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“Are you crazy?” my cab driver said to me. He could have easily been the hundredth person to say this to me counting since the time I started planning this trip. I laughed and said “Yeah!” because not everyone can understand the gravity of something so small affecting your life immensely. It was ten years ago when I first heard his voice. It has been etched in my memory since. I could feel the chills when I deciphered the depth of his words. And about a month later, it became the most coveted item on my list. He and his fellow lads didn’t know me and yet they saved me so many times. They didn’t know me and yet they helped me conquer my demons. Something that touches your soul can cause that effect. They didn’t know me then but now, ten years later they will. This very train of thoughts ran my mind right before I got off that cab in Concord, California. “Are you sure it’s the right place? It’s completely empty”, he said. “I guess so; I think I am a bit early”. Nah! I reached hours early. “Okay, have fun!” he replied with a sarcastic smile thinking of me as a complete nutcase. I thanked him and rushed to the counter finally to encounter someone who complimented me on my feat. She handed me a piece of paper with “their” name on it. I was smiling ear to ear. I was in the middle of nowhere and had a couple of hours to kill. So I climbed up the very tiny hill leading to the town view and started feeding my eyes. Suddenly a slight music started seeping in my ears and I couldn’t control my excitement. It was finally happening. I did wait a long time for this moment, hoping that someday they might tour someplace nearby. But I couldn’t wait any longer. It had to be done. An hour later I noticed other folks gathering near the entry gate. It was almost time and I started getting nervous. We entered and a few minutes later, there they were there right in front of me. I forgot everything that I wanted to tell them. As I was approaching them, altogether they smiled at me. “I am coming all the way from India just for this”, I said. They were so surprised to hear that. “We didn’t realize that people listen to us there as well.” “We do. I truly want to thank you all because your music is like therapy to me” “Awwww!” All five of them said it in complete sync as if they practiced that as well. “Also, I’ve spent all my money to meet you and I am completely broke now”, I added. “Oh!” I dressed the best I could for the occasion to have that very memorable picture with them. Sadly, that was all the time I could have with them. And as I was leaving I heard him talking to his crew… “Does she have an onstage VIP pass?” “No” And then Benjamin Burnley said, “Please upgrade her.” And I could read it on his face that he totally loved my reaction. All I could say was thank you to this generous artist. The rest of the evening was incomparable. Standing there on the stage, sight of the band just a few feet away, music that had already touched my soul every single time and now stirring it again, excited breaths, sing along and a slight chill on my skin. Being an introvert, I have always had a hard time connecting with people. However, I have always believed that my five senses create a greater connection with the places I visit. And this wasn’t any different. That one virtual connection brought me halfway across the world to see it manifest. Imagine ten years, dropping down to zero savings, traveling 9462 miles and one dream. Just to watch Breaking Benjamin perform live for me. Was it worth it? You’ll know when you check off a major item on your bucket list. ‘I will try to find my place in the diary of Jane…’, the perfect end to a perfect night.