The Singer

Her singing was beautiful.  Words alone are a difficult media to describe the beauty of her voice.  Her name is Aya Máro and she loves to sing. 

Aya was walking through the park, quietly singing her favourite song to herself.  She’d written the song a while ago, but no one had ever heard it until now.  The song was a peaceful love song and at the moment Aya was merely humming the music to herself as she strolled along through the park. 

It was a lovely day for this time of year.  Nearing the end of Autumn, it was surprisingly warm today.  Aya walked along through the fallen leaves and enjoyed the mixing of all their different colours on the ground, it was as if an artist had painted the pathway with browns, yellows, greens and reds and her boots kicked up a tiny following of colour as she walked. 

Aya herself was dressed in a long flowing sky blue skirt.  She had on a white t-shirt and over that she wore her light denim jacket.  Her black hair was short and hung just above her jacket’s collar, with her fringe just above her eyes.  Aya’s eyes were slanted like all Oriental peoples, but they did have an unusual trait.  Unlike most other Orientals, Aya’s eyes were not dark, but instead almost shone in the sunlight.  Not entirely dissimilar from the colour of her clothes, Aya’s eyes were a pale blue which bordered on the edge of grey. 

Aya was an attractive girl in her mid twenties and as she walked casually through the park today, singing and humming quietly to herself, she did not go unnoticed, quite the opposite in fact as she was admired by many a passer by. 

Aya reached her favourite spot; a clearing near the centre of the park with several benches scattered around its edges.  Aya walked to the centre of the grass, where the colourful leaves were only few and far between, she then settled herself down and cleared her throat.  When she was ready, Aya began to softly sing her song to whoever wanted to listen; 

You are all that my heart ever wanted,

Your love is all that I need.

You are all that my heart ever dreamed of,

With you my love is freed.

While Aya sang out the first verse of her song, a mother and her two children came to her attention.  The young children were crying about something and the mother could not discover what it was.  She was a young mother about the same age as Aya, and her children could not be older than 2 and 3 years.  Their crying was loud, but not loud enough to drown out Aya.  The mother heard Aya’s beautiful song and her face brightened a little.  A tiny smile crept onto her face and she gently hushed her children by bringing their attention to the beautiful singing.  Almost as if their mother had flicked a switch, the children stopped crying and listened intently to the soothing voice.  The mother brought her children close so that they could sit near to Aya.  Aya felt a strong urge to smile as the two toddlers, big eyes wide with wonder, came and sat with their mother close by to her on the soft grass. 

I dream of you every night when I’m sleeping,

I close my eyes and you’re there.

My dreams of you show a love worth keeping,

A love that I know we could share.

Aya sang the second verse of her favourite song and she was joined in the clearing by another person.  This time the person had appeared not because she wanted to be near Aya, but because she wanted to be away from someone else. 

As soon as the mother and her children had sat down Aya had seen behind them that a young couple were arguing.  Their tempers had flared and he had tried to hold her by her shoulders.  She had resisted and stormed away to the nearest distraction, which had been Aya and her singing.  The young woman, who now stood a few meters away from Aya, had fiery auburn red hair and bright green eyes shining with her passionate temper.  But as Aya watched and sung to her and the others, she noticed the woman physically relax.  The harmonic voice of Aya had a calming effect which was brought out all the more by her slow song.  The fire in the woman’s eyes cooled and she became lost in her thoughts looking down at the grass. 

Behind the woman, Aya could see the man she had been arguing with looking over with a look of concerned regret on his face.  Aya kept singing;

And I know,

Without you,

I cannot find happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

The next two people to join Aya’s small group were in a far more relaxed mood.  They were both quite old and had been simply enjoying a nice walk together in the park, holding each other’s hands.  As they reached Aya and heard her lovely singing, they stopped to admire the beauty of her voice and remained to listen until Aya had finished her song. 

Aya looked at the aged couple and saw in their eyes, the years of love that they had shared together.  It appeared that although their passion for each other had faded over the years, their love had only grown stronger.  Aya admired them and felt a warm feeling of happiness within her. 

I think of you,

And in my heart,

I feel happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

The forth verse slowly passed and with it went all the bad feelings the arguing couple had felt.  For when the young man had seen the old couple appear, holding hands and warmly smiling, he had come over and gently pulled his love back a few steps where they would not interrupt Aya.  Aya had then seen from his body language that he had sincerely apologised for whatever they had been arguing about.  The young woman gave a short laugh about something he said to her with a roguish smile and they embraced.  Arm in arm they returned to the crowd before Aya and listened as she finished her song. 

If I have you in my life,

Then I know things will feel right,

If you love me the way that I love you,

Then our love will always shine bright.

Aya finished her song and her small group of listeners clapped their hands for her.  Aya smiled to herself, curtseying for the applause as she gracefully rose from the grass. 

The mother and her now calmed children continued on their way. 

The old married couple walked on together still holding hands and still smiling. 

As Aya prepared to leave herself, she noticed that the young couple had all but run off together laughing and playing the games that young lovers play. 

Aya brushed her hands over her skirt and walked back the way she had come through the park, once more humming quietly to herself. 

