Ullu Party

Nahid Khan

After yesterday's 'penalty' fiasco, Nahid Khan pulled another fast one by announcing (during the exercises) that she would like to throw a lavish party next week, on Tuesday. Always in search of such opportunities, Srichand Arora immediately demanded that it should not be restricted to luddoos and pedas and phaphda-jalebi, but must include much more.
“Whatever you say,” Nahid replied coyly.
Many politely asked what the occasion was, because it cannot be her birthday. Others wondered aloud if it could be one of her children’s or grandchildren’s birthday. “That’s a secret,” Nahid smiled.
But the way she said it made Ved Prakash Grover smell a rat. He quietly observed her and kept exercising while the rest joked that maybe, Nahid had won a lottery or perhaps, landed a cargo of gold bars somewhere on Mumbai’s coastline…

Made fools before our time!

After all, she is not the ‘Don of the Club’ for nothing. There must have been some windfall somewhere.
Then the nickel dropped. “Tuesday is the first of April!” Grover declared, his right hand raised like an umpire declaring Srinivasan out.
Instantly, 18 mouths fell as we all looked at one another foolishly. Nahid had tricked us into being April fools even before April 1. “How was I to know that all of you can be made such big ullus so easily?” she said half apologetically.

Khatoon Baig

“Don’t worry, I shall throw a bigger party on Tuesday,” Santosh Tyagi quickly chipped in, apparently to present a face-saver. But who was to believe her? In fact, who would believe anybody now? Jagmohan Papneja also offered to host a party. And Srichand Arora. And Geeta Sardana. And Razia Khan… All of a sudden, it started raining parties -- all scheduled for Tuesday, April 1.
Among the many ‘generous’ offers, only one bore a ring of truth. Khatoon Baig went around frantically, tapping each person on the shoulder with the assurance that she “genuinely” wants to treat the Club on April 1. “What is the opposite of fool?” she asked quizzically. “I want to give a wise people’s party on April 1.” Time will tell how wise we are – after being bitten once.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Not every flower can represent love; but rose does. Not every tree can thirst; but cactus does. Not everyone can make April Fool on 29th of March; but Nahid-ji could...