1,2,3 Testing...

Chapter 1: Giants in the Way

Every single day of my life was a constant repetition. First I wake up, then I take a bath, and return to my bed. Maybe it's a boring life, but it is a good life(at least for me). But one day, before we ate as family the dinner, a sixteen seconds TV ad changed my whole way of thinking about what people believes "talent" was in El Salvador.

- "Everyone has a dream, everyone has a life, and everyone has a voice!", the TV ad men said.
- "Are you ready for 'El Numero Uno'?", the TV ad men replied.
- "Castings for the first singing TV show in El Salvador are now open!", the TV ad men said.
- "GOD! Thanks!", I shouted as hard as I could!
- "The last day to cast for the contest is today!", the TV ad men said.
- "What! I have to hurry!", I said desperately.
Then I told my dad if he could take me to the building where "El Numero Uno" or "The Number One", in english, was going to be produced.
- "Sweetie, we can go tomorrow.", my dad said.
- "But dad! Please! Today is the last day to cast for it!", I replied worried.
- "You should have told me before.", he said.
- "Please take me... I'll do whatever you want!", I said.
- "No. My decision is final. You can go if you want, but I won't take you to the building. You need to remember that it's not as easy for you as to other people.", my dad said with anger.

My last option was to ask Uncle Carlos to take me there. So, I called him.
- "Siri, Call Uncle Carlos!", I said.
- "Calling Uncle Carlos", Siri replied.
- "Hey, sweetheart!", Uncle Carlos said with happiness.
- "Uncle, I know you are very busy, but I need to ask you a huge favor! It could save my life!", I replied
- "Are you okay? What happens?", He said desperately.
- "There's going to be a singing casting for a contest at 'La Gran Via', and I need you to take me there! Today is the last cast day! Please!", I said desperately.
- "Okay! I'll be there in 30 minutes! Are you prepared for your presentation?", He said peacefully.

Then I remembered in that moment that I had to prepare a song, my guitar, voice, and clothing! But that would only make the process slower.

- "Yes, uncle. I'm prepared.", I said with security.

The thirty minutes turn into one hour, and I was very nervous! The casting ended at 6 PM, and it was already 5 PM! I was very exasperated, but my perseverence was still on me. Then I heard my uncle's car horn, and it was the sign that he was out waiting for me. As the miles passed, and I could feel the nerves acting as my own enemy. And everything became worst when the traffic increased. The traffic reporters said that the avenues and streets were blocked by a massive amount of cars that were in the streets. We were on a place that was very near of "El Numero Uno" building.
- "Uncle, I need to get there ASAP! Thanks for your help! I will run to the building.", I said.
- "Priscila! What! You are crazy! Please remember that you...", He said worried.
- "That I'm blind...?", I said sadly.

In that moment I felt so sad. The streets were blocked, I coudn't run to the building, and my dream was falling to failure. How could a blind girl turn her dreams a reality... If she can't even do anything without help? The tears fell down from my eyes, and I started to cry.

- "I don't want to see my little girl cry!", He said.

Then, magically the car started to move very fast! I thought I wasn't going to the casting, but my uncle started to fight for me. In an instant of minutes, we were on the building. My uncle hurried to take me to "El Numero Uno" forum. As my uncle guieded me to the forum, I started to feel nervous.

- "Uncle, I can't do it.", I said.
- "You can do it. And you have to do it.", He said.

As we entered the forum I just started to hear the conversation between my uncle and a staff member.

- "What! I have drived so far to make my little girl's dreams true!", my uncle said.
- "I'm sorry, but the producers already left.", the staff member said.
- "You have to call them to come here again! Please, I need to tell you something...", My uncle said.

I knew he was going to tell him that I'm blind, and that it was going to hurt my feelings. He would say to him that he would be the responsible of how I feel on that night, but sincerely it's not the staff member's fault. Maybe it wasn't God's will after all, and I understood that.

- "Uncle, let's go.", I said.
- "No, sweetheart! I'm going to make the producers come to hear you!", He said with confidence.
- "Uncle, No. It's over. Don't worry, maybe it wasn't God's will.", I said.
- "But...", My uncle said.
- "Thank you for you support, uncle. Thanks for taking me to the forum, but let's go.", I said.

Then I started to walk without my uncle's guide, but I crashed with someone.

- "I'm so sorry. It wasn't intention.", I said and keep walking.
- "Were you here for the casting?", The men asked, but it was more like a teen's voice.
- "Yes, we were, but sadly we are late for it.", I said.
- "Maybe you're late, but I think I can do another audition, just for you.", He said with a soft and calm voice.
- "But... the producer already left.", I said sadly.
- "Who said that?", said the men laughing.
- "It doesn't matters...", I said.
- "Well, I'm a producer! And I haven't left yet! Come with me, please.",
Said the men.
- "And hey! My name is Steven.", He said.

I felt shocked in that moment. I was talking with a producer as I used to talk to my friends... But then my uncle guided me to the room.

- "Hey, you! The beautiful lady that is going to audition right now! Uhm, what is your name, where are you from, and why you would like to be in 'El Numero Uno'?", Steven said.

- "Well, my name is Priscila Cortéz, and...", I said but Steven interrupted me.
- "Woah! Beautiful lady, beautiful name! What else does this girl has that is beautiful? Keep talking please.", Steven said.
- "I'm from La Libertad, El Salvador, and I would like to be in 'El Numero Uno' because it's my chance to show the world that talent is in everyone, no matter if you're blind or you have disabilities. God has a perfect plan for everyone and He will be glorified by everyone's talent.", I said with confidence.
- "Okay! Show us what you've got.", Steven said.
It was my first time singing for someone who I really don't knew... So I wanted to be sure that everything was right.

- "1,2,3 Testing...", I said.
- "Hahaha don't worry everything is tested by anticipation, now show me your talent! What song are you going to sing for me?", Steven said laughing.
- "I'm going to sing 'Giants Fall' by Francesca Battistelli.", I replied.
- "Okay. Procede, please.", Steven said.

I started to sing and play the guitar. It wasn't Steven's moment, or Uncle Carlos' moment. It was my moment. To show everyone the talent that I have inside me. And I started praise the Lord with my song.

- "Don't you be afraid, Of giants in your way. With God you know that anything's possible! So step into the fight. He's right there by your side!
The stones inside your hand might be too small. But watch the giants fall!", Said the song by Francesca Battistelli "Giants Fall".

Those were my words while singing. I knew that when I started to fight for being here, I was fighting against the giants. And they fell when I started to sing. Then I stopped singing and playing the guitar.

- "Those giants, were defeated", Steven said.

Then Steven left the room without saying anything.

- "The giants, were defeated... You did it my little girl!", Uncle Carlos said.
- "Yeah. They fell, uncle", I said with a smile in my face.