The Performance I Didn’t Remember

This Teej, celebrated in my college, became something much more than just a festival for me. It became a test.
I had the option to perform Gidda in a group, something comfortable. But I chose a solo dance instead. It wasn’t about winning it was about proving to myself that I could stand alone on stage and not back out.
The day before, I participated in poster making. It went smoothly, nothing memorable. The real challenge was the next day.
I was told my dance would be at the end, so I sat calmly in the audience. But suddenly, after just two performances, my name was called. Within seconds, my calm disappeared. I walked to the stage pretending confidence I didn’t feel.
I was ready to begin when my music didn’t play. I stood there, smiling at the audience, while things got fixed backstage. Finally, the music started.
I had made one rule—I wouldn’t stop, no matter what.
But very quickly, things started going wrong.
My mouth became extremely dry. My smile felt stuck. I even remember trying to move my mouth by touching my tongue, hoping no one would notice. At the same time, I was scared of a wardrobe mishap because my outfit felt loose. Between all this, I started losing myself in the performance.
I don’t even remember most of the steps I did. I just kept going—through Bhangra, Gidda, and Luddi—doing whatever came to my mind, just trying to finish.
When I came backstage, I drank whatever little water I could find and sat down, convinced I had embarrassed myself. I genuinely thought I might become the next joke in college.
My friends cheered for me, but I wasn’t convinced.
Then came the results.
I won first place in poster making. When I went on stage, my principal told me she liked my dance. I thanked her, still not expecting anything.
Moments later, my name was announced again—for first place in solo dance.
I was shocked.
When I told the vice principal I hadn’t expected to win, she said they liked my choreography, even though I could improve. That’s when I realized something. From the outside, it looked like a win.
From the inside, it felt like survival.
And maybe that’s the lesson—sometimes, just showing up and not stopping is enough. Because even when you think you’ve failed, the outcome doesn’t always agree.

SO JUST SHOW UP ALWAYS :)