It was 2nd May, 2005 which was Monday. That’s the day I met Brett lee! The best day of my life! It’s a long long story. So I’ll try and include everything I can.
Here it goes….
It was in the morning that I read in Bombay times, that Brett was coming to Mumbai in shopper’s stop (Bandar). I knew where it was because we had gone there before when we had been to linking road. So after my economics class, which ended at 3.15, we called at ss and asked when Brett was coming. And luckily-hold your breath-they said he was coming at 4 p.m! Imagine our glee when we heard that. So I literally started running towards the Parle station. I knew I was going to meet him at last! My prayers were going to be answered! I knew it was my lucky day!
We (i.e. Priya, my friend and i) boarded a crowded Churchgate local coming from Borivli and endured the suffocating journey, which lasted for about 10 minutes. Then we came out of the station and took the first auto that I saw. And lo! Ss was not even 5 mins. Away! But never mind, anything for Brett right? Ok so we crossed the road and stood at the entrance of ss. First we didn’t know if Brett had come yet. But there were loads of girls and guys standing outside, so we figured out that Brett was still to come. There were many guards too, standing there. And one of them said ‘woh aaya hai lekin waha signal pe taffic jam me fas gaya hai’ (he is almost here, but he’s stuck in the traffic jam at the signal). And we couldn’t stop giggling! Brett lee stuck in Mumbai traffic jam??? After that, every car that came, Priya was like ‘ ala ka? Nahi!’ (Is that him? No!). She was even stupid enough to point out a blue Maruti van in, which he had likely, came. Hehe. But that was not her fault, because there were some foreigners in that car. Ok so 2-3 mins we were still waiting.
And then!!! He came!!! In an esteem or Honda city or something. Who cares which car! When he stepped out, I was like ‘wow!’. The first word that I thought after seeing him was – drop-dead gorgeous! He was indeed! He was wearing a red t-shirt that made him look really hot and then the guards quickly surrounded him and we all were told to come to the 5th floor. He was taken by the lift and we were asked to climb 5 floors on foot! But again, anything for Brett!
So we literally ran up there. And when we reached there, he was already there. The manager said that we should come in a line and that Brett will meet everyone. God I was so glad! So we formed a line. Priya went second or something. She said to him ‘you are really sweet’. He said, ‘no, no I’m not!’ then she again said, ‘no but you are still very sweet’. And he says,’shukriya!’ soooo sweeet! Then she took his autograph.
But then the line was formed on the other side. So I had to move there. I asked Priya to take a photo of Brett and me when I met him. So I told her, come with me again. When my turn came I went ahead. Brett said ‘hi, hello, how are you?’ I said,‘hi! I’m fine.’ I forwarded my hand and he shook it! I felt magic in his touch! It was my lifelong dream to shake hands with him and hug him too, but that wasn’t to happen! Then he said to priya,’oh you are back again?’ she said,’ya, just once isn’t enough na?’ then I said, ‘can I have ur autograph please?’ and I forwarded my piece of paper and he signed it and gave it back to me. I said, ‘thank you!’ I was already smiling so broadly that you did think that I had kissed him or something. But then Priya did the stupid most thing possible - she pulled Brett’s cheek! I mean, how could anyone think of doing such a thing? I was staring at her with the deepest disgust! And Brett didn’t say anything. He was just sitting there signing the paper. I just couldn’t believe it! Anyways, then I said ‘a photo?’ he said,’ya sure.’ so I went and stood besides him and asked Priya to take our photo. But she was again so stupid that she didn’t even budge! She kept standing there because the press was taking the photos. After the press person took our photo, Brett said, ‘bye girls!’ I said,’bye, thank you!’ and I was so much angry with Priya for not taking the photo! I couldn’t even say what I had wanted to say to him! But that was because when he looked at me, I felt like there was nothing else in the whole world except Brett and me! I was just lost in those beautiful eyes!
But this was not it! Then the store people gave us small bats with ‘new balance’ written on it. And we had again got the chance to go and meet him. So we again joined the line. When our turn came, I went ahead and gave my bat to him. He took it and just looked up. When he saw me, he said,’hi!’ my heart was going mad! I mean this guy is so polite! All he had to do is sign the bat, but still he looked up at me and smiled sweetly and said ‘hi’! I said hi back to him. He signed the bat and gave it back to me. I said, ‘thank you!’(Smiling). He smiled at me again! My heart was fluttering. I mean, nothing great was happening, but when Brett himself says hi to you and smiles at you so sweetly, you feel so special! I was actually in the seventh heaven of delight!
Then after some time when everyone had taken autographs and photographs, Brett stood up to take a photo with the new balance people. And the photographer was stranded in the crowd. By the time he came ahead, Brett said,’chalo, chalo!’ everyone started laughing. And when the photo was taken, he said,’shukriya!’ then he said, ‘thank you boys and gals for coming here. As I have said, I always enjoy coming to India. It’s a great pleasure coming here. And remember, new balance shoes are the best!’ then the guards lead him out to the lift and everyone said,’byeeee!’ then we again went down 5 floors and Brett was going towards his car. He sat in it and again while going, everyone said,’byeee Brett!’ He smiled back and said ‘bye’.
I was so happy! It was still to sink in that I had just met Brett Lee and shook hands with him and he had smiled at me so sweetly! Most importantly, I was with him for one whole hour! I even took his photo on my cell. But they are not close ups. But still he looks really sweet in them. And ya, I forgot to mention, Grant Lee (I am not sure if it was grant lee only, but I think so after I saw some photos of Grant and Brett) had came there too. Nothing at all could have spoiled my mood that day! It was after all the best day of my life! So what if I didn’t get a photo with Brett! At least I have the sweet memories to cherish forever! The photo can wait till next time!
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