Homely Treat

Qadeer Bano presents Zarina with her birthday calendar to a round of applause 

What is served in a party is normally not discussed in polite company. But when the host happens to be Zarina Khan and it is her birthday treat and the stuff on the platter is both sumptuous and almost entirely home-cooked, the details deserve mention.
It was a welcome departure from the ready-made fare sourced from eateries we are regularly plied with – more so, after the overload of fries and sweets we had for Holi yesterday.
Zarina had to burn the midnight oil in order to have a lavish breakfast ready for us early morning – what with poha, pao loaf, potato chop, onion bhajiya, boiled gram, wafers, cold sandwich… together with sauce and chutney… not to forget hot tea to wash them all down.
By Big Laaf norms, this was a feast fit for a king. And all we could do in return was to sing the birthday song and raise a fourth laugh for Zarina. Her friend, Qadeer Bano stepped up for once to present her with a personalised birthday calendar on behalf of the Club.

Personal attention to guests at the birthday bash

Zarina's hands are badly scalded

Sadly, the celebration was marred by an accident towards the end. Zarina was pouring tea into paper cups from a flask when its stopper upturned, spilling the piping hot brew on to her hands. The only ‘first aid’ anybody could think of at that moment was to liberally apply toothpaste, obtained from a nearby shop open at that time. But the damage was already done. Zarina’s hands had been badly scalded.

Karun Sharma:
Zarina, you were too good as a host. Everything was so tasty and sumptuous. Rightly said, this was a king's feast. Yes, she got burnt but she was composed. I emptied my water bottle to cool the heat only externally. Take care, Zarina and I wish your hands become better very fast.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Happy Birthday, Zarina. May you enjoy good health and live a long life. It is nice to have home-made stuff on such occasions. It is wholesome and more sumptuous. Keep enjoying and be regular.