Hic-hic cups

Kajal Babani (r) distributes jelly lozenges
from a recent trip to Mahabaleshwar 

What good is warmth if you have not experienced cold? After all, it takes darkness to appreciate light. And it takes a few setbacks to celebrate the success of a picnic – the one to Golden Valley Resort next Monday included.
So all is not hunky-dory, as indicated in yesterday’s post. The bus, it turns out, must necessarily be non-air conditioned. Siba Prasad Maitra personally checked with the transporter and was told that it would cost us double for an AC bus.
“Unless we are prepared to pay twice the amount, we shall have to settle for a non-AC bus,” Maitra announced this morning.

Get well soon, Yusuf Rassiwala

“But that should not be a problem, in my opinion. The weather is quite pleasant and windy… We will have a comfortable trip.”
The news has come as a setback for those counting on travelling in dust-free, air-conditioned comfort. But a bigger issue faces us. Many who sounded enthusiastic

Nahid Khan (r) regales with some jokes
and riddles 

initially and had promised to join the picnic are slowly backing out.
One lady who promised to bring along two friends now wants to wait and watch before deciding. The biggest let-down though is from Mohammad Gulzar, who had committed to bringing six relatives on the picnic. Today he excused himself on the plea that he is expecting guests at home.
Even Yusuf Rassiwala’s joining looks uncertain. He is down with viral fever and feels terribly weak. Effectively, Shekhawat could get only one booking today, over the 13 who had paid up till yesterday morning.
On the brighter side, there are some untapped areas which have escaped Shekhawat’s attention. For instance, there is the yoga group in the Garden which has been in the dark till today morning. A casual mention of the picnic elicited two instant confirmations. Many more are expected in the next few days. So rustling up another half-dozen 'passengers', if not more, should not be a problem.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Hope the picnic is not jinxed. I would expect that a full complement will make use of the opportunity and everyone would enjoy the outing.