"This is unacceptable!"Drew said while looking at Dawn,"Why are you taking up this job?''
"I have my reasons Drew," Dawn said.
"And we want to know what those reasons are,"Delia asked, equally annoyed.
"See Mom. I can't tell you now, but someday I will," Dawn spoke and picked up her money bag. Drew and Delia were giving her cold stares. The room was pretty silent. Paul had gone with May and Samantha and Troy were back in the hospital. Leaf and Serena were in college, with Gary out on his exhibition.
"Sorry," Dawn said and went out of the house.
"How can she leave for work? Are we not feeding her enough?" Delia muttered under her breath. Drew shrugged his shoulder,"She is behaving so strangely!"
...
Misty opened the door on hearing the doorbell ring.
"Welcome Dawn, I had been expecting you!" She cheerfully welcomed her. Dawn gave her a smile.
"See, Daisey is upstairs and I will be leaving soon. Before that, let me tell you, you have to prepare lunch, then clean the house. In the evening, you can go. And yes, after every two hours, make some coffee and give it to Ritchie!" Misty explained.
"Ritchie?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, the boy you met that day."
"Oh!"
"All right. I will be leaving now. Take care, alright?"
Dawn nodded and started making some coffee. She knew from where she had to start.
...
"Excuse me?" Dawn said while knocking on the door. The man turned around, making her bite her lip. He said "So you're our new maid."
Placing the coffee on the table near the bed, she said,"Yes."
"Thanks."
Dawn was burning with questions. She wanted to ask, to know about him. Why did he look so familiar to Ash. Same intensity of voice, same face, similar way of walking, eating, drinking. Was it just a coincidence or fate?
"Do you need something uuh?" Ritchie said.
"Dawn, Mrs. Dawn Ash Ketchum," Dawn slowly said.
"Oh, Dawn... Dawn," Ritchie repeated to himself.
"Well, you really make good coffee," he praised her,"I will call you if I need anything. You can go."
...
"Umm. Misty?" Dawn called Misty when she was back from work.
"So, were you able to manage today?" Misty asked,"it is your first day after all."
"I did."
"Anyways, by your clothes, you look like a widow, what happened?" Dawn tensed up on hearing the question,"I.. A few months ago, my husband met with an accident. Everyone claims that he is dead."
Ritchie, who was reading a book, perked up an eyebrow.
"That's horrible!" Misty expressed her grief.
"But," Dawn said and glanced at Ritchie,"I believe he is alive. And is fine."
...
Dawn sighed to herself, a week had passed and she still had found no clue about that man. Misty told her that he was Ritchie, her and Daisey's brother, who had just come from Kalos. But why her heart was telling her that she was lying was still a mystery for her.
...
She placed her bag on the table and came down to get some water. Everyone was kind of angry at her for joining that job.
"You're late today," Paul told her as soon as he noticed her. Dawn nodded,"I know."
"And you have not yet told your reason,"Drew added. Gary asked,"Don't be afraid Dawn, just tell us if you need anything. Ash is gone, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to take care of you."
Dawn smiled again,"I know."
"Will you shut it!" Delia almost lost her temper,"Just three months ago you claimed you were in love with my son and were not ready to leave this place, but now, you're hardly home. You're disrespecting my son Dawn!"
"Forgive me.." Dawn muttered.
"That does it, you will leave the job at once," Paul said, agreeing with his mother.
"No!" Dawn almost said in a loud voice,"No!"
"And why can't you?" May accused her,"What attraction do you have there? Why do you go there with such enthusiasm?"
Dawn stayed quiet for a while,"I agree, I have attraction. And I will go there."
...
"Your coffee Ritchie," Dawn handed him his coffee and turned back to leave. Ritchie asked,"Why?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why are you working here?"
"I have my reasons."
"Don't fool around, it is not for money, I can tell that," Ritchie exclaimed. Dawn just smiled,"Who said that I was working for money?"
"Then what?"
"If I tell you, will you believe me?" Dawn asked,"What if I tell you that I come for you?"
Ritchie gave her a cold shoulder,"You are a widow right?"
"Hmm.. I know"
"And you're flirting with me? You know what these type of women are called, Characterless," Ritchie said with disgust, air quoting the last word.
Dawn hid her tear,"If for you, I am a slut, let me be."
Ritchie was even more angry,"Why? What do you think you're? You claim you love your husband but now you're flirting with a stranger. Such.."
