Capless Fiasco

Arun Patil (file photo)

All our plans about exercising today without caps fell apart. Clearly, the women cannot do without hiding their un-dyed hair under the cap. Likewise, the men have also learned how easy it is to look young by sporting the blue cap.

Banoo Apa celebrates Arun's absence today with pedas

And thus, everyone came to the Garden with their caps on – barring Shekhawat, Santosh Tyagi, Nahid Khan and a few others.
The ‘capless caper’ was hatched at Shekhawat’s house party last evening when Arun Patil called to inform that he would not be able to attend the exercises today.

Kanta Sharma returns from
Delhi with special sweets

This came as a huge relief for all those who resent Arun’s authoritarian bullying and insistence that we adhere to Club discipline. He is always the one to pull up members for not wearing their caps – even sending repeat offenders away till they either find their cap or purchase a new one from him.
So his absence today was supposed to be a cause for celebration. And what better way to register our newfound ‘freedom’ than showing up without the caps?

Shekhawat's daughter and wife perform at his party last evening

Or so, was it decided at Shekhawat’s place yesterday. In fact, Banoo Apa was so happy on hearing Arun Patil taking the morning off that she announced right away she would treat the Club to sweets in the morning. She kept her word. She distributed pedas to celebrate Arun’s absence.
But things did not pan out the way many would have liked. Call it convenience or force of habit, almost everyone showed up with their caps neatly perched on their heads. Ironically, even Banoo Apa had her cap on. Worse still, Mallika Kagzi assumed Arun’s role and began upbraiding the oddballs who were without their caps. “You cannot do this,” she threatened. “Wearing the cap is compulsory. This is Club rule.” Seeing this unusual change of stance, Rukhsana Khan could not help remarking: “Mallika has become the Arun Patil today.” It wasn’t funny at all.

Shekhawat (seated foreground) presides over a memorable 'house party' yesterday

Bihari Milwani:
What Arun conveyed was that we should not wear cap at the party. But while doing exercises, we must wear a cap.
Dilip Babani:
Shekhawat-ji gave very nice party at home -- wine, rum and champagne were very good. All enjoyed. We had nice dances and songs. Thank you Shekhawat-ji for the party. One thing about our Club's Baba-ji: He did not dance. We want to see the dance of our beloved Baba-ji .