lets not tilloo about it

LET’S NOT TELL ‘TILLOO’ ABOUT IT
Sh...sh…sh… Please don’t tell Tilloo about it.
Backdrop
1. Tillottma ‘Tilloo’ belongs to a rather aristocratic service family. Her mother, a General’s daughter and father is an upcoming Admiral of the Navy. Tilloo is the apple of the family - tall, smart, very self-confident (almost dominating) and an attractive but fairly self-opinionated personality with a view on every thing ranging from international affairs to the domestic perspective on marriage, children, etc. She is also a firm believer in the combination of a career woman and marriage.
The Story
2. It all started in the Squash Court. Young Lt Arvind Singh had reported for Gunnery specialisation. He has been the Service Squash Champion for the last two years. Tall, athletic – games came naturally to him. He was practicing by himself when there was a knock at the door and in walked a senior gentleman, who actually was the Chief of Staff (some Flag Officers expect to be recognised) – "So, young man, would you like to play couple of games with me"? The always polite Arvind said, "Yes, Sir" - without knowing who the gentleman was. The old man quipped – "You know I was fairly good at this when I was of your age. So don’t count me out. In fact, I can teach you a thing or two". The polite young man kept 21
quiet. As the game progressed, he did realise that the older partner was good but certainly nowhere near his own skill, stamina and agility. However, being also well brought up and from a service background, he deliberately under-played and ensured that he just managed to lose in two games. Naturally, the overjoyed older partner started giving him tips on how to play the game and the strategic importance of capturing the "Tee" (Centre of the Squash Court). The next two games were full of instructions which were very patiently received and endured. At the end of the set, the old man said, "By the way who are you? Arvind said, Sir, I am Lt Arvind – come for Long ‘G’. "OK, we will play once a week so that I can give you the benefit of my experience". Thereafter, it was every week of instructions and more instructions by the Admiral and less of Squash work up for our hero, Arvind, had no choice but to go through this rather over-bearing and tedious routine. He knew he could beat the daylights of this Admiral yet kept his cool and continued to just lose by very narrow margins ("I suppose hierarchy and seniority do carry their own influence and weight" – In the Navy, we call this prudence and discretion without compromise of character?!).
3. The Officers’ Institute had organised a Monsoon Ball. Young Arvind was invited by the Chief of Staff for a drink. Tilloo and Arvind met and sure enough Tilloo took charge. ‘A’ also fell for ‘T’. Tilloo’s Mom did play a role in also overawing young Arvind. Later, he was invited to the Staff House for dinner. The Admiral had decided that Arvind was indeed a prospective son-in-law. Meanwhile, the young champ was concentrating on planning how to avoid his Squash lessons with the Chief of Staff but with not much success. (he 22
also wanted to continue wooing Tilloo). The prospective father-in-law (designate), Rear Admiral Gulu Kumar initiated a background check and discovered that his prospective ‘SIL’ was the son of his Academy course mate Rathore (popularly known as Rats) who unfortunately from his point of view did not have the same aristocratic upbringing as he himself had clubbed with the fact that he belonged to the ‘Air Force’. What the hell! – the boy seemed to be a promising youngster with an added advantage that he would be under his umbrella for many years to come !
4. Arvind’s father, AVM Rathore, was a Fighter Pilot with very definite views on his service superiority and was convinced that the Navy had no requirement for Naval Aviation. Naturally, he was hopping mad when the question of his son’s marriage to Rear Admiral Gulu’s daughter was broached. He told his wife, "Your son is an absolute idiot, first he joins the Navy and then he falls for an Admiral’s daughter and that too my imperiously Kaddu course mate. "How dumb can you all get". But, who can argue against "Cupid".
5. The wedding did take place. Sparks did fly. Air Force-Navy jointmanship was forced - thanks to the common sense of both the mothers, particularly the boy’s mother Pushpa Rathore, who broad mindedly gave in to her Samdhin – A General’s daughter. She also sensed that Tilloo would be good for her son. Tilloo and Arvind got married during the long course. Arvind got his posting to Mumbai to a frontline ship. He was secretly thrilled that his ‘Gestapo’ Squash education would now come to an end. Little did he realize the 23
cruel hand of fate. One month after his taking over his appointment, his father-in-law was appointed the Fleet Commander of the Western Fleet. Who could he complain to? His father-in-law rang him up and said, "Now we are going to play Squash together". Arvind sat and planned his evasive tactics and came up with an idea of getting on to Golf. Tilloo picked up a job – there was domestic bliss. She also unilaterally decided that any plan for the baby could only be after a couple of years. Arvind just had to agree??!!
