Lost and Found

GALA CELEBRATION THIS MORNING UPON BIG LAAF NOTCHING 1,500-PLUS POSTS 

Arun Patil finally found the music box he lost yesterday (ref post). It was flicked by a lady gang of four, the ‘queenpin’ being none other than Santosh Tyagi.

'Gang of Four' flanked by their bodyguards (in dark glasses) 

The members of Alibaba’s new age descendants were Bhaswati Bose, Monthi Serrao and a very unlikely Kajal Babani. Together they had hatched a conspiracy of sending Arun on a wild goose chase, only that the cat was out of the bag before the plans could be put to action.
But first things first: Today was the day of celebrating 1,500 blog posts (ref December 18 post) and the Club hosted a gala treat for all members after the exercises.

Happy Wedding Anniversary, Shiela!

It was also the 38th wedding anniversary of our new member-in-waiting, Shiela Mirani. She had brought biscuit packets and together with the dhoklas, samosas, kaju-katli and hot tea on the house, breakfast was well taken care of. Pity Kiran Prakash had to excuse himself, although he was witness to the zany drama that unfolded upon Arun recovering his lost music system.
Jagmohan Papneja was contemplating putting up a ‘missing notice’ on the Notice Board of the garden and even upbraided the watchman for dereliction of duty when Santosh owned up to being the culprit.

At the auction, Arun pleads fervently for his music box

But the box was still in the custody of her accomplice, Bhaswati who hadn’t turned up yet. The odd part was Santosh kept triumphantly punching the air for successfully pulling off the ‘heist’ while everyone else looked blank in the face. Arun was away with Srichand Arora, organizing the eats and tea.
When Bhaswati turned up, she became equally confused whether to let out their secret. It seems yesterday, Santosh was the one to pick up the music box after Arun had carelessly left it behind and together with Bhaswati, Monthi and Kajal, the ladies entered into a pact of silence just to harass Arun.
Now that Santosh had spilled the beans, Bhaswati did the next best thing to harass Arun. (He was there by then.) She announced an auction of the box, starting with a reserve price of Rs5. As the bids kept mounting (Kiran Prakash even staked his wristwatch) Arun stood watching helplessly, pleading “De-de, please de-de” till finally, Razia Khan bagged the box with the highest bid of Rs21! In a flash Arun snatched the box and returned home, a happy man.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Mr Arun Patil lost his music box due to his own carelessness. The security and safe custody of all valuables including mobile, money, camera, etc. is the sole responsibility of members themselves. To say that the music box was "flicked by a gang of four ladies" is doing injustice to them. In fact, it was because of alertness of these pious four ladies that the loss could be avoided. We should express appreciation for the extra care taken by them to keep the music box in safe custody. They let off Arun cheaply and made him smile. The four ladies deserve a special pat on their backs.
Today was the celebration day of Big Laaf and of course, a Big Day for Mr Arun Patil as well.
Kiran Prakash:
The cool and relaxed demeanor of Arun Patil before the exercises began was indicative of his awareness about the safe custody of his BABY... Guess work.
Bhaswati Bose:
Only Jagmohan-ji has understood how pious we ladies are. Mr Arun Patil should give us a treat for returning his 'baaja' in one piece.
Kiran Prakash:
Are you listening (reading) Mr Arun Patil?
Jagmohan Papneja:
Bhaswati-ji will not be able to get any treat from Mr Arun Patil as she did not strike while the iron was hot. But no harm in trying. All the best.