* * *

Aya left the park and walked down the street.  The traffic was quite loud and the road was busy, still Aya hummed her song.  It was now mid afternoon and as she walked down the noisy street, Aya saw that the club she had often thought about going to had its doors open.  Outside was a blackboard sign saying that today the club was holding an open audition for a new singer.  Aya smiled as she thought to herself that perhaps she could audition and maybe get a job in the club.  In large capital letters at the bottom of the sign it read NO TIME WASTERS.  At first this aggressive warning put Aya off, as she was not a professional singer, merely singing for her own enjoyment, but then thoughts of the recent happiness she had caused in the park returned to build her confidence and she decided to go for it, after all – what did she have to lose? 

Aya walked confidently through the open double doors and into the darkness beyond.  There was no one on the reception desk, so Aya continued on into the club.  She pushed open the next door and quietly stepped inside to the sound of a singer.  The club was quite large inside and as Aya looked around she saw how the club was designed.  The bar ran right the way around the outside wall of the club in an overall circle, broken in many places to allow access to the many doors, most of which were marked with a ‘Private’ sign.  Mirroring the shape of the bar was another circular pattern, but this was made up of tables and chairs scattered around almost randomly but in a general grouping system.  The centre of the club was made up of a dance floor, on which currently sat three people on three chairs taken from the nearest table.  The three individuals sat watching and listening to the voice of the person on the stage a short distance in front of them.   This was the singer Aya had heard when she had first entered.  The club was still only dimly lit, but the stage was bright and the person on it could be seen clearly.  The stage was situated to cover the back end of the dance floor and lead off between another gap in the oval bar. 

At the side of the stage two other people were standing with obvious nerves about what they were about to do.  A women holds a sheet of music paper, and just in front of her stands a man with his eyes shut in mental preparation for his song.  Without drawing any attention to herself, Aya walks over and stands with them, nodding a greeting to the serious face of the young lady holding her music sheet. 

The singer on stage reached the end of her song, “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams.  Aya looked over to the three auditioners seated in the centre of the dance floor and could tell by the look on their faces that they were not impressed.  One of the auditioners in particular seemed the least bothered by the singer’s efforts; he looked positively miserable.  Apart from the miserable looking man, the other two auditioners were made up of two casually dressed people, about Aya’s age.  The lady of the three gave off a sympathetic look and flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder as she looked up from her clip board.  “Thank you, that was very nice, we’ll let you know within a week-” she was then cut off by the third of their group, a young man looking rather impatient as he shouted “NEXT!”. 

The blonde auditioner gave him a slap on the arm as the shaking young girl left the stage.  The third miserable auditioner said nothing as the other two compared notes and waited for their next applicant to prepare himself.  Aya began to stare at this pre-occupied auditioner as he sat and brooded over something. 

The next singer sang his version of “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” that Aerosmith had released.  He sang it well and put in lots of effort.  The guy that had hurried the previous singer from the stage seemed to be fully enjoying the performance and mimed along now and then.  This time it was the blonde lady who called ‘NEXT’ far sooner than was necessary.  Again the third member of their reviewing group showed no interest in what was going on around him. 

As the young lady raised her music sheet in front of her and began to sing, the two younger auditioners looked at each other with perplexed looks and in synchronisation they both called out “NEXT”. 

Aya’s nerves began to build at the ruthless approach of the auditioners and taking the stairs onto the stage, Aya’s feet felt like she had lead in her shoes.  Standing in the centre of the stage, Aya looked out at her audience of three.  The younger two were again comparing notes on their clip boards and the third was staring out into space, his eyes fixed on a position at the front of the stage, lost in his own thoughts.  Aya waited until she had as much attention as they were going to give her and then without announcing her name or the name of her song, she sang for them.  She sang a repeat of her own song, the one she had been singing to herself all day and had drawn a crowd to in the park.  Instantly the two younger auditioners were captivated, staring wide eyed as Aya sang to them, but what convinced Aya of her success was the third auditioner; he had finally snapped out of his thoughtful trance and was staring just as the other two were, into Aya’s eyes.  Aya sang her song as well as she always did and when she reached its end, she was not met by a shout of the word ‘next’.  There was instead a silence in the club as Aya looked out to the three auditioners and smiled innocently at them.  In unison the two happier auditioners smiled back at her and quickly stood to approach her, but just as they reached the edge of the stage they were distracted by the third auditioner, Aya guessed to be in his mid thirties, who began clapping.  It was a slow steady clap holding nothing but admiration for the song he had just heard and respect for the voice that had sung it. 

The two younger people helped Aya as she got down from the stage with a hop before beginning their introductions. 

“Well done!” begun the lady in front of Aya “That was beautiful.  My name is Shirley and this” she flicked the younger man in his chest with her knuckles “is Frank.”

Frank took Aya’s hand in his own and gently kissed it “On Shanté.” He tried to say smoothly but totally mispronounced.  “You are as beautiful as your singing – which believe me is fantastic” he said in his most charming voice. 

Aya thanked them both for their kind words feeling a little embarrassed and then introduced herself “My name is Aya Máro.” 

“Perfect” purred Frank “When can you start, Aya Máro?” 

Shirley nudged Frank to one side with her backside and positioned herself between him and Aya “You’ll get used to him” she promised “now if you’d like to come to the office with me we can arrange for your starting contract and if all goes well, you’ll become a permanent employee of this club for as long as we can keep you.” 

Aya smiled and followed Shirley away through one of the private doors, with Frank walking behind taking in Aya’s figure. 

As they left, Aya looked towards the man still seated in his chair, but now ever so slightly smiling towards her.  It was a sad smile, melancholy and almost unnoticeable.  Aya wondered who this saddened man was and why he had been left out of the introductions. 

