Unscheduled Treat

Banoo Apa treats us to a refreshing round of lassi after the exercises

The ladies gang up to tease Bijoy Gupta for his youthful looks

The turnout today was a joke. From a total of 22 on Saturday, the number dropped to less than half this morning, instantly setting several tongues wagging.
No names were mentioned, but amid all the snide remarks and knowing smiles it had become patently clear how membership in the Club had become a ‘meal ticket’ for many – particularly, the habitual last comer(s). For they are the ones least interested in the exercises.
“I know of many who carry a birthday list with them,” explained Banoo Apa, as she poured us an ‘unscheduled treat’ of chilled lassi from home this morning.
Luckily for us, we could have more than one refill because of fewer people today. And as always, there was more than enough to go around. “What should I do taking any leftover home?” she said, as she poured out the last drop among us.
More than it being unscheduled, the treat came as a pleasant surprise to us. And the credit, if any, should go to Bijoy Gupta.
For once, he showed up in the Garden without a cap, displaying a full head of hair, much to the astonishment of the ladies. They all crowded around him fawning over the manner he could maintain a rich crop without a single strand of grey.
“You have kept yourself exceptionally fit and youthful,” Banoo Apa complimented him. “Your wife ought to be mighty impressed by your looks!”
As is his wont, Gupta started complaining that she, like all wives, never had a kind word for him and for the most part sits on his “head and shoulders” dictating terms day and night.
Before he could go any further, Banoo Apa cut him short and consoled him with an invitation to the Gate for a round of lassi. We became beneficiaries by default.

Karun Sharma:
Yes, Gupta-ji was at his handsome best. Fortunately for him there were more ladies than male admirers today.

Bihari Milwani:
Gupta-ji unwittingly gave us a very good hint: Allow your wife to sit on your head and you will look young and handsome with dark black hair!

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Dear sir(s) -- Wives are always sitting on the head. They exercise full control by virtue of being married to you. Let them continue to do so and you also, must enjoy life.