Crying Wolf

Yesterday’s build-up over the first batch of the Kashmir group landing in the Garden (see post) proved to be a false alarm. Nobody showed up. Turned out that all 19 of them were still at Srinagar and would be taking an Indigo flight only in the afternoon today.
Likewise, the second batch would be boarding the Swaraj Express at 11:15 a.m. and should be in Bombay tomorrow by around 6:00 p.m. These 14 members had already checked out of their Srinagar hotel yesterday and have reached Jammu by bus.
Speaking from Jammu on phone, Yusuf Rassiwala informed that the trip had “gone off very well and everybody enjoyed”. Barring a visit to Pahalgham (which was washed out due to intermittent rain), everything had been on schedule. The weather was great and everyone in the group was fit and fine, he added.
Nevertheless, yesterday’s 'Hitler phobia' continued to traumatize some of our members who could not get their eyes off the Garden gate, lest he should turn up by chance. Bapu Rane (right pic) even started hallucinating as he pointed at an innocent-looking stout old man in spectacles and orange T-shirt on the walking track. “Woh aa gayaa,” he announced seriously.
Kishor Babani sensed the paranoia around and tried to lighten the atmosphere by assuring everyone that there was nothing to be afraid of. “I am not scared of him, even as I know that he has planted his spies among us!” Kishor declared. When that did not work, he revived his jokes’ narration (main pic), if that should put some people at ease.
Earlier on, we raised a special laugh for Monthi Serrao (left pic) on her birthday today. We know that a grand celebration awaits her at home when she returns from her Kashmir odyssey in the evening. On our part though, we wish her many happy returns of the day – a long, healthy life, good cheer and many smiles, as always.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
"Aaaah, an extra day of freedom... Today is my turn to speak. Let me enjoy the moment!"