The negotiations had not taken long and Aya had agreed to start singing at the club that very night.  Frank and Shirley had both seemed enthusiastic about their new singer and had asked if she could be ready by that night.  With the club providing Aya’s outfits and anything else she needed until she was able to get her own things, Aya had seen no reason not to start immediately. 

That night, Aya listened as Frank wound up his introduction for her and as the people seated throughout the club applauded in welcome to her, Aya walked bravely out onto the stage.  Aya looked beautiful.  Frank and Shirley had helped her and found for her a never been worn, blue dress that sparkled in the club’s soft lighting.  Her make-up had been done by one of the waitresses who’s daytime job was in a department store painting women’s faces for them with the newest make-ups.  Her name was Joanna and she had taken an instant liking to Aya as soon as they were introduced and then later catching Aya with an unsure look on her face about the make-up, Joanna had stepped in with help.  With Joanna taking over, the end result was that Aya looked amazing, her eye’s made to stand out and shine even more than they did naturally.  Her high cheeks accentuated and Aya’s smile made even more contagious than it already was.  For her lips, Joanna had used only a soft colour to simply increase Aya’s normal appearance just enough that a shine was now barely noticeable to them. 

Aya’s short black hair with its long fringe gave her a friendly, girl next door look that Frank and Shirley had loved and so Aya wore her hair now as she had earlier. 

Without lifting her head, Aya looked up out into the audience.  Friendly faces looked back at her and as she scanned quickly through them, she saw over to her far left the figure of the third man from her audition.  He was facing the barman, who at that moment signalled to the auditioner in Aya’s direction.  The mysterious man turned on his bar stool to face her and his sad little smile returned.  As if this was the cue she’d been waiting for, Aya began to sing. 

Shirley and Frank had given Aya a large selection of songs to choose from, but having fallen in love with the song she sang at her audition, they had asked her to sing this song as her opening number. 

As Aya began her singing, she still held her head down but then as the first word passed between her lips, her head rose slowly up.  The piano was the only instrument accompanying Aya’s performance and with its addition, Frank, Shirley and even their mysterious friend all found themselves addicted to the slow and beautiful harmony. 

You are all that my heart ever wanted,

Your love is all that I need.

You are all that my heart ever dreamed of,

With you my love is freed.

I dream of you every night when I’m sleeping,

I close my eyes and you’re there.

My dreams of you show a love worth keeping,

A love that I know we could share.

And I know,

Without you,

I cannot find happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

I think of you,

And in my heart,

I feel happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

If I have you in my life to come home to,

Then I know things will feel right,

If you love me the way that I love you,

Then our love will always shine bright.

During the five slow versus, the people in the audience had been captivated.  Those that had been in conversation during the start of the song had stopped talking to listen to the perfect voice singing such a sweet song.  People at the bar with their backs to the stage had turned to look at the source of the lovely singing.  Waitresses and bar staff alike had lost their concentration on their work and just stood in awe, listening with everyone else. 

When Aya’s song ended and the piano played its last note a silence could be heard in the club.  Then as if waking from a hypnotist’s trance, Aya’s mixed audience came to their senses and were once again talking to each other, drinking alone or hard at work.  All that is except one and as Aya began to sing one of the many songs Frank and Shirley had asked her to perform, her one loyal fan sat with his eyes closed, half a soft smile curling his lips and completely lost in his thoughts.  Aya wondered what the mystery man saw for although he had seemed to watch her, he also seemed to be seeing something or someone else now with closed eyes. 

Aya sang a further ten songs that night but none of the others had the captivating power of her own song.  Shortly after that the bar closed and the club began to slowly empty of its upper class clientele. 

When Aya returned to the main area of the club after changing, almost everyone was gone.  Aya had just come from the main office where Shirley and Frank had praised her wonderful performances.  They’d asked Aya to come back again tomorrow and offered her a contract to sign.  Aya hadn’t signed the contract, but had said she would sing here for as long as both Shirley and Frank allowed her to.  Not wanting to lose her to another club, her new employers had accepted this with ideas of changing Aya’s mind in the future.  Aya’s wages didn’t really matter to her as much as being able to sing to as many people as possible, but in order to keep this phenomenal voice within their club, both Frank and Shirley had been generous with the rate they would pay Aya each night. 

The three had left each other with smiles and now as Aya was walking back through the club she searched for her mysterious fan. 

The man who’d been so distant at her audition, but who had seemed to appreciate her the most, the man who had not spoken to her but had listened intently to every word she had sung, this curious man was the object of Aya’s search.  Aya could not see him, so thought to ask the last working barman, just finishing up his duties. 

“Hello,” she began shyly and before she could continue the young barman smiled and spoke. 

“Hello Aya, you were fantastic tonight, I had to know who you were so I asked Shirley and she filled me in, my name is John by the way” he said very quickly before offering her his hand over the bar. 

Aya took his hand tentatively and began again “Hello John-” 

“You really were fantastic, where did you learn to sing like that, it was amazing!  You’re every bit as good as…”  John’s quick talking trailed off and as he did he looked away from Aya to the reflective surface of the bar. 

“What is it?” asked Aya softly. 

As John looked up into Aya’s eyes again he quickly looked away and over her shoulder.  “Hi Blake…” John began, as if he wished to continue with How are you? but for some reason, he didn’t. 

