She raised her hand up without any care for those who glared at her.
I stood at the podium, my heart pounding heavily within my chest, I had practice for this. Doing so many practices with my girl Chizi.
She cheered on while my focus was on her but then my mind wandered thousands miles away. I could see her mouth move but couldn't hear what she was saying.
Stage fright, it was a music competition which I had worked so hard for, but then I couldn't remember the lyrics of the song I was about to sing. My mind was blank which intensified my sweaty hand, I was shaking from my legs up.
How could I have forgotten this? The moderator noticed my uneasiness and came forward to ask what the problem was.
"I can't remember my lyrics" I answered his question with a shaking voice. Yes, sometimes you fail and learn from your mistakes.
The one thousand tears I have been holding on, fell like a river. The crowd murmured and for once I felt the ground should open. I felt like running off far away from the glaring eyes of the people.
Then just before the moderator declared my inefficiency and welcomed the next contestants.
Chizi peered her eyes at me standing at her feet to ask me what was wrong, her voice was barely a whisper coupled with the noise from the couples. But watching her mouth move, I knew exactly what she was asking.
"I can't remember my lyrics" I replied the same way she asked.
She nodded and showed me a piece of paper boldly written the title of the song I was presenting.
"A thousand years" I saw it and just in a second everything clicked back to my memory. I'm going to punish you for giving up on me.
" We have to…
I cut the moderator shut as my voice resonated into the once noisy room. I shut my eyes, my mouth, face and hand showing off the intensity of every line I sang.
"Heart beats fast"
"Colours and promises"
My shaking voice was replaced with a firm and confident one. The noisy room turned into a graveyard. I dare not open my eyes, the setting of my mind drew back those days and moments I poured out my voice singing together with my sisters while we cooked dinner together.
The smile and the togetherness was remarkable, they were the people that nursed my voice to be a golden one and I just wanted to show everyone what I got.
I knew I was a shy person and I had to overcome that by taking a video of me singing and posting to all social media.
"I have love you for a thousand years"
"I'll love you for a thousand more" my song ended on a soft note and just then I opened my eyes to the people who cheered at me clapping their hands together.
Chizi wasn't left out, she was vividly screaming on top of her voice.
"That's my girl over there" I felt two peers of hand around my waist dragging me out of the stage.
"Do you think I...was good?"I asked Chizi who was smiling ear to ear and there I was unsure of myself.
"You nailed it girl, I'm so proud of you" she hugged me giving me all the praises in the world. We walked back into the auditorium and waited as each contestant unleashed their creativity in singing.
I admired them, they all had amazing and Angelica voices then I began to doubt myself if I could even reach the first 10 persons.
The possibility was slim and I felt like going away but a voice in my head kept me rooted in my seat.
Even if you didn't pass, learn from these people. It was a form of encouragement even though it was my first time trying going for a competition.
I had already written a song and all I needed was a leverage to showcase my talent to the world.
I didn't know when time passed so fast, still drowning in my thoughts of self consolation when Chizi tapped me on my shoulder.
"Your name was called" she said while I heard the crowd cheer and clap as I walked towards the podium to receive my award.
I was surprised to the last, making it among the first third. I came second .
It was a new beginning to my singing career.
Wow, that must have been a glorious moment, @jeclyn60. Thank you for sharing your creative nonfiction story in The Ink Well, and for supporting other community members by reading and commenting on their stories.
Thank you @theinkwell for your kind words.
These moments are what give meaning to our lives. Having the opportunity to show talent and be recognized for it is something that fills the heart with happiness and pride.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Excellent Tuesday.
Thank you for stopping by
I'd like to share some of this week's author rewards.