Where Are They?

News comes in of Hari Narayani holidaying at Lonavala. This accounts for his absence from the Garden for the past few days. It seems he has swung some deal with a senior citizens’ group that allows him an extended trip to the nearby hill station for Rs 300 – all expenses included. Trust Hari-bhai not to avail of the opportunity!
At least his whereabouts are known. What about the others who have also been regulars for long, but are not to be seen these days? Many of them are regarded an inseparable part of the Club and the very reason for its existence – much like Shekhawat-ji and Arora-sah’b. Their presence carries that magical quality which automatically brings a smile to your lips. Unfortunately, we take such people for granted and it is only in their absence that we notice them.
Dilip Babani (lt pic)is one such. His natural sense of humour coupled with zany mannerisms can only be matched by the quick repartee of his equally lively wife, Kajal. Together, they make a terrific pair who can set the Garden on fire. Now that they are not coming, the exercise sessions have lost their spark and tend to drag into dull monotony, day after day.
We are also missing Santosh-ji and her inimitable deadpan one-liners. According to her, she has a collection of nearly 600 jokes, fully memorized, from which she’d religiously narrate one or two soon after the suryanamaskar prayers. Nowadays, the mornings seem incomplete without the daily dose of jokes.
There is Pratap Bhatt also, one of the oldest members of the Club. Last heard, he was in some obscure village in Gujarat, breaking bread with his three brothers. This is a ritual he has been indulging in every year and according to Motwani (who shares his maid servant), the gentleman was supposed to return on August 20. There’s no trace of him.
And what about Sunita-ji? She chased a cheeky young fellow plucking neem leaves out of the Garden and has herself disappeared since. Also missing for long is Harish Kumar Wadhwa (rt pic) and his million-watt smile. We are just as anxious to have Sharma-ji back in our midst, hoping he has got over his bereavement. We look forward to the return of all our Muslim brothers and sisters as well, soon after Eid.
Without these people around, half the fun of meeting in the morning is lost!
Renu Babani says:
I guess with the weather playing havoc, many people do not attend the morning sessions. Apart from that, the monsoon has brought about several illnesses and some of our members have been targeted. Hopefully once Ramadan is over and the weather settles down a bit, everyone will return in full swing. Yes, each member is unique in their own way, and that is what makes us so special. We are lucky to be in each other's company and should never forget that. May God bless all of us, always!
--Renu