As Aya turned to see who Blake was, she saw that the mysterious third auditioner stood a few steps behind her. 

“Hi John” he said with a nod and then looking into Aya’s eyes, Blake stepped a little closer and all but whispered “Thank you.”  With a sad little smile, Blake turned and walked slowly away. 

When he was gone, Aya turned to John “He looked so sad” she said slowly.  “What happened, why did he thank me?” 

“I was just about to say before I noticed Blake, that you were, that tonight, your singing, was every bit as good as Suzy’s.  Suzy was, is, Blake’s wife and she used to sing here.  The job that you got singing here has been vacant for months, Blake wouldn’t let Frank and Shirley fill it.  Not until you…”  John trailed off again.

Intrigued Aya asked “What happened?” 

John leaned over the bar so to shorten the distance between them and lowered his voice.  “I’d only been working here a few weeks, during that time I looked forward to coming in every night because I knew that Suzy Shendon would be here singing.  Blake and Suzy Shendon, happiest couple I ever met, he owned the club and she sang in it, filling it every night with her fans.  Then, the accident happened.  One night, we all get here but Suzy and Blake don’t arrive.  Later we learned that there had been a car accident.  Blake had been driving and, I’m not sure exactly why – he’s never said – but Blake lost control of the car and they crashed.  He got a few cuts and bruises, but Suzy…  Suzy fell unconscious and has never woken up since.  She’s in a coma down at the City Hospital – they have the biggest and best equipped coma ward in the whole state.  Blake was destroyed by this.  He hired Frank and Shirley to run the club, but he wouldn’t let them fill Suzy’s spot, saying to us all that she’d be back soon.  The months passed and she got no better.  It had been Suzy’s singing that had been the main attraction for this place, so eventually, Blake had to give in and allow the auditions for a replacement.” 

Aya’s eyes began to sparkle with the sheen of tears forming in them.  “My singing hurts him” she said. 

John’s eyebrows knitted together “No way!  In all the time since the accident I don’t think I’ve ever seen Blake smile.  He’s been hitting the drink hard for the past few weeks now, as if he’s finally accepted that Suzy may never be coming back.  But tonight when you were singing, he changed.  The way he looked at you, as if he was watching you but seeing Suzy up there, it was the happiest… no that’s the wrong word, not happiest, but the most peaceful I’ve seen him in months.  Whatever was in your voice tonight, I think it took Blake’s mind off his pain, not made it worse!” 

Aya didn’t reply, but the sad look still on her face did nothing to convince John of his success in comforting her. 

“Look, Aya, if you’re still not sure listen to this;  Blake almost never, ever speaks to anyone these days, tonight’s the first time he’s spoken to me in days.  And tonight, he spoke to you and he said thank you.  Do you think he’d have done that if your singing hurt him?  You probably wouldn’t even have got the job to begin with, let alone still be working here!” 

Aya’s eyes still shinned but no longer with the effect of tears, now she was happy and whispered her thanks to John with a smile. 

The next night in the club unfolded in the same way as the night before.  Aya, with the help of Joanna, once more looked as beautiful as the image Frank and Shirley wanted her to portray.  Her dress this night was a pure white outfit and rested well against her pale skin, hanging down to reveal only the tips of her matching white shoes. 

Aya had again hushed the audience and staff alike in the club with her opening number, her own little song.  Then throughout the rest of the songs she sung, Aya saw many sets of eyes resting dreamily on her, hiding thoughts that were lost in the sound of her voice.  The people in the club enjoyed her singing and the general atmosphere was more relaxed while she was on the stage.  People spoke in hushed voices, almost as if it would be a crime to distract others from Aya’s musical talents, weaving people into enchanted trances the way she did.  Aya sang and the people couldn’t help but listen to her beautiful voice. 

When her night was done, Aya moved through the empty club on her way out as she had the previous night, but as she walked towards the main doors a voice called after her “Erm, excuse me, Aya?  Do you have a minute?” 

Aya looked to her right where, in the corner of the room she saw Blake, seated alone at a table, with only the small table lamp dimly lighting the space around him.  Aya nodded her acceptance and walked to the table, under which Blake’s leg moved and pushed out the chair opposite him.  The young singer seated herself and then waited for Blake to speak. 

Blake leaned forward on folded arms and looked deeply into Aya’s eyes, studying her but not speaking.  Aya did not shy away from the eye contact but tilted her head slightly to one side as she wondered what the man before her was thinking. 

As if only now realising that he had been staring, Blake looked down and quickly said “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.  May I ask you a question?”  Blake asked looking back into her sparkling eyes. 

Again, Aya nodded her reply. 

“How,” began Blake slowly “do you sing like that – so beautifully I mean?” 

Aya smiled at the compliment, but did not answer.  In her silence, Blake continued and explained why he had asked.  “My wife,” he looked down at the white table cloth “she used to sing like you.  Like with you, people used to literally stop what they were doing so as to give her their full attention.  She loved to sing and they…  I, loved to listen.  People used to say I’d married an angel, for who else could sing so perfectly?  We used to laugh and I’d tease her about it.” 

“I wish I could have heard her” Aya said in quiet voice. 

The two sat in silence for a moment as Blake got momentarily lost in emotional  memories and respectfully, Aya did not interrupt. 

“I take it someone has told you what happened, why Suzy, my wife no longer sings here.” 

Aya gave a nod. 

“I go to see her at the hospital everyday.  I talk to her – I know she can hear me.”  A tear formed at the edge of Blake’s left eye. 

