Maya leaned against the kitchen counter, her blond hair cascading over her shoulders as she engaged in conversation with Alice. As they chatted, Talon sat impatiently on the couch in the living room, tapping his foot and checking the watch on the wall.
Maya's expression shifted to one of annoyance. "Alice, are you serious?" she exclaimed. "Why did you have to bring that guy here?"
Alice's grin widened as she explained, "He plays the guitar like a pro!"
Maya let out a sigh and shook her head. She knew all too well that Alice had a tendency to be impulsive.
The one who used to accompany her in her performance was incredibly talented on the guitar, a skill set that would be difficult to replace and one that would come with quite a hefty price tag.
"You're not taking this seriously, are you?" Maya said.
"Maya, I'm serious. He is good! He is a pro!" Alice said confidently.
"No, I don't think so," Maya retorted sternly. "Are you out of your mind? Is this the same man you said was a busker and hasn't paid rent for three months?"
Alice continued. "Yes, he is. But, Maya, I'm sure you'll accept him. He's really good at playing the guitar, and you need someone like him, right?"
Maya shook her head in disbelief. "Since when can a busker replace a professional guitarist? If all buskers could do that, then this profession would no longer be worth it!" she said firmly.
The migraine in Maya's head was getting worse, and in response, she began to rub her temples with both hands. She was well aware that her friend Alice was the root cause of all of this.
"Alice!" she said, her exasperation palpable. "I understand that you may be trying to make light of this, but do you really comprehend the potential repercussions? I'm playing for a wealthy individual's wedding, and they're paying me generously! And yet you propose that I should get a busker to join me? Are you out of your mind?"
Alice, sensing Maya's hesitation, softened her approach. "Maya, I've seen him play. He's got something special, and you know I wouldn't say that lightly."
She strove to be comforting. "Maya, you must assess his capabilities before coming up with a decision. Give him a chance, and I'm sure you will be amazed!"
Maya's discerning eye was a product of experience, not mere prejudice. "It's not about giving chances. It's about maintaining a standard," she said, her voice reflecting a blend of weariness and firmness.
She sighed in annoyance. "You're really wasting my time. I'm not the kind of person who's good at rejecting people. But you've really pushed me to my limit this morning."
Alice clicked her tongue in annoyance. "It's already afternoon and not morning anymore," she said. "I know you're stubborn, but I think he deserves the chance to prove his skills, so you should go and test him."
Maya took a deep breath and exhaled. "Alright, I'll give him one chance," she said reluctantly. "But if he doesn't meet my expectations, he won't get another."
"Excellent, that's a deal," Alice said with enthusiasm. "Let's do it!"
Maya and Alice then walked back towards the living room, and at that moment, Talon lifted his face to look at the two of them, but he remained silent.
"Do you have a guitar?" Maya asked him.
"I used to," He replied but was cut off when Alice interjected.
"What do you mean used to? Do you mean you play guitar but don't have a guitar?" she inquired.
"His guitar is broken. Someone broke it. However, I think you can lend him your guitar, don't you agree?" Alice said, her face and voice full of certainty.
Maya let out a huff of annoyance and grabbed Alice by the shoulders, speaking in a low whisper even though Talon could still hear her clearly.
"You know how expensive my guitar is, right? Are you sure he can use it without breaking it?" she said sternly.
Alice nodded, her expression determined. "I'll replace it if he breaks it; that's my guarantee."
Maya shot her a suspicious look. "What's wrong with your head? Why are you defending him so much? Do you have a special relationship with him?"
Alice sighed in exasperation. "Listen to me, asshole. Quit talking and give him a chance. We can talk after that." She said firmly.
Maya then went back to her room and re-emerged with a guitar in hand, which she carefully placed on the table. She looked at Talon with a slight trace of anxiety on her face.
"Take my guitar, and play the best song you can play."
"Thank you," Talon said, wearing a broad smile as he grabbed the guitar.
