The Wishing Lake
Chapter 20
...
The way from Sinnoh to Celadon City in Kanto was a long journey. It was even longer for the people who were currently coming back home.
At Ash's house
"Where are they?" Delia impatiently asked while taking a glance at the door after every five minutes.
"Calm down Delia, the flight landed just half an hour ago. They will be over here within a few minutes," Samantha said while cleaning the vase.
"Come on Samantha. You are as excited as I am, otherwise you never clean those vases!" Delia pointed out.
"I am waiting to see my kids. They have been gone for a week now!" Samantha said while placing a hand on her chest. Delia stopped what she was doing and looked at her ,"Sammy, do you think Ash is alright?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, for the last two days, whenever I called, either Gary or Drew picked up. They didn't allow me to talk, with either Ash or Dawn," Delia said, her heart filling heavy.
"Now, when I think about it, that is quite true!" Troy said as he came down the stairs.
"I wonder what's wrong?" Delia softly said.
The bell ringed once and Delia, excited as well as annoyed, sprang up like a spring and dashed toward the door, opening it with a warm smile.
"Drew! May! Leaf! I can't believe you all are back!'' Delia happily said and shifted so they could enter. The trio entered with eyes fixed on their boots, bodies trembling.
"Where are the others?" Samantha asked, getting up and sitting on the sofa.
"Yeah, where is Ash and Dawn? Leaf, where is Gary?" Troy asked while taking a seat beside Samantha.
"Ash won't be coming," Gary said, voice shaking as he entered the house.
"I knew it. That stupid kid of mine will spend some more time in mountains, right. I know he loves them and he must have kept Dawn with him," Delia said, a little angry at Ash but smiling nonetheless.
"Mom..." A weak voice said while Delia was talking. The newly arrived froze in their tracks where as others turned to see Dawn, being supported by Daniel, entering the house.
"Oh my God! What have you done to yourself!'' Delia and Samantha said together. Troy asked Daniel,"What the hell is going on! They seem so tired and broken, Dawn is looking so terrible and when and where did you meet them!"
Dawn choked on her sobs and Delia couldn't help but ask,"You all are so quiet. Where is my Ashy?"
"Mom..." Dawn started again but ended up in tears. Seeing such a condition of her daughter in law, Delia's voice dried up. She silently asked,"Where is Ash?"
No one said a word. Dawn leaned against Daniel's arm and swallowed a sob. It was hard, and the sudden news had been a shock to her. She didn't expect such a turnover of events.
"He has gone missing," Daniel said, grieved as he had to break the news.
"Stop kidding Mr. Berlitz, where is Ash!" Samantha voice almost cracked when she said it.
No one said anything. Not even a word. May, taking Dawn by her shoulder, guided her to her room. A room which was Ash's. A room where they had spent their first night together, the room which was their's and a room which was now empty, as empty as her heart.
...
Serena was walking silently on the gravelled path leading to the park.
'I didn't mean to kill him, and it is impossible for someone to survive if they fall from such a great height,' she mentally said, hardly noticing where she was going.
'But, what now? Should I confess? Should I keep it a secret? What will they do?'
'How am I gonna face Dawn now?'
She was stuck in her thoughts when she collided with someone. Muttering a quick apology, she said,"Sorry." She didn't even bother to look up.
"So we meet again, troublesome."
She recognized the voice.
"Bye Paul."
"What, you're not gonna annoy me like always?" He asked, sounding scorn but a playful edge to his voice. She didn't react. Instead, she walked right past him.
However, Paul caught her wrist and stopped her in her tracks.
"What's wrong?'
"Let me go."
"Answer me first.''
"Let me go."
"Not until you answer me."
"Go back home Paul."
He stayed quiet, his grip till tight.
She continued,"Delia needs you. She really needs you, more than anyone else at this moment."
Paul raised his eyebrows,"I left on my own freewill. I can't go back."
"Even if your mother is almost at her breaking point? You won't go even if your family is grieving? Why? Don't you love them? But that's not the case, you still care for them. Silently," she said, tearing up a little.
