Irony of Life

Rousing laughter rings through the Garden

Srichand Arora did not come yesterday and probably expected to be pulled up this morning. He even volunteered to conduct the exercises. And of all the people, Nahid Khan gave him a rare compliment. “Good boy,” she said in English.
Not one to believe his own ears, Arora heard that as ‘Foot Ball’ and thought Nahid had taken a dig at him because of his girth. He pleaded that she could call him anything, “but please don’t call me a football”.
“I said Good Boy,” Nahid assured him. “Not ‘Good Boy’, but ‘Good Buddhaa’,” Ram Shankar Shukla butted in.
This time Arora heard right. Not that he was pleased, but he knew Shukla was capable of dropping a bombshell when least expected to. Some time back, he pulled up Arora for not wearing his “head ki topi” – as though a cap can be worn elsewhere. Such is his style and the only person who can square up to him is Shekhawat.

Mrs M. Shekhawat

Shekhawat in mourning

But Shekhawat did not come today. We were told that he’s been struck by a “double tragedy” as his younger brother passed away in his village yesterday. He is the same person who lost his wife (see posts of April 7 and March 24) last month and he too has succumbed to heart failure.
Shekhawat is understandably devastated. According to Nahid, he broke down and wept like a child when she met him last evening. He has to attend the last rites now but the very prospect of him making another trip to his village in peak summer has become a major cause for worry. Shekhawat is a heart patient and his wife will not allow him to go alone. Her health too is in a delicate state as she suffers from extreme weakness and spells of dizziness. But go they have to.
In was under this cloud of gloom that we tried to cheer one another – Nahid even narrating a joke that sent a rousing guffaw across the Garden. Such is life.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Shekhawat-ji, I am sorry to hear of the sudden demise of your brother (who earlier lost his wife). It must be a big shock for you. May God give you and your family the strength to overcome the situation.
Srichand Arora:
Shekahwat-ji, iss dukh ki ghadi mein hum sub aapke saath hain. Aur in case you need anyone from our group to join you to your home town (since you are both not 100% fit) please do not hesitate to tell me.