Picnic Bug

Shekhawat compliments the ladies four outnumbering the men today

The picnic bug has started biting us again. For the past week or so, the Club has been abuzz with talk on setting out on another excursion – perhaps to Matheran. Even a one-day trip to some local resort would do since the weather is just perfect. It is neither chilly nor warm these days and the general mood is upbeat… just that Shekhawat, for once, will have nothing of it.
So when Bijoy Gupta raised this subject today, he flared up: “Are you out of you mind? It is not even 10 days since we returned from Bangalore-Ooty and you want a picnic now?”
“It’s been more than a month,” Gupta corrected him lamely.
“Yes, it was on that trip I had a heart attack,” Shekhawat hit back. “Here I am going mad chasing doctors and there’s a dangerous operation coming up for me this week.

Bijoy Gupta chides Shekhawat

And you are asking for a picnic now?”
Gupta had no clue what Shekhawat was talking about as he was away for more than a week. He returned today and was seeing Shekhawat carefree as ever, complimenting the ladies for outnumbering the men and as always, joking and fooling around.
Gupta didn’t even know that the Annual Function (scheduled for January 16) had been postponed indefinitely and at one point,

Shekhawat confers with Maitra

he sparred with Shekhawat on the Bade Miyan Deewaney number he was supposed to perform on the occasion. Shekhawat played on sportingly with a quirky one-liner, much to everybody’s amusement. Little could Gupta imagine that things were not as hunky dory as they seemed.
Later of course, he was updated by other members and when Shekhawat discussed his medical issues with Siba Prasad Maitra, he stood beside them, a look of quiet concern and admiration on his face.
In the end, Gupta made a telling remark: “This man is blessed. If I were to be in his shoes, I would have withdrawn into a shell long back. But look at him. He has the hands of Ooper Wallah on his head. Nothing bad can ever come on him!”