Playing the Fool

Arun Patil astride his 'chariot'

In a delayed celebration of All Fool’s Day, Karuna Waghmare today let us into her quirky side. She was supposed to remain silent and like all others, concentrate on the exercises. But no, remaining silent is anathema to Karuna.
Suddenly, in the middle of the laughter round, she drew everybody’s attention to an imaginary dog charging at us in the exercise circle. “Look, there’s a dog coming straight at us!” she screamed.

Karuna Waghmare

Out of obvious panic, many instantly forgot what they were doing, only to realize she had made an ullu of them!
That was not all. While on the tai-chi round, Karuna again brought the exercise to an abrupt halt by sounding another alarm: “Look, Yusuf-bhai is feeling giddy… He’ll topple over any moment… Quick, somebody hold him!”
Finding Yusuf Rassiwala standing upright in his position, hands folded and eyes blinking with amusement, everybody heaved a sigh of relief. But it was enough to turn Karuna ecstatic. “See, how I made April Fools of you,” she said, clapping her pudgy hands like a child.
Banoo Apa was to however, turn the tables on her.

Dilip Babani (r) congratulates Arun

For, soon after the exercises, Karuna went up to her and inquired with mock concern: “Is your husband alright?”
“Why do you ask?” Banoo Apa gave her a suspicious look.
“No, I saw him this morning… He was walking very slowly,” Karuna lied.
“Today is April 2, Karuna-ji,” Banoo Apa reminded her. "It is no longer 1st April."
But the real celebration of the morning was over Arun Patil’s latest acquisition: a brand new scooter refitted with two extra rear wheels, tailor-made for him. It has taken him nearly three months to get the papers in order and secure delivery of the vehicle – that too, after paying its full price in advance. An RTO agent he was depending upon had made things difficult for him.
Happily, Arun has put it all behind him. He is overjoyed that he has finally got the particular make of scooter he wanted and would no longer be dependent on friends and auto-rickshaw drivers to take him around. “I am now my own master,” he said, distributing laddoos after the exercises.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Karuna Waghmare outwitted the club members twice by playing smart. Good effort. The third time she could not succeed. Never mind. It is all in lighter vein, only to make everyone happy. Keep smiling and be happy.

Karun Sharma:
This is the best thing that should happen to Arun. When Karuna shouted about Yusuf-bhai, I was exercising with my eyes closed. I was not prepared and she succeeded in making a fool of me. But then, I do not regret. I shall always be there for every club member regardless of the number of times I am considered a fool.