‘Alibaba & 40…’

Kerala Trip: Arun Patil wants to hire a bus

Nafisa Sayyad is unsparing towards Arora (in shorts)

With exactly 20 days to go, Bijoy Gupta and his wife today formally cancelled their reservations for the Kerala trip next month. Razia Khan had opted out earlier citing domestic compulsions. And her good friend and neighbor, Nafisa Sayyad declared that she cannot go without Razia. In effect, she too has withdrawn from the tour.
This leaves Shekhawat with his 40-member band of merry men and women headed for 'Gods own country’ on February 10. Funnily, by rustling up this distinctive number, Shekhawat has willy-nilly earned himself a new name -- Alibaba. The rest of course, is left unsaid – though many insist on teasing him and the group in half-sentences: “Alibaba and his 40…”
Not that it matters really. But Santosh Tyagi seems to have taken this too close to heart and in a bid to save the troupe from any further ignominy, has offered to join them and thereby, raise Shekhawat’s score to 41. Even a Tatkal railway reservation will do for her.
And then, there’s Tara Chand Seth (expected the day after) also who is supposed to be "interested" in going to Kerala. Besides, there is a likelihood of Shekhawat’s relative(s) from Jaipur joining the group directly at Kochi. So chances are Shekhawat will not have to live with the Alibaba appellation for too long and all the leg-pulling associated with it will subside eventually.
Meanwhile, Arun Patil has come up with the proposal of hiring a bus to ferry group members to LTT Terminus on February 10 so that everyone can board the Netravati Express on time. He says that the station is located at the back of beyond and many would have a hard time reaching there. But hiring a bus would mean everyone shall have to pool in additional money – something both Shekhawat and Arora are reluctant about. Arun insists on taking a common consensus and organize things by himself.
Amid all these serious discussions on Kerala, Nafisa provided some comic relief by picking on Arora again (see post of January 18). Clapping ecstatically, she observed that Arora had come wearing his shorts and cap. And for added effect, she pointed out: “He has covered his top but left his trousers behind”!
Now, how was Arora supposed to respond to this? Guess.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Santosh-ji's decision to join the tour, though late, is a welcome step. So is the case of Tara Chand Seth. A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving.
Harish Wadhwa:
It appears 'blue' is favorite colour for many in this group.