Misty and Ash - poles apart but still similar
Let's not get into how they became friends
It just happened or it was meant to be
their bond grew stronger as time passed which led into a certain memorable incident which they would remember all their lives

~~~~~~

"Ash , can you travel with me ?" her question baffled the twenty one  year old
"Where to ? and why ?" he asked turning his focus on her from his laptop
"Actually , the thing is I am going to meet my grand mom in her village named Perkins and since you have some time on hand I thought why not we travel together and meet my grandma !" Misty answered biting her lip

"Oh ! that's great . I am ever ready to meet an elderly female figure because I never saw any grandma's - maternal nor paternal . Plus it would be awesome to travel with you " He replied his eyes sparkling
his eyes always captivated her , she couldn't figure out still even after 7 months of their friendship

~~~~~~

Ash and Misty had finally met her grandma
Misty had never been such happy not at least since Ash met her
Regardless to say , Ash knew he had a crush on her if not a crush then definitely a soft spot  , a spot so soft that he was thinking about asking her out
Misty had started to like Ash too , more than a friend
it was just a start she hadn't reached that point yet where she thought she could confess to him
Least did they knew that the very next day , their friendship would be put on test and their apparent "like" too had to go through the same

~~~~~~

Perkins village was like a town but still held some thoughts from olden times which led to one of Olive's friends suggest her to ask Misty whether she liked him or not
olive Misty's grandma was never the one to believe anything what her friends said , she had her own thought cycle
She was definitely gonna ask Mist about Ash and her but her purpose was different A religious ceremony was about to be held two days later where a girl - a fiance to be exact was given blessings for her future due wedding and some dating couples ready to go official also exchanged rings not privately but in the ceremony itself
As far as she could see Ash and Misty liked each other but were hesitant as to what would be their next step
Maybe this was the push needed !
Misty was her only grand daughter and she wished nothing less than best for her

When she pried Misty , she came to know that she definitely liked Ash
as for Ash , she had queried him before Misty and the answer was the same

That's it !
She declared their engagement in the upcoming traditional ceremony without asking , what was the point of asking when they both were sailing in the same ship !

When Ash and Misty had heard the news , they were beyond shocked
according to Ash , this was the result of his admittance and for Misty it was consequence of her confession to beloved grandma
of course they had to discuss the same

"I am sorry Ash , but I am gonna ask you for this favour and you might have known about our umm engag ........um sorry grandma's declaration to the village . So I wanna beg please play along " She said and closed her eyes for his outburst

"Play along ??? are you serious Mist ? it's an engagement that too official in front of the whole damn village ! " he was raged

"Just this one day Ash, please . I don't want grandma to be ashamed in front of whole village
We can break it off when we reach USA   no one will know " She begged joining her hands

"And I know you don't think of me in that way so please a favour of lifetime on me " She added not knowing his feelings

"Okay , anything for you " he smiled but with bitterness because she was unaware of his plan
yes Ash had planned to ask her out the morning grandma confronted him
the engagement took place smoothly with both being all blushy
but the storm was yet to arrive

Ash and Misty still had 5 days left for their return to USA but Ash was growing impatient because of constant nagging of villagers to marry her
He wanted to date her but he is engaged (fakely) but still engaged and now they want him to marry her !!
outright crazy
As a result he had a fight with Misty which ended up in Mist being hurt
"I am sorry for dragging you into my mess, Ash . Specially when you are not a tiny bit interested in me " she said heavy hearted

"Mist...."

"No , Ash . it's not alright I was so selfish to ask you to fake a freaking engagement . Who does that !
It is because of me that you are stuck here in this situation when all you want is to go back asap " she finished and looked at me with foggy eyes

Ash didn't knew how to console her that he was stupid and how to go about his dusted plan
She took his silence in other way

"Ash " he turned to face her again
"You don't need to do anything unwillingly here take this ring " she said handing him the ring
"I want you to return to USA today evening since I don't want to trouble you further
i will arrange for tickets and I will answer everyone too saying it was important as you had a interview call " She was on verge of crying

"But Misty ?" he was not convinced
she  was saying this with heavy voice did it mean she li li...liked him ?

"Go Ash , I'll handle everything and back in USA you wouldn't face any complications I promise " these words from her aggravated him
she wanted him to leave !!

"okay mist " he said & left

