One More ...

ONE MORE …
By Mrs. Jyotsna Subhash Solanki

It was the break of dawn. The sun was rising. I saw huge flock of birds across the golden sky. They carved out a large black zig-zag curve. It showcased a message that we should be united like them. Birds don’t like to live alone. They are social and so is man.

Sociability is one of the factors that lead to unity. Being sociable makes you feel safer and better. It brings you close to the society. People are like books to be observed, read and accepted. They support you in good and bad times. A person by oneself is a lonely person. Sociability pulls you out of grief and sorrow. It makes you happy, healthy & wise.

Mr. Sonu is a good sociable man. He is gifted with skills to attract people. He believes laughter is a good medicine for health. His loud monstrous laughter draws his neighbours to him who jovially remark, “Please laugh softly, we get disturbed.”

In addition to his roaring laughter Sonu also sneezes loudly like a gorilla. The children surround him and say, “Uncle, sneeze quietly, we get scared.”

He also sleeps soundly. His thunderous snoring awakens the dogs in the vicinity and makes them bark furiously. However he is still considered to be a good sociable man, always surrounded by people.

Going by his nature he is very fond of throwing parties. It was his ‘50th Birthday’ that fell on a Sunday, truly a golden opportunity to invite everyone for lunch. He called his friends and chatted with them on phone, leaving the speaker phone on. The whole house echoed with the words from the speaker at the other end of phone. “O.K”, “Surely”, “Good”, “Very Good”. One of his friends, Chingi asked him loudly, “Can I bring one more person to your party?” He agreed.

On his birthday his wife, Jasu and his two children, Monu and Minni were delighted. They happily and dutifully decorated the house. The curtains, the cushions, the carpets, the upholsteries, the bed-sheets all reflected golden colour! The marigold flowers at the entrance added to the beauty. All the house members were also dressed in golden silk and satin clothes. Ah! Gold, gold everywhere!

The dining table was decorated with a variety of crockery. The long glasses, round glasses, oval shaped trays, square trays, blue flower vase with real flowers, yellow flower vase with artificial flowers, hand shaped ashtrays, rectangular ashtrays. All these were gifts Sonu had received in his previous birthdays and other celebrations.

Gradually visitors started pouring in. They were heartily greeted by Sonu & family. Guests were dressed up in western outfits, traditional Indian outfits, sarees and Punjabi suits. Women wore glittering jewellery. The rainbow colors of some dresses were really eye soothing. The entrance of the door was lined up with Reebok shoes, Nike shoes, Kolhapuri chappals and other expensive footwear, which were costlier than their clothes.

Sonu the ‘birthday boy’ believes in maxims like ‘eat today, diet from tomorrow’ and ‘don’t worry, be happy’. He opened the champagne bottle. People started clapping hands and wishing him “Happy Birthday!”

As the party progressed, the drinks flowed graciously. The guests praised the benefits of vodka, beer and whisky. It seemed most of his guests knew each other well. The photographers started clicking colourful memories. It was an enjoyable atmosphere. Everyone was in a very good mood. Some of his guests were:

Mr. Trigoon: A well know, hardworking and likeable mathematics professor. He personified that teachers should maintain a good public image and set an example to be followed by all.

Mr. Banku: A General Manager at State Bank of India playing an important role in the society in an important designation. He appreciated Sonu for bringing so many people together. He opined that birthday brings many people together. It means a dawn of a new year bringing with it new hopes and prosperity.

Mrs. Champee: A National champion in volley ball. Being a sportswoman she kept her family healthy.

Mr. Sigru: A well-mannered man who was addicted to smoking. He slipped in to the balcony to smoke to avoid discomforting others.

Mr. Fakir: A thin and lanky henpecked fellow who loved drinking. A sip made him terribly happy. He soon started uttering illegible words and giving people unrealistic hopes. Under such conditions a person becomes ‘fekuchand’ and people will avoid him.
Mr. Pahadi - A tall and fair Punjabi who lived to eat. He is dead against all dieting and slimming programs. He encourages weight gaining. He says, “It’s better to die on a full stomach then on an empty one.”

Mr. Chingu & Mrs. Chingi - A Gujarati couple who had inherited lots of money from their ancestors. They were a perfect match for each other. Their primary objective was to save their money.

Mrs. Aarti - A fine artist, had brought a decorated thali (plate) containing fifty decorated diyas (candles). The diyas were lighted up. An excellent art work it was! It lightened up everyone’s mood. An artist can reach everybody’s heart to excite, influence and impress everyone.

