just as we were warming up for the exercises. She left within a minute, telling us she would be back by the time we were through. An urgent puja had to be performed at the ISKCON temple in Juhu and that nobody must leave till she returned. Obviously, her god could not wait.
As usual, we were done with the exercises at 7:45 a.m. and raised two extra laughs – one for Razia and the other for Geeta. And then we hung around.

INDEFINITE WAIT: Reception party at the Garden Gate

The Babanis and Harbans Kaur had dropped in, especially to wish Geeta. They too hung on with us. No sign of Geeta. There was no way she could be contacted (her mobile was 'off range') leaving many of us to wonder whether we had heard right and were we really supposed to wait.
When it was well past eight, Ramila Mistry suddenly darted out of the Garden Gate announcing that her daughter had a flight to catch. Before long Shekhawat and then Tara Chand and Ram Shankar Shukla left. Srichand Arora had left earlier as he was not feeling too well. Then Jagmohan Papneja left.
Clearly patience was running out. Soon the yoga session got over and starting with Ved Prakash Grover, one by one everybody trooped out, looking dejected and disappointed. The exodus had begun. And still there was no sign of Geeta Sardhana. The birthday girl had successfully vanished – leaving us all high and dry.
Srichand Arora:
Kiran joins me in wishing Mrs Geeta Sardhana and Mrs Razia Khan a very Happy Birthday!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them. But you know where they are. Happy Birthday Mrs Geeta Sardhana and Mrs Razia Khan.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Happy Birthday, Razia-ji and Geeta-ji. Enjoy your nice birthdays nicely.
* Teja Singh-ji, assi rukiye ya turr jaiye. Mithai di koi kushboo nahin andi payeee.