5 PM soon came and Tayaw was already in the back stage of ROH Factory, practicing his guitar skills. A few minutes ago, he took a peek from the front window of the bar and he spotted Chala's car already parked, probably with Chala inside waiting for the bar to open. Tayaw also checked in with the bar's cook and confirmed that food that can be eaten as dinner will be served tonight, to Tayaw's relief.
5:30 came, and Chala entered the bar along with Ms. Lei who arrived on a cab. Tayaw, who saw them enter, welcomed them and brought them to one of the best tables in the bar room.
"Well, Tayaw, I didn't know you would be celebrating in a bar. I don't support underage drinking!" Ms. Lei told Tayaw sternly.
"Oh, don't worry Ms. Lei. I'm not here to drink. But as a consideration for my adult friends, I chose somewhere that serve alcoholic drinks! Besides, I just got acquainted with the chef of the bar." Tayaw replied as he received a funny look from Chala, who almost let out a giggle.
Chala knew what's up.
Ms. Lei just nodded. "So, I was just talking outside with Chala. I didn't expect it was him that you ended up hiring. I thought he would be busy with having more than enough clients." Ms. Lei said expressing her surprise at Chala working for Tayaw.
"Bah. They're all currently in their writing processes. I don't even know if one of them will finish their novel series." Chala said.
"I'm also well aware of the number of Mr. Rotala's clients, which is why I'm also happy with my choice of him as an agent. His idea of going to Topaz was such a great move." Tayaw said, elevating Chala as much as he can in Ms. Lei's eyes.
"I have to admit, that was quite impressive. I can't even imagine what you told them." Ms. Lei nodded in affirmation. While they were chatting among themselves, Chala also ordered for them. A beer for him, a light beer for Ms. Lei, and a ginger ale for Tayaw.
Soon after, the sound of the speakers being set up reverberated across the bar room and gathered the momentary attention of the customers. While the sound of the speakers was brushed off by the customers, this got Tayaw a meaningful look from Chala, which Tayaw replied with a look of his own.
"Ms. Lei. What are your favorite songs? Write them down here, I may be able to have them played." Tayaw asked Ms. Lei.
After picking up the songs Ms. Lei wrote down, Tayaw stood up and excused himself to the 'bathroom', before heading to the back stage to pick up his guitar and do some last minute practice for the songs he know from Ms. Lei's songs requests. 6 PM soon arrived and so did Tayaw arrive on the stage, to the unaware Ms. Lei who was talking to Chala.
"Mic test. Mic test." Tayaw whispered to the microphone, which gathered some attention from the customers closest to the stage. He then plugged in his acoustic guitar, sat on the bar stool and started playing a guitar plucking instrumental, which gave the customers a welcoming feeling.
Ms. Lei, who also looked at the stage, was surprised at Tayaw's appearance. She looked at Chala, who just nodded and smiled at her. Tayaw then, leaned on the microphone and started to welcome the customers while still playing the guitar.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tayaw, and welcome to ROH Factory. To our new guests, ROH factory is a musical bar which presents a line-up of musical acts every night for your enjoyment. To our regulars who were expecting miss Amelie as an opening act, it's unfortunate that she changed her schedule and will only be playing at nights from Thursdays to Saturdays for the whole month of September. I on the other hand, will be your new opening act for Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting from today. This is my first day, and I wish for your support." Tayaw introduced himself and the customers gave applause of encouragement for Tayaw.
Ms. Lei meanwhile was smiling widely watching at Tayaw on stage. She was deceived by Tayaw, but she was also very happy at Tayaw's efforts of pull her leg like this.
On the stage, after the applause break, continued plucking his guitar as he also continued to introduce the line-up.
"Thank you. Tonight's line up will be opened by yours truly and followed by our second act…."
While Tayaw was introducing the line-up, Rudy and the third performer of the night who were listening to this through the speaker in the green room, were smiling at each other at Tayaw's novel way of welcoming the customers.
"So sit back, enjoy your drinks, and watch as the ROH Factory makes music for your entertainment tonight." As he ended his introduction, Tayaw's plucking of the guitar also changed into strums and ended into a nice chord. The customers being warmed up to the stage, applauded at the welcoming feeling Tayaw gave them.
