Love-Hate Tiff

Shekhawat tries to broker peace

Swati Punjabi shares a hilarious love-hate relationship with Big Laaf. A regular to the Garden, she knows every one of us in person, but refuses to join the Club. She also knows who might resist her membership (should the occasion so arise) and yet, she is so much in love with everyone that she would like to treat us all to good home-cooked food any day, any time for no rhyme or reason (see post of September 28).
Matters reached a head this morning when Swati sought our “permission” for a treat of home-made halwa on the occasion of Dussehra this week-end. Out of politeness many refused, saying that we would not like to take advantage of her generosity, unless of course, she becomes a regular member.

Tara Chand Seth

She insisted that she makes excellent halwa and it would make her happy if we do not stand on formality and instead, get on to appreciating her culinary abilities. In other words, she was making us an offer we should not be refusing in our right minds.
To cut a long story short, Harbans Kaur intervened, demanding why she was being so generous. “We don’t accept parties from non-members,” she explained.

Planning Durga Puja evening with Maitra's invitation 

“Be a member first.”
“But I am already a member,” said Swati. “I am a sleeping member!”
“That is not enough,” Harbans Kaur decided.
One thing led to another, the altercation taking curious twists and turns with even Shekhawat pitching in to broker peace. “Become a member, Swati,” he urged. “What difference would it make?”
Finally the truth came out. “I will be a member, but I refuse to do the exercises,” Swati conceded. “I need my morning walk. And the moment Arora would spot me on the walking track, he will get after my life!”
Everybody burst out laughing. But Swati was not done: “Even when I am not a member, you people are after my life. Damn the Dussehra party. Here I want to treat you people to something nice and you all are punishing me by zabardasti making me member. I must be mad to be getting into this.”
For once, Swati had unwittingly hit the nail on the head.
Post Script: In all this madness, we did not realize that today was Tara Chand Seth’s last day in Mumbai. He leaves this evening for his annual sojourn in Delhi.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
Festivals are meant to be celebrated. Pin pricking should be left for some other time. Swati Punjabi is a regular visitor to the Garden and known to everyone. Arora-ji is well known for his leg-pulling. The above incident is a minor aberration and no one should mind it. Enjoy and do not cause any heartburn!