"Go on, complete it. I don't mind. If only you knew the whole story..." Dawn said and left, teary eyed. Why was it so difficult?
...
Dawn sighed and laid on her bed. This was getting difficult. Her family members were not at all happy with her taking up the job. Moreover, she saw no signs of Ash gaining back his memories at all. What was she going to do?
Picking up a picture of Ash, she sighed,"Don't you remember us? All our promises? How could you forget?''
...
Darkness
Darkness everywhere
Silence
Occasionally broken by sound of running water
Sweet humming
A melodious voice
"Thank you A..."
Ritchie woke up with a start. He wiped the beads of perspiration on his forehead and took deep breaths to calm himself down.
"Why? Why these dreams again!''
He clutched his head in despair. Earlier he used to have these dreams only once a month but now it were on a regular basis. It happened whenever he fell asleep, or closed his eyes to take a nap.
"Whose voice do I hear? Is she a missing link between my past and present?"
"Are you awake?" Dawn asked, knocking on the door. He wiped away the remaining sweat and cleared his throat,"Come in."
Dawn placed the coffee mug on the table and turned to leave, without saying anything. Ritchie slowly asked,"Can you do me a favour?"
Dawn smiled, a little.
"Your wish is my command!"
Ritchie got up and folded his hands over his chest,"Don't you say that. You're not my slave."
"But I a definitely your servant," she said turning away.
Something about this girl always made him weak. His stomach used to twist and his heart used to beat rapidly but whenever he was around her, he found unspoken peace and calmness.
"Can you sing me a song?"
"Tell Misty to do so."
"No, one song."
"Why? Misty can sing too, why me?"
Ritchie didn't have an answer for that. Why? Why was she so important? If she took leave for one day, why did he wait for the next day to come quickly? Why did he need her beside him when he felt sick?
"Who said that if I listen to her voice, I can't listen to yours?" It was the best he could come up with.
"You know Ritchie, you look a lot like my dead husband. May be that is why I can't decline any of your requests," Daw slowly said.
"Can I know his name?"
"Ash Ketchum, he was a cardiologist," Dawn waited for his response.
He thought for a while and said,"Oh."
"Have you ever heard of him?" Dawn tried to trigger his memory , failing miserably.
"I don't think so..."
"Oh.. Okay," she said, turning away.
"Wait, one song, please?"
"Okay... But promise me one thing," Dawn asked sweetly,"You will sing a song next."
"But I can't sing," he murmured.
Dawn gave him a smile,"Those who loves music can sing as well, how ever horrible that may sound."
"Done."
Ritchie was watching her curiously. He asked,"Umm..won't you start?"
Dawn turned away hiding her tears,"It is so strange. I am sorry. I can't."
With that, she ran away.
...
Ritchie was confused. It had been more than a whole week since he last talked to Dawn. He was having a mental battle, whether to ask her why she was ignoring him.
'Why am I getting so worked up? It is not that she is important or anything,' he tried to console himself.
He saw Misty serving lunch to Daisey and beckoned him.
He got up from his seat and handed Misty a small present.
"Umm? Thanks? But why?" She asked, eyeing the present curiously. Daisey laughed,"Well, you won the competition you took part in!" Misty gave a loud squeal of joy.
"Are you serious? I really did?" She said hugging Daisey out of joy. From the corner of his eyes, Ritchie saw Dawn smiling. He went over her amd handed her a present too.
She tried looking away but he grabbed her hands and put the wrapped box in her hands, taking her by surprise by his actions. She bit her lips and asked,"Why me?"
Ritchie shrugged it off as if it was nothing,"You and Misty both came first. So, you deserve a present too."
In the background, Daisey rudely commented,"But I still don't see the logic in giving them same present. They might be same place holders but there is a limit to everything." Misty gave Ritchie a confused look,"Oh, you got same thing for us?"
Ritchie said, without hesitation,"Was it wrong?" Misty smiled,"Of course not. Don't listen to Daisey, she and her big mouth..."
She was cut off by Dawn,"No, it is fine. I can't accept it though I am happy you got it for me." She placed the gift back on the table. Ritchie gave her a hurt expression but was unable to say anything.
...
A week had passed since that accident and Dawn was currently cleaning the dining room when she heard a loud thud coming from Ritchie's room. She quickly ran to see what was the commotion about.
