Going to War?

Shekhawat tries to convince Monthi Serrao

For ex-serviceman Hari Singh Shekhawat, every picnic from the Club is a mission akin to going to war. He is seized by the same passion and zeal as during his Indian Navy days -- to the extent he is now prepared to stake his life for the excursion to Lonavala this weekend. It is with this patriotic fervor (or delusions of grandeur, if you like) that he is mobilizing everyone to enlist for the one-day trip scheduled for August 9.
“But why August 9?” objected Monthi Serrao. “Landslides are happening all around because of the monsoon. Bodies are still buried in the landslide a few kilometers beyond Lonavala, in Pune…”
“Dekho Monthi-ji,” Shekhawat reasoned. “Nobody can say anything about death. When, where and how it strikes is not in our hands. If we are fated to die in Lonavala, you and I cannot prevent it.”
“But why go to Lonavala to die?” Monthi asked in all simplicity. “Isn’t it better to die in our own homes? I want to die in my house!” Santosh Tyagi, Geeta Sardana and others nodded grimly in agreement.
Shekhawat gave up. He has collected eight names so far while he requires 30 to fill a medium-sized bus. He is prepared to settle for half the number if only some friends would share his patriotic zeal. As of now though, nobody looks to be in any hurry to attain martyrdom in Lonavala.