6. The new Fleet Commander took over and was told by his son-in-law, Sir, "I have taken to Golf so I don’t think we can play Squash as I may not have time for both". The father-in-law jumped with joy and said, "Arvind, you are indeed a guy of my own heart (by now he had found out that Arvind was actually fooling around with him in the Squash Court but Alas!, since FIL-SIL equations were involved, he decided to diplomatically say nothing but secretly was impressed by young Arvind’s "sensible approach". The wily old fox knew that Arvind was a novice at Golf and he thought to himself – let me get the better of him here at least). "Golf is the game and sure enough, you being a beginner, I can give you some tips here too". Arvind could not believe his ears. The old man added, "I am going to give you my old Golf set. We will start your education right away". Arvind had already commenced professional Golf education from one of the pros and being a natural sportsman, was really motivated by the pro, who taught him well and taught him quickly. The Fleet Commander and his hapless son-in-law met in the practice greens of the USO Club. For Arvind, it was sweet torture. The old man, in right earnest, was trying to make Arvind 24
unlearn what he learnt from the pro – from grip, to take away, to forward swing. The pro and the Admiral were diametrically opposite as instructors. The practice session was an unmitigated disaster. Added to this agony, was the family arrangement that once a week, Tilloo and Arvind would have a meal in the Fleet House. The food was, of course, delicious, but then it was poor Arvind against three of the Kumars. The father-in-law was carrying on about Golf, the mother-in-law was into NWWA and how the younger generation needs to be educated on NWWA’s philosophies. Tilloo was giving a lecture to Arvind on how the Navy should adapt modern management techniques instead of outdated rules of business. To add to all this, Arvind’s ship entered refit. He now had to endure this domestic stormy situation day in and day out apart from the bi-weekly horrendous Golf lessons. Who could he tell? The rest of the Navy, particularly his course mates envied him and he was constantly riled by his best friends. Arvind, after initial frustration, said, "Kuchch Karna Padega". He thought and he thought about it and conceived what he knew was going to be a fool proof plan. He planned a special holiday with Tilloo to Mahabaleswar on a lovely weekend, suffixed by two days casual leave on Monday and Tuesday. The holiday was pure bliss and Arvind was his charming self. Cupid became pro-active and nature wove its magic – Tilloo was wined, dined and romanced. The couple returned to Mumbai to settle down into their routine. Tilloo back to work, Arvind back to the ship, but of course with the contra-golf lessons between his pro and his father-in-law.
7. A month later, Tilloo discovered that the stork was under way. She was non-plussed and speechless. A war council 25
meeting was held at Fleet House with Arvind playing completely innocent. Naturally, conservative tradition won the day. Tilloo was forced to give up the job and prepare for the baby. She did not like it one bit. The powerful father-in-law now took on the role of a would be ‘Grandpa’. Arvind, for the first time, sensed his manoeuvre was about to pay off. The ensuing 7-8 months were spent less on golf lessons and more with the pre-occupied daughter, whenever the Fleet was in harbour. The arrival of the baby was met with great fanfare by both grand parents. Even the difficult AVM Rathore was thrilled and told his wife, Pehli baar tere bete ne kuchch akal ka kaam kiya hai .It was a boy, to the Fleet Commander’s delight. The father-in-law was thrilled that he now had a full time pupil. Arvind was elated on both fronts, as now his father-in-law had no time for golf and squash lessons. It was full time with the grandson. Life was wonderful. Arvind had his golf and squash freedom. Tilloo became the doting mother and forgave Arvind for his indiscretion. There were, however, other issues developing. Naturally, Arvind’s parents wanted Tilloo to shift in with them with the baby for couple of days. Both the Samdhis were adamant about taking care of the grandson. It became an Inter-Service domestic issue with telephone calls to and fro. However, common sense prevailed and it was decided that the Air Force would be hosted at the Fleet House for seven days. (It was learnt that both the old Codgers had to see their dentist due to excessive grinding of their molars at what they perceived as gross violation of their grand filial rights). The ever smart Arvind felt that this was an ideal situation and planned a trip to Mauritius with Tilloo, leaving the new Prince to super parental care (they say this was 26
only a platonic manoeuvre)?? He dare not pull the wool over Tilloo twice at such a short notice.
Galley News
8. Galley News indicated that his father-in-law was going to be Assistant Chief of Personnel (HRD) – so out of blood and career courtesies, Arvind rang up the father-in-law and said, "Sir, so we play Golf or Squash"? The reply was curt and prompt. "Young Man, I am sorry to inform you that I really have no time for you now. I have a better pupil who would follow my instructions with more attention and Josh. You may please carry on".
Curtains
9. Naval tactics and strategy had won the day. Tilloo met her ‘Waterloo’ at the hands of ‘Lord’ Arvind but Sh...sh…sh… Let’s not tell her about it.
This article was published in the NWWA Magazine, Veeranganain2006