"The first song I will perform tonight is a song requested by a new friend of mine who is here tonight to support my first official gig. This is 'Flow to you' by Lorne Cross" Tayaw introduced his song and sent Ms. Lei a smile, which Ms. Lei responded with a wave.
'I've traveled roads so long
each step I'm far from you
my sun rise earlier than yours
Oh I wanna come back and feel
Every part of you
But you can't hold my dirty hands
and kiss my sinful lips'
'Flow to you' is an RnB - Soul love song released in the 1970s about a man who despite his love for his woman, can never go back to her because of his crimes and has to stay on the run.
It's one of those songs that did not get public recognition by the time of its release but was later discovered and became an instant classic.
Tayaw did not do rearrange the song as he felt that the song is in his style and that the original arrangement is already perfect. While singing, he also noticed Ms. Lei mouthing along with the lyrics and seems to be enjoying herself, to the delight of Chala who is sitting next to her.
Compared to yesterday's gig where Tayaw majorly played relaxing nostalgic songs, tonight's gig was arranged by Tayaw to be composed by slow songs in the first twenty minutes, followed by exciting and cheerful songs in the middle twenty minutes, and toe tapping songs in the final twenty minutes.
It was a gig that showed the range of his skill across some musical genres. It also impressed Rudy and the musicians who are in the green room during his performance. After his final song, he thanked the patrons who in turn gave him a round of applause with whistles from the more enthusiastic customers.
The next performer also shook his hand and gave his kudos to him, on his way to the back stage. He did not proceed to the green room, and rejoined with Chala and Ms. Lei.
"That was quite the performance, young man. I was pleasantly surprised." Ms. Lei welcomed him back to the table while patting Tayaw's back.
"Thank you, Ms. Lei. I wanted to surprise you, which I achieved." Tayaw said.
"Uhm. Thank you for singing my favorite songs. It's my first time hearing someone perform it live, and you did a great job singing them." Ms. Lei who seems to be a little under the influence of alcohol, is more cheerful than her sober self.
"Oh. By the way, you can order more if you want, it's my treat. I also wasn't lying when I said this is also a celebration." Tayaw told them, treating the two for their help having his book published.
"Then I won't be polite. In fact, we already ordered some buffalo wings earlier and some more drinks." Ms. Lei said.
After a few more minutes of chatting, Tayaw pulled out an envelope containing a copy of the adults' version of the fairy tales and handed it to Ms. Lei.
"Here, Ms. Lei. A gift for giving me your time back then. It's not much, but I hope you'll like it. It's better if you read it sober." Tayaw said, and got a nod from Ms. Lei as a response.
"Well then, I must bid you two an early farewell tonight. The boss and the other musicians must be waiting for me at the back stage. I have to introduce myself to them." Tayaw said as an excuse to let Chala have more time alone with Ms. Lei. Chala also gave him a thankful look.
"Alright. Go talk to them. You're good so you'll probably here for a long time. Thank you Tayaw, I'm having a great time. Good night." Ms. Lei thanked him as she bid him goodbye.
"I know we will not be working with each other for a while after you're done writing your second volume Tayaw so I really want to thank you for choosing me as your agent." Chala also said his heartfelt thanks to Tayaw.
"Thank you too for lending me your services. Mr. Rotala. Who said we can only meet if it's about the book. You can see me here at Tuesday and Wednesday nights." Tayaw shook both their hands before heading to the green room.
The green room is already half filled by bands and solo acts on standby when Tayaw arrived.
"Ah, Tayaw! Great job on the stage tonight! What took you so long? These guys can't want to meet you. Introduce yourself." Rudy patted Tayaw's back as he gestured him to stand at the center of the room, in front of the other musicians.
"Good evening. I'm Tayaw, a recent hire by the boss. I will be opening for two nights a week this September. Nice to meet you all." Tayaw introduced himself to the musicians and the musicians also introduced themselves to him.
They started asking questions about him including his age, what college he is attending and what major, or how long he's been playing. One of the guitarists even asked Tayaw if he can phone him to substitute if he can't make it to a gig.
Tayaw made a good impression on the musicians he met tonight.