In Distress

Arati Bhatt (in pink) picks up a peda from Shekhawat

Shekhawat today returned from Rajasthan with a box of sweets, but did not look too happy. All through the exercises he remained seated on a bench, as though sulking. At times he appeared to doze off. Even the surprise visit of Arati Bhatt, a much adored former member with her friend, failed to cheer him up. Siba Prasad Maitra greeted him with a beautiful jasmine-‘n’-marigold garland. But still he sat aloof, grimacing in pain.
“He must have done something terribly wrong in Rajasthan and now he is regretting,” surmised Bijoy Gupta, Shekhawat’s bum chum in the Garden.

Maitra checks the rashes on Shekhawat's back

“Or else why should he look so sad? The only other explanation for his misery is that he had gone to a wrong place.”
Jokes apart, Shekhawat was in distress. He had specifically called Maitra from home to help him out on the rash that was fast spreading on his back. He believed he had contracted it from an insect bite back in his village.

Fahmida Khan (r) tries to cheer Shekhawat up

Last evening he saw a doctor and had picked up some tablets and ointment. But obviously he trusts Maitra more than any doctor.
One look at the dark granular formations on Shekhawat’s back and Maitra began to doubt if any insect could be its cause. That the rash was excruciatingly painful (rather than itchy) and spreading fast made him wonder if this was not a viral infection. It called for specialist care, Maitra opined, and in any case would entail complete rest for a fortnight at least.
Shekhawat tried to argue that the rash was not very serious as it was "a common occurrence in the village with four out of five people having got it at some stage in life”. They even have a name for it, he said. Maitra heard him through and explained that it still did not prove that some insect could be the cause or for that matter, it wasn’t a viral infection.
Sensing the gravity of the situation Gupta wisely kept his counsel and did not open his mouth.

Karun Sharma:
*Shekhawat-ji's health has become quite unstable. He must find out what works best for him and do only that much. Even visits to his village could be exerting and affecting his health. It was so thoughtful of Siba Maitra to garland Shekhawat-ji. The garland finally traveled to Fehmida.
* I was seeing Arati Bhatt for the first time. Truly, she is adorable and must visit us more often.