As Aya watched him wipe away the lone tear she could almost feel the great pain that he felt. 

“You know, when we were in the accident, I thought she’d died there on the spot.  I was begging her to stay with me, not to go, not to leave and, even though the doctors tell me she was instantly knocked unconscious, I think she heard every word.  I look at her in the hospital and although she’s in a coma, even after all this time I still can’t help thinking that she’s just sleeping and that she’ll wake up any moment.  But like I said it’s been a while now and the reality that she may never wake up is finally settling in on me.” 

Blake looked into Aya’s eyes and then continued.  “I’m telling you all this because I was about ready to give up my hope until you came here.  Your singing reminds me so much of Suzy, when I closed my eyes it was like having her back, just for one last song.  I just wanted you to know that as long as you want to sing here, you’re welcome.  And that I’ll say thank you to you every night for reminding me of Suzy and refreshing my hope.” 

Aya smiled as much with her eyes and she did with her lips.  “Don’t worry, I’m sure that Suzy will be back soon.”  Aya spoke softly, soothingly and without any hint of patronization.  To Blake’s ears her words were encouragement and even now at this late hour, his urge to see his wife and be with her was growing. 

As Aya got up to leave Blake whispered “Thank you”.  Aya didn’t seem to notice and Blake felt bad that he had not spoken out louder, but after a few steps she called back over her shoulder “You’re welcome!”  The way that Aya had answered put a half smile onto Blake’s face as he imagined Suzy having done the exact same thing. 

Over the next few nights, it became a custom for Blake to sit at the bar, listen to each of Aya’s songs with his eyes closed most of the time and then for him to call Aya over to his usual table for a quiet talk after the club had closed.  In all the times they spoke, Blake never once forgot his promise and each night he thanked Aya for singing.  Each night Blake would tentatively begin talking about Suzy and then Aya would offer him much needed encouragement.  Then Blake would open up and tell Aya old stories from his past with Suzy, about her singing, what he’d spoken to her about that day in the hospital and through all his conversation, Aya would remain mainly silent, nodding from time to time and occasionally offering some small input with her encouragement or smiling and giggling as Blake recited his happier memories.  Blake felt as though he could truly talk to Aya, could open up and tell her all about his wife, without boring her or offending her, he felt like Aya actually wanted to hear what he had to say. 

Talking about Suzy and the horrible situation fate had put her in made things easier to accept for Blake and Aya knew it.  She listened to everything Blake had to say and could tell that his feelings of friendship towards her were growing, with his gratitude to her for helping him through this being evident. 

As the weeks began to pass, Aya’s wages increased.  Her singing brought more and more people through the club’s doors so Shirley and Frank had no objection when Blake said he wanted them to pay Aya more.  The club also bought new outfits for their rising star of a singer to wear each night and through all this Aya remained the same kind hearted girl she had always been.  The rewards she seemed to be given for listening to Blake and singing each night to him above all others were not important to her at all and did not change her in any way.  Aya liked Blake and felt sympathy for the hand that fate had dealt him. 

Weeks ago, when he had only just begun opening up to her, Aya had decided that she would listen to Blake as long as he had things to say.  That the support and encouragement he needed was something she needed to give.  Now they had become close friends. 

Tonight, as Aya sat down in her usual seat ready to listen and to talk with her friend, Blake seemed a little different.  Able to sense in him something of great importance, she asked “What is it?” 

Blake was not surprised that Aya had asked him straight out, nor was he caught off guard by the fact she could tell something was on his mind.  They’d talked so much over the weeks, that Blake felt like he’d known Aya all his life.  She was the family he’d never had, the friend to his wife that she’d never met, she was the girl he depended on to keep his hope for Suzy alive.  After a few heartbeats, Blake answered “You’ve become one of my favourite people, Aya, you’re a true friend and so I’m going to ask you something,”  Blake paused for effect, but Aya just sat giving nothing away to this announcement. 

“Well, actually, its more ask something of you…”  Blake trailed off, but as Aya still made no reaction he soon continued again.  “Will you go with me to the hospital tomorrow?  Will you come to see Suzy with me?” 

Aya opened her mouth ready to answer but Blake quickly cut her off “You don’t have to say yes, I know it’s a lot to ask and I’ll completely understand if you don’t want to.”  Blake had looked down at the table and began to rub his interlocked fingers together uncomfortably. 

“I’ll go” Aya said simply. 

“You will?!  Thanks Aya, it’d mean a lot to me” Blake answered with a deep sigh. 

“Tell me though, why do you want me to see Suzy?  You’ve shown me pictures and told me all about her and I have often thought about visiting her, but why now?” 

Blake seemed a little embarrassed as he answered without looking at Aya “I know nothing could ever happen between us” he said slowly.  “But by being close to you, having you sing in the club and everything, I just can’t help feeling sort of guilty…  And because I can’t say I’ve never wondered about what would happen between us if Suzy didn’t wake up.  Don’t misunderstand, I love Suzy as much now as I ever have.  I just feel like I need to introduce you to her in person, for my own reasons really.  I know it’s a lot to ask and I’m being selfish, but if I don’t sort things out in my mind…  I think I could very well fall in love with you Aya.” 

