A Wonderful Experience // Met Anita Hassanandani.

And man, it didn't feel half as bad as it did when we had to approach the receptionist asking him for the time. That is after rushing out of university, after freshening ourselves up in mere five minutes and then driving for such a long time. It felt like a crazy thing to do. That it had been a mistake to come so far away, on such an abrupt decision, to be swayed with words and moments. It felt like such a rare thing to do - something one wouldn't do for an actor, ever.

When the receptionist told us the first time that she had been busy. It was heartbreak on the go. That was when the reality hit. She wasn't our friend. She was a star. But my friend had more faith it her than I did. While I cringed at the possible embarrassment of her sending us my friend spoke to her. While I walked to a corner and cringed till I couldn't cringe anymore - Anita arranged for us to meet her.

Despite being busy, despite having an event on the go, despite being crunched for time... She made time for us.

She handled hotel staff, receptionists, us calling and the security who would have us at the restaurant where we were meant to be. I know for one that I wouldn't have had the patience to handle two girls who I hadn't heard about wanting to meet me. No one really does that, make time out for someone out of pure kindness and generosity.

Because for once, there was no third person here. There was no one. There weren't managers, staff or anyone else we could contact. It was sheer luck and familiarity with places that let us know where she was. It was pure coincidence that the reception connected her to us. It was pure kindness and love that made her speak to us. Go out of her way and be patient enough to deal with network issues, tens of phone calls from tens of people trying to confirm or not and several other things.

Kindness doesn't come from quotes or speeches. One doesn't know how to decipher someone but one feels it.

It was my friend saying man, she's so patient; whowould have been so nice? that got me to write this.

I don't normally write kathas on actors or gush over them. And I'm not fangirling either.

But Anita, thank you for making my experience meeting you so pleasant. Never had I ever expected this to be so nice. For her to be so genuine.

//

This is posted upon the realisation that Anita Hasannandani was on a private work related event and could have saved herself the trouble of meeting us. But she did accommodate us, despite her hectic schedule. Though I was thoroughly embarrassed of myself for putting her through so much and tired and super grumpy (mostly mad at myself for taking doing the give a finger and grab the hand thing) one has to know that she was never obliged to meet us. She never had to speak to us. Or just fit us into her schedule. Or have to tolerate the strict security calling her up or us calling her up (via the reception) over and over because of the security measures and us being in the guest premises when we were meant to be at the restaurant. And as a person who was meant to appear for a performance, knowing how stressful that it... It is such a kind gesture for her to have met us. SUCH A KIND GESTURE, TRULY. AND FOR THAT I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

I know I have been calling you Anita the whole time while my friend called you ma'am. But Anita; you do command respect. Thank you, ma'am. Because when people speak about kindness, patience, tolerate and being there they don't really act on it. There are hardly a few who add actions to their virtues and prove who they truly you.

You, my love, are a rockstar.