July 21st was the second day of Baba's seclusion upstairs, and the first day since he had arrived that no mad or masts were brought to him, though he continued to work alone with Ali Shah. He had contacted seven masts or God-mad and two mad persons in Poona. Baba played games with the mandali throughout the day.
On 22 July, Baba decided to fast the entire day, taking only tea in the morning without milk, and coffee in the evening. He washed Ali Shah's feet and gave him tea with his own hands. Baba then gave certain instructions to the mandali and retired into seclusion until 2:00 P.M. At 3:30 P.M. he fed Ali Shah.
At four o'clock Baba drank a cup of coffee.
He informed the mandali: "Today my seclusion was entirely satisfactory. But it was so intense that I felt tired and dozed for half an hour during it. My trip to Poona has been a mixture of work, seclusion and relaxation. The stay has been satisfactory, as I have worked seven hours in seclusion, taken seven days of relaxation combined with work, and contacted seven masts.
"But I will feel entirely satisfied and happy if it does not rain tomorrow so that I can witness the cricket match undisturbed."
Baba himself then proposed an outing in the car, and during the drive asked each if it would rain the next day.
Baba ordered Kaka, "Pray that it does not rain and spoil the match!"
After he returned from the drive, Baba drank another cup of coffee and played games with the mandali for an hour before retiring.
Saturday, 23 July 1949, had been announced as a day of complete relaxation.
"No seclusion and no work, internal or external, except with Ali Shah."
In addition to his morning tea, Baba ate a light breakfast at nine. He was with the mandali throughout the day, playing draughts and discussing various light topics — assiduously avoiding any serious or metaphysical subjects.
There had been heavy showers the previous night and early morning, and the sky looked threatening. They left at ten o'clock to watch a cricket match between Fergusson College and the Deccan Gymkhana team. Baba had been looking forward to seeing the match, and all were fervently hoping it would not rain again. It did not and the match began on schedule at 12:30. Baba sat through the entire cricket match until six that evening.