Aya smiled in her special way that made her eyes smile as much as her lips.  “You’re not going to fall in love with me, you’re just looking to fill the void that not having Suzy has created.  Oh don’t look so worried, you didn’t offend me.  Tomorrow we’ll go to the hospital and you’ll see, when Suzy and I are together, you’ll know in your heart and your mind that there could never be anyone else for you but her.”  Aya stopped speaking waiting for Blake to look at her before she finished with “Believe me.”  

Blake looked down and when he again looked up Aya was gone. 

Aya was ready when Blake came to collect her the next day.  He’d left a little earlier than the usual time for his daily visit to the hospital to allow for picking Aya up on the way.  In the car both had been quiet.  Blake still felt unsure from their conversation the night before and for Aya, being quiet was normal unless she had something to say. 

Not one for idle chatter, the rest of the people at the club had been talking about Aya and some had revealed they’d never actually heard Aya speak, but only ever heard her sing.  Aya hadn’t been rude to any of them, she just simply hadn’t spoken when a nod or shake of the head would suffice.  Many of the club workers had assumed this attitude was simply brought on from shyness and so let it go at that as Aya’s kindness towards Blake was admired and appreciated by everyone. 

The silence in the car hadn’t been uncomfortable at all as Blake knew that that was just the way that Aya was. 

Once in the hospital, Blake had lead the way to the special coma ward that was unique to this hospital.  When they arrived, Blake held open one of the double doors and allowed Aya to pass into the ward ahead of him. 

Aya entered the ward and saw that it was how she had imagined it to be.  There were eight beds in all, six of which had people lying in them with various wirers connected to them.  Only a gentle hum of the machines broke the silence and stillness of the bright room.  The unmistakable smell of the hospital lingered here and as Aya stood looking at the peaceful patients, Blake moved past her and lead the way to the bed at the back left corner of the room, closest to one of the two huge windows in the room.  Blake seemed completely at ease with the stillness of the room and as he neared the corner bed he said “Hi Suzy” as if she would at any moment wake up and pull him into her arms. 

Aya followed Blake to the corner bed and stood at his side as he sat down on the edge of the bed and took one of Suzy’s hand’s in his own. 

Blake had told Aya before that Suzy’s coma was not life threatening in that she could slip away at any moment.  It was quite the contrary in that, her body was in good health, only her mind had closed and she had remained asleep since the time of the accident.  Compared to some of the other patients in the ward, Suzy had relatively few machines by her bedside.  Only a single wire that connected to a plug on her left index finger showed any contact at all between Suzy and the machines that constantly monitored her condition. 

Aya looked around her and saw that the next three closest beds all had patients in with a similar set up to that of Suzy’s; three women were in almost exactly the same machine connections except that they wore the finger plugs on their right hands and had two plugs each. The next patient along in the room couldn’t have been older than twenty and he was connected to considerably more machines and medical equipment in his arms as well as his hands.  Aya wondered if he was as peaceful as his current state made him seem.  Finally, Aya felt a lump in her throat as she looked to the last bed.  Within it slept a boy who looked about ten.  If any of these people seemed that they would at any moment wake up, it was this boy.  The fact that gave away something to be wrong was that he slept in a perfectly neat posture, as opposed to the wriggled up shape that a child would normally twist themselves into during the night.  As Aya looked at the boy, two people entered the ward and in moments it became apparent that they were his parents.  As they sat down on their son’s bed, Aya offered a sympathetic smile and then respectfully turned her attention once more upon Blake. 

Blake had pulled aside a chair for Aya to sit down on, but first Aya wished to greet Suzy on her feet with the respect she felt was due to her friend’s wife. 

“Suzy, I want you to meet my friend…  our friend, Aya.” 

Suzy of course made no motion or even gave the slightest sign that she’d heard anything and Blake’s disappointment showed in a sigh, as if he’d expected that somehow by meeting Aya, Suzy would wake up. 

Aya sat down now in the chair offered to her by Blake and listened as he spoke to his wife.  Her prediction that upon seeing her with Suzy his mind would clear had come true.  Although not intentionally, Blake seemed to almost be ignoring the fact that Aya was there as he told Suzy all about Aya’s performance in the club the night before.  Blake described Aya’s singing perfectly and Aya felt complimented by the details that Blake had obviously noticed and was now reciting to Suzy.  It was because of the similarity between Aya’s and Suzy’s singing that Blake had first looked upon Aya with such affection and now held her in such high respects.  The friendship the two had formed from this had reinforced these feelings for Blake. 

Blake had told Aya that it had been through Suzy’s singing that they had first met.  Suzy had been quietly singing to herself when Blake had first laid his eyes on her and in that moment he had fallen in love with her, as to him everything he saw and heard in that first encounter had been the definition of beauty.  Blake had told Aya that in his humble opinion, only very few others in the whole world could match Suzy’s singing voice, so when Aya had done so in the club he’d instantly taken notice, despite what his outward appearance may have portrayed.  

Aya’s mind drifted back from these thoughts just as Blake finished saying “…she’s almost as good as you!”  After this he gave Aya a playful wink which she answered with a smile. 

Blake turned his attention to Aya and said “Okay, its time for the big favour now.  Aya, I’ve told you how much Suzy loved to sing and that now and then I’ve brought a little walkman for her to listen to some music with while she’s sleeping.  Could you sing, now, for Suzy?  Would you… please?” 

