Chapter 3
...
Ash, as promised, picked up Berlitz family from their hotel at sharp 9 am. Daniel and Johanna were busy sightseeing the beautiful hanging garden where as Dawn was standing at a far corner, gazing at the milky clouds and was enjoying the chilly mists.
Serena was trying to keep Ash interested in a conversation.
"So Ash," she said," you're a Doctor?"
Ash nodded sheepishly.
"That's great! You must be proud of yourself!" Serena said cheerfully. Ash simply stated,"I love my job, though it is a bit tiring sometimes."
There was something in this boy which attracted her. The way he talked, the way he walked, the way he smiled. She felt that Arceus had made him for her, and only her.
Ash, however kept on stealing glances at Dawn. He noticed how her eyes sparkled when she saw anything cheerful, how her lips curved into a smile whenever she noticed someone laughing, how her midnight blue hair fluttered in the wind. She was wearing an old fashioned jumper with black jeans and pink boots. Her white beanie added to her charm.
He smiled to himself. Though he was 27, he had never had any romantic relationship. School, college and then job were always his priority. He never believed in love at first sight but now he believed love may not happen at first sight but leaves a tingling feeling in one's heart which makes the person fall for the other, even if they donot meet after the first time.
"Do you need anything to drink Ash?" Serena asked, politely.
"No,"he said.
"Okey then! Well, where do you live?" She asked.
"In Celadon City," he said, trying to concentrate on the conversation.
"Wow! In three weeks, I am going to join the St. Rosewood College over there!" She almost squealed in delight.
"That's great! Which stream?" He asked.
"Business studies,"she boastfully said.
"That is nice! Leaf is there in that stream, she is joining this year too," he replied. He glanced at Dawn, she was talking to a little kid and planted a kiss on his cheek when he gave her a beautiful red rose. His first gift for her. He smiled as his intention was fulfilled.
"Leaf? Who is she?" Serena said, a little too harsh. Ash ignored the harshness of her voice and said, "She is Gary's girlfriend, Gary is my cousin brother."
A wave of momentary satisfaction covered her face. Ash asked,"What about Dawn?"
Serena hid her anger and disappointment and replied,"She dropped school after her board exams, she was never a shining star as far as studies are related."
Ash internally scoffed at her reply. Without changing his tone he said,"I heard her singing, she is really good."
"Yeah, its the only thing she is good at."
Suddenly Serena was struck with an idea. She called Dawn over and handed her a camera.
"Take a picture of Ash and me together, okay?" Serena said, and stood as close as she could near Ash.
After clicking the picture, Dawn was about to leave when Ash said," Wait Dawn, can I have a picture of you?" Dawn stared at him with her sapphire eyes and blinked twice. Suddenly remembering she hadn't answered him yet, she nodded.
Ash clicked a picture of her and thanked her. Then he asked Serena to take a picture of him and Dawn together. Dawn, a little shy because of his close presence, was not sure how Serena will react but on further insisting by Ash, agreed.
Daniel saw the look Ash was giving Dawn. It was the same he used to give Johanna before they were married.
Johanna, making her way to the kids said,"The guide says that there is a mythical Lake nearby, we should visit it."
"It is the Wishing Lake, according to the locals,"Daniel said.
"Wishing Lake?" Dawn asked,clearly confused.
Ash said,"People believe that wishes made at this lake always gets fulfilled!"
"We should go!" Serena replied cheekily.
"Sounds like fun," Dawn agreed too.
"Yeah, we should go there,"Ash proposed.
When they arrived at the lake, they found some hermits sitting along the river, chanting some holy chants. Dawn, Serena and Ash made their way to the river bank where as Johanna and Delia were standing near their car, waiting for the children to return.
"It looks like a river instead of a lake,"Dawn said, clearly astounded.
"It is a long lake, so, it looks like a river,"a man, about 69, replied. The trio looked at him in confusion.
The man laughed and said,"Oh! Don't be startled kiddos, the name is Robert. The lake is said to be created by tears of manaphy and Jirachi's birth place is believed to be somewhere near here, so the lake water is said to posses some mythical power to fulfil wishes."
"Does the wishes come true?" Dawn asked.
Robert smiled and turned, showing his back. He said,"You'll never know if you don't try. Give it a shot." Saying that,he left.
"What a weirdo!'' Serena exclaimed after he left.
Dawn giggled a little and Ash kept on staring at his retreating figure. He saw Johanna and Daniel waving to them, clearing calling them to come quickly.
"Dad must be waiting for us," Dawn added. Serena nodded saying,"We gotta return quickly."
"Lets make a wish atleast," Ash said.
Dawn looked at Ash and smiled a little. He smiled back. Serena was busy concentrating on her wish.
"I hope Ash agrees for our marriage," Serena silently wished.
Ash closed his eyes and rested his right hand on his chest. He asked for just one thing. "Dawn."
Dawn was staring at the waves with happy expression. She really thanked God for bringing Ash in her life. She wished what she always wanted."Dear God, I just want to have a husband who will love me more than enough, more than I have ever been loved."
After their brief visit to the lake, the group was returning to their hotel. Ash couldn't help but ask Dawn,"You're a really gifted singer, from whom did you learn the basics?"
She blushingly thanked him and informed that the well known music teacher, Respected Sir Harrison, was her teacher.
"I guess singing beautifully is in your family blood," Ash said jokingly.
Daniel and Johanna tensed at the joke. Daniel trying to regain his composure replied,"No, none of mine or Johanna's relative are that good singers, Dawn is just gifted you can say."
Ash wanted to spend as much time as he could with Dawn, as tomorrow, was the last day of his leave.
Serena,breaking the ice said,"Hey Ash, lets exchange numbers! That way we can stay in touch always!". For the first time in the entire conversation, Ash felt she said something meaningful.
Dawn was staring out of the car window. She was trying to stop all the warm feelings she was having whenever Ash talked or smiled. She knew they will go on their separate ways after the night but couldn't help but feel gloomy about it. She was happy she met Ash but at the same time wished she hadn't. The pain of separation was already flooding her mind.
"Hey Dawn," Ash said, breaking her train of thoughts.
She looked at him, with a face full if so much purity and cuteness, he forgot what he was going to say. When she asked,"What?", he was kind of surprised.
"Sorry about that, but," he stopped and came a little closer so that only she could hear,"you are really beautiful."
...