Catching Up

Kiran Prakash (r) is witness to the ongoing banter of
Bijoy Gupta and Shekhawat

Shekhawat thought he could legitimately escape the obligation of hosting a birthday bash this year. He was ‘in transit’ that day (Saturday, April 27) and no sooner he set foot in the Garden on April 29 (Monday) than he started distributing barfis and pedas sourced from a reputed confectioner near his village in Rajasthan.
We took this as a matter of routine – the way we treat friends on returning from an outstation trip. But Shekhawat had other ideas.

Naseem Khan (l) and Geeta Latte
check Shekhawat's calendar

He wanted to pass this off as his birthday treat – literally killing two birds with one stone. When Nahid Khan sternly reminded him that his birthday treat was still pending, did Shekhawat realise that those pedas and barfis would not suffice. He would have to pay a far heavier price for being born “more than 80 years ago”. He discreetly asked for his birthday calendar, hoping to make good his escape from having to host a lavish birthday treat.
But with Bijoy Gupta around, can there be any escape? The two bosom pals were meeting today for the first time since Shekhawat’s return from Rajasthan (Gupta was hitherto down with viral fever) and there was obviously much catching up to do. And both being complete compendiums of mischief, things did not stop with only the birthday treat.
Gupta was particularly concerned about Shekhawat’s health “after a hail storm spreading an incurable viral epidemic hit Rajasthan”. He wanted to know if it were true that only human males had been affected? Shekhawat’s reply can well be imagined!
After a long time we got to see the two friends engage in light-hearted banter, bearing no malice towards anyone. This is something extraordinary the very lucky are able to celebrate. Significantly, their birthdays set them apart by three days only. We wish them yet again a long life, good health and abundant happiness.

Bihari Milwani:
Shekhawat-ji is well advised to give his birthday party immediately i.e. before the Ramazan month starts. Otherwise his favourite saalis will not be able to take part in the celebrations.