Aya had pretty much guessed this was coming and was prepared for the question.  With a little nod, she relaxed herself and after a few deep breaths, she softly began to sing her song.  Her voice was quiet, but carried throughout the small ward so that as soon as she began singing, the parents of the small boy looked up and over at her.  Aya had her back to them, but Blake saw that by the look on their faces they were far from objecting to the song.  The boy’s father gave a nod towards Blake while the mother smiled and looked lovingly back down to her small son. 

You are all that my heart ever wanted,

Your love is all that I need.

You are all that my heart ever dreamed of,

With you my love is freed.

I dream of you every night when I’m sleeping,

I close my eyes and you’re there.

My dreams of you show a love worth keeping,

A love that I know we could share.

And I know,

Without you,

I cannot find happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

I think of you,

And in my heart,

I feel happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

If I have you in my life to come home to,

Then I know things will feel right,

If you love me the way that I love you,

Then our love will always shine bright.

Aya sang the song as beautifully as she always did and when she had finished she saw Blake wipe a tear from the edge of his eye.  He had not looked away from Suzy during the song, but now suddenly the attention of both was ripped away from Suzy to the gasp on the far side of the room. 

The boy’s mother was pointing to one of the other beds in the ward, where within, a woman was slowly moving, slowly waking up from her long sleep and coming out of her coma.  The monitoring machine she was connected to began screaming in a mechanical pitch and then within a heartbeat a second monitor joined it as another of the women began to wake. 

The nurses came running into the ward and shortly afterwards a doctor followed them.  As they divided into two groups to help the resurfacing patients, their cries and instructions to one another drowned out the first call of the word “Mummy?” 

It was the second call to his mother that caught her attention and then her cry of overwhelming emotion that brought the attention of the rest of the room to the small boy.  He was awake.  His parents at once held him close and had to be moved away by even more nurses as they flooded into the ward. 

Blake looked down to Suzy, but she still remained in her motionless sleep.  Then logic and inspiration combined in him with the urge to never stop believing that Suzy would one day wake and Blake cried “Aya, sing it again!” 

Caught up in the incredible emotions blowing through the room like a whirlwind, Aya did begin singing again, this time she sang louder, as she would have done in the club. 

You are all that my heart ever wanted,

Your love is all that I need.

You are all that my heart ever dreamed of,

With you my love is freed.

The doctor paid no mind as she rushed from patient to patient and only the two male nurses of the group now gathered looked over in Aya’s direction, unsure whether to ask her to stop.  That question was quickly forgotten though as the other male patient, the young man slowly sat himself up and looked drowsily at the many wires connected to him.  Almost instantly nurses hands guided him back down to a horizontal position and he was rushed from the ward. 

I dream of you every night when I’m sleeping,

I close my eyes and you’re there.

My dreams of you show a love worth keeping,

A love that I know we could share.

As Aya sang out the second verse, the last patient in the room besides Suzy stirred.  As Blake looked around he realised that only he had noticed the slight movement and so with a burst of will power he tore himself away from Suzy to scream at the nurses.  They quickly responded and as two more entered into the ward they were instantly directed to the final waking patient whose eyes were now open as she tried to sit up. 

And I know,

Without you,

I cannot find happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

I think of you,

And in my heart,

I feel happiness,

For it’s you that I love.

Blake stepped back to Suzy’s bed and held her free hand in both of his.  He looked expectantly down, knowing that at any moment, Aya’s song would work its magic on the true love of his life.  He squeezed Suzy’s hand as if willing her himself to wake from her slumber, but she did not move. 

If I have you in my life to come home to,

Then I know things will feel right,

If you love me the way that I love you,

Then our love will always shine bright.

As Aya finished the last verse of her song, she looked at Blake.  The expectant look in his eyes was heartbreaking to her as Suzy still lay perfectly still.  She had made no miraculous recovery and now as the other patients were being rushed away and were each completely revived, the room began to empty. 

Aya did not dare to speak but listened as Blake began whispering words of encouragement to his wife.  The minutes passed like hours and Suzy still did not move.  Shortly, Blake looked to Aya and then most uncharacteristically he barked “Again!”  Quickly though, Blake caught himself as he saw the hurt look in Aya’s eyes.  “I’m sorry Aya” he said from the bottom of his heart “Please, please will you sing one more time, just for Suzy?” 

Aya’s eyes softened and once more she sang her beautiful ballad.  Now that the room had quieted, Aya sang in her usual soft voice, watching the sleeping Suzy and flicking her glance to the expectant Blake between verses.  But Suzy still did not wake and when the song was done for the third time, Aya could see that Blake was torn. 

Something had happened here today.  Whether it was a miracle, a coincidence or what Aya liked to think of as just a little bit of magic, her song had seemingly awoken a room full of people that were trapped in comas.  But in a cruel twist of fate, the person that she had cared about the most, her friend and the reason she had come here, was now in misery even worse than before.  Blake had been forced to watch as others with exactly the same condition as his beloved wife, awoke from their sleep and were now with loved ones or being cared for by the nurses.  Blake’s pain froze him like a statue as, now sitting at Suzy’s side once more, he stared intently at her closed eyes, as if his will alone could force them open.  Time passed and all three remained silent.  The day melted away and both became aware that Aya must soon leave if she was to go and sing in the club tonight.  Aya could see that Blake could not bare to tear himself away from Suzy, still so full of hope as he was, so placing a hand on his shoulder, she gave a gentle squeeze and then slipped away, out of the hospital ward. 

Blake sat alone now.  As usual, the nurses that recognised him from his daily visits had allowed him to stay just a little past visiting hours and in light of the days events, it seemed that they were willing to let him stay all night if he wanted to. 

