Surprise, Surprise

Club is getting popular by the day

Ram Shankar Shukla did not expect Yusuf Rassiwala to show up for the third consecutive day. “You have come today also!” he said in a tone that made Yusuf visibly guilty, as though he had committed a grave error by coming to the Garden. “Am I not supposed to come?” he countered, only to realize that with a reputation of being a serial absentee, many would indeed be surprised to see him coming everyday for the exercises. “I shall be regular from now on, Inshallah,” he promised Shukla.
Yusuf was not the only one to pull off a surprise this morning. Mumtaz Jahan, who is just as unpredictable and prone to disappearing acts, turned up before-time. Chronic late-comers like Arun Patil and Harish Wadhwa were also there before-time,

Hari Singh Shekhawat

prompting Tara Chand to remark that the “sun had risen from a wrong direction” today. But the biggest surprise was to come from Bihari Milwani, (better known as 'Happy Sunday') who not only showed up at the dot of 7:00, but for the first time in years, stayed on till the end of the exercises. In effect, the Club wore a ‘new look’ with full attendance from start to finish.
The best news though, was to come from Hari Singh Shekhawat. Tired to presenting a sorry spectacle of himself (because of his recent heart surgery), he announced jubilantly that he was back to his daily drinking routine. “On May 9 the doctors instructed me to stay away from alcohol for three months,” he informed. “That period got over on August 8. I waited for three more days and started drinking openly from yesterday.”
“That means you were drinking stealthily earlier?” teased Yusuf. “Weren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
“What to do? There'd be fights at home when I got caught, but I couldn't help it. Without drinks I can't sleep… Now I don’t care. I have got full licence to drink!” Shekhawat said, chortling uncontrollably.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Never knew daru could make such a difference to living happily. His big smile says it all. Have a good time Shekhawat-ji, but with a little control.
* We were early today because our watches were not working (LOL)!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Yusuf Rassiwala's funda: If someone does not appreciate your presence, make him appreciate your absence.