As Talon picked up Maya's guitar, he felt a surge of gratitude and pressure course through him. His hands and fingers grazed the instrument, and he could already feel its quality. Its surface was smooth to the touch, and the strings seemed to vibrate with a melodic tune as he plucked them. He adjusted the guitar's tone and plucked the strings slowly to make the necessary adjustments.
Maya squared her shoulders, her hands on her hips, ready to give her sternest opinion of the man in front of her. She was a gifted vocalist and had very specific expectations for who she would perform with. If the guitarist who wanted to accompany her didn't meet those standards, she would certainly not approve.
Alice, too, was seen grinning as she watched Talon ready himself to play the guitar.
Talon began to play his guitar, the sound of its strings reverberating throughout the space. His nimble fingers plucked and strummed, forming a melody that enchanted the room. His movements were graceful and precise, each note striking with emotion. The sound filled the air, enfolding them in its beauty. Maya's eyes widened in admiration, captivated by the music and the emotion behind it.
Maya watched intently, her initial skepticism slowly giving way to curiosity. She had expected a rough, unpolished sound, typical of street performances, but what she heard was nuanced, emotive, and surprisingly sophisticated. It was clear that Talon was not just playing the guitar; he was speaking through it.
Maya muttered softly, "He is really good..." She slowly shook her head in disbelief, her jaw dropping as she continued. "There's no way he could be just a street busker, right?" she pondered.
"Why hasn't anyone discovered a talent like this yet? I'm so lucky to have met him before he became famous. This is extraordinary."
As the last note of Talon's guitar solo echoed through the room, he glanced over at Maya. She paused, seemingly taken aback, before her face settled into a mask of stoic determination.
Talon waited for her to speak, but all that filled the room was a moment of silence. Alice watched, her expression unreadable.
Maya remained quiet for a few moments, her expression still unreadable. Then, in a measured tone, she said, "Talon, I'll be honest with you. You may not be a professional, but your music is undeniably honest. It's raw, but it resonates."
"Thank you," Talon replied.
Alice then asked, "What do you mean by that? Can you explain it in a simpler way?"
"Can you play another song?" Maya said, her voice low and gentle. She then sat on the sofa, her body language looking much more relaxed than before.
"What song do you want me to play, Ms. Maya?" Talon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Maya then took out her phone and scrolled through something on it, and after a moment, she showed Talon a video from YouTube, a cover of a popular song.
"Can you do this?" she asked.
Talon recalled trying to play the guitar on the song before, and he felt confident that he could do it well.
"I'll try." he smiled warmly.
Talon began playing the guitar again, passionately strumming to the song playing on YouTube. It was a song of a woman who had been betrayed by her lover and proclaimed that she could live better without him.
Maya watched in awe as Talon played, feeling the strong connection between him and the guitar. He wasn't perfect, not even close to a professional, but he had undeniable potential. She was certain of it.
As the song progressed, his playing became more intricate. He skillfully navigated complex chord progressions and finger-picking patterns, his eyes closed as if lost in another world. It was as if the guitar was an extension of himself, a voice for the emotions that words could never fully capture.
After three minutes had elapsed, Talon finally came to the end of the song. The room was now deathly silent, but a faint smile had spread across Maya's face, indicating her approval of his guitar playing.
"So what do you think, Maya?" Alice asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm.
Maya sighed. "He's... passable. I don't have much time to find a better replacement, so I think he'll do."
Alice shoved her shoulder against Maya's. "You could be a bit nicer. He did his best."
"That is my honest opinion," Maya retorted.
Talon replied slowly, "Thanks, Ms. Maya..."
Maya had been singing in a bar, accompanied by her friend on guitar, when an unfortunate event sent her friend to the hospital, leaving her with no accompaniment. As she considered her situation, an idea suddenly came to her.
"Talon, I've got an offer for you," she said enthusiastically.
Alice giggled and said, "You did as I said, didn't you? You were mesmerized by his guitar playing."