The evening crept in and the ward darkened.  Without Blake noticing it, one of the nurses came into the ward and turned on a nearby bedside lamp to dimly light the room and yet not disturb Blake in his thoughts.  He sat as still as Suzy was, looking constantly at her eyes, never moving himself.  Whether he looked determined, sad or hopeful, the nurse had not been able to tell and not wanting to disturb him, she had not asked if he was okay. 

The blackness of the night covered the sky and against the horizon the lights of the buildings shone out.  On the window’s of the room, gentle reflections of the city cast themselves in mere shadows of the real thing.  It was a clear night and all the stars were out and shinning. 

A thought occurred to Blake and as it did he put it into action.  In a shaky voice he whispered “You are all that my heart ever wanted, your love is all that I need” keeping to the melody of Aya’s song as he half spoke, half sung the words.  After he had uttered the last word, Suzy took a single deep breath.  This one sign gave hope a new meaning for Blake and he squeezed her hand as he sang the second line to Aya’s song “You are all that my heart ever dreamed of, with you my love is freed.” 

Suzy now took a second deep breath and just the slightest sensation in his hands told Blake that she just barely noticeably had squeezed his hand back. 

“I dream of you every night when I’m sleeping, I close my eyes and you’re there.  My dreams of you show a love worth keeping, a love that I know we could share.” 

After half singing, half saying the second verse of Aya’s song, Suzy actually sighed and now Blake’s heart was racing.  He began screaming for the nurses, for anyone to come to his aid and then suddenly afraid that Suzy would slip back down, he half sang, half said the rest of Aya’s song until the nurses could arrive.  “And I know, without you, I cannot find happiness, for it’s you that I love.

“I think of you, and in my heart, I feel happiness, for it’s you that I love. 

“If I have you in my life to come home to, then I know things will feel right, if you love me the way that I love you, then our love will always shine bright.” 

As if the last word had been a signal, events then seemed to unfold from this point in a matter of seconds.  As Blake said the last word of the song, Suzy’s eyes fought their way open and for the first time in far too long, Blake looked deeply into his wife’s eyes.  He had only a second to hold her to him before the nurses pushed him gently aside and began rushing around Suzy.  The same doctor arrived that had appeared earlier and with a shocked look on her face she said to Blake “She’s better late than never!”  as she hurried past him and onto her work. 

The efficient team of doctor and nurses soon had Suzy into the recovery ward and Blake waiting anxiously outside.  He was not waiting long at all before the doctor emerged with a big smile on her face.  “Mr Shendon, I’m happy to tell you that patient number six for today, has come out of her coma and is now ready for you to see her.” 

Blake looked away from the doctor and at the closed doors that now stood between him and his wife. 

“Er, Sir?” asked the doctor tentatively, gently holding him back.  “Can I just ask, how did you do it?” 

Blake looked down at the floor as thoughts of Aya returned to his mind for the first time since he’d sung her song and as he looked back into the eyes of the doctor he said cryptically “I owe a friend a big favour.” 

The doctor let Blake go and he entered through the double doors.  Within seconds Suzy was in his arms and they sat together on her bed holding each other in silence for several heartbeats.  Then Suzy whispered in his ear “I heard you singing.  You never sing, so does that mean I have to go into another coma to get you to sing to me again?” 

Blake laughed softly to himself and squeezed his wife tightly to him. 

“Don’t you dare!” he answered playfully. 

The two talked together for the rest of the night and during that time Suzy told Blake something that made no sense to him at the time.  But then the next day when he learned that Aya had not gone to the club the night before and nor could she be contacted, Blake started to wonder. 

Suzy was at home now where the doctor had told her to stay until her strength was fully recovered and so Blake decided to visit Aya in person, to make sure that there was nothing wrong and to thank her for what she had made possible. 

In the apartments where Aya lived though, there was no answer at her door.  Blake was there for sometime, trying to get in to make sure his friend was okay and during that time, a neighbour appeared. 

“She’s gone” she said sadly. 

Blake looked at the large woman and replied “What do you mean, gone?” 

“I mean she ain’t here no more.  Packed up and moved out last night.  Barely had any stuff with her, but said she had to go.  Lovely little songbird, I’m gonna miss her.” 

“Did she say where?” 

“Nope.  Sorry.  All she said to me on her way out was, ‘Time to go’ and I didn’t think to ask where.  None of my business really.” 

Blake left the apartments and wondered what had happened to Aya.  Why had she left without saying good bye?  Then Blake remembered what Suzy had said to him the night before.  Casting his mind back, he replayed the conversation in his mind;

“I don’t remember if I dreamt of anything while I was in the coma.  If I did, it’s gone now.  Well, everything except one really weird dream.  Right before I heard you singing to me, I saw a girl.  She was really pretty, with short black hair, I remember seeing her vividly.  She said to me “Time to wake up – someone’s waiting for you.”  Then she started humming and the song that she was humming sort of blended into what you were singing when I woke up.  I think that’s how I heard it.  As I was coming to, I could hear her voice mixed with yours and I was sort of surprised when I saw just you in the room until the nurses came.  But the really weird part of the dream was that after she started humming, I saw her walking away from me in a street at night, looking up at the stars and then she just disappeared, sort of like she just faded away and it all happened so vividly.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget that dream.” 

As Blake remembered what Suzy had said to him, he thought to himself Neither will I.