~~~~~~~

8 months later the engagement drama Ash and Misty were not even on talking terms
Misty was pursuing her dream of being a fitness trainer but she hadn't heard of Ash ever since then

she had called Ash to apologise for all of her faults
she wouldn't have invited him to travel with her at first place
secondly , this fake engagement thing had infuriated him
thirdly she asked him to leave but suddenly  because of nuisance caused to him
She was so ashamed but she wanted him to forgive her
She called him , messaged him , left a voice mail , sent emails but none of them were answered

Maybe this is the end of our friendship " She thought and was stressed emotionally

even after 8 months she was not able to forget him
She was starting to realise her feelings when all this had to happen and ruin everything
she now knew she felt strongly
given a chance , she would surely confess to the man but how was she supposed to confess to a guy who disappeared in wind !

~~~~~~~

Gary oak had invited Misty to his party
he was back in state after 4 years
Misty was his long time friend , how could he forget her ??
Ash was invited to the very same party by Professor Oak who was his neighbour when he was small but oak moved out to other city  when Ash was 5

Two hearts had to collide again !!!

Misty had arrived earlier than expected after she and Gary caught up she was noticed as dull by him
on his insistence she told him everything about her and Ash
he felt sympathetic for his first and close friend
He cheered her up and offered her a dance with him
Misty and Gary were dancing comfortable amongst some other couples despite of Misty's earlier jittery behaviour
That's when Ash entered
Misty immediately noticed and her eyes were stuck on him while at bar counter
Ash saw her too but looked away
She was hurt again and guilty to death
she was the reason of this tense situation in their relation no friendship

She got back to Gary and Ash was asked to dance by some random girl which he gladly accepted
Ash and that girl named Claire were dancing close to Gary and Misty
when Ash's back touched hers she felt shivers but sad too and looked down
Gary nudged her and she pointed "Ash " in a whisper if you could call it like one

Gary purposely pulled her close in order to create distance between her and Ash who  dancing with a girl
Gary didn't judge but he wanted to protect Mist
Gary was almost hugging Misty it seemed
Ash couldn't tolerate this because he was right and he was the one who was gonna ask her out before she ruined it
He took an impulsive step and whisked away Misty from Gary
shock visible on faces of the two
he pulled her and led her out to the garden area

"What was that ?" he yelled
"Dance ?" She replied looking down again
"Ofcourse if you could it as dance " he replied angrily
"I am sorry " she spoke and fell down on knees
Misty wasn't such an emotional person but past 8 months had drained her so much she couldn't stand another fight that too with Ash
He opened his mouth to retort but looked down at her practically beside his feet
Yes , he was angry on her so he cut all contacts
Angry because she didn't let him explain , angry because he couldn't execute  what his plan was , angry because of those din pestering villagers .
Villagers , yes . finally he found title to be blamed for

He kneeled down and sat beside her pulling her in his embrace and caressing her hair
"I am sorry too " he declared
"But , my mista..." He shushed her
"We both are faulty ,how ? I'll tell you later but let me speak first " he put a finger on her lips
"Last time you didn't let me talk what I wanted to so I'll continue what I wanted to say back then .
Misty , I wanted to ask will you be my girlfriend ?" He looked for her reaction which was wide eyes and stuffed blabbering under his palm

"I wanted to ask you this when grandma had confronted me about my feelings ,but then I guess she asked you too and via some miscommunication this engagement came out .
I didn't knew Misty why this fake engagement angered me when you asked for this favour but it wasn't actually one . I wanted to date you and I guess this  engagement was so sudden and unplanned that's why I freaked out
And the second part was those tormenting villagers . I should have never listened to them and never got irritated
I vented it out on you and you took things differently
I should have acted sensibly " he said and finally released bottled up things

He finally removed his palm and waited for his answer nervously
"It's my fault too , Ash. I should have listened to you when you wanted to talk but I told you to leave so that this mess didn't get any deeper
Prior to that , I had confessed my crush on you to grandma
I ...I should have confessed to you as well . Maybe then We could have moved through this  together ?" She spoke teary eyed
He rubbed those brim of tears before it could fall

"we are both at fault , Mist " he pulled her so that her face was covered in his neck
"I love you " he said it , only for her to hear

The previous dead silent garden now was termed serene by them
"I love you too Ash " she returned his lovely whispers

Both snuggled close and Gary who had followed them was more than elated  

Nothing to say
It has to be proof read and edited but it is a gift to Pokeshippers for Misty's comeback
Do review 😊