House Divided

A minor drizzle in the morning became the cause of a major dispute that threatened to split the Club through the middle. On the one hand were ladies like Renu Babani, Bhaswati Bose and Nazma Sayed who insisted on having the exercises in the Chinese Hut – lest it rained later.
On the other hand were people like Pratap Bhatt, Bose Babu and Khatoon Baig, equally adamant that the exercises be held in the open, now that the skies had cleared. According to them, it made no sense being constrained for space in the confines of the Chinese Hut and be deprived of the fresh air and sunshine outside.
In turn, the ladies argued that even if it did not rain, their clothes could get soiled in the slush and puddles outside. With both parties digging in their heels, the issue reached a flashpoint while Tara Chand Seth pleaded for the ladies, “Kabhi toh inki baat sun liya karo!” It took Kishor Babani to eventually break the deadlock as he walked out of the Chinese Hut and the rest followed suit.
Renu went home in a huff. Bhaswati and Nazma decided to stay put in protest, thereby sparking speculation on the fate that awaited Kishor and Bose at their homes. “There will be no food for them today,” announced Bapu Rane. “They will be beaten up badly,” opined Yusuf Rassiwala (left pic) and went on to pacify Bhaswati (when she joined the exercises later) by suggesting that she use a “big danda” for Bose. “I will blast him with a toap (cannon),” she promised. “Then use Kishor as the cannon ball,” was Yusuf’s sage advice.
Watching the fun was Hari Naraiyani (right pic), who showed up today for the first time after his hospitalization last month. He looked much better than what we saw of him last on his birthday (post of August 9). Barring a minor skin irritation – a reaction to the medicines he had been taking – he claimed to be fine and fit as a fiddle. Welcome back, Hari-bhai!
Renu Babani:
Rain or shine, the show must go on. And rest assured, I didn't leave upset. My back pain was the trigger and so I decided to head home.
Harish Wadhwa:
Kishor-da and Bose Babu, always listen to the wise counsel of Tara Chand-ji. You may have won the battle of exercising out in the open, but you have a war to fight at home. The former was a better and cheaper option -- cheaper because both of you might have to buy your wives some gold/ diamond stuff to cool them down. Hee hee... And Renu-ji and Bhaswati-ji, you need to teach these men a lesson by keeping them hungry for a day. (This, in Hindi, is called 'aaag mein ghee dalna!') Bhugto ab...
* Welcome back Hari-bhai. May you have a long and healthy life.