About a week ago, I won the Junior State mathematics competition and my life took a new turn after.
"George!", I heard my dad call from the living room.
"I hope there aren't reporters in our house this early morning", I grumbled as I left my room.
"Good morning Dad", I greeted him immediately after I got to the living room.
"Good morning my shining star, that's you on the Tv again, the whole world is watching", he said with so much excitement.
"Breakfast is ready", Mom said from the kitchen and we all settled for it.
"This is delicious", Dad complimented Mom's cooking for the umpteenth time.
"That reminds me, you have a TV show to attend today son". he added
"But dad...", I tried spending but he cuts in, "You just have to adjust, you are a star now"
The thoughts of facing people on the show were choking and I wish Dad could see through me.
Evening came and we had to go. I left my room with a dark shade and a face cap.
"Will you get those things off?, How do you want people to recognise you?", Dad asked angrily.
I had to put them back and it looks like there was more to everything than just winning a competition.
All through the trip, I wasn't myself and he didn't see it.
"Hello, George. How are you doing today?", the presenter asked on stage.
"I am fine, thank you", I replied and the audience went cheering.
I kept shaking, my hands were tucked in my pocket to prevent the audience from seeing but my voice betrayed me.
After the show, I wished it would be the last of it but it wasn't.
As we drove back home, Dad began telling me the other invites we had and he could read the sadness written all over my face.
"Hey son, this is an opportunity millions of kids are looking for, let's utilize this and set up your future", Dad said as we arrived home.
"Hey, Pam", I messaged my best friend.
"Hi, buddy. I saw you on TV today", he replied.
"Yes, Did you notice I was scared? My parents won't listen to me, I feel sick about the whole show", I replied.
"Sorry about that, how I can help?", he asked.
"Nothing, I just needed to talk to my best friend", I smiled.
"My uncle drinks coffee every morning. He says it helps him to be bold and focused, it might help you too", Pam said as we ended the chat.
"That could be true, Dad doesn't feel good without coffee", I said to myself.
The next morning, I tried Dad's coffee and truly, it made me feel great. From that moment, coffee became part of me even though my parent didn't know until after four years when I clocked eighteen.
The stage fright didn't get better but after a cup or two, I feel invincible.
During my third year in the university, Dad suggested that I entered the Master of Maths competition. The competition was bigger because it is global and despite being the youngest participant, I came second.
It gave me international recognition and somehow, coffee didn't let me down. I end up with 6-7 cups just to stay in shape whenever I have an interview.
The big event came and didn't believe it would make me panic. From the moment we arrived in the UK, my heart raced faster than a Ferrari.
The award presentation was held a month after at the 02 arena and saying no wasn't an option.
After lodging in a hotel, I watched past videos of the events and it made me uncomfortable.
I sighed heavily thinking about over 100,000 people in the stadium and it made me shiver.
Later in the evening, I found my way to a coffee shop and after having five cups of different brands, I still got more to take home.
I spent lots of time awake drinking coffee and managed to get 2 hours of sleep before daybreak.
My day started with another cup and I felt a slight sting in my head as I went to the bathroom.
"You didn't have enough sleep, you should sleep well when all this is over", I said to myself.
I got out of the bathroom and made another cup after bathing.
"You need all the energy you've got today", I told myself as I drank the second cup.
After dressing up, I made the third cup and emptied it before stepping out of the hotel about two hours later.
I was in the vehicle when I felt the sting again in my head and this time, it was painful.
"Is everything alright sire?", the driver asked as he looked at me in the rear mirror.
"Yes, I am okay", I replied.
We arrived at the stadium and as the crowd started cheering at the mention of my name, the noise slowly became inaudible and my sight got blurry.
"Hey, George are you okay?", those were the last words I heard before everything went blank.
I woke up in ICU and didn't understand why.
"Dad, Mom", I called but my voice was almost inaudible.
They rushed to my bedside including the doctor.
"What happened?", I asked.
"Caffeine, the doctor said there was too much of it in your system. We had to fly here, today is your fifth day here", dad replied.
"Excessive coffee, you could have killed yourself", the doctor added.
"Stage fright pushed me to the limit, there was no other way I could help myself....", I went on telling them how it all began and what happened that day.
Dad apologized and as the news went viral that I was conscious again, my phone just wouldn't stop buzzing.
Finally, I was able to talk to the world from the comfort of my room. Coffee didn't stop but not in excess anymore.