The voices from the school hall was electrifying.The audience were filled with thousands of packed students, their voices merged into a deafening roar. Flashes of bright light popping up and down the stage. Immediately, the huge screen displayed the next performer's name in bold letters.
Happiness!
Now, my nervousness increased.
Backstage, I pressed my palms against each other while trying to control my breath. This was the biggest night of my life—my first solo performance at school. I have spent several months practicing and training for this amazing moment, but now, with just a few minutes to go, my heart pounded in fear of failure and embarrassment.
"Hey, breathe," Mrs. Ujukwu urged.
"I am breathing," I said.
"Oh, really? Because you look like you are about to collapse. And we really do not have the time for a dramatic fainting right now," Mrs. Ujukwu joked.
"Am I supposed to laugh? Because that's not funny at all." I smirked.
"Then why do you look like you just saw a ghost wearing a lion's face?" Mrs. Ujukwu humored.
I replied reluctantly, "Maybe because in five minutes, I will be standing alone in front of thirty thousand students and nailing the biggest song of my life!"
Mrs. Ujukwu shrugged. "So! what's bad about that?"
I argued while gesturing from one end to the other of the room, "What if I mess it up and fumble? What if my voice cracks? What if I didn't get the tone switch?
Mrs. Ujukwu humored me again while keeping a straight face. "Then we would burn down the entire Internet, delete all evidence and traces of it, and remain happy as if nothing happened."
"Ah! Mrs. Ujukwu," I exclaimed and smiled.
"Ah! Happiness," she mimicked me.
"I have tried to get you to laugh for some time now. You just kept a mean face, so it is a good thing that at least you could actually chuckle a little before your singing." Mrs. Ujukwu said.
"Listen, Happy, you have actually rehearsed this particular song over and over again. I could probably sing the song backwards," Mrs. Ujukwu reminded me.
"That would be amazing to see," I said jokingly.
"Focus!" Mrs Ujukwu ordered.
"I have witnessed you hit those high, provoking notes just right. You know this. Your body knows this. The only thing that can actually set you back is you— Do not hesitate. Do not hold back. Just keep the flow coming. Mrs. Ujukwu encouraged me.
"Happy, are you ready?" my manager, Mrs Ujukwu, who is also a teacher, asked, adjusting my microphone for me.
I immediately swallowed some dried saliva. "Yes! I guess."
Mrs Ujukwu gave me a quick look and encouraged me to take a deep breath after handing me a glass of water to drink. "Try that again," she urged.
Again, I exhaled. "I am ready," I said enthusiastically.
Mrs. Ujukwu smiled. "That's my girl! You have practiced this song for several months now. I am absolutely certain that you know the lines; just be calm and remember not to miss a step. Just keep the song flowing; don't hesitate." She encouraged me again.
I nodded in agreement, but my heart would not stop pounding, all I could actually think about was the hardest part of my song, where I could literally transition into the last chorus — the moment where I had to change my tone into the highest range of my voice. Of course, this was going to be powerful, very emotional and definitely fun. If I nail it, the crowd will go absolutely wild but if I fumble and crack, the students would remember it forever.
"Happiness! To the stage, please." The announcer called.
Immediately, my stomach did a triple flip.
Mrs. Ujukwu squeezed my hands slightly and whispered into my ear, "Don't miss the step, okay?"
Again she said. This is it, the long awaited moment. Right here and now. You take that step and own that moment. I am confident that you are going to do great. Give it all your best and no hesitation.
Quickly, I nodded in agreement to what Mrs Ujukwu adviced, as the stage crew guided me up to the stage
Immediately after I got hold of the microphone, the bright light faded gradually until it became dim. The audience went silent at once, and my intro music started playing at a cool pace. I adjusted my grip on the microphone, and my feet were fixed on the ground as I started singing.
As I found myself rhyming with the song, the audience waved their hands in the air. I felt relaxed and calm in the music, allowing it to lead me progressively.
But then—
The very moment arrived.
The transition: The step I didn't have to miss.
At that moment, fear enveloped me. "What if I don't hit the high note properly?" I hesitated and doubted myself.
My voice started to wobble.
The wobbling of my voice was obvious but it was not a total disaster. I felt the range go off—key, my voice shifting to another tone.
For a split of second, I wished I could just start all over again.
But no.
I was determined never to let fear or doubt steal my moments.
This time, I held the microphone firmly, planted my feet firmly on the ground, I went for it.
My voice soared powerfully, hitting the musical notes exactly as they were meant to be. The hesitation had disappeared, replaced with determination and zeal.
The crowd went wild and applauded.
There was a standing ovation.
"Did you see that!" I exclaimed with great excitement.
"You actually did it," Mrs Ujukwu said happily and gave me a warm hug.
Then there was a moment of silence in the room. We both stood still, staring at each other, then I broke it when I said,
"I almost cracked and hesitated."
"But you didn't; instead you found your zeal again and continued. I am very proud of you, happy." said Mrs. Ujukwu.
I blushed at that statement and grinned, "Thank you, Mrs. Ujukwu."
As the final note faded, I stood there, breathless, as I watch thousands of students hail my name with great enthusiasm.
I have done it.
I had taken the step.
I will never hesitate again.
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