"That's none of your business," he released her hand. She, with sadness said,"Ash is dead Paul. He is no more."
...
A week had passed since the news broke out to the Ketchum household. Everyone's expression had darkened. Hardly any word was exchanged or even spoken.
Delia had taken the blow quiet seriously. After the death of her husband and then Paul leaving her, Ash was the only thing she was so close too.
While looking at the children playing outside in the street, Dawn couldn't help but imagine her life, what will she do now. Earlier, she was fully dependent on Ash, leaving every decision of her life in his hands. They even planned to name their kid Hinata or Alex, depending on the gender. Only ifs...
"Don't abandon singing Dawn. That is what made me fall in love with you.." His voice echoed in her ears.
"I can't.. I just can't. You were the one who brought melody to my life Ash. Earlier I used to sing, after meeting you, I began to feel..."
"If you love me, you will keep the promise we made."
"Don't tell me to do something which I can't Ash."
"Dawn, I have always loved you and I will always love you. Always."
Dawn woke up with a start. She hadn't realized she had dosed off while leaning against the window pane.
Trying to ease her pain, she hummed a tune, allowing a tear to escape her eye
I can be tough
I can be strong
But with you
It's not like that at all
There's a girl
That gives a shit
Behind this wall
You just walked through it
Picking up Ash's picture frame and hugging it tight, she didn't realize Delia had entered her room. Delia was not blaming anyone for the death of Ash. In fact, she understood how Dawn was feeling, she had lost Ash's father too.
And I remember
All those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here.
All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here
Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
Here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
Near, near, near
I wish you were here.
Putting the picture back in its place, she once again made her way to the window and peeked outside. The children were gone and so was her will to live. Wiping away her tears, she realized how much he meant to her. For now, colour was just a word, her life as colourless as the white saree she was wearing.
I love
The way you are
It's who I am
Don't have to try hard
We always say
Say it like it is
And the truth
Is that I really mi-I-iss
All those crazy things you said
You left them running through my head
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here.
All those crazy things we did
Didn't think about it, just went with it
You're always there, you're everywhere
But right now I wish you were here
Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
Here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
Near, near, near
I wish you were here.
"Dawn" Delia silently called out, making Dawn stop in her tracks. She didn't wipe her tears,"Sorry if I woke you up Mom."
"You didn't my child. Stop blaming yourself," Delia said, choking on her tears,"It was just fate."
Dawn shook her head,"No Mom. I should have declined the offer of going there. It would have never happened."
Poor child, Delia thought. Letting go of a heavy sigh, she said,"Someone has come to meet us."
...
Dawn wasn't surprised when Daniel and Johanna had arrived to meet her. Their visits were now regular, almost once every two days. They were worried for Dawn afterall.
"I told you Mom," Dawn firmly said, while waiting for her Mom to calm down,"I am not leaving this place. Here I can feel Ash. I won't go away. I can't go away. I know he will return. I don't believe you all have given up hopes. He will be hurt if he finds out and he will be more hurt if he doesn't see me here."
"He won't come back Dawn," Daniel said with a heavy load on his chest.
"Don't say that Dad. Don't take away my hopes, it is all I have with me now."
Serena, who was adjusting in her seat uncomfortably said,"Don't quit singing, please."
"I am not quitting. I have just lost all my hopes and inspiration,"Dawn said monotonously.
"Think about it, I know my brother don't want to see you quitting, especially because of him." Dawn heard him but didn't look at him. Paul had returned after hearing about Ash's news. He was tormented but did a good job of taking care of everyone, especially his mother.
"No Paul, I can't."
Turning back to walk away, she said,"I need to talk to you Serena." Serena, sweating nervously gulped on hearing it and took a deep breath. Paul, however shouted,"Walk away, walk away you weak hearted Woman! I don't understand how come Ash choose someone who doesn't know what to do with her life! Continue living your life as a sad spirit. Ash will be glad!"
Daniel got up and signalled Paul to keep quiet,"She is still in trauma. Don't say such things."
