Nail-Biting Experience

It was my turn. I got up slowly taking a couple of deep breaths. That reassuring pat was hard to manage. I was feeling confident at this point. I look up, skipping a breath. “Oh frick.” I think to myself. Everyone’s staring. I start to read. I’m doing fine at this point. Next palm card. So far so good.

Choke. Ah god. “Can I get a drink, please?” Guzzling down as much water as I can. I can’t breathe properly. I start off again. Okay. Just a bad start. I’m just gliding through this now. Wait…Oh…Efff.. Whose handwriting is this? I start to panic trying to pick up where I left off. Problem. Where did I end? What am I going on about? Do I start again? What should I do?

Wait, How long did I pause for? The room suddenly goes blank and I feel light headed. I start to whimper and stutter. I felt like walking out of the room and start bawling my eyes out. I can’t feel my legs. I feel like I was going to collapse. “Keep it together, dammit.” I thought to myself, “What would she do?” I flip to the next card and start reading again. At this point I have no idea what I’m saying and what I’m arguing about. I just try to sound correct.

I finally reached my last card. “Oh thank god!” I thought. I feel a relief. I walk back to my seat with the opposing team staring at me. I sit down thinking “Don’t you dare cry now.” I take a drink of water, Almost finishing the whole bottle. I get small talk with Erfaan and Chantelle. My legs still felt numb.

This was probably the most nerve-wreaking moment I ever went through and hell. I would do it all again just for the thrill. I say that half-heartedly.