12:15 a.m – 3:30 a.m.

21st May 2008

Tonight, or rather in the wee morning hours, I had a Front Row, High Definition, Wide Screen, Blown up, Full Scale, Blaring and Glaring look at an aspect of life which effects ALL of us. We are all aware of this aspect, but choose to overlook, brush aside, disregard or feebly question it. I do it too, all the time.

I am talking about ‘Fate’. It is an understatement that life and its peripherals hang by the balance of a single moment. An indestructible, immeasurably small, inconsequential in ’size’, period of time. However, if you ever witness, the shifts of fate and the swings of the pendulum, as closely as I and the millions of people watching that ’spectacle’ did, you would know what I mean.

I saw the ’slip’. I saw the pendulum swing. I saw ‘the present’ hang by moment, blur, and then settle quietly into ‘the past’. I saw fate taking a decision. One would argue that it is commonplace. I would only say that it perplexes me, because I was FULLY AWARE of the transition.

I still have no explanation for its choice. Maybe it has something to do with colors, me, the number of people watching, finishing the chips and the drink before half time, the fact that I was standing, the fact that ‘certain’ people had messaged, or simply put, I do not have the answer.

Is the story written in situ? Or was the script prepared a long time ago and destiny only holds reality firmly to that, which is destined? I do not have the answers to these questions.

It would be considered unscientific, but, as I see it, the force that tipped the scales in Manchester United’s favor, at the very last moment was / were – ‘the spirit(s) of 1958′.

So close yet so far. Almost there. It slipped, and that sums up the match, and sadly, so many other things. Some other spirits need to be freed, other demons exorcised.

In the end, it would be fitting to congratulate the eventual winners – Manchester United and the beautiful game. Well done !! You have the trophy – you are the champions !!

Nobody hates a sore loser, but a bad winner is even worse. A dig at some of the Reds who do not possess a fabric of class, seriously. It is very slightly unfair to blame you, this is how you were raised, are and probably may remain. Nonetheless, most of the Reds were as cool as blue.

The ignominy and bitterness may linger on for a while. Should it be forgotten or challenged with renewed vigor (how many times?). In either case fate may again decide the next outcome

I get excited at little battles and the smaller duels. However, it is safe to say that the Champions League Final of the year 2008 – was a spectacle, a wonder, the PERFECT match, almost.

This was indeed the match of a lifetime and I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed it ebb and flow, the way it did.