As I climbed onto the stage .....
Lucknow Literature Carnival was a grand event, attended by almost every important person in our city. There were celebrated authors, inspiring writers, and other famous artists.
It seemed like a movie where every second there was some action, some drama, a lot of audiences, the crew, the stars dazzling the location. The whole thing was no less than a huge dreamlike set for me. There were reporters from the media and flashbulbs went pop every second.
It was for the first time in my life that I was facing a crowd of at least 3000 people. Standing on the stage there, addressing them, with the spotlight on me, it all felt very surreal. I was nervous and my palms were slightly cold, but I managed to deliver my short, not rehearsed speeches with glitches only known to me and my team.
Sometimes I just stood there in the auditorium, clad in a saree, feeling foolish, ill-prepared and very small. At times I stammered and muttered but then bounced back looking at all the warm, smiling faces and sparkling eyes of my entire team, as if each of them was telling me that don't worry, we trust you and you can do it.
I remember, as I was concluding and stepping down with a promise to meet again the next year, my cheeks were gleaming with happiness and my heart was filled with satisfaction and gratitude.
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