Chapter 5

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Ash was more than happy on finding out Dawn was coming to Celadon to perform. So, he made sure he had enough time to go home, take a bath, get ready ant reach the theater on time. He even took half day leave from the hospital. He was that excited to see her.

When he reached home at 4pm, two hours before his normal time, his family was quite surprised. He kissed his mother on the forehead, a thing he always did when he was too happy or needed comfort. After losing his father in a car accident, he was the only thing which Delia had. Ash sometimes wanted to rewind time to bring everything back but not everything was in his control.

He made sure he took a decent bath to let go of all his tiredness and fatigue. Putting on a formal dress which was not too formal he checked himself in the mirror. He was wearing a black jeans, held in place by a leather belt. He had a white T-shirt on with a black jacket. He put on his watch and combed his hair. His took out his shoes which he had brought in Sinnoh, black boots, which was selected by Dawn when they were exploring the local shops. After believing he looked enough decent, he headed out.

Finding the Celadon theatre was not a pain. Being brought up in Celadon, he knew every part of it. So when he reached half an hour later, he was quite surprised to see the guests there. He hadn't thought this concert was going to be this big.

He took a seat near the stage and looked around. Most of the people seemed music lovers where as some seemed to have come just for enjoyment. He saw Serena sitting a bit further from his seat. Noticing him, she smiled and got up, making her way to where he was sitting.

"I didn't knew you had a thing for music," Serena said, taking a seat next to him.

He tried his best to hide his nervousness and said a little awkwardly,"Yeah!"

Breaking the silence, Ash said,"I heard Dawn is going to sing tonight!"

Serena mentally groaned. She put on a fake,happy smile saying,"You bet."

Ash was even more excited. Her voice always made him feel so good, so calm. Daniel was right. She indeed had a gifted voice.

"So, you came alone?" Ash asked Serena.

She shook her head,"Dad will come later, he is kind of busy. Dawn and her teacher are here." The moment she said that, Ash looked around the room to trace her. Serena, seeing his actions, added,"She is at the backstage." He blushed a little and looked away. He was really bad at hiding his interest he thought.

A moment later, a man, dressed in a brownish coat announced the beginning of the concert. Ash was surprised when he heard so many talented singers. But he was eagerly waiting for Dawn's performance too. As if on clue, Dawn and Harrison made their way to the centre of the stage.

Taking the microphone in his hand, Harrison, in a matured and experienced tone said,"I have been teaching since I was 22. Well I must agree, all my students had great potential and ability, it makes me proud when they say I taught them. But tonight, I will present you my favourite gem, Dawn. She really reminds me of someone close to my heart." He said the last part, almost tearing up. Dawn patted him on his back and bowed her head when he smiled. He told her to start the performance.

Ash was happy when he saw her on the stage. He knew that she was special, had something which separated her from others. Serena, on seeing Ash looking so fondly at Dawn looked away angrily. She always got what she wanted and she was going to make sure the legacy doesn't end now.

Dawn bowed to the audience and gave a sweet smile. Her smile turned larger when she noticed Ash sitting in the audience. She let out a small giggle but quickly adjusted her focus.

I wanted to ..stay away from love

People warned me too as they know it hurts

But this heart never listens to me

It does what it want and feel what it feels

Now here I am, right in front of you

Baby won't you take me by my hand

Take me some where new

Cause I know my heart beats for

You.. And only you.

Serena,seeing Ash listening to the song so patiently felt envious. Suddenly, she said, a little too louder,"Lucas is really lucky!'

Ash was so engrossed in her voice that he almost missed what Serena said. Almost. He looked at Serena with wide eyes and asked," Who is Lucas?"

Serena tried to hide her excitement. She succeeded in his attention. She calmed herself a little and with a sweet, innocent voice said,"Didn't Dawn tell you? Lucas is her fiancé, he lives in Nimbasa." As soon as the words left her mouth, Ash felt the ground beneath him moving, his face darkened and his smile dropped. Serena continued,"They are getting married next year, after he finishes his law enforcement course. I am happy for my baby sister, she is really a sweetheart and I know Lucas will take care of her, even mom and dad are ecstatic about their relationship!''

His heart was too flooded to comprehend anything. Dawn, had a boyfriend? He found it impossible to believe but since Serena was the one telling him, it was of course true, wasn't it? Without saying a word, he got up and left, not wanting to cry in front of the audience. He wanted to listen to the whole song but on realising it was not for him, made his heart even sadder. He thought she liked her back. Was his instincts that wrong?

Serena watched him leave and paid her attention back to Dawn. She had finished singing by then but her eyes were constantly looking for the raven haired boy. Her smile almost evaporated when she realised he had not listened to her whole song.

On seeing Serena, she made her way to her and quickly asked,"Serena, where is Ash?"

Serena wanted to ignore her for a while but after a while said,"He has gone home, he finished the work he came to do over here." Dawn raised her eye brows at that. She knew he came to listen to her but leaving as soon as she finished it, wasn't that rude? She really wanted to talk to him, she really did. She was about to go away when Serena caught her shoulder and victoriously asked,"Don't you want to know why he came in the first place?"

Dawn was now paying full attention to her. Although she knew the answer, she wanted to hear it from her sister. She nodded. Serena closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if going to make an important announcement. The suspense was killing Dawn, she was almost afraid to know what she was going to say.

Serena slowly looked at her and gave her a smile, a real tricky smile Dawn was unable to look through. She slowly but clearly said,"He proposed me for marriage." Dawn felt as if someone had hit her with 1000volt electric spark. Her legs shook wildly and she spaced out for a few minutes. Her tears were threatening to come out and she suppressed a will to shout out loud. She could just meekly ask,"What did you say?"

"I agreed."

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