AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 88 of 237 The memory of what actually transpired remains a blur. But I am sure it was pleasant and we stumbled out at 8.30 pm sharp heaving sighs of relief. Another Call On lingers in my memory. I remember a particularly trying evening at Raju’s Flight Commander’s beautiful home. The affectionate 'Mrs Flight Commander' made me feel instantly welcome and I was having a jolly good time till she excused herself and returned with a tray with glasses full of Rooh Afza. My heart sank and my stomach heaved. I was in my first trimester and the heavily perfumed, deep pink sherbet instantly triggered nausea in me. Looking back, I should have just explained to the good lady that I was pregnant. But I was still in awe of the ‘seniors’ and terrified that Raju would be demoted if I refused to drink the Rooh Afza. In time the turbulent Call Ons became smoother. But there were still a few sticky moments. I must explain something here. You must understand that those days Raju’s salary did not extend to luxuries such as diapers for the kids. We bought one diaper pack on the monthly Canteen visit, only after reluctantly leaving behind other luxuries like the Oil of Olay cream I coveted. But coming back to the diapers, I used them sparingly. And a Call On was one of the hallowed occasions when a surprised Sashank found himself powdered and diapered before being whisked off to the COs home. I had learnt over the years that there were Cos and AOCs who had expensive carpets in their living rooms and no way was an undiapered baby welcome there. So, the number of Call Ons and the number of clean diapers left in the pack had to be carefully monitored and synchronized. And the years rolled by and Call Ons got easier, more comfortable and we actually looked forward to them. Raju also became senior enough for younger officers and their wives to nervously call on us. But I always made it a point to ask the lady, “Does Rooh Afza make you sick?” About the Author Ms Pankaja Srinivasan is a Journalist married to an Indian Air Force Veteran, Wg Cdr R Raju Srinivasan VM. They left the Indian Air Force in 2002 and settled in Combatore.