Warming Up

Things are warming up at the Garden in more ways than one. All those on the Goa trip last week-end have started to surface, thus taking the attendance back to previous levels. Even Razia Khan, who was suffering from acute toothache, resumed exercising yesterday.
Only one person, Santosh Tyagi (right) is yet to rejoin and that has become a cause of serious concern. Enquiries reveal that she is down with pain and swelling of the legs. Apparently “too much walking on the sand” at Calangute Beach has put undue strain on her leg muscles and ligaments, resulting in the swelling. She assures us she is taking proper medication and bed rest, as advised by doctors.
At another level, there were murmurs of protest on having to wear the club cap every morning for the exercises. Already, many hotheads are showing up top(i)less as the weather gets warmer by the day. Today Shekhawat was about to announce that ladies would be exempt from wearing the topi, but upon Arora’s advice, left it to all members, regardless of gender, to decide for themselves.
In a way, Arora’s sudden leniency came as a surprise to many. For, he was the one who, not too long back, had exhorted everybody to wear their caps as an expression of pride (“izzat”) while exercising. Ramila Mistry had her cap on the ground (apparently, wearing it was giving her a headache) and was promptly pulled up for “allowing her izzat go to mud”! Visibly embarrassed, she quickly gathered her cap and planted it on Santosh’s head.
Santosh kept quiet. But just before leaving, she took off the cap and ceremoniously placed it on Ramila’s head: “Yeh le, teri izzat sambhaal!” Saying this, she walked away stoically, leaving all those within earshot to crack up in laughter. Such is the kind of cool, understated humour only Santosh Tyagi can pull off in style. We wish her a speedy recovery and early return to the Garden.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Abhi toh mein jawaan hoon..."
* "Such fun listening to one another... We should do this more often!"
Harish Wadhwa:
Santosh-ji seems to be "warming up" to scold or bash up someone. Itna gusssa kyon? Surely not because of the topi?