Comedy of Error

MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Bijoy Gupta with Rishi

Never before has Bijoy Gupta been so zapped out of his wits the way we saw him today. Known to be a cool dude, he was done with his exercises and trying to get some shuteye on a Garden bench when Kiran Prakash, out of the blue, woke him from his reverie. Gupta raised his eyes drowsily and in a flash he was on his feet, as though struck by lightning.

Niloufer and Yusuf Rassiwala

Horrified, he blinked disbelievingly at a cute little baby clambering up Kiran Prakash’s chest.
Bent double, the otherwise supremely confident ‘Smart Alec’ of the Club peered intently at the child’s face, not knowing what to make of it. One thing was certain: He had seen this child before – or at least, someone resembling this one. And yet, he could not ask where this baby came from. The way it nuzzled and smiled cheerfully, Gupta could only conclude that Kiran Prakash held a proprietorial right over the child, presumably as its grand-pop.
But the trouble was that Gupta had a similar-looking baby at home – his U.K.-based son’s five-month-old boy, named Rishi.

Happy Birthday, Niloufer Rassiwala!

The son’s family is presently here on holiday and the baby, he had last seen was fast asleep with its mother at home. Confused as ever, Gupta was about to return to his reverie on the bench when he noticed his wife, Pushpa walking into the Garden. He added two and two and was on his feet in a trice to claim the baby. This had to be his Rishi!
Later, Kiran Prakash was to narrate that on his way to the Garden, he met Pushpa with the baby at the Gate. In order to pull a fast one on Gupta,

Many Happy Returns!

he carried the baby in his arms and instructed Pushpa to follow him after a while. He would have driven Gupta mad had it not been for Pushpa showing up a little too soon and effectively, letting the cat out of the bag!
Still, the most memorable moment for us shall be the way Gupta looked horror struck at the child on Kiran Prakash’s arms, not knowing it was Rishi. It was a sight to behold – something that was to be a recurring subject of much hilarity during Niloufer Rassiwala’s birthday bash that followed. Her husband, Yusuf Rassiwala had organized a feast fit for a king with Dilip Babani, as always, helping out at bringing in the stuff early morning. For once, there were nearly 15 items on the table – ranging from salties to sweets -- all laid out neatly in paper plates to be washed down by Banoo Apa’s tea.
But then, more than the variety (and quantity) of eats, the warmth and personal attention the Rassiwalas are known to display towards every guest was something we shall always cherish.

Feast fit for a king!

Dilip Babani:
Very nice party. Thanks Yusuf-bhai!
Bihari Milwani:
Thank God! Gupta-ji could at least recognise his wife. Otherwise one can't imagine what would have happened!!!