My first Professional Anchoring !!!

                    It was a busy day when my manager called me for a meeting. I was sure to have some inputs for my team but all she said was, we have to organize a cultural fest for the delivery unit which targets 300 people. I was excited to know it’s happening again, the last time I heard of any cultural fest it was my academic who now seemed like an age behind, well I am not that old so keep your vision straight.

Further meetings happened for the different items to be involved like musical war, dance, group dance everything and anything you can think of. I was in seventh cloud cause all I have to do was to be a critic and enjoy the performance where people are striving for. Then the furious day came where one of our organizing members said “I think Chinu could anchor for the entire flow!” I had a jaw dropping, eye popping shock, what the hell! How on earth anyone could think of this. With the churning effect in my stomach I looked at my manager and said “ahh…, I don’t think I would suit the profile. What do you suggest?” I was way too sure that my manager is going to reject my name.

Man proposes, God disposes. This proverb seemed the most appropriate for the situation. She said, “Not really, you fit the best.” I didn’t know how to react. At first I was happy well she thinks I am smart, the very second feeling was “what if I fumble it, will she ever believe me?” There were million thoughts overlapping one another in my mind. As the trend says I said “ok, I will do it” these were the costliest words for that moment to me, which I gave just like that.

Days passed and everyone is thrilled with the cultural event which was about to materialize. With every passing day my fear got stronger, although I made enough campaign to overcome the same somewhere deep in my soul. I have tried all possible way to prep myself like preparing a script and mugging it up and spit on stage,  on for the deadly day, a day where everyone would end up in a frustration with my anchoring and might throw rotten eggs or just walk out. I had no other option but to live with this catastrophe feeling.

The day has come; I was the first one to wake up in the morning and do nothing but to stare at my wardrobe. Yes, the day was also a traditional day, what worst could happen first my anchoring then me in traditional wear. It seemed like this day was tailored cut for me to reach the deepest level of thwarting. After 4 trials I picked one, not very happy with but the one with least bad. I was the last person to enter the office bay; every pair of eyes followed me till I get settled in my place. I had no guts rested in my heart to look up and face the eyes.

The clock ticked 2:30 PM and a voice prompted from behind, “lets rush, we are the host can’t be delayed.”  I was sure to know the familiar voice it was my manager. We left for the event venue. Needless to say I was nervous; my scare got added when I was told there is no collar microphone, all we have is a hand microphone. I had forgotten my makeup kit to get the final touch up done on my face. When bad times start it rules your life, so was with mine that day. I started the vows with a smiling face, “A very pleasant evening to all the Ladies and Gentlemen”.

That’s it! This is all I could recall from my script which I had been mugging up from last 3 days. I had no choice but to blabber something on the stage. The words just came in and I followed the sentences. The sequence of the activity which we thought would be coming was also got shuffled. I had forgotten to take my lunch, my stomach was growling as if yelling at me for ignoring it for some fear of mine. Wow!!! Nobody could think of the worst fate as it was for mine.

With the first event and the first paragraph which I snuggled somehow was applauded. This was a total surprise. I made people to clap. I pinched myself to reassure if I was dreaming. Then the confidence just poured more and more. The audiences were not walking out; they are actually listening to my words. They were smiling and laughing at my jokes. I had never believed in miracles. But this was happening. It was like a fairy came in and waved her magical wand and everything is falling in place. The time passed with a cake walk. The new experience was thrilling and I wished it never ended.

Like every starting has an end, every beginning has a climax, this had to end. The moment “Thank you!” popped out my mouth, the crowd stood up. I left the dais and got down. Everyone in and around approached me and congratulated me for the wonderful anchoring I did. I could not believe myself. The feeling was unbeatable. I was not feeling well as my stomach started aching so I had to leave early, but the smile stayed imparted on my face till I went to bed. I didn’t know whom to thank, my manager, myself, God… all I realized was:

It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.