Prodigals Resurface

Mawa barfis from Mumtaz Jahan

Mumtaz Jahan surfaced today after six months. She was apparently away shuttling between Delhi and Srinagar in connection with solemnising her daughter’s wedding. She said she returned to Mumbai last evening. And first thing this morning, she arrived at the Garden to break the good news with a boxful of barfis.
Apart from Mumtaz, there was Yusuf Rassiwala also making a reappearance of sorts – though it was more about paying Shekhawat an advance to confirm his booking for the Kerala trip next month. Sitaram Hivarkar and Ram Shankar Shukla also returned to the Garden after a period of absence. Jagmohan Papneja was back from a short trip to Delhi. There was Bijoy Gupta as well, having recovered from a bout of viral fever and flu.
And therein hangs a tale.

Yusuf Rassiwala pays his advance

Ever since Bapu Rane’s demise, Shekhawat has been calling out (as was his habit earlier also) during the exercises, “Rane, ready?” or “Rane, wherever you are, sit down!” except that instead of Rane, he would now direct his call at Gupta, or Razia Khan, or Ramila Mistry.
Coincidentally, in the recent past, all three have been down-and-out for one reason or the other. Gupta was indisposed for more than a week. Razia is said to be preoccupied with some personal commitments and has stopped coming. Likewise, Ramila is unable to come these days because she is either travelling or not keeping well. Or so we are told.
However, so far as our members are concerned, the three have become victims of Shekhawat’s “black tongue” and have been rendered out of commission. Santosh Tyagi and Sunita Jajodia have said so in as many words and warned Shekhawat against making calls which bode ill omen.
But Shekhawat refuses to fall prey to such superstitious claptrap and steadfastly maintains that whatever is fated shall happen, regardless of who says what and when.
This morning he mischievously directed his call at Ruksana Khan, much to the lady’s infinite surprise and trepidation. She of course, tried to laugh it away but the look of concern was visible as it was on the faces of all others. Ruksana has now only to take a break for a couple of days and the others would immediately pounce upon Shekhawat. That's for certain!!!
Jagmohan Papneja:
* Welcome back, Mumtaz-ji. Good to hear about the wedding of your daughter. Greetings, blessings, love and affection to her.
* Superstitions are beliefs that lack scientific proof. They are merely assumptions based on personal opinions which become popular, even as they are not the result of real discoveries. So please Shekhawat-ji, continue to call out anybody's name and make the exercises lively!!!