...I thought, as I just went past him, too chicken to stop him and speak to him.
So my daughter made a Holi greeting card last week for a friend. Last year, I had taken her to the post office to show her how mail worked. I told her we would post this letter too. For the last few days, I wasn't able to take her to the post office. This morning I had some time, so I thought of visiting it. She was busy watching her favorite show "Wagle ki Duniya" and was reluctant to come. I asked her if I should go and post it as I was stepping out to run an errand. She agreed.
I left on my bike but the road that leads to the post office was dug up and closed to vehicles. I cursed under my breath, parked my bike and started walking. Half way through, I spotted a handsome chap walking with towards me. It took me a fraction of a second to realize it was the famous actor #Sumeet Raghvan. My daughter is a fan of his show [Wagle Ki Duniya] and watches it daily. For a moment, I thought I should ask him for a selfie so that I could show it to my daughter. But being the introvert I am, there was no way I would exhibit such a behavior! So I continued walking, cursing my introverted nature and how it often costs me opportunities.
After 4-5 more steps, I questioned my rigidity. Afterall, a snap with him could bring a smile to my daughter's face. I turned around and started pacing behind him, the letter still in my hand. When I reached the end of the road, I spotted him walking towards a car. Since the road was dug up, his driver probably had to wait on the outer road to pick him and Sumeet had to walk it up. When I saw him reach the car door, Usain Bolt's soul entered my body and I sprinted towards him. Just as he was about to close the car door I reached in time and asked "Excuse me, my daughter is your fan and she loves your show. Can I please take a snap for her?" Although most people would not decline such a request, I prayed under my breath hoping he would agree, as I was infringing on his privacy in a way. Sumeet immediately agreed and I took a snap before he left.
- My daughter usually is very enthu and comes with me everywhere I ask her to. Today she hesitated (ironically watching his show) and she missed an opportunity. Sometimes we do everything right but one slack moment and we miss some great action. Luck.
- The dug up road I cursed was a blessing in disguise. Sumeet wouldn't have walked up if the car could come to him. Sometimes what seems as a rough road is actually a road to beautiful opportunities.
- Most importantly, each one of us can beat our weaknesses (introversion for me) if we find the right motivation to overcome it. The prospect of seeing a smile on my daughter's place made me do something I wouldn't even dream of doing.
Thank you, Sumeet for being kind enough today. Thanks to you, I could bring a smile to my daughter's face, and for a dad, nothing is more precious.