"You.. What!" She shrieked in pure horror,"Misty!"
Misty and Daisey were equally horrified.
"What happened?" Misty asked and quickly ran beside Dawn who picked up Ritchie's head and placed it on her lap. Controlling her emotions and gulping, she slowly said,"He collapsed on the floor. I don't know what caused it."
Misty quickly ran to the bedside and brought a glass of water. Sprinkling some of it on his face, she said, almost at the verge of tears,"Wake up beansprout!"
"Water.." He feebly mumbled and Misty hearing him, made him sit straight and and brought the glass close to his lips,"Here drink it."
"Dawn, give me some water," Ritchie feebly mumbled, his eyes still closed. Misty gave Dawn a confuses look.
Dawn who was still running her fingers through his hair, slowly said,"He is just accustomed to me. Afterall I am a maid."
"That still doesn't explain anything," Daisey said. Misty just gave her a cold glare and her glare softened when she saw the intensity of care in Dawn's eyes. But she had a husband and he was dead. Did she find love so soon?
"Dawn.. Water..." Ritchie again mumbled. Holding back her tear, Dawn slowly took the glass from Misty and made him drink some water, with Misty giving her a not-so-sure look and Daisey sulking.
...
His head was hurting and it was becoming difficult for him to handle his emotions. Why was she effecting him this way?
"Coffee," he heard someone say and he knew who she was. He quickly said,"Are you angry ?"
"Why?" Dawn asked.
"You are ignoring me since that day and even refused to take my present." He bit his lip,"And when I collapsed a few days ago, I was just.. Don't know. But you really heard some rude comments from Daisey, I know."
Dawn bit her lip but maintained the static look on her face,"Ritchie, I told you that you resemble my husband. So, don't worry."
Ritchie took a deep breath. Slapping himself slightly he asked,"You come here just because of it, right?"
Dawn turned away,"I come, with the hope of feeling his presence, reliving with him. He is gone, everyone is saying that, I don't believe them."
"And that's why you couldn't sing that day, right?" He slowly asked.
"It reminded me of so many things," she closed her eyes.
"You know, sometimes I feel like someone, somewhere is waiting for me," Ritchie slowly said, gaining her attention,"For the last two months, seeing you makes me feel like you can help me discover my past."
Dawn smiled. He was Ash. She was now sure.
Ritchie sighed,"I don't know why I need you when I don't feel good, why I forgive you even when you insult me so much." Dawn was listening quietly. He requested,"One song. Please that's all I need."
Dawn took a deep breath and placed a hand over her heart. She knew he was Ash, it would just be matter of time before he recognises her.
What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in than you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning
No kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on that beautiful mind
I am on your magical misery ride
And I am so dizzy
Don't know what hit me
But I'll be alright
She saw Ritchie looking at her, or rather looking through her. Was he remembering something?
My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
She stopped abruptly. It was a song which she and Ash shared. She didn't understand it, but was it possible that music could bring back his memories? Misty said Ritchie was her little brother, who had been in Kalos for all his life. But why was she lying? Or was she just trying to protect him?
Ritchie unknowingly sang the next verse, staring at the blank wall ahead of him.
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down
I'm around through every mood
A smile left Dawn's lips and she joined Ash.
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing
It's ringing in my head for you
My head's underwater
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
No words were necessary, they knew what they were doing, they were in sync. Only if Ash remembers who she is.
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
Give me all of you
"True love can be your biggest weakness yet your strongest weapon. Use it correctly," Harrison's voice rang in her ears.
Cards on the table
we're both showing hearts
Risking it all though it's hard
Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I'll give you all of me
And you give me all of you
"Do you remember?" Dawn asked hopefully.
"Remember what?" Ritchie clutched his head in pain,"I can't.. Aah.. Painful!"
Dawn quickly caught him and made him sit on the bed. Handing him a glass of water, she bit her lip when he wasn't responding. He had passed out.
"No! Ash wake up!" She shook him vigorously, tears falling freely from her eyes. Sensing noise coming from Ritchie's room, Misty dashed inside, her expression paled on seeing him like that.
"You.. What have you done!" She screamed and pushed Dawn out of the way.
"I can explain!"
"Get lost, we appointed you so that you can help us not kill him!" Misty said while getting up, taking Dawn's hand in hers, she pulled her out of the room then the house. Before closing the door on her face, she said,"Don't show your fucking face again!''