The Day I Felt the Force..

It was just another “regular” Monday. For the rest of the world the day was a distressing reminder that the week had just begun. It was another disconcerting aide-memoire that the weekend had just finished, Monday had come and Friday was an eternity away. 

Of course, I wasn’t feeling the blues because let’s face it my job has no blues. There are days when I just long to get out of bed and head straight to work. There are days when I want to stay back in office and work another 12 hours. And considering the recent events that happened to me, there are days when I want to be in office 24/7/365. (I know.. Get a ‘life’ Mori.. Right?)

So anyways, coming back to Monday. We (my two colleagues and I) were sitting in office doing the unvarying routine and a part of me for some reason was feeling a little perturbed. Don’t know why, but I wanted to go home. I wanted to be home as soon as possible. In fact, earlier that day I was contemplating not coming to office at all. I almost called in sick. But somehow something got me going and I came to office. I now know that had I missed office that day, I would have never ever forgiven myself. Regret and depression would have ruled my mind forever.

The time was a little over 17:00hrs. It was time for our daily trip to the Cafeteria for coffee and snacks when suddenly a Sania Mirza story forced us to stay back a little longer. Not a problem. That’s what the job description is. But suddenly one of my colleagues came bursting through the door saying that “someone” had come outside. 

I opened the door and checked outside. And, almost immediately, multiple things started happening to me. I wanted to scream, but I was completely out of breath. I wanted to run out, but my legs started to shiver for God knows what reason. I wanted to keep staring, but I’m pretty sure that I went partially blind for 10 minutes. Because right outside were the Formula 1 team Sahara Force India’s drivers Adrian Sutil and Paul Di Resta.

I know that I’m a journalist now and all these things are supposed to be “routine” for me. But come on man, Sutil and Di Resta were standing right outside the door. It was one of those magical moments that you want to relive over and over again. I’ve been an avid follower of Formula 1 for quite some time now. I’ve been to the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.  And this was indeed a breathtaking moment. I wanted to talk to them, wanted to know how they think, wanted to get their views on India, wanted to know what they felt about Sebastian Vettel, etc etc etc. My questions would have been endless. I would have talked the night away with them. But I knew that such a thing was not possible. I was not there yet.

So my senior colleague and I walk out the door and all I can see is Paul Di Resta’s face. Adrian Sutil and his girlfriend, who I now know is Jenifer Becks, were busy clicking photos with the other journalists. Suddenly, I had this gush of adrenalin just pumped into me from heavens above. I went straight up to Paul, who was talking to a sports journalist I guess, and interrupted their conversation. I said: “Hi Paul, Big Fan”.. He replied: “Thanks Mate” and we shook hands. I almost sank in right there on the floor. That moment was legendary. I had just interacted with my first ever Sports Personality. Di Resta, even though has not been successful in F1 to that extent, is however credited with beating Vettel for the Formula 3 title.

That was it I felt. I thought at that instant that the magic was dead after just 5 seconds. We walked to the elevators and were looking to head down to the Cafe and I was all down in the dumps full of gloom and melancholy. Suddenly, Sutil, Becks, Di Resta and a fourth person walked out the hallway and made their way to the elevators. I knew that this was God’s way of telling me that “Dude, grow up and go freaking click a photograph with those F1 legends.” I went up to Adrian and said: “Hi Adrian.. Big Fan.. All the Best for Indian GP..” He replied: “Oh Thank You.. I’ll need it..” We shook hands and I asked him: “Can I get a picture with you?” He said: “Sure Mate”..

In full excitement I handed my 12.1 megapixel camera phone to my senior colleague, who thank heavens used his Xolo phone to click the photo instead. Otherwise who knows how long I would have had to stand there looking like a fool just waiting for the Bullshit camera on Sony Xperia S to focus me with Sutil.

So there we were. Adrian Sutil and I. Standing together to be clicked. A moment that will be talked about in my family for generations. (At least I’ll never let this moment grow old). My Son is one day going to hear the epic tale of how his father took a photograph with an F1 driver. While we were standing there, I specifically remember that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my hands. I first folded them, then I took them behind and till the time that I tried a third position, my legs started to shiver. Finally I saw the flash click that ended me of my misery. I thanked Adrian once again and wished him luck.

Standing just behind him was Di Resta. I asked him for a photograph as well. He said: “Sure Mate”. This time I was much used to the pressure of standing with a celebrity. Click. It happened in no time. I would like to thank my senior colleague and his Xolo phone for all the support rendered. History was made. The photos are going to be framed and be hung on top of my bed. No matter what anyone says, no matter how bad I look in those photographs, I will always cherish those epic reminders of the legendary moment I shared with Sahara Force India.

It’s really strange how things work out, isn’t it? With the events that transpired on October 21, 2013, I’m now a firm believer in Destiny. Whatever has to happen, will definitely happen. No one can stop the inevitable. If it’s written, then no force on earth of heaven can stop it from occurring. I almost didn’t go to office that day but in the end I did and it turned out to be one of the most proud moments of my life. It instilled upon me that positive energy that I’m not wasting my life. It inspired me to such extents that I’ll never give up on that “hunger” to grow and be happy. Life is waiting for me to enjoy it. And that’s what I’m gonna do now.

It was a day that changed me.. It was a day when I “felt the force”..