Spoilsports

Within the safe confines of the China Hut

The China Hut has traditionally served as a safe refuge whenever rains catch us off-guard. Be it a sudden cloud burst or a protracted wet spell, we have always sought its sanctuary in order to keep the exercises going. Nobody likes it. But then, we have no choice.
Today, for the first time, we were forced into the China Hut by hordes of flying insects (ref post of August 29) playing spoilsport. In the past few days, their numbers have multiplied manifold, driving everybody crazy and literally chasing us out of our regular stomping ground.
Yesterday we had decided

Arun Patil

that should this menace continue, we will perforce have to retreat into the China Hut during the exercises. Every one of us was smarting with raw sores from insect bites. An eternally optimistic Yusuf Rassiwala comforted us with the assurance that the insects would automatically be blown away once there’s some breeze in the Garden. But we saw no such hope this morning.
So before the exercises were to start, we agreed to shift location and trooped into the China Hut. Arun Patil however, put his foot down. According to him, exercising in the confines of a closed space is grossly unhealthy, claustrophobic and counter-productive. “If you all still insist, I am going back home,” he threatened.
Much to our surprise, this is exactly what he did. Since nobody was willing to bear the onslaught of flying insects yet again, Arun found himself isolated. He kick-started his scooter and was gone.

Bihari Milwani:
Arun Patil went to meet the Leader of Mosquitoes and challenge him: "None of your Indian mosquitoes can do anything to BIG LAAF as we are all in the CHINA Hut".