‘Just Like That’

Arora gives Hem Chand Jain (r) a tiny bite

People celebrate for a reason. And in the Club, every celebration is invariably preceded by an announcement – more so, when there’s good food to be expected. The idea, as we understand, is to enable everyone to make space in their tummy in advance – if not to starve themselves to death before landing in the Garden.
Hem Chand Jain obviously does not believe in any of this. At age 88, this former member of Big Laaf is entitled to make his own rules and celebrate as and when he pleases, with or without reason.
In the first place, he showed up out of the blue after what should seem like more than a year.

Guests in waiting... as the plates are laid out

And he marked his arrival with a sumptuous breakfast spread – home-made bread-pakora, kachori, potato chips, a couple of juicy sweets and so on.
Bijoy Gupta, for one, just could not believe his eyes. He plonked himself cross-legged, like a greedy little boy,

Bijoy Gupta feasts his eyes

right in front of the plates, hoping to make away with the lion’s share. For all his effort, he could just about claim an extra plate for his absentee wife.
“I wanted to give a treat just like that,” Jain quipped, making light of the situation -- much as everyone feverishly speculated on whether it was a marriage in the family, an engagement, or the birth or a grandchild or great-grandchild that he was celebrating. “Okay, if you must insist, I got married last week!” he announced. But that was hardly convincing and we all settled for dancing and singing in chorus, “Happy Birthday to you” – knowing well that his birthday is some time in August.
Significantly, Jain could have none of the goodies because he is on a restricted diet. His kidneys have long given way and he has to necessarily undergo dialysis thrice a week -- even as he leads a pretty hectic life shuttling regularly between Delhi and Mumbai on business. Still, he nibbled a bit of the sweet Srichand Arora force-fed him with and excused himself graciously. It was verily Hem Chand Jain’s day today.
Bihari Milwani:
Why no announcement was made in advance? Many more laughing mouths would have joined.
Geeta Latte:
Good memories!!!