...
Back in the room, after Serena entered, Dawn closed the door behind her, making the former more nervous.
"Where is Ash Serena?" Dawn asked all of a sudden. Flinching, she said,"I don't know."
"I know you want to marry him. And I promise I will make sure it happens, I will walk away, just tell me where he is, please Serena," Dawn asked, her voice brimming with tears. Serena understood Dawn was serious.
"Just because I can't express my grief like you doesn't mean that I am not touched Dawn. Trust me, if it were in my power to bring him back to you, I would do so even without thinking!"
"Just tell me Serena where is he!" Dawn sobbed while collapsing on the floor. Serena quickly caught her and pulled her close, holding the shaking body of her sister.
"Trust me Dawn, I will sacrifice anything to bring him back. But he is not gone, he will live within you, within us, in your love and passion. Don't let these slip Dawn. Don't."
...
"Misty, what are we going to do?" A blonde girl asked while picking up a blue dress and comparing it with a skinny black one,"I can't find anything good to wear!" The room was well lit and on the bed, was a pile of clothes, at one end of the room, a red head cleaning her medal case and a blonde posing infront of the mirror.
"Relax, Daisey . You are just overdoing yourself! Wear anyone and they will be pleased!" The redhead, Misty said while polishing her medal.
"I guess you're right! Tracey is gonna drool seeing me in anything!"
Misty couldn't help but roll her eyes. Daisey put a finger on her chin and said,"Anyways, I got a form for the singing competition. You must participate."
"I don't like to lose," Misty said, quite bitterly. Daisey rolled her eyes,"Forget it. You won't lose. With your voice at least you can get the first position."
"Shut up Daisey!"
"Oh, and will you be fine, looking after the boy we found that day?" Daisey asked, concerned.
Misty stopped and looked at her,"I guess. He occasionally wakes up but it is a shame we don't know who he is and neither does he have any recollection of his memories. I wish we could help."
"We are," Daisey pointed out.
"No Daisey, it is humanity, nothing else. And you know, he is here instead of the hospital because he looks a lot like Ritchie."
"Right."
"I will go check on him," Misty said and turned to leave but on finding the boy standing there, stopped,"Oh, you're here. You need anything?"
The raven haired boy looked up, his head covered in bandages, face showing numerous cuts. He slowly said,"Did you get any information about me?"
Misty nodded his head,"No, but, I will call you Ritchie. From now on, you're Ritchie."
The man gripped the curtain tightly and mumbled,"I am missing a piece of me. I need to find it!"
Seeing his tensed expression, Misty's eyes softened. She placed a encouraging hand on his shoulder and said,"Come, I will sing you a song. You will feel relaxed."
'Songs.. Memories...' He quietly listened to the voice in his heart.
Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby.
Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out and
Love's strange so real in the dark
Think of the tender things
That we were working on.
Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, baby
The boy was lost in the melody, almost imagining he was hearing someone else singing to him. He snapped open his eyes to see what was flashing in front of his eyes only to find it gone.
Don't you forget about me
Don't don't don't don't
Don't you forget about me.
Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never lonely
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down.
Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down.
"Shit!" Misty cursed,"I forgot I had to go see a client!
"We knew music will calm you down," Daisey said while chuckling, ignoring Misty's outburst.
"Will you finish the song next time?" Ritchie asked Misty who nodded. Then the boy asked Daisey,"Really?"
"Whenever you used to groan in pain, we used to play some soft music, you always felt at ease then," Misty pointed out. The boy, softly said,"May me music played an important role in my previous life. I don't know."
"Stop pressuring yourself, you might end up worsening your condition!" Misty almost yelled,"And do anything reckless while am gone. "
Ritchie gasped a little on her outburst but soon calmed down. He sweetly said,"Well then, I won't over think or do anything dangerous if you promise me one thing."
"And what is that?" She asked impatiently, waiting to leave.
"You'll take part in the competition."
...
And done! How was it? I guess you all figured it out who the boy was. Well, see you next time!
~ darkestlightofhope