You could hear someone say things like "Your village people have come for you." And although we know too well that it has got nothing to do with village people, we can't deny the fact that sometimes the saying gets to us too, especially me. It always gets to me, just like it did on this very day that I can hardly forget.
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I had just joined the church choir, and as lovely as my voice was, the choristers were glad to have me in their midst. It was a standard rule that a new member would stay back for a month before joining for any ministration, but it was different in my case. I only sat back for two weeks, and on the third week, I was already singing with them, and even doing a backup for soloists. It was fun, and I loved it until one incident took all the fun away in the twinkle of an eye.
The church had a big program coming up, and they invited some very real artists to be present at the program. We the choristers worked hard every passing day to see that we came up with a beautiful song so that we could also prove that we ain't playing around.
During one of the rehearsals, I suggested a song and to my surprise, it was welcomed. We replayed the song over and over again till we got the lyrics right, and after that, the next problem was who would lead the song.
"Jane, do you think you can lead this song?" Our choir mistress asked me.
"If you guys will be comfortable with me leading the song, I don't mind." I replied.
"Of course, we will be more than comfortable. You've got the voice, and that's all we need. Try your very best to become perfect with this song, and by the weekend, I expect it to become a part of you." She advised, and I smiled and nodded in agreement.
I rehearsed this song day and night till I got it right, and I could sing it perfectly even in my sleep. That Saturday, my choir mistress and the rest of the choir members were impressed with how perfectly I sang the song.
"Jane, you've got a beautiful talent. You'll lead the song." One of the choristers said, and the rest cheered in agreement.
I was flattered by the dozen compliments that I got from them, and it kinda pushed me to rehearse more and become better at the song. I spent the rest of my time imagining how stunned the guest artists would be after I had done the piece. The thought of this made me squeal with happiness.
Though in the end, the guest artists were stunned, but it didn't go by my imagination.
The day of the program finally came, and I invited my friends and made sure that they were all present. I had a tailor design a new dress for me that I would wear to the program. It was indeed a beautiful day, but it went ugly really fast.
"Jane, are you ready for today?" My choir mistress asked me, as I rehearsed the song one more time.
"I'm as ready as I can be." I replied with a smile.
"Good. Go out there and show them what you've got. You never can tell, someone might like the singing and decide to take you under their wings." She advised and encouraged me. I smiled because those same thoughts had lingered in my head for quite some time.
Soon, the service began, and one of the guest artists took the stage. He sang so melodiously that the entire church was filled with screams and excitement, and I screamed the loudest too. And so it went on and on till the choir mistress said we might no longer have the opportunity to sing again. Among every chorister that was present, I was the happiest one after she had passed on that news, and that was because I was already seeing signs of sore throats from the whole screaming and jumping. Immediately the choir mistress turned away, and I went full crazy and danced and screamed till I was gasping for air.
After we had exhausted our strengths, the pastor suddenly came on stage grinning from ear to ear, and he said the words I had never wanted him to say.
"Give it up for the best choir in the world!!! And mind you, a new talented singer will be leading the song tonight. A round of applause for them." He announced and claps with cheering voices filled the hall.
I sought a way to inform my choir mistress that I wouldn't be able to lead the song again, but the opportunity never came, so I went on stage, took the microphone, and said a little prayer, begging that my voice wouldn't fail me completely.
I coughed out and tried to sing, rather a tiny crooked voice was heard. I heard soft giggles from the congregation, I tried again and it dawned on me that I was doomed. Shame couldn't let me move...
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I was so lucky that the choir mistress took up the song, and I sneaked away from the choir stand. I took my bag and left the church.
After this incident, I spent some months away from the church and only returned when I was certain that not everyone would remember the incident once they saw me.
I blamed the incident on my village people at first, but it was just Murphy's law in action; I learned a lesson too that day. A lesson to never be too comfortable until I'm certain of some things. If I had waited a little more without screaming and jumping, I would've sung perfectly as planned.