The party progressed. The house was full with the fragrance of flowers, perfumes, chocolates, whiskey, fresh lime-soda, cold drinks, etc. Although it was a small get-together, there was lots of enjoyment. Everyone was laughing, joking and cheering. The servants were running hither thither to serve the guests.

Mr. Pahadi smiled broadly proportional to his body and started talking with the plump couple Chingu & Chingi.

Pahadi: Gujaratis are stingy people. They are Muftanands and Muftanandis. (people who want everything free)

Chingi: Oh No!….Gujaratis are well to do people, they are doing good business in every part of the world. Gujarati Thali is very famous. I am also fond of eating. I attend all parties I am invited to. I will attend your celebration party also.

They were interrupted by the waiter with the plate of samosas.

Chingi: Yummy! One more plate please. Samosas are my weakness.

Chingu: In the good old days the SomnathTemple of Gujarat was famous for its richness.
Muslims invaded & looted it. Even today Gujaratis are famous for their richness. We are afraid to be looted so we take good care of our money.

Chingi: Pahadi I have heard you are a photographer with American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). You must be getting a good number of gifts from foreigners.

Pahadi: Many of them are repeated ones.

Chingi: My hobby is collecting gifts. You are always welcome to give them to me. Good I have met you.

Pahadi and Chingu were busy with their vivacious discussions. The waiter arrived with plates of batata-vadas, wafers, pista, vegetable spring rolls. Chingi guzzled everything happily asking for ‘one more please’ saying it was her weakness.

The invitees were deep in their discussions. Chingi in the mean time was busy talking to someone on Sonu’s phone, sometimes appreciating and sometimes criticizing the person at the other end. Sonu was receiving gifts and giving ‘thank you gifts’ in return. Most of the gifts he received came in envelopes that were sealed or crumpled. He also received flower bouquets and beautifully wrapped gifts.

The party moved to different location. The main course of the lunch was in a nearby sports club. People arrived at the club in their cars. This club had world class cuisines of all types to suit everybody’s taste. The club was built on what were previously lush green breezy grounds. The club’s membership was full of affluent people. Such clubs encourage sports and other activities. But it is also a roof under which all wealthy people come together to reveal the strength of their money by throwing parties, gambling and enjoying.

The club restaurant’s manager, staff and waiters warmly greeted us. The table was beautifully decorated with colourful cloth napkins folded in unique ways and arranged in drinking glass. Soon the table was packed with delicious healthy food. People showered all types of blessings on Sonu while eating. Chingi kept on ordering expensive dishes. It is a common misconception that the expensive dishes are the better ones.

It was now time for a happy ending to this joyous occasion. Everyone likes to return to their ‘home sweet home’. People started leaving saying ‘Thank you’, ‘Bye bye’, ‘See you again.

But Chingi eaves-dropped Sonu’s conversation with his wife. He was saying, “We will leave for ‘Ashtvinayak’ after the party to get the darshan of Lord Ganesha”. Lord Ganesha is the destroyer of all the obstacles. Ashtvinayak are the eight different temples of Lord Ganesha in different places. Upon hearing these words, Chingi’s eyes lit up. She expressed desire to accompany them on the scenic trip. Both Chingu and Chingi comfortably sat in Sonu’s car, occupying the window seats.

It was a luxurious, joy-ride amidst green fields of grapes, oranges and multi-coloured flowers. They witnessed innumerable colourful butterflies flying and sitting in the gardens. They got down at different temples to worship the Lord and take blessings. They enjoyed the authentic village food made up of fresh farm vegetables. Every time they ate, they heard the sweet words ‘one more please - it is my weakness’ from Chingi.

Chingi in hurry had forgotten her wallet. She borrowed money from Sonu to make the offerings in the temple. People have heard of house loan, car loan and education loan. Now we also have a ‘God Loan’ - borrow money for the offerings and repay when your wishes are granted.

The entire journey and all the darshans took a whole day of traveling. They headed back to their home late in the night, carrying a basket of oranges and grapes. And of course there was one more basket for Chingi because fruits were also her weakness.

On reaching back, Chingi got down in front of her house. Pleasantly smiling she said, “Sonu in a hurry I forgot your Birthday gift. I promise to keep in mind for future. Sorry I overstayed.”

When Sonu reached home his centre glass table was piled up with huge bills from caterers, florists, wine shops, grocery shop and telephone. The total amount spent on this golden jubilee celebration was equal to the cost of fifty birthdays.

Two months later Chingi met Sonu in a shopping mall. “Sonu you are a good sociable man. We really enjoyed your party. Are you planning to have one more party?”

Sonu said, “Yes, I am sociable. But also more careful now. No more ‘one more.’”

© Mrs. Jyotsna Subhash Solanki - All rights reserved.