Whenever I go to Manchester, there is always some surprise wrapped up. Always!! Somehow I try to squeeze the juice from the little fruit I buy. I mean, the surprise and the excitement hence will be worth every quid I pay to get there. This time, it is beyond 'surprising'. As in the last couple of visits, I knew that at least something was coming. However, this time it is just a rabbit out of nowhere.
This Manchester visit is not because I got the pass to the heaven(I am talking about the United match tickets) nor that I wanted to shop at the United's store(I still haven't got the Rooney's jersey. shame on me!!!) but because that I have been starving of proper home food and vexed of heating up the frozen junk, which was cooked ages ago. I desperately wanted to get to Manchester to calm down my taste buds that are crying like kids. I wanted to eat my life out at my aunt's house.
My aunt, uncle, cousins and I went out for Christmas shopping, wandering every possible lane that existed in and around the Manchester City Center. I was told by some of the locals that if I am massively lucky, I might run into a second string player of these big clubs at a pub or places nearby. But never the super stars. Then, I felt, "It's Ok. I will take that. Even if he is a second string one".
As I walked along, It was going around my head. "Why cannot I find one?". After all, they are also humans who want to come out into this lovely world and breathe. I asked my aunt whether she has come across any of these big players during her 10year stay here. The answer was a firm NO. At this moment I seemed to give up.
It was my aunt's birthday and my uncle and I wanted to grab a last minute gift and a cake for her. Two days before Christmas and god!! these people go crazy on shopping as if the worlds gonna end in a couple of days and that they gonna live the rest of their lives with those what they buy now. Streets studded with cars and with people everywhere, we made our way into a huge shopping mall called the Trafford Center. We were almost on a run as we were getting late to the party that we planned before. Instinctively, I stopped at the sports world store as I saw United jersey hanging. I felt, at least now, I should buy my Rooney's jersey, if I get one. I could see the Ronaldo's and Tevez's jerseys hanging but not Rooney's.
My uncle and I looked around to find someone who could help me finding the right one. Finally, one guy, looked like an Indian, probably straight from the heaven, headed towards me and said "What do u want". I asked him for an United jersey of Rooney. He replied, "Sorry, All the jersey are sold out. This is Christmas!". Disappointed, I looked down and up at him and said that's ok. Then he whispered "Turn and look, who you have got". I didn't understand what he was saying. I said, "what?". Then he said, "Mate, you've got your player behind". Then, I turned back and with a far-sighted look was looking beyond. And, all of a sudden I looked at a guy at arms length away. Oh my god!! I was shocked to see the legendary Argentine, CARLOS TEVEZ.
I just didn't know what to do. Damn!! I was not prepared for it. Tevez in front of me. Am I dreaming?? Nope, not certainly. The dream of meeting a sports star as big as Tevez is real now. Then, the sales guy winked at me and said "Try and get a snap with him. But, he might not allow". The first thing that struck my mind is the camera. And before I asked my uncle for the camera, Tevez disappeared. I ran to the other side of the store to catch him. I found him alone, perhaps with another guy(not a united player) looking for some sports jackets. I quickly went near him.
Now, lemme describe him. This is reality and not what we watch on the idiot box. He is quite fair like a European, must be a couple of inches shorter than me, he was wearing a white V-neck top, cargoes and of course sport shoes. With his skull cap on, he looked like a fool :-). I could see the famous scar of his on his neck too. Then, I said "Hi. Tevez". He looked at me in a shock, dropping his jaw. He looked as if he were surprised that I spotted him. And, then I asked for a pic. He immediately said "NO" and murmured something. I know that his English is poor but didn't expect that he is that stupid at English.
I said to myself, "Look!! If you cannot take a snap with him now, it will be the biggest opportunity lost in your whole life". I know that it is now or never. I was determined to somehow persuade him and get the job done. I followed him again just like a guy following his angry love. I then said "Tevez, I am your fan and I am from India". He looked at me like a kid listening to a story, dropping his jaw. Then, I said, "just one snap". He said "OK". Immediately I posed with him and thanks to my uncle who is running behind me with the camera on. Gotcha!!!
There are millions of football fans across nations and continents. Millions and millions of people adoring Tevez. But how many would actually get a chance to stand next to him and speak to him. I have seen him play hundreds of times on the television, read extensively about him and when I actually meet him, feeling is different. He is just a normal human being as we are. It is fascinating that a guy with such a presence and following acts quite normally.
I must thank the sales guy without who I wouldn't have met this star and I wouldn't be writing this post. It's all destiny. Isn't it? Then, we quickly moved away as we were getting late for the party. I asked the sale guy whether these players visit this store often. He said that they dont and he himself was seeing him for the first time. With head held high, heart filled with joy, I hurried towards the car. At the party, I was just narrating this wonderful experience to all my relatives. After the party, my aunt said that it was a special day for her as she received a wonderful birthday card from my uncle, the kids said that it was their special day as they had some good food. However, I felt within, "It might be a special to you guys, it is also a special day for me. But the intensity of the world 'special' is of some other level beyond your imagination".
