Picnic Preparations

Cross-tallying the collections

With one day to go, preparations for the picnic at Chhota Kashmir are in full swing. After the fiasco last week-end (ref post of December 6), nobody is taking chances this time. Monthi Serrao (treasurer) is ready with her ‘statement of accounts’ and Jagmohan Papneja (secretary) has firmed up the 'agenda' for the meeting which is to be held concurrently in the picnic venue. Shekhawat, on his part, has collected Rs300 per head as ‘lunch money’ and in effect, ensured no dropouts this time around.
According to plans, everyone would land at Chhota Kashmir on his/ her own, whether by public transport or personal conveyance.

Papneja finalises meeting papers

Srichand Arora, Arun Patil and Harish Wadhwa would be taking out their cars and so a part of the group could pile into them. The rest will have to fend for themselves – most likely in autorickshaws. Since the distance is barely a 45-minute drive, the travel is not much of an issue.
What has become an issue though is how to contain Mallika Kagzi who is determined to lug along a huge picnic basket in spite of strong opposition from all quarters. Apart from its weight, her generosity is making us feel obliged and indebted.

Santosh Tyagi accuses a disbelieving Mallika

But she insists that feeding us home-cooked food makes her feel happy. She even discussed the menu with all and when Arora dissuaded her by saying he doesn’t eat mutton outside, she promised to cook chicken additionally, especially for him. Now how can anyone reason with such a selfless soul?
Minutes earlier, Mallika got her best gal pal Santosh Tyagi almost hospitalized by her jokes. They were seen merrily chatting and laughing while the exercises were on when suddenly, Santosh could not hold her laughter any longer and doubled up. Clutching her tummy, she stumbled out of the circle and sat on a bench, her face creased in pain. Mallika continued to exercise straight-faced, as though she wasn’t responsible. There Santosh was writhing in agony, face ashen and breathless. Ruksana Khan and Sunita Jajodia pronounced that it must be a muscle pull because Santosh had been laughing uncontrollably. The men watched helplessly from a distance, fearing they might have to call an ambulance. Luckily Santosh did not have to recline on the bench. But this was a lesson for Mallika: never again to make anyone laugh so much!