Old Age Blues

Shekhawat had gone missing on April 27, his birthday. So he missed out on his birthday calendar. Today, Banoo Apa performed the 'unfinished business' by presenting him his annual gift on behalf of Big Laaf.
Banoo Apa, very graciously, also treated us to home-made lassi after the exercises. She need not have. But out of sheer love and concern, she provided us the much-needed relief and refreshment in glassfuls to beat the sweltering heat.

Banoo Apa hands out refreshing lassi

Kajal celebrates daughter's birthday

Nothing could have been more god-sent.
If that were not enough, Kajal Babani ushered in her daughter's birthday, a day in advance. She had the most sinfully divine chocolate cubes to offer – something that would stay with us forever for its aftertaste. We have seen Neelam grow up and even as she is married now and settled abroad, this is wishing her Happy Birthday today itself!
Meanwhile, Shekhawat had a ball with his long-standing sparring partner, Ram Shankar Shukla. At 80 years, the latter took offence to being called an “old man”.

Shukla-Shekhawat chukling together

Poring over Shekhawat's birthday calendar

Shekhawat tried to reason that there is nothing to be ashamed about growing old and even sang a Rajasthani folk ditty, “Aayo budhapa ayo re!” for Shukla’s benefit. “I am not old,” the octogenarian insisted.
“Okay, do you remember the days when you could run turrr-turrr all around? Nowadays, you walk haltingly. Tukur-tukur. Tukur-tukur.”
Shekhawat felt the man was hurt. “Look at me,” he said. “Earlier I would be after beautiful women, woo them, took my chances. Nowadays, I just sit quietly on a bench looking at the trees, listen to birds chirping. What else can I do?”
“You may be old, I am not,” Shukla maintained.
Right then another Club elder came hobbling, cutting across the Garden. “Watch him,” Shekhawat said. “He will sit down on a bench, open his bag, take out a bottle, drink water, cork it back. When age catches up, we like to follow a routine.”
The elderly gent took his seat and as if on cue opened his bag, took out a bottle, drank water and corked it back. Shukla stared at him amazed and then his face brightened. “You are right!” he said, chuckling with Shekhawat.
We may be intent on celebrating Shekhawat’s 76th birthday, but he is by far the youngest at heart among us.
Kiran Prakash:
Whether by stealing, begging or demanding, I managed to get 3 divine chocolate cubes from Kajal Babani. I have never had the opportunity to meet Neelam, yet my best wishes and blessings are always with her. Neelam, I wish you a very happy birthday on May 4 and many happy returns of the day. Do meet us when you are in India next. God bless you.
And Banoo Apa, thank you very much for the cool, sweet refreshing lassi. Banoo Apa, apka dil bahut bada hai. Even without a reason you have treated us on many occasions.
Kajal Babani:
Thank you for your wishes. There is no begging or demanding. When chocolates are on the spot we all become kids. All in fun. Will convey your wishes to Neelam.
Dilip Babani:
Banoo Apa, the lassi was really very nice. God bless you. We were thirsty because of the hot weather. Thank you very much.
Kiran Prakash adds:
Kajal-ji, are you indirectly suggesting that it was stealing (since you have not mentioned it)? And please also keep in mind that on such occasions -- just like your marriage anniversary on May 11 -- when you come with such divine chocolate cubes, the kid in me gets too excited. Kindly account for that too. Many happy returns of the day well in advance!