Dampening Spirits

Happy Birthday, Pushpa Gupta

For the first time, people in the Club needed to be persuaded to go to a ritzy restaurant for a fabulous breakfast bash early morning. Incessant rains over the past two days had dampened our spirits, prompting many of us to turn down Pushpa Gupta’s invite to a lavish treat on her birthday.
Her proposal initially was to go to High Point, our usual haunt, at least

Ladies try in vain to persuade the men to join them

on three occasions in the recent past. But after a spate of suspected food poisoning cases the last time around, some members developed cold feet. A few alternatives were suggested, including Tiwari’s, at Juhu. All those joints sounded “too far”, given the inclement weather since early morning. Ultimately, the choice zeroed in on Sreeji’s in Oshiwara, a relatively untested territory.
Earlier on, Shekhawat, in a bizarre display of quirkiness, called Pushpa at home on the pretext of having to present her the birthday calendar. “I hope you remember today is your birthday,” he hollered into his cell phone. “We are anxiously waiting for you in the China Hut. And don’t forget to get (hubby) Gupta-ji also.”
Pushpa turned up in time for our fourth celebratory laugh, followed by a chorus of the birthday song. Yusuf Rassiwala presented her the birthday calendar on behalf of the Club. And she distributed choco-wafers to all present.

Choco-wafers for everyone

Yusuf  R presents birthday calendar

The reluctance of some members on going out for an extended celebration was more of a cautionary measure. Apart from the fear of the skies opening up any moment, there were health concerns as well. Yusuf R complained of a relapse in his throat infection. Gupta himself was feeling “weak and out of sorts” since yesterday. Shekhawat walked away saying that he needed to go home to take his morning dose of medicines.
In the end, it was a predominantly all-women’s group that trooped out for the big birthday bash at Sreeji’s.

Waiting to be served: Pushpa's breakfast treat at Sreeji's on her birthday today

Bihari Milwani:
This sounds